FG flags off campaign for home grown product, services

The Federal Government has flagged off comprehensive sensitisation campaign for patronage and support for made-in Nigeria products and services in the country by the citizens.

Flagging off the campaign in Ado Ekiti, the state capital on Thursday, the minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Niyi Adebayo, at the 13th National Council meeting of Industry, Trade and Investment (NCITI) explained that the initiative was part of the Economic Recovery and Growth Plan (ERGP) Strategy and National Economic Sustainability Programme (NESP) of the Federal government to reposition the nation’s economy.

He disclosed that patronage of locally made products would create more jobs, promote indigenous products, reduce poverty and also boost the development of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises, MSMEs across the country.

The former Ekiti State governor added that several policies and programmes had been put in place by the government through the ministry, “to reposition MSMEs as the engine room for wealth creation, economic transformation and development in the country.”

According to him, “The development of MSMEs is critical to us as a government because of its place in the economy and we will not relent in our efforts towards the growth of MSMEs.

“I am flagging off the use, support and patronize for Made-in Nigeria products and services by the people for us to grow the economy and generate more employment opportunities for the people.”

Speaking, the Ekiti state Governor, Dr Kayode Fayemi, commended the federal government for its investment into the development of MSMEs and for collaborating with states to provide solutions that deepen access to finance market and resources.

Fayemi explained that aside from creating enabling environment for MSMEs to thrive in Ekiti, his administration in the last three years, through a collaborative multi-agency approach had attracted about a $100 million investments in agriculture, technology and infrastructure to the state.

He disclosed that his administration had also introduced the use of technology to drive MSMEs in the State through the introduction of automated tax payment, business premises registration and other significant economic activities in the state.

According to him, “We also invested in several lending programmes to complement the work being done by the Federal Government. Our Micro Finance and Enterprise Development Agency have facilitated loans to over 4,000 entrepreneurs in the State, with a commitment to do much more next year.

“This Government has awarded over 50,000 hectares of land for agriculture and agri-business opportunities, and our Special Agro-Industrial Processing Zone will be a platform to improve agricultural productivity, as well as a major driver of job creation.

“Finally, the development of Ekiti Knowledge Zone will ensure that Ekiti is a hub for technology businesses in Nigeria. We have started the processing of developing a bankable feasibility study for the zone and selecting a core investor for the project.

“When this is done, we will approach the Nigeria Export Processing Zone Authority (NEPZA) to confer Special Economic Zone (SEZ) status on the Zone. On our part, no stone will be left unturned in our quest to develop MSMEs, who remain the engine of our economic growth.”

On his part, the National Security Adviser noted that the development of the economy was key to the country’s security and stability, adding that robust and comprehensive implementation of policies for the MSMEs would help in addressing the mirage of challenges confronting the nation.

Represented by his principal staff officer, Jesse Dinju, the NSA said, “as a critical member of National Council of Industry, Trade and Investment (NCITI), I remain committed to working with all stakeholders in the implementation of MSMEs, towards achieving the socio-economic development and security of Nigeria.”

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FG flags off campaign for home grown product, services