By Ikenna Uwadileke
The Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria (SMEDAN) has pledged to promote policies that would enhance the competitiveness of Micro Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs).
The Director-General of SMEDAN, Mr Olawale Fasanya made the pledge in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Sunday in Abuja.
Fasanya said that the agency was intensifying synergy with some relevant government agencies to enhance the competitiveness of MSMEs.
He said: “We are currently interfacing with the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control(NAFDAC) to enlighten MSMEs on product registration and certification.
“We would have strategies to ensure MSMEs can register good products without tedious functionalities. One can apply online for NAFDAC product certification and officials can come in for inspections.
“We are going to train our staff in all the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) in conjunction with focal NAFDAC officials so that MSMEs can easily register their product,” Fasanya said
The SMEDAN boss added that collaborations with the Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC) was a priority to ensure MSMEs key into the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
“We are working to make sure products that are export ready can be assisted to participate in AfCFTA and we are also going to enlighten MSMEs on necessary requirements to be a part of AFCFTA,’’ he said.
According to Fasanya, an upgrade to SMEDAN credit information portal has recently be concluded thus providing information at the fingertips of MSMEs.
“MSMEs do not need to go far to get needed information on loans and credit.
“Every information needed is available on the portal. Information on banks who now give loans without collateral can also be found on the portal and some MSMEs are not aware,’’ he said.
Fasanya further said that dialogue with stakeholders led to the review of MSMEs initiatives and programs so as to meet the need of end users nationwide.
“It is a part of the cardinal points to see to the implementation of the National policy on MSMEs to the later.
“It will also serve as a guide to activities geared at meeting up with priority areas within the implementation matrix.
“Our programs such as One Local Government One Product (OLOP) the Conditional Grant Scheme (CGS), the Matching Fund Program (MFP) and many more are geared toward facilitating the growth of MSMEs,” Fasanya said. (NAN)
Edited by Ese E. Eniola Williams
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