By Ikechukwu Iroha
The efforts of the Governor of Abia State, Dr Okezie Ikpeazu towards increasing patronage and support for Locally made goods (Made In Aba) received a major boost.
Today, at the Banquet Hall of Enitona Hotel, Leather Manufacturers benefitted from a #500m loan from the Bank Of Industry as an additional capital to enhance production. This is in recognition of the Governor's intervention and diplomatic engagements geared towards promotion, increasing global awareness and acceptance of Made In Aba as well as improving inputs and expected outputs of Artisans in Abia State.
The Bank Of Industry recognizes the importance of the Aba Finished Leather Goods (FLG) Cluster Group in the Nigerian economy and remains a champion in projecting the Made In Aba campaign both locally and globally. It is on this premise that the financing programme was designed.
The financial programme provides affordable working capital credit to qualified members of The Leather Products Manufacturers Association of Abia State.
It will afford artisans the opportunity to reduce the level of manually completed tasks by purchasing small scale production tools, improve quality of finished leather goods as well as promote job creation within the cluster.
The programme is anchored on quality delivery, tech driven and fund availability for enhanced productivity.
Ford foundation, Fidelity bank are part of the strategic partners. Ford foundation will ensure the provision of capacity development of the artisans while Fidelity bank actively supports the artisans in the cluster by providing bank account opening and management services .
Already, Fidelity bank has donated a fully equipped secretariat to the Abia State Leather Products Manufacturers Associations.
The Governor of Abia State who was visibly happy, praised the efforts of the BOI and other strategic partners. He praised the commitment and the resilient spirit of Abia people who make things from nothing. He added that it was his strategic way of developing Abia economy through Small and Medium Enterprises that he concentrated some road projects to where Markets are located and where there are high economic activities.
Dr.Ikpeazu said that his Government will continue to develop new grounds and ideas to make it easier for business to thrive. He explained that the achievements recorded so far, especially in the area of Small Business financing packages and patronage are based on the support of the artisans and other small business owners who are eager to develop and widen their horizon.
He encouraged Nigerians to always patronize our locally made goods so as to grow the economy.
The high point of the event was the presentation of cheques to beneficiaries.
The wife of the Governor Mr Nkechi Ikpeazu, Wife of Edo State Governor Mrs Obaseki , Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Industry,Trade and Investment, Managing Director, Bank of Industry Mr Olukayode Pitan, Mr Innocent Chukwuma ,Regional Director Ford Foundation, Mr Okechukwu Williams , President LEPMAAS and other key stakeholders were at the event.
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