The Nasarawa State Government on Wednesday held its maiden business town hall meeting with Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MEMEs) to improve the business environment in the state.
Speaking at the meeting in Lafia, Mr Ibrahim Abdullahi, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Nasarawa State Investment Development Agency (NASIDA) said the meeting was an avenue to communicate the reforms being implemented by the government and to feel the pulse of business owners.
He said that the meeting was a platform for interaction between the state government and MSMEs to enable the government to understand their challenges and proffer possible solutions.
“This town hall meeting is mainly to understand the the challenges confronting MSMEs to enable us provide solutions.
“It would also enable us communicate the reforms that are being implemented by the government and to hear directly from you because we realised that a number of reforms have not been properly understood by the businesses.
“This kind of engagement will be sustained to help government get proper feedback from the stakeholders,” he added.
He said that the improved power supply in the state had already helped a lot of small businesses.
In his remarks, Gov. Abdullahi Sule said having recognised the importance of small businesses in the growth of the economy of the state, his administration on assumption of office, initiated several policies and laws geared towards creating a favourable business environments for them
He expressed satisfaction that over 300 small business owners, including youths, were participating in the town hall meeting which would provide an opportunity for government to hear from them.
“The parley is an avenue for government to interact with MSMEs, with a view to understanding their challenges, as well as the various risks involved.
“I urge all participants at the meeting to freely engage with the government officials in order to understand each other,” the governor said.
Responding on behalf of stakeholders, Abubakar Sandaji, Chief Executive Officer of Sandaji group of companies expressed concern over the issue of multiple taxation being imposed on MSMEs in the state.
He appealed to the Nasarawa state government to look into the issue in order to encourage small businesses to grow. (NAN)
