The Federal Government will continue to create business environment conducive for investment and industrialisation, the Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Dr Okechukwu Enelamah, said. The minister said this in a goodwill message to the 2017 Enugu International Trade Fair in Enugu on Saturday.

“The economic policies of the current government are geared towards creating enabling business environment to enhance investments and industrialisation.”

He said that international trade fair helps to promote economic development and foster economic co-operation among individuals, groups and nations.

Enelamah noted that Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) play a crucial role in every economy. “In a bid to develop and promote their MSMEs, the government has expanded the number of participating agencies in the Nigerian Enterprises Development Programme (NEDEP),” he said.

He said participants in the programme now include the Nigerian Export Promotion Council, Nigeria Investment Promotion Commission, Standard Organisation of Nigeria and Corporate Affairs Commission.

“This will help tackle some of the challenges they face. The Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment has also put in place a steering committee to develop a road map and policy for the implementation of the MSME policy framework,” he said.

“I thank ECCIMA for your commitment, foresight, and resourcefulness. I hope that the exhibitors and participants will take advantage of this fair to exchange information, ideas and know-how in order to grow their businesses,” the Minister added.

The 2017 fair is the 28th edition of Enugu International Trade Fair as well as the 7th fair to be held at the permanent Enugu Trade Fair ground, Golf Course, off Enugu-Abakaliki Road, Enugu.

The 10-day fair, with the theme ‘Promoting Nigeria’s Industrial Sector and SMEs for Inclusive and Robust Economy’ will run till April 10. (NAN)

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