ABUJA: FCTA to Host Nationwide MSME Business Clinic


fct elections3

The Managing Director, Abuja Enterprising Agency (AEA) Alhaji Arabi Tukur, says the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) will host the nationwide Micro Small Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) business clinic in Abuja.
Tukur said at news briefing on Wednesday in Abuja that the Office of the Vice President in collaboration with FCTA through Entrepreneurial Development, Poverty Reduction and Wealth Creation the Abuja Enterprise Agency is organising the clinic.
“The Nationwide MSME Business Clinic is one of the initiatives of the Federal Government to diversify the economy through strengthening of MSMEs in the country.
“The initiative will enlighten MSMEs on programmes of the Federal Government that will accelerate business growth and provide on the spot support services to MSMEs.
“In addition it will provide the platform to promote and showcase Made-in-Nigeria products and services,’’ he said.
The managing director said the event will facilitate interaction between Business Regulators (BR), Business Development Services (BDS) providers and Business Owners (BO).
He noted that through the interaction BO will understand better the roles of BR and the regulatory challenges that exist will be addressed on the spot by the Regulators.
“The Business Clinic is expected to host 5000 MSMEs within and outside the FCT.
“The activities of the 2-day programme will include Exhibition, Business Matching and Market Linkage, One on One Interaction with Regulatory Bodies, interactive sessions such as business roundtable and policy advocacy forum.
Tukur said the key strategic objectives include creating a platform where Business Regulatory Bodies (BRB), Business Development Service Providers BDSP) and Businesses can interact and provide solutions to challenges inhibiting the setup and growth of MSMEs in the FCT.
“The forum will also sensitise BO on policies, programmes and initiatives designed by the Federal Government for supporting and encouraging MSMEs.
“Promote and showcase Made-in-Nigeria goods and services,’’ he added.
He noted that during the course of the event BO will interact with the BRB that include Standard Organisation of Nigeria (SON), Federal Inland Revenue Services (FIRS), and Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC).
Others, he said, are Nigerian Investment Promotion Commission (NIPC), Nigeria Export Promotion Council (NEPC), Nigerian Export-Import Bank (NEXIM) and National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control, (NAFDAC).
Also, Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria (SMEDAN), Industrial Training Fund (ITF), Bank of Industry (BoI), Bank of Agriculture (BoA), Raw Materials Research and Development council (RMRDC) amongst others.
Tukur maintained that the business clinic is aimed at promoting the MSMEs business profile for networking with similar business organisation in this part of the world.
“It is aimed to provide a very useful platform for associations to meet and explore co-operative exchanges and activities with counterparts in other states.
“The business clinic would create an excellent opportunities for participants to meet with prospective local and foreign buyers to sell their products internationally.
“It will also avail them the opportunity to have a no hold bared discussion with relevant government Agencies regulating Exportation in Nigeria,’’ he said.
The managing director said that participants can join associations of same industry or region, so as to participate in other exhibitions to promote their products/services in a unified group e.g. membership of associations like NASME, NASSI, ABCOF.
Tukur said the event will showcase the natural/mineral resources that are available within the FCT and its environs.
He added that the business clinics/exhibition are avenues where latest inventions both technological and service oriented are usually showcased/demonstrated to the business world.
He said the event, which is slated from July 19 to July 20 2017, is free for all interested individual and organisations to attend, saying it will commence from 9am to 4pm daily will hold at Eagle Square Abuja.(NAN)
KM/AFA




No comments: