FORM INDUSTRIAL CLUSTERS TO GAIN MORE GOVT SUPPORT— SMEDAN TELLS MSMEs

Reporter : CHINAZO ILECHUKWU

The Federal Government says it is taking steps to tackle unemployment and economic difficulties occasioned by the outbreak of COVID-19 through strengthening of micro small and medium enterprises.

The Director General Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria (SMEDAN), Dr. Dikko Umaru Radda, stated this in Owerri at the opening of a “Support Organizations’ Dialogue” held for Chambers of Commerce in the south east states, trade organizations and other affiliate bodies in both public and sector in the zone.

Dr. Radda said the meeting, which was in partnership with the Imo State Government, was to acquaint participants with some of the policies of the Federal Government with a view to keying into them to grow their businesses.

Dr. Radda, who was represented by a Director in the Agency, Dr. Friday Okpara, explained that the government was encouraging formation of industrial clusters across the federation to enable it address infrastructural deficit, including insufficient power supply facing operators of micro small and medium enterprises collectively.

“SMEDAN is desirous of entering into a new strategic partnership with MSME support organisations and business membership organisations at both the private and public sectors to enhance the operational efficiency of micro, small and medium enterprises across the country and especially South east,” he stated.

The Commissioner for Commerce and Industry in Imo State, Mr. Simon Ebegbulam, described micro small and medium enterprises as strategic to the socio-economic growth of every nation, noting that the state government would continue to support businesses to thrive.

Some of the participants, while commending the federal and state governments for the initiative, called for provision of access roads and increase in power supply to support their businesses.