Nasarawa State Governor, Engineer Abdullahi Sule has assured the Federal Government of its readiness to collaborate with a view to sustaining efforts geared towards providing enabling business environment for Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs).

Engineer Sule made this known while speaking at the 26th edition of the National Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises Clinics, organized by the Office of the Vice President, in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment and Nasarawa State Government, which held on Monday, in Lafia.

The Governor while commending the Federal Government for initiating the laudable programme, aimed at improving the business environment especially for MSMEs, which he described as the mainstay of the country’s economy, urged Vice President, Yemi Osinbajo, to consider domesticating the MSMEs facilities in the state.

Engineer Sule pointed out that in his administration’s determination to support MSMEs and to make Nasarawa State the best destination for business, the state government has commenced the conceptualization of an industrial cluster within the Abuja-Nasarawa corridor for small industries to thrive.

“This will serve as major  hub for small industries with seamless start-up businesses and necessary incentives to be provided,” the Governor stated.

Speaking at the event, Vice President, Prof. Osinbajo, who was special guest of honour, sad the MSMEs clinic taking place in Lafia, will provide further impetus that will give the entire process of creating a business friendly environment in the state.

Prof. Osinbajo called on MSMEs in the state to take full advantage of the opportunities offered by the clinic, just as he equally said the clinic will provide an opportunity for the Federal Government regulatory agency to inform small businesses about their requirements and business procedures.

He disclosed that FG is keen on establishing shared facilities, aimed at providing SMNEs with world class business equipment in various commercial clusters.

“Apart from the challenges that MSMEs face, another recurring problem is that small businesses across the country are not able to access production and operating equipment and this is why we thought it’s important to set up some of these shared facilities for their benefit,” Prof. Osinbajo said.  
The Vice President used the opportunity of the event to also called on the Nasarawa State Government, to build on the achievements of the clinic by considering setting up a one-stop regulatory shop for MSMEs in the state. 

“This is an office that will house NAFDAC, SON, Corporate Affairs Commission and other regulators, bringing them close to the SMNEs in the state. All that you will be required to do, is provide the facility and the regulatory agencies will provide the rest,” the Vice President said.

He also called for the adoption of the clinic in the state, by organizing the state version of the clinics across all the 13 local government areas of the state.  

“This will help the state, the state regulatory agency also, to key into the spirit and letter of the SMNEs clinics. Already, I see that the Nasarawa State Government has incubation centres for growing business initiatives.  This is excellent, indeed and it will work very well for some of the initiatives on the SMNEs clinics,” Prof. Osinbajo said. 

The Vice President commended Engineer Sule for providing visionary and creative leadership to the people of Nasarawa State.

“From what I have seen, from the creative and passionate small businesses that are participating in this clinic, I am optimistic that the economic transformation of Nasarawa State is well underway,” he said.