The Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency SMEDAN, has launched ‘SELECT’ Documents to promote made in Nigeria products.
The document which showcases the profiles of Made-in-Nigeria products as a means for easy access by investors, is supported by the Agency to also enhance access to markets for these products.
Launching the document in Kano state North West Nigeria, Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf identified Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) as the backbone of Nigeria’s economy, driving innovation, creating jobs, and fostering economic growth.
He reaffirmed the commitment of Kano state government in supporting and nurturing the growth of SMEs in the State.
The Governor, represented by the Commissioner for Trade and Investment, Abbas Sani said, through initiatives such as capacity building, access to finance, and market linkages, “we aim to unleash the full potential of SMEs in our state, creating opportunities for wealth creation and poverty alleviation.”
He noted that, “in Kano State, we recognise the importance of SMEs in driving socio-economic development, and we are committed to providing the necessary support and enabling environment for their success.”
The Chairman House of Representative Committee on SME’s Mansir Manu Soro said the legislature is determined to ensure smooth funding of SME’s in Nigeria.
He applauded the agency for enhancing digital means to grow small businesses in the country.
Creating Employment
Also, the Director General, Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency SMEDAN Mr. Charles Odii who underscored the importance of the Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) in Nigeria’s economy said, it is a sub-sector that accounts for a majority of the enterprises and the highest number of jobs created in the economy.
He said the most recent National MSMEs Survey of 2020 revealed that there are 39.6 MSMEs, employing 62.5 million persons (80.2% of labour force) and contributing 46.31% and 6.21% to nominal GDP and exports respectively.
Mr. Odii explained that, it is in the bid to further support the MSMEs in a deliberate manner that the Agency developed the SMEDAN SELECT programme which is geared towards creating a new SMEDAN brand from standard products amongst the best of Made-in-Nigeria products in the food, fashion, beauty and agro/agro allied sectors.
“These products, numbering about 300, have been specially sought and selected across Nigeria and the products is been displayed and marketed on the SMEDAN Website and other social media handles.”
He explained that, the launched hardcopy catalogues, will be distributed to Embassies, other MDAs and in department stores across major cities in Nigeria to improve the patronage of Nigerian products.
“The programme focuses on products of Micro and Small Enterprises (MSEs) who are existing beneficiaries of the Agency’s One Local Government, One Product (OLOP) programme across the federation.
“The OLOP programme is designed to enhance technical, technological and business management skills of MSEs (especially existing) as basis for expanding business opportunities of local communities.
“The Agency is implementing the One Local government One Product (OLOP) in one hundred and nine (109) senatorial districts in the country.” Mr. Odii said.
The SMEDAN DG and the representative of Governor Yusuf took time to inspect various tents of exhibitions.
Other stakeholders from NAFDAC, Standards Organisation of Nigeria, SON, Nigeria Export Promotion Council among others pledged their support for small businesses in Nigeria.
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