The Nigerian Minister of State for Industry, Trade and Investment, Amb. Mariam Katagum says Small and Medium Enterprises have contributed about fifty percent to the country’ s Gross Domestic Product and accounted for over 80percent of employment in the country.
The Minister made this known in her remarks at the 27th edition of the National Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises Clinic (MSMEs clinics) in Gombe State.
Amb. Katagum stated that the Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises sector contributes to economic development, job creation and export as well as reducing levels of poverty and unemployment in the country.
According to her, “The MSME sector is the engine of growth of any economy, contributing to its development, job creation and export amongst others. The latest SMEDAN/NBS MSME Survey indicates Nigeria’s SMEs contribute nearly 50% of the country’s GDP and account for over 80% of employment in the country. No doubt, the sector is pivotal to Nigeria’s growth including reducing poverty and unemployment levels”.
She stated that “With the above figures in mind, it is therefore very clear that supporting small businesses by creating opportunities for MSMEs to thrive is essential for increasing productivity, creating jobs, and boosting our economy.”
“That means making every effort to support MSMEs so that they can grow. This is why Government is working with stakeholders across all sectors to ensure that MSMEs have the support they need, to grow now and in the future. All this is geared towards enhancing the competitiveness and quality of services rendered by SMEs, as well as globally and regionally positioning them to compete with their counterparts both within the country and beyond”.
“There is therefore, a compelling need for every State and local government in Nigeria to identify areas of comparative advantage, particularly in agriculture and other resource endowments, and build competences for food sufficiency and export. This is particularly more pressing, considering that trading under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) commenced on 1st January 2021”, Amb. Katagum said.
Business in a Pandemic
The Minister noted that the Federal Government was fully committed to empowering Nigerians, especially in the face of the Covid-19 Pandemic, adding that, the Government, through the Economic Sustainability Committee had announced specific programmes aimed at cushioning the impact of Covid-19 on MSMEs.
Amb. Katagum who is aso the Chairperson of the Scheme said the programmes include the Survival Fund and Guaranteed Offtake Schemes which are being managed by a Steering Committee in the Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment.
She said “These interventions, which have reached considerable implementation levels and received accolades and positive testimonies nationwide, have provisions for 45% female-owned businesses, as well as 5% for those with special needs. Some key tracks include: Payroll Support; General MSME Grant; Artisan/Transport Grant; and Free Business Registration”.
The Minister of State disclosed that the Federal Executive Council had recently approved the revised National Policy on Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs), which provides the framework to resolve the challenges faced by the sector.
She explained that the aim of the review process was to ensure that the revised Policy reflects unfolding economic and social imperatives affecting MSMEs in Nigeria and aligns with international best practices in MSMEs development and expressed optimism that the implementation of the policy will set the MSMEs on the path of sustainable growth and development.
Hauwa Abu
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