By Miriam Humbe, Abuja
Minister of State for Industry, Trade and Investment, Amb. Maryam Yalwaji Katagum, on Monday, said that the Nigerian government’s shift to non-oil sector was a smart step in the right direction for the growth of the nation’s economy.
In a statement signed on Monday by the Ministry’s Deputy Director Information, Mrs Oluwakemi Ogunmakinwa, the Minister said this to a delegation from the Union Bank of Nigeria Plc led by the Managing Director/ Chief Executive Officer, Mr Mudassir Amray who visited her in Abuja.
She said that more partnerships and resources should be deployed towards that direction.
The Minister advised the bank to partner with state governments who would, in turn, make funds accessible through their microfinance institutions to micro, small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs), particularly the nano enterprises.
Amb. Katagum was happy that Union Bank of Nigeria plc was already doing a lot with women in MSMEs, Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria, and the Bank of Industry.
She encouraged the bank to also collaborate with the Industrial Training Fund (ITF) in the area of skills acquisition for MSMEs, and that the bank should include E-commerce and financial inclusion in its operations.
Director, Trade Department in the Ministry, Mr. Suleiman Audu suggested that representatives of the Ministry and Union Bank of Nigeria Plc should meet at the technical level to brainstorm on identified areas so as to come up with an actionable plan.
Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of Union Bank of Nigeria Plc, Mr. Mudassir Amray said that the purpose of their visit was to reintroduce the bank to the Ministry as well as seek for more collaborations as the bank was rightly positioned to serve the country.
The Managing Director sought the support of the Ministry and its Agencies in order to provide them with insights on areas of collaboration.
In another development, the Minister met with a team from Frandis -Franchisers and Distributors Forum led by the founder, Mr.Tayo Adedugbe.
She was joyful over the adoption of franchise model for the expansion of Nigeria’s MSMEs and called for adequate public enlightenment to create awareness and foster more collaboration with other relevant agencies of government.
