LEVERAGING ON ECONOMIC BENEFITS OF MSME WILL ENHANCE GDP – AMBODE

Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode has said that the ability of government to leverage on the Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises, MSME sector’s population in Nigeria would further enhance its contribution to the nation’s Gross Domestic Product, GDP.

The Governor spoke through the Commissioner for Commerce, Industry and Cooperatives, Mrs. Olayinka Oladunjoye at the opening ceremony of the 3rd Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises, MSMEs Trade Fair organised by the Nigerian Association of Small-Scale Industrialists (NASSI) in conjunction with Lagos State Government at Adeyemi-Bero Auditorium, the Secretariat, Ikeja, Lagos.

He said that the population of the sector in the country, which is estimated at 37 million by the SMEDAN and National Bureau of Statistics collaborative survey, 2013, portends greater economic viability for Lagos State, being the commercial nerve centre of the country.

According to him, “it is imperative for Nigeria as a nation and Lagos as a State to create a platform that would essentially empower MSMEs for expansion, which in turn would create economic value”.

Ambode explained that the convergence of MSMEs, under the umbrella of NASSI, for the annual Trade Fair and Exhibition serves as a stimulus that will increase the productivity and profitability of the MSME sector.

“Let me, therefore, use this opportunity to encourage the leadership of NASSI to continue this laudable programme, whilst also challenging other Business Member Organisations (BMOs) to start a program of this nature where small businesses are given the centre stage to showcase their products to the whole world,” the Governor counselled.

He also re-emphasised the commitment of the State Government towards improving the lot of MSMEs operating in the State, saying that several MSME sector programmes and projects have already been embarked upon by successive administrations in the State.

He listed some of the projects to include the establishment of the Employment Trust Fund, the institutionalisation of the popular Lagos State MSME Exclusive Trade Fair, ongoing construction of a Light Industrial Park at Imota to provide workspaces for entrepreneurs, amongst others.

The Governor assured business owners in the State that government will not relent until all indigenous small businesses are transformed into large viable and sustainable enterprises.

“I want to assure you that the State Government will continue to give necessary support and assistance to all Business Member Organisations (BMOs) as we look forward to strengthening the cordial relationship that exists between the Organised Private Sector (OPS) and the State Government. I will like to re-affirm our commitment to you that we would not relent in our efforts until you all become Ambassadors of Made-In-Lagos Goods” he stated.