The Nasarawa state government, Thursday, said it would compliment the effort of the Nasarawa entrepreneurs by encouraging them with all the necessary support required for Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) to succeed in the state.
State commissioner for commerce trade and investment Mr.Obadiah Boyi stated this at the occasion of the three-day Nasarawa entrepreneurship boot-camp and investors 2021 in Lafia.
He said government has developed a blueprint, known as the Nasarawa Economic Development Strategy (NEDS), aimed at placing Nasarawa state among the top three most competitive state in Nigeria by 2023 in terms of sustained accelerated growth, increased economic opportunities and prosperity, social inclusion to improve quality of lives of the citizenry.
The commissioner who was represented by the permanent secretary ministry for commerce, trade and investment Mr. Rilwanu Ibrahim explained that the Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) is the first step towards the development of any economy in the world, and therefore, need to mention that this workshop was apt and timely.
He charged them to rise to the challenges of economic transformation of Nasarawa state and the nation at large, as a collective responsibility of every stakeholder.
On his part, the controller of the Central Bank of Nigeria(CBN) Lafia branch Mr.Samson Isuwa said it would continue to provide opportunities for Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises to access loans at single digit rates towards entrenching a vibrant economy in the country.
He explained that CBN had continued to initiate loan schemes covering agriculture, the entertainment industry, small scale business, business owners among others at single digit interest rate as part of efforts to achieve the federal government’s drive to economic prosperity.
Also, founder of Nasarawa Entrepreneurs Hub, Mr. Kefas Elisha Tiga, said the eEntrepreneurship boot-camp was to develop young entrepreneurs with the appropriate skills and identify which businesses have the capacities to access loans and pay back on time.
He thanked governor Abdullahi Sule for his inspiring support towards the small and micro enterprises in the state.
