Operators of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs), have been charged to leverage on various initiatives of the present administration in Ogun State, geared towards boosting their businesses.
Commissioner for Industry, Trade and Investment, Mr. Adebola Sofela, gave the charge during the hybrid stakeholders’ engagement meeting with MSME operators, as well as Business Membership Organisations (BMOs), at Oke-Mosan, Abeokuta and on digital platform.
Mr. Sofela stressed that strategic reforms and initiatives were structured to reduce the cost and time to complete business processes, improve business-enabling environment and increase private sector investments, adding that the Prince Dapo Abiodun's administration introduced incentives, streamlined business registration processes through automation.
He pointed out that government was promoting digital literacy and adoption of e-commerce platforms among entrepreneurs through partnership with technological companies to provide affordable digital tools and learning, to ensure the MSMEs operators in the state were not left behind.
The Commissioner explained that initiatives were structured to reduce the cost and time to complete business processes, mentioning that significant investments had been made in developing industrial parks and business hub and economic zones, just as Small Scale Industries Land Acquisition Schemes (SILAS) in Ijebu Isiwo, was established to serve as a catalyst for business growth.
"We have introduced various funding windows like the Ogun SME Financial Empowerment Scheme, to address the prevailing challenges confronting enterpreneurs and lack of access to finance, as well as high cost associated with business operations.
"We are committed to building the capacity of our MSMEs, having realised the need for enhanced skills and knowledge in business management, financial planning and marketing among our MSMEs", he said.
Earlier, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry, Dr. Olu. Ola. Aikulola, appreciated stakeholders for their collaboration, soliciting their cooperation towards achieving more.
"The Prince Abiodun-led government has many lofty initiatives in the offing and you are expected to key into them any time we call on you", he said.
In his remarks, the National President, Association of Small Business Owners of Nigeria (ASBON), Dr. Femi Egbesola, who described Sofela as an SME-friendly Commissioner, assured the government of the support of small business owners in the state.
The meeting had in attendance, representatives of German Agency for International Cooperation (GIZ), Small and Medium Enterprise Development Agency of Nigeria (SMEDAN), Association of Small Business Owners of Nigeria (ASBON), Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC), Ogun State Signage Agency (OGSAA), Ogun State Internal Revenue Service (OGIRS), Association of Nigerian Women in Business Network (ANWBN).
Others were, Cobblers and Leather Artisans Association of Nigeria, Association of Skill and Vocational Artisans Association of Nigeria (ASVAN), Ogun State Chambers of Commerce Industry Mines and Agriculture (OGUNCCIMA), among others.
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