Post by SSA.NEWMEDIA.ABIA (@SSANEWMEDIAABIA)
ABIA REAFFIRMS COMMITMENT TO MSME DEVELOPMENT AT REGIONAL BUSINESS SUMMIT
The Honourable Commissioner for Industry and SMEs, Mazi Mike Akpara, has reaffirmed the Abia State Government's commitment to creating a conducive environment for Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) to thrive and compete both locally and internationally. He stated this during the Nigerian Regional Tour Business Summit organized by the Ministry of Industry and SMEs to commemorate the 2026 World MSME Day, in partnership with Stanbic IBTC Bank, held at Enitona Hotel, Aba.
Mazi Akpara described MSMEs as the backbone of every resilient economy, noting that the summit provided a platform to review the progress of MSMEs, strengthen partnerships and position Abia as a leading destination for enterprise development, innovation, manufacturing and investment. He highlighted the Abia State MSME Policy, the MSME Directory and the National Brand Development and Made-in-Nigeria Project (Abia Expo 2026), scheduled for 22nd–26th September 2026, as key initiatives aimed at transforming the sector, and called for greater stakeholder collaboration.
Speaking, the Commissioner for Trade and Commerce, Dr. Salome Obiukwu, represented by the Director of Commerce, Mr. Chidobe Ogbonna, said the present administration has consistently prioritized enterprise development through reforms that improve the ease of doing business, rebuild infrastructure and restore investor confidence.
Also speaking, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Industry and SMEs, Dr. Okey Ihemanma, reaffirmed the Ministry's commitment to implementing policies and programmes that will strengthen the MSME sector and create sustainable opportunities for entrepreneurs across Abia State.
In her remarks, the Head of Enterprise Banking, Stanbic IBTC Bank, Mrs. Jumoke Bello, commended the State Government's commitment to enterprise development and reaffirmed the Bank's support for MSMEs.
In separate goodwill messages, the Head of the Corporate Affairs Commission, Abia State, Mr. Anusa Oko; the President of the Umuahia Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (UCCIMA), Dr. Catharine Igbokwe, represented by Chief Enwerem Eze; and the State Chairman of the Nigerian Association of Small and Medium Enterprises (NASME), Mr. Linus Eze, urged MSME operators to formalize their businesses to enable them access government support, grants and financing opportunities.
The summit featured panel discussions, recognition of outstanding MSMEs, business networking and interactive sessions with stakeholders across the MSME ecosystem.
Public Relations Officers
Ministry of Industry and SMEs
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