Deji Elumoye in Abuja
Vice-President Kashim Shettima has disclosed that President Bola Tinubu is very passionate about empowering Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) for the development of the nation’s economy.
Speaking with newsmen Tuesday in Johannesburg, South Africa after his tour of exhibition stands at the BRICS Trade Fair, Shettima said: “It is a known fact that the empowerment of the MSMEs is key to empowering our youth and women towards contributing to the nation’s economic development.”
Commenting further about the commitment of President Tinubu towards empowering the MSMEs, he said: “The president is a very compassionate leader and in the coming months, there will be changes in the fortunes of Nigeria.”
Explaining the economic impact of the growth of MSMEs on the economy, the vice-president said: “This will have positive impacts which will enable them to support their families and add value to the nation.”
Shettima, who commended the organizers of the trade fair, which had about 180 exhibitors from various sectors of the economy, stressed that the exhibition will in the long run serve the purpose of galvanising investment and trade in the continent.
Shettima, who took time to inspect Nigeria’s exhibitions, lauded the investments of Nigerians in South Africa saying: “I am quite impressed by the investment Nigerians are making in South Africa. This is the harbinger of greater things to come. I can say that Nigerians are active in digital economy; they are active in fashion, they are equally active in mining.
“I am quite glad that quite a number of our country men are doing well and are willing to partner with the home nation for the greater glory of the African continent.”
While praising Rose Bank, a Nigerian investment outfit in South Africa for the funding of a cassava project worth N40 billion, the vice-president affirmed that: “It is a game changer with the cassava value chain with its huge economic benefits. We hope that it will be reflected in other parts of the country.”
The trade fair is organised by the BRIC South Africa & The SA BRICS Business Council (SABBC) in collaboration with the Department of Trade Industry and Competition, on the sidelines of the on-going 15th BRICS Summit.
The exhibition is expected to serve as a platform for showcasing products and services from the BRICS countries, as well as business-to-business interaction aimed at increasing intra-BRICS trade and investments.
