Kwara state government says it would collaborate with the bank of industry to ensure federal government interventions have sustainable impact on the people of the state.
Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazq stated this while speaking at a stakeholders meeting on Presidential Grants and Loans Scheme For MSMEs in Ilọrin.
Represented by the focal person on Small and Medium Enterprise, Dr Lawal Olorungbebe , governor AbdulRazq said the beneficiaries of the interventions need to be increased.
He advised the bank of industry to convene a stakeholders engagement to enlighten the residents on how to secure the grant.
AbdulRazq urged traders and artisans to ensure they use the facility granted them to grow their business to an enviable level.
He thank the federal government and bank of industry for the introduction of the scheme to assist the small business owners.
In his address the chairman of the Nigerian Association of Small Scale Industrialist, Kwara state Chapter, Olawoyin Solomon said the purpose of the scheme is to raise the capacity of Small Industrialists in the state.
He said the small business owners and artisans are being educated on how to access the loans and grow their business.
Solomon advised those who secure the loan to ensure prompt re-payment to enable others benefit.
In his remarks the Chairman, National Association of Small and Medium Enterprise, Mr Babatunde Aremu said the inclusion of Nano traders into the scheme is commendable.
He said the grant and Loan has assisted business owners and artisans to expand their businesses.
Babatunde appealed to the federal government to open the Chikanda Border to ease business activities in the state.
In his presentation, the Guest Speaker from the Bank of Industry, Mr Harrison Isaac said the federal government has introduced additional 75 billion naira into the scheme to grow the nation’s economy.
He said those who are interested in starting a trade, expand the existing one or upgrade the business are eligible to secure the loan.
Mr Isaac urged the state government to also assist those who are into manufacturing, processing and value addition to access the loans to boost the state economy.
