Minister launches Nigeria, Philippines stamps

—Bayelsa to  host 2014 international SMES summit

— To inject N20bn into SMEs fund

In a bid to boost small and medium scale enterprises in the state, the government of Bayelsa state has concluded plans to inject N20bn into an SME’s fund and this  will be done during the International summit schedule to hold between the 30th of April and 3rd of May in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State.

The State Governor, Hon. Seriake Dickson who disclosed this  at an International Conference held in Abuja, said the government is very interested in stimulating the growth and development of SMEs in other to help stimulate the state’s economy.
He added that his administration has commenced the use of computerized certificates of occupancy with just 60 days processing duration, so that citizens can become major players in the state’s economy.
On his part, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Investment, Mr Cyril Akika, stated  that the state government is taking a census of all SMEs in the state in order to support them with adequate funds, adding that, the administration of Hon. Seriake Dickson had created a fund with a minimum of  ₦20 billion in that regard.

He further stated that, the Enterprises Development Centre of the Lagos Business School will partner with the Department of Enterprises Development of the Niger Delta University to equip undergraduates with entrepreneurship skills.
In a goodwill message at the event, the South African High Commissioner to Nigeria, Mr. Kingsley Mamabolo congratulated Gov Dickson, on the successful winning of the hosting rights of the world SME’s event in Bayelsa state, noting that, his efforts at fighting poverty and unemployment were genuine and laudable.

He stated that the Bayelsastate government had established an economic relationship with South Africa, with the opening of a business office in South Africa by the Bayelsa State Government last year, stating that there is a symbiotic link between economy and politics.
Mr.Mamabolo welcomed further integration of policies between Nigeria and South Africa.
Also present at the event were representatives of the High Commissioner of Trinidad and Tobago to Nigeria, SMEDAN, NOA, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Finance and top government functionaries from Bayelsa State.