The Anambra State Government has urged traders to take advantage of the Federal Government’s Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME) Fund scheme to expand their businesses.

The Federal Government through the Central Bank of Nigeria, the Bank of Industry (BoI) and Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME) Development Agency had set aside N220 billion as loan facilities to Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises business owners.

The state’s Commissioner of Industry, Trade and Commerce, Mr. Ifeatu Onejeme, made the appeal while addressing market leaders in Onitsha on Monday.

Onejeme said that the state had set up the Anambra State Small Business Agency (ASSBA) to ensure that traders benefited from the fund.

He said that ASSBA would ensure that traders accessed the funds at reduced cost in order to grow their businesses and be employers of labour.

“In trade and commerce, ultra-modern markets and shopping malls are springing up with new amenities in Anambra State and enabling environment being put in place for our traders to switch from importation to manufacturing of goods they now sell.

“There is also Anambra State Government/BoI Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises Intervention Fund Scheme domiciled in our ministry.

“You can also avail yourself the opportunity of getting some loans from the scheme because our governor is not relenting in putting the state’s own counterpart fund for it to reach many people.”

The commissioner, however, urged the traders to continue to support the state government policies and programmes especially on payment of taxes and levies.

“The security we enjoy today is due to the government using tax payers’ money to invest heavily in security of lives and property.

“`Today, everybody can now sleep with his or her two eyes closed.” (NAN)

•Photo shows Obiano

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