By Awesome Ekene
Nigerian Association of Small and Medium Enterprises (NASME), Anambra State Chapter has expressed its commitment to providing solutions to challenges and business uncertainties of entrepreneurs and business owners in the State.
State Chairman, Chinemerem Oguegbe gave the assurance at the maiden Anambra Business Summit of the Association, themed, “Enhancing The Growth of Small Business for Job and Wealth Creation”.
He said the summit which signified new beginning for Nano, Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises in the State, offered participants opportunity to listen to industry stakeholders and experts share insights they could leverage on to scale their businesses.
He appreciated Governor Charles Soludo for his commitment to the growth and development of MSMEs in the state.
He said: “For the first time in history of Anambra MSME Ecosystem we’re having summit organized by private sector targeted at starting discussions centered on sharing insights, opportunities and providing solutions to challenges negating growth and development of business owners in the state.
“For most of us in NASME Anambra State and millions of Business Owners in the State we have longed for a day like this where stakeholders, industry experts, and agencies of government will sit under one platform and talk about issues that affect the MSME Ecosystem in the State
“No Country or State can grow without an intentional support for its MSME Ecosystem as records has shown that MSMEs contribute over 90% of the total businesses in Nigeria according to the National Bureau of Statistics 2017 report.
“Given the entrepreneurial background of the average Anambrarian we believe there is still so much to be done to ensure that we build the capacity of ndi Anambra especially our youths and women towards creating and building sustainable businesses.
“Today NASME Anambra State under my leadership acknowledging the fact that Government alone cannot do this has taken it up as one of our fundamental objectives to build the capacity of Anambra Business Owners through Business Development Trainings, Mentoring programs and engaging critical Industry stakeholders towards bringing solutions to the numerous challenges we face as Entrepreneurs and Business Owners in the State.
“Again, we have taken the discussion to a whole new level. This Summit is an opportunity for all of us to sit together, share insights, listen to Industry stakeholders and experts share opportunities that we can leverage on to scale our Businesses
“To all of us entrepreneurs and business owners gathered here today for this summit, let us not just sit and enjoy another business event. Today is a new beginning. Please be intentional about building new networks, find strategic collaborations and ask questions to stakeholders that could help ease your individual pain points
“NASME Anambra in partnership with our technical partners is committed to be your trusted partner in your entrepreneurial journey. Whatever your pains, your challenges and your uncertainty in business we are here to help provide solutions.”
Commissioner for Industry, Mr Christian Udechukwu assured entrepreneurs in the State of government’s willingness to support their businesses to flourish.
He urged them to take advantage of the enabling environment provided by government to grow their businesses.
“We want to partner with you to grow your businesses. We have money to transform your ideas to reality. You can access any amount of money you need lower interest rates as long as the business has integrity.
“I see millonaires and billionaires among you here. You’re today’s economic champions of the state. Even in war zones, you have billionaires. The only limitation is you,” he said.
Also speaking, Commissioner for Youth Development, Patrick Aghamba identified determination, consistency, loyalty (mentorship) and prayer as critical virtues of success in any area of life.
Aghamba, represented by Permanent Secretary in the Ministry, Engr Martin Agbili commended the organisers for the summit, urging the participants to put into practice all they learnt.
Earlier, Anambra State Manager, Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria (SMEDAN), Engr. Chito Onuzulike expressed worry over lack of interest of entrepreneurs in the state to creating cooperatives societies.
She regretted that those who form theirs do such primarily for what they would gain from government and not to contribute to growth of nation’s economy.
She also decried challenge of accessing business related information, especially by the uneducated business owners, stressing the need for those better informed to assist where necessary.
She said, “The challenge is our people having access to information which is one of the things SMEDAN is doing. Even when expression of interest is published in national dailies, our people don’t show interest.
“Yet they keep blaming government. There’s need for those of us who are more educated and exposed to such information to enlighten our people.
“We’re here to work with communities and access some of these available interventions. Government has done its own part by ensuring those things are there. It’s left for our people to key in.
“You don’t form cooperatives because you want to benefit from government; and after a year or two, if nothing is forthcoming you angrily pool out.
“We want to form cooperatives to start economic activities. Cooperatives is first of all for you to contribute to the nation’s economy. It’s easier to start business by bringing people of like minds and polling your resources together.
“As per enabling environment, every country has its challenges and Nigeria is not an exception. But government is making efforts in that direction.”
