FG committed to providing support to assist small enterprises ― Minister of trade 

It has been declared that President Muhammdu Buhari led APC administration is fully committed to providing both financial and technical assistance to small and medium enterprises to ensure their products meet international standard thereby attracting foreign buyers.

This was disclosed on Monday by the Minister of State of Industry, Trade and Investment, Ambassador Maryam Yalwaji Katagum while declaring opened the 1st National Trade and Exhibition Fair with the theme, ‘The New National Economic Recovery and Growth Plan and Eventual Diversification of Nigeria’s Economy the Role of Small and Medium Enterprises’ holding at IBB Square, Bauchi.

Maryam Katagum said that the theme of the trade fair was in line with the present administration’s desire to ensure economic advancement and empower local businesses as well as adding value to the nation’s resources.

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The Minister called on all stakeholders in the economic sector to support the government’s efforts at strengthening the capacity of small and medium enterprises for job opportunities and ensure rural development.

In his speech, Bauchi State Governor, Sen Bala Mohammed Abdulkadir disclosed the state Government has approved the constitution of a committee for the privatisation of all the moribund industries in the state in order to boost economic activities and increase internally generated revenue of the state.

The Governor who was represented by his Deputy, Senator Baba Tela believed that the recommendations of the committee will go along way in improving and revitalisation of industries.

He also said that the constitution of the committee was in recognition of the importance of Small and Medium Scale Enterprises in the state in line with his administration’s economic policies.

According to him, the fair and exhibition are essentially an event meant to exhibit goods and services to potential buyers in addition to networking to private organisations to grow the customer base for the development of the business relationship.

Bala Mohammed further said that the 1st National Trade and Exhibition fair will open window of cooperation between government, private sector and small scale Entrepreneurs to the interface, exchange ideas and promote synergy for national growth and development.

The Governor said that ” You will agree with me that the seemingly high level of carpentry works going on in both the pavilion and open spaces for participants to have the necessary exhibition stand to display their commodities is another means of livelihood to our local entrepreneurs and teeming unemployed youth.

He added that ” I am pleased to draw the attention of the organisers of this trade and exhibition fair and all the stakeholders to ensure its sustenance and start making the proactive step towards reviving the traditional North East Joint Domestic Trade Fair in the near future”.

President of Bauchi State Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture, (BACCIMA), Alhaji Habu Jajere explained that the Trade Fair was organised as part of efforts to revive regional trade fair in the zone in addition to providing conducive environment for the federal government to educate stakeholders on the new National Economic Agenda and Strategies for diversification with particular emphasis on small and medium enterprises.

Adamu Jajere expressed confidence that the opportunity provided by the Trade Fair will transcend beyond the boundaries of buying, selling and exhibition to the pedestal of attracting the much needed foreign and domestic investment to the state.