Abia State Government has announced plans to establish a Small and Medium Enterprises (SME) Village and Innovation Hub in Aba, a move aimed at strengthening Small and Medium-Scale Enterprises, as a key driver of the State’s economic growth.
Okey Kanu, the State’s Commissioner for Information, stated this while briefing Journalists on the outcome of this week’s State Executive Council meeting, presided over by Governor Alex Otti.
Kanu, said that the proposed SME Village, when completed would accommodate computer dealers, mobile phone sellers and repair technicians.
According to him, the proposed SME Village and Innovation Hub will also help to decongest parts of Aba currently plagued, by unregulated commercial activities.
The Commissioner revealed that a one-stop Export Growth Lab and trade support facility, located within the premises of Ogbonnaya Onu Polytechnic, is nearing completion and is expected to be opened before the end of February.
He noted that the initiative was designed to remove bureaucratic bottlenecks faced, by small businesses, manufacturers and exporters, thereby positioning Aba, as a more competitive commercial hub.
“These facilities aim at facilitating the ease of doing business among SMEs in Aba and environs. When fully operational, the Export Growth Lab will assist in activities, like business registration and NAFDAC approval, among others”, the Commissioner explained.
He described the projects as part of the present administration’s deliberate policy thrust to create an enabling environment for enterprise growth, job creation and industrial expansion across the state.
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