Ogun State Government has unfolded its plan to establish a 1,000-hectare industrial hub for the Small and Medium Enterprises Industrial Land Acquisition Scheme (SILAS), to enable small business owners buy land and establish their businesses at lower rates, just as the government is working on a bill to prohibit sale of imported Adire in the markets to protect the local producers of Adire Kampala Fabrics in the state
The State Commissioner for Industry, Trade and Investment, Mr. Adebola Sofela, revealed this at Isheri, during the 2nd Annual Business Fair, organised by the Rotary Club of Isheri-North, Isheri with the theme, “Bridging the Gap between Businesses and Communities 2.0”.
Sofela described the various initiatives as strategic interventions towards the development of the Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) sub-sector which according to him, are geared towards laying the foundation for a vibrant and resilient economy.
The Commissioner who was represented by the Director, Industrial Promotion, Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment, Engr. Kehinde Akintomide, said the Ogun State Small and Medium Enterprises (SME) Financial Empowerment Scheme, made up of N2bn MSME Grants and Loans, as well as other business support programmes were deliberate efforts to enhance the competitiveness of businesses in the state
“Under the visionary leadership of His Excellency, Prince Dapo Abiodun, we have embarked on a transformative journey aimed at creating an enabling environment for businesses to thrive, fostering entrepreneurship and uplifting our communities. We are laying the foundation for a vibrant and resilient economy”, he said.
On the protection of local Adire fabric from foreign imitations, he added that aside the bill being initiated to ban the imported Adire, the Abiodun-led administration had upscaled and inaugurated the Modern Adire Shared facility at Asero and the Ogun Fashion Hub, to support Adire business, as well as fashion industry.
Speaking on accessing the interventions, Sofela stressed that formalisation of businesses was one of the major conditions, urging interested entrepreneurs to ensure they register their businesses with the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) and Business Premises Permit Portal (BPP).
The commissioner who lauded the Club for organising the Fair, called on the exhibitors at the programme to participate at the forthcoming Gateway International Trade Fair, scheduled to hold from Friday, April 19, 2024 to Monday, April 29, 2024, at the M.K.O International Trade Fair Complex, Laderin Abeokuta, assuring them of a business transforming experience.
Also speaking, President of the Club, Rotarian Daniel Nwejike, said the Business Fair would create a platform for MSMEs to have brand recognition and network, appealing to government to extend its grants and other interventions to businesses at the Fair.
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