Sustaining the drive for SME Development

Growing SMEs to become sustainable is one way to turn the economy around and ensure peace in the Niger Delta region. This was one of the key points in the welcome address of the Managing Director of Wider Perspectives Ltd, Kalada Apiafi, at the Business Linkages Forum organized by the company in collaboration with Foundation for Partnership Initiatives in the Niger Delta (PIND) and the Port Harcourt Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (PHCCIMA) on October 25, 2016 at Viontel Hotel on Stadium Road in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, with the theme “Facilitating SME Growth through Linkages”. The objective of the forum was to provide an avenue for MSMEs in this region to interact with key stakeholders in the MSME landscape to provide market access and financial and business information to enable them grow their businesses in a manner that is sustainable and contributing to economic growth. The Forum was also organized to provide networking opportunities and platform for SMEs to meet with potential large buyers; to showcase market and funding opportunities for SMEs in diverse sectors, Bring together market actors in the MSME landscape to talk about market opportunities for MSMEs , Provide the avenue for businesses to market/sell their services to targeted SMEs/ Groups. Dignitaries at the forum include: the Commissioner of Commerce and Industry, Bright Jacob, who was represented By Akara .J. Olaka-Echu (Director, SME, Ministry of Commerce and industry), the Eze, Promise Onyeetche Obinna, who is the Ikemba 1 of Umusele Olakwo Etche, the PHCCIMA president, Emi-Membere Otaji, the PIND Field Projects Manager, Sylvester Okoh, who represented Precious Agbunno , senior market development officer. Others include the State Chairman, Nigeria Association of Small Scale IndustrialistsChief Nehemiah Ogoloma, and the President of the Association of Fast Foods and Confectioners of Nigeria (AFFCON), Elizabeth Ajilore, The Zonal Coordinator –South East & South-South Nigeria Stored Product Research Institute (NSPRI) – Robert SI.

The key note address was delivered by the Commissioner of Commerce and Industry while other speakers at the forum providing Business Information for the SMEs to grow sustainability include: The President, Port Harcourt Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture – Membere Otaji (FNIM),- “The Role of PHCCIMA in facilitating Business Growth” The State OfficerRivers and Bayesla, Bank of Industry (BoI) Sukanmi Oriyomi- “Facilitating Opportunities for SME Development- Access to Finance”, The Executive Secretary/ CEO- Institute of Export form for SMEs to network and build their contact base. This platform definitely helped us to achieve this purpose. As a business, this platform allowed us to meet with other businesses such as sublime photography, house of fashion, Rutt-igit Foods amongst others. This Platform also provided information on how to become a member of Association such as PIND, bank of Industry, 31 Thursday 03 November 2016 C002D5556 BUSINESS DAY The BB Market Square experiment: Operations and Management (IEOM)- “Leveraging on Technology for Business Growth – Fastech”, Mr Ofon Udofia, Adaobi Umeh- Team Lead, Economic Analysis- Wider Perspectives Ltd on “Mentoring Businesses for Growth” The Highlights at the forum include syndicate session, exhibition and brokerage session. One of the participants had this to say about the Forum “This Programme provided a platform for SMEs to network and build their contact base. This platform definitely helped us to achieve this purpose. As a business, this platform allowed us to meet with other businesses such as sublime photography, house of fashion, Rutt-igit Foods amongst others. This Platform also provided information on how to become a member of Association such as PIND, bank of Industry, IEOM and PHCCIMA. Valuable information and insights into developing our business and operations were given and we leave here more enlightened enriched and motivated. It has definitely been a fruitful exercise for us”- Shawn Imoni( Henas Foods) The Business Linkages Forum is proposed to be an annual Forum. Wider Perspectives Ltd calls on the Business community in the Niger Delta Region to take advantage of the forum going forward to collectively drive economy growth and peace in the region. As part of her effort to drive SME Development, Wider Perspectives in partnership with The Abia State Government will hold the Abia State SME (Small and Medium Enterprise) Forum – An Investment and Exhibition Forum, with the theme “Harmonizing Infrastructure and Funding for SME Development” on November 8 & 9, 2016 at Enitona Hotels 8 Margaret Avenue, G.R.A, Aba North, Aba