FG assures SMEs of continuous engagement, collaboration with private sector

Due to the importance of the private sector in the development of any economy, especially in creating employment, Vice President, Yemi Osinbajo, has said the Federal Government will continue with a regular interface and collaboration with the private sector.

Prof. Osinbajo stated this on Tuesday when he received on a courtesy visit to the Presidential Villa, a delegation from the Kano Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines, and Agriculture (KACCIMA) led by its President, Alhaji Dalhatu Abubakar.

According to him, “We must see how to make sure that we are continually engaging, it is very important. I have continued to emphasize that the private sector is the engine of the economy and will continue to see in what ways we can support the private sector.”

“So, we need to be able to get private sector interest along with the government to bring power to Kano, for instance. If we can bring a substantial amount of investment in power to Kano, we can really make a difference. So, I am looking forward to working with you on power.”

Continuing on the need for closer collaboration between KACCIMA and the Federal Government, the Vice President said “anyone who understands the history of business in Nigeria cannot in any way diminish the importance of the Kano business community.

“As a matter of fact when we started the Presidential Enabling Business Environment Council (PEBEC), in engaging the partnership that will help us, Lagos and Kano had to be the two focal points for the implementation of our reform plans.

“We must establish a way of collaborating, where we look at specific measures on how to advance solutions to the numerous problems that are facing us.”

Speaking further on the importance of effective collaboration with the business community, Prof. Osinbajo said, “we must do everything possible to support the business community in Kano.”

Encouraged by the report, he received from the delegation on the progress made by rice millers in Kano State, the Vice President restated efforts being made by the Federal Government to further support agricultural production including a collaboration with other partners using 12 dams across the country under the Transforming Irrigation Management Project.

Besides the core interest of boosting opportunities to grow businesses in Kano, Prof. Osinbajo tasked the business community in the state to support the free an education initiative of the State government as a way of building the future workforce for the industries that would be established.