Tuesday,August 06, 2019 / 03:30PM / Firstbank

First Bank of Nigeria Limited, as part of thelaunch of its specialized SME propositions, has announced the convening of itsSME Week scheduled to hold in the week 5 – 9 August 2019. Customers andnon-customers of First Bank can expect to participate in a wide range of eventsand activities designed with the SME in mind. The activities range from the SMEMasterclass themed “Designing and Implementing a Growth Strategy for yourBusiness” to specialized one on one sessions with renowned business coaches andthe launch of seven (7) unique pillars which make up our SME propositionsavailable via SMEConnect – The FirstBank SME portal 

The highlight of the week is the launch of theSME portal, a platform through which SMEs can access our unique propositionsthat have been designed to equip them with the essential tools needed for thegrowth of their business. The SME portal is also designed to help SMEsidentify various gaps that hinder their business growth leveraging ourinnovative Business Diagnostics Tool, with a view to proffering tailoredsolutions and creating opportunities for business improvement, profitabilityand sustainability. 

Following extensive research by the Bank overthe years, we identified these seven (7) strategic pillars to be essential forthe sustainability and growth of the SMEs. These include – access to infrastructure, access to talent,capacity building, policy and regulation, access to resources, access to marketas well as access to finance. This has duly informed our strategyand propositions for our SMEs going forward.  

Other activities lined up for the week include;one on one coaching advisory sessions, to be simultaneously held across 6locations in Lagos, Abuja, Rivers, Oyo, Kano and Owerri. The weeklong eventwill be rounded off with a live webinar on 9 August 2019, to be facilitated byGbenga Shobo, the Bank’s Deputy Managing Director. 

According to the Gbenga Shobo, Deputy ManagingDirector, First Bank of Nigeria Limited, “FirstBank has over the years, been atthe forefront of supporting Businesses, especially the SMEs as we recognisethat the SMEs are the engine of the economy. We are committed to ensuring thatwe leave no stone unturned as we connect with them in their continuedcontribution to national development in terms of the employment opportunitiesthey create as well as their contribution to the nation’s GDP amongst manyeconomic values.” 

“The FirstBank SME Week is driven to promote theBank’s SME proposition, thereby having SMEs across the country optimallyenlightened on how to plug in. We believe this will help SMEs bolster theircontribution to the growth and development of the economy” he concluded. 

Are you an SME and in need of guidancefor business improvement opportunities, visit the link www.firstbanknigeria.com/SMEConnect/ to take theFirstBank SME Diagnostics test.

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