Abia State government’s efforts to reposition the garment and finished leather sectors have gotten a boost following interest from Brazilian investors.
The Brazilian investors, who were in Ariaria, the Aba finished leather cluster, expressed interest to collaborate with the state government to boost the garment and the finished leather cluster, comprising shoes, bag and belt makers, through direct investment, capacity building and creation of new markets for the clusters.
This development is in line with Governor Okezie Ikpeazu’s promise to improve the state’s economy.
Governor Ikpeazu therefore promised to assist micro, small and medium entrepreneurs in the state to improve their businesses and attract more patronage.
“We are going to look at Aba, where the manufacturing of garment and leather goods will take the front burner from day one. And it must happen in the logical and prepared fashion, not the half hazard way it is done today.
“We will think about bringing in equipment that will release the burden and hardship of making one-thousand pairs of shoes. Instead of spending two years to make one-thousand shoes, we want to be able to produce that quantity in a number of hours,” he said.
The state government has already kick-started the process, as it has announced plans to establish new industrial clusters with the aim of automating the operations of the leather and garment makers in the state.
Construction of the clusters, which will be located in Aba and Umuahia, would commence this last quarter of 2015.
Governor Ikpeazu, in a press briefing, said the state sponsored 29 shoes and garment makers from Aba and Umuahia city chambers to Turkey to expose them to modern techniques in the sectors.
Aba, the commercial hub of Abia State, has one of the largest concentrations of micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) in Nigeria and a bulk of this number is engaged in leather works and garment making, which could be attributed to the popularity of the city.
The ingenuity of Aba artisans, especially the garment and leather clusters comprising of shoes, belt and bag makers, attracted the United Nations Industrial Development Organisation (UNIDO) in partnership with the Federal Government to set up a Common Facility Centre (CFC) in the city to support the clusters to further develop their skills.
Consequently, it is the desire of the present state’s administration to provide environment conducive for artisans and other business operators and the restoration of infrastructure in the commercial city, which is an integral part of the plan, according to a source.
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