Nano, Micro, Small & Medium Enterprises on Thursday, September 22, 2022, gathered at the Ultra-modern Plaza of the Nigerian-British Chamber of Commerce (NBCC) in Lekki, Lagos, for the MSME Business Optimisation Clinic. The meeting was held with regulators overseeing the industrial sector who presented ideas and expressed support for the growth of MSMEs.
In her welcome speech, the President & Chairman of Council NBCC, Bisi Adeyemi, noted that a team of experts from various agencies tasked with MSME development will answer business challenges at the event labelled the `Business Optimisation Clinic.`
Quoting the Deputy President NBCC, Mr. Ray Atelly, frpa, who stood in for the President," This Clinic is one of the Chamber's initiatives to not only engage and empower MSMEs but to provide access to professional guidance and remedies to business challenges."
Sheila Ojei, Director, Strategy, Funding and Stakeholder Management, Lagos State Employment Trust Fund (LSTEF), threw more light on the activities of LSETF and the various MSME funding opportunities available to MSMEs, stating that money is a tool for business expansion.
According to Malam Farouk Salim, Director-General of the Standards Organization of Nigeria (SON), MSMEs have the power to boost or hinder a nation's economic potential depending on the availability of standards and certification.
Mrs. Phebean Arumemi, Head, SME Desk, SON, representing the DG, SON, noted that the Federal Government had given MSME operators the responsibility of integrating themselves into the SON-enabling business environment to accelerate expansion.
Other speakers at the Business Optimization Clinic were Mr. Olukayode Pitan - Managing Director/CEO, BOI, represented by Mr. Obaro Osah, Divisional Head, MSME South, Professor Moji Adeyeye – Director-General, NAFDAC represented by Mr. Anyakop A. Anyakop, Asst. Director & Head, E-registration (NAPAMS) & Dr. Ebere Njoku – High-Performance Coach.
The Nigerian-British Chamber of Commerce is Nigeria's Foremost Bilateral Chamber of Commerce. Her main objective has been promoting trade and investment between Nigeria and Britain since its inception in 1977. NBCC currently has about 400 members spanning all sectors of the economy made up of Nigerian and British businesses. Headquartered in Lagos, NBCC maintains an NBCC-UK Network in London and a developing network of local branches within the country.