By Sylvia Kodilichukwu, Enugu
Governor Peter Mbah of Enugu State has reassured the commitment of the State Government to keep supporting the Organised Private Sector (OPS) as key driver of economic growth in the South-East state.
Mbah disclosed this in Enugu while declaring open the 37th Enugu International Trade Fair, organised by the Enugu Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (ECCIMA).
The ongoing 10-day fair is themed:’Empowering Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) for Global Competitiveness’.
Represented by the Deputy Governor, Chief Ifeanyi Ossai, the governor said that the state’s current administration believed on the capabilities of the OPS to be catalysts for the rapid expansion of the state’s economy.
According to him, “we are intentionally in all policies, programmes and projects meant to create favourable environment for the promotion of trade, business and investment and ensure OPS continues to grow and expand their frontiers.
“We are always willing and ready to support MSMEs and the OPS as it is clear that they remained the engine for an enduring and sustainable growth of any economy.
“In Enugu State, we are totally committed to ensure the expansion of our economy; and the MSMEs and OPS are great ally of the state government in this direction.
“We have been constructing and reconstructing roads and other infrastructure as well as restructuring all facets of the state to support businesses and ensure their growth.”
The governor said that the state government remained ready to protect, be the chief marketing officer and defend any genuine striving business operating in the state.
In a goodwill message, the Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Dr Jumoke Oduwole, applauded ECCIMA for organising the 37th Enugu International Trade Fair and recent inauguration of 3000 square metre tent, which is fully airconditioned.
Oduwole, who was represented by Mrs Vivian Chindah, an Assistant Director, Trade Department, called on the OPS to take advantage of opportunities provided by the advent of African Continental Trade Agreement (AfCTA) export market.
“AfCTA export market provides opportunities for OPS to produce quality goods and services for export to other African countries, as the government has put in place an enabling environment for Nigerians to compete favourably,” she said.
Speaking, Dr Jani Ibrahim, National President of Nigerian Association of Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (NACCIMA), commended Gov. Mbah for creating a business-friendly environment that support enterprise and industrial growth.
Represented by Mr Humphrey Ngonadi, President of South-East Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (SECCIMA), the NACCIMA boss urged Enugu Chamber of Commerce to continue to champion the growth of MSMEs.
In a welcome address, the President of ECCIMA, Mr Nnanyelugo Onyemelukwe, urged governments at all levels to intensify support towards MSMEs and ensure their survival notwithstanding adverse economic realities.
According to Onyemelukwe, there is a need to intentionally support start-ups, budding MSMEs and industries to fully gain enormous economic multiplier benefits of such ventures.
He, however, called on the Federal Government to invest and develop the master-plan of the Enugu International Trade Fair complex to be at par with that of Lagos and Kaduna.
“We will continue to partner all levels of government and provide empirically-based economic ideas for the growth of Enugu State and country at large,” he added.
