Ogun State Government is partnering with the National Association of Microfinance Banks (NAMB) to enable 200 Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) access capital to start and grow their businesses.

Speaking during a meeting in Abeokuta with MSMEs themed, "Funding Opportunities for MSMEs in Ogun State", Commissioner for Industry, Trade and Investment, Mrs. Kikelomo Longe said the engagement was held to build on the gains of the last Ogun State MSMEs Business Clinic and further assist beneficiaries to overcome the challenge of accessing fund which had continued to hinder businesses globally.

Longe noted that the present administration had instituted several policies and executed initiatives aimed at fostering economic growth, adding that the government was working on establishing six Economic Development Clusters while some entrepreneurs have been clustered at the Technology Incubation Centres at Odogbolu, Onijanganjangan and Owode-Yewa.

" I also appreciate you for executing this timely intervention targeted at empowering 200 entrepreneurs in the State to potentially access capital required to start, grow and scale-up their businesses", the Commissioner stated.

She called on entrepreneurs to avail themselves of the opportunity by registering for their Business Premises Permit on the State database via www.businesspermit.ogunstate.gov.ng, adding that it would enable the government to plan better for their business.

Speaking earlier, Special Adviser to the Governor on Industry, Trade, and Investment, Mr. Remi Ogunmefun said the present administration is focused on sustaining businesses by linking entrepreneurs with fund providers and building their capacity.

In his address, the State Chairman, National Association of Microfinance Banks (NAMB), Mr. Samusideen Sodiya said the programme was organised to expose the participants to various funding opportunities available for MSMEs in the State and also educate them on how to judiciously invest their capital.

Sodiya added that NAMB is ready to sustain its collaboration with the State government to improve funding opportunities for businesses.

In a goodwill message, a representative of Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ), Mr. Victor Obaleze said the German company had reached an agreement with the Ogun State government to train 10,000 Entrepreneurs to help them start, expand and attract investments.

Contributing, the State Manager, Small and Medium Enterprise Development Agency of Nigeria (SMEDAN), Mr. Biodun Awoliyi assured that the organisation is ready to train beneficiaries of loan facility accessed through the programme to enable them acquire soft skills which would help manage the funds effectively.

Speaking on behalf of other participants, Mrs. Olubusayo Akinniku and Mr. Olanrewaju Orija commended the organisers and called for the programme to be held every quarter of the year, so as to stimulate more MSMEs development.