The Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria (SMEDAN) is holding an opportunity fair for Micro Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) in Plateau, to explore untapped opportunities in the non-oil sector.
Speaking at the event on Tuesday in Jos, Mr Olawale Fasanya, the Director-General of SMEDAN said that the fair was aimed at showcasing the products of MSMEs in the state.
“The opportunity fair is organised annually to explore the untapped opportunities in the non-oil sector in order to boost the nation’s economy.’’
Fasanya said that the fair was to further create opportunities for MSMEs in the state to thrive, particularly in the post COVID-19 era.
”The opportunity fair, which is an annual event usually implemented in the North and South Geo-political zones of the country is to further enhance Nigeria MSMEs prominence, competitiveness and development.
”The decision to have the second leg of the 2022 edition of the opportunity fair in Jos is therefore not only deliberate but also very auspicious most especially in this post-COVID19 pandemic era.
”Also, the dwindling resources from oil and the need to explore several economic opportunities that have largely remained untapped necessitated the need for the agency to use the fair to deepen the MSME scope in the state.
”Essentially, the opportunity fair is initiated to provide opportunities that the fair usually open up for them as it presents platform for business to business and business to public sector enabling institutions networking,” he said.
Fasanya said that the fair was purposely designed to create access to market linkages, networking, and access to critical business information required for MSMEs growth and development.
”As important as this sub-sector is to the overall wellbeing of our national economy, it is bedevilled by some challenges that does not allow for some of the new enterprises to survive their third year anniversary.
”Understanding that access to market is one of such challenges; SMEDAN has over the years assiduously worked to ensure that this issue is gradually addressed through the MSME opportunity fairs.
”Essentially, the fair is designed to provide opportunities for exhibition of goods and products by participating MSMEs,” he added.
Fasanya said that the fair would also provide opportunities for critical MDAs “that are MSMEs enablers or regulators to freely interact with MSMEs operators.’’
The D-G thanked Plateau government for its support to the agency toward the growth of MSMEs in the state.
Declaring the event open, Gov. Simon Lalong, thanked SMEDAN for organising the event and all it had been doing toward supporting young entrepreneurs in the state.
The governor, represented by the Prof. Danladi Atu, the Secretary to the State Government, further commended the agency for the efforts and modalities put in place in creating job opportunities in the non-oil sector.
Lalong promised to support and cooperate with the agency in toward boosting the economy of the state and the country in general.
