Lagos State government has assured Micro, Small and Medium Entrepreneurs (MSMEs), especially youths entrepreneurs in the state of its commitment to ease-of-doing-business.
Special adviser to the governor on Tourism, Arts and Culture Idris Aregbe stated this at the opening of the Lagos Tourism/Naija Brand Chick, NBC Trade Fair at Ikeja. He also reiterated the Sanwo-Olu administration’s resolve to harness the state’s tourism and entertainment potential and grow its economy through collaborations with the private sector.
Aregbe noted that the state targets N5 billion in sales at the three-day fair and described the partnership with other sponsors as a huge success for MSMEs in the state.
LEADERSHIP Sunday observed that over 100,000 residents thronged the venue of the fair and engaged in buying and selling to improve the state’s economy.
Aregbe, who described the partnership with other sponsors as a huge success for Micro, Small and Medium Entrepreneurs, said, “This is about growing our economy, it is about expanding the scope of the Ministry of Tourism Arts and Culture, that we are not just about music, arts and dance. We are now in a serious business, that is the more reason we have agreed to go on strategic alliance to make sure that we identify with key partners, key brands; we complement the brands.”
Convener of NBC Trade Fair, Mrs Nelly Agbogu, who thanked the Lagos State government for supporting MSMEs, expressed excitement that traders at the fair were cashing out in millions despite the economic meltdown.
Some customers who commended the initiative noted that goods and services at the trade fair were sold at subsidised prices.
One of the customers at the fair, the Iyalaje Oodua, Princess Toyin Kolade, commended Lagos State government for creating an enabling environment for business to thrive in the state.
Princess Kolade who fielded questions from newsmen at the ongoing three-day Naija Brand Chick Trade Fair also assured traders that President Bola Tinubu’s administration would continue to work in tandem with its renewed hope agenda to address the challenges confronting them.
She noted that though the economic policies of the federal government may be harsh at the moment, there is hope of a better Nigeria after the reforms.