MSME POTENTIALS FOR WEALTH CREATION, EMPLOYMENT TOO ATTRACTIVE TO BE IGNORED – LASG

The Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode, on Monday, said ‪the potentials in the Micro, Small and Medium Enterprise (MSMEs) sector in terms of wealth creation and employment generation are too attractive to be ignored by any discerning government. 

Speaking at the 3rd Lagos State Micro Small and Medium Enterprises Fair, Ambode, represented by the Commissioner for Special Duties, Mr. Seye Oladejo, said it is the reason the present administration deemed it expedient to put in place policies, projects and programmes aimed at ameliorating the gamut of challenges being faced by the MSME sector.

According to him, “One of such programmes is the MSME Exclusive Fair which is the flagship trade fair and exhibition in the State that gives indigenous small businesses increased leverage for local market access and global visibility”. 

While describing the theme of the fair ‘Enhancing the Quality of MSMEs’ Products for Global Competitiveness’, he called for collaboration between the Organised Private Sector (OPS) and government as a means of growing the potentials of the Micro Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) sector in terms of wealth creation and employment generation for the country. 

“As a people-oriented government, we shall continue to design and implement policies and programmes that would accelerate the actualisation of our goals of sustainable trade, industrial and economic development. We are, therefore, emboldened to call on the Organised Private Sector to continue to collaborate with our government in our bid to enhance the quality and overall performance of our MSMEs for business prosperity and economic development of Lagos State and Nigeria as a whole”, he asserted. 

Ambode maintained that “In terms of small business infrastructure, we are fast-tracking the construction of the Imota Light Industrial Park, Ikorodu which would complement existing industrial estates in the State upon completion”. 

 The Governor explained that the MSMEs sector is the backbone of the Lagos economy and are largely responsible for local industrialisation, value addition, wealth creation, poverty alleviation and improved standards of living for Lagosians. 

He hoped to see a newer Lagos with a healthier and more supportive business environment, more virile, sustainable and consumer-driven enterprises with qualitative and globally-competitive Made-in-Lagos brands, assuring that the MSME Exclusive fair, for many years to come, would continue to serve as a veritable marketing and business support platform for all small businesses in the State.  

On his part, the Commissioner for Commerce, Industry and Cooperatives, Mrs. Olayinka Oladunjoye, disclosed that exhibitors were selected based on the innovativeness, quality and marketing appeal of their brands.  

She said the fair is about promoting ‘Made in Lagos’ brands ranging from finished leather goods, food and beverages, textile, fashion and accessories, household and domestic products, health, fitness and lifestyle products as well as arts and crafts.