Edo: Stakeholders Meet To Brainstorm On Implementation Of MSMEs Policy

Stakeholders in the Micro, Small and Medium Scale Enterprises (MSMEs) sub-sector have met to brainstorm on the implementation of the national MSMEs policy in Edo.

The one-day event which was held in Benin was tagged: “Stalkhokders Dialogue on MSMEs Development and the Implementation of the National Policy on MSMEs” in Edo.

Onesi Lawani, the Deputy Director of Policy, Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria (SMEDAN) while speaking at the event mentioned that the meeting is to create awareness and ownership of the national MSME policy in Edo.

Also commenting, Markus Wauschkuhn, Head of Programme, Pro-poor Growth and Promotion of Employment in Nigeria (SEDIN) said the only way the unemployment gap can be addressed in the country is by addressing issues facing MSMEs

According to Wauschkuhn, the importance of the meeting is to strengthen the coordination of activities done by the Federal and States MDAs as well as donor organisations, geared toward the development of MSMEs in the country.

Represented by Akinropo Omoware, Head of Policy, SEDIN, Wauschkuhn stated:  “We believe that the forum will provide an opportunity for stakeholders in the MSMEs eco-system in the state to interact on the key challenges, foster common understanding and proffer some solutions.”

Also speaking, Hon Afishetu Braimoh, the Commissioner for Business, Trade and Cooperative in Edo who represented Gov. Godwin Obaseki of Edo, said that one could not underscore the fact that MSMEs are the engine of any economy, as they remained the largest employers of labour.

“We have struck a strategic collaboration with local and international partners to ensure the promotion of the private sector in the state.”