ABUJA (Min of Mines and Steel Dev Report) – The Federal Government has reiterated commitment to stimulate Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) in the Metals Sector to enhance their productivity which is germane to economic growth.
The Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Mines and Steel Development, Dr. Abdulkadir Mu’azu, stated this while declaring open a one-day workshop organised by the Ministry of Mines and Steel Development, for players in the Metal Sector in the South-South Geopolitical Zone held in Port- Harcourt on Wednesday, 28th August 2019.
Dr. Abdulkadir Mu’azu, who was represented by the Director, Artisanal and Small-Scale Mining (ASM) Department of the Ministry, Mr. Patrick Ojeka, said the workshop is aimed at sensitizing and stimulating Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) in the metals sector with a view to improving their contributions to the nation’s GDP in line with governments’ focus on diversifying the economy.
According to him, the SMEs in the metals sector that are engaged in the manufacturing, fabrication, production and supply of spare parts, have been identified by the Ministry as the engine of growth and development of the nation’s economy hence the need to further create awareness on the potentials and roles the SMEs are expected to play.
He revealed that the Ministry has analyzed the major roles of SMEs in the metals sector, and summarized the basic challenges which comprised specialized equipment and funding and that the workshop is expected to address and to encourage entrepreneurs at the Small and Medium-scale levels to improve their capacities.
In a welcome address, Acting Director, Steel & Non- Ferrous Metals Department of the Ministry, Engr. Kolawole Olasupo, said the workshop is part of the sensitization programme initiated by the Ministry in 2012 to create awareness among the SMEs in the metals sector to improve their productivity.
The theme of the workshop is, ‘Workshop on Stimulation & Promotion of Activities of SMEs in the Metals Sector’. It attracted players in small scale manufacturing, fabrication and production and supply in spare parts across the states in the South-South Zone.
Papers presented by resource persons include, The funding challenges of SMEs and Strategies to Access Funding in SMEs in the Metals Sector; Welding & Fabrication Technology with respect to SMEs in the Metals Sector; The Roles of SMEDAN in strengthening Metals Sector SMEs for greater contribution to National GDP and Imperatives of Industrial Shop Floor Safety and Best Practices.
Timothy Akpoili
AD (Press)
For: Director (Press)
