Business
THE Director-General, Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria (SMEDAN), Mr Charles Odii, says the agency has empowered 55 entrepreneurs in Akwa Ibom with starter packs to improve their businesses.
Odii said this at a training organised by the agency under the National Business Skills Development Initiative for entrepreneurs in Uyo on Tuesday.
He described SMEs as a critical sub-sector in the nation’s economy due to its impact on job creation.
Odii said that the participants would be trained in leather works, food processing and digital marketing.
According to him, they will also undergo training in virtual assistance to enhance their businesses.
”At the end of the programme, we intend to see improved business management practice, service provision and access to finance.
”It is also expected that market support services, delivery and patronage for artisans will improve,” he said.
The SMEDAN boss expressed Federal Government’s commitment to holistically address the challenges confronting Micro Small and Mesium Enterprises (MSMEs) in the country.
”As an agency, we are ensuring that business development providers deliver standard services to MSMEs.
”SMEDAN will continue to support entrepreneurs in the country to promote job creation, wealth creation and poverty alleviation,” he said.
Earlier, the Director, Enterprise Development and Promotion, Mr Monday Ewans, said that the programme was targeted at training young entrepreneurs and women.
Ewans warned beneficiaries of SMEDAM empowerment packs not to treat the opportunity given to them with levity.
”Use our business support packs to create employment opportunities and wealth,” he said.
In a remark, the Commissioner for Trade and Investment in Akwa Ibom, Dr John Etim, said the State Government had attractive policy initiatives for the growth of medium and small scale businesses.
Etim said that the State Government recently brought in the Bank of Industries to facilitate easy assess to loans by small scale businesses operators.
Speaking on behalf of the participants, Mr Daniel Esetang, thanked the Federal Government and SMEDAN for always standing up in support of MSME operators.
Esetang, a shoe and leather product designer, said that SMEDAN had remained a major motivator for medium and small businesses.
He, however, identified inadequate electricity supply as a major challenge to medium and small scale businesses in the state.
”The cost of generating electricity has gone up astronomically due to the fuel subsidy removal.
“This is a major challenge to us,” Esetang said. (NAN)
T.S
-January 24, 2024 @ 8:13 GMT|
Tags: Charles Odii
