Nigeria to sign MoU with Pakistan on trade relations for SMEs

SMEDAN DG,  Alhaji Muhammad Nadada Umar

The Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria (SMEDAN), following the fallout of a recent D-8 SME Working Group held in Abuja, is set to sign a Memorandum of Understanding with the Small and Medium Enterprises Development Authority (SMEDA) of Pakistan.

The MoU according to SMEDAN is for development and capacity building of SMEs in Nigeria and Pakistan.

The partnership is being facilitated by the Pakistani High Commission in Nigeria according to the Acting High Commissioner of Pakistan in Nigeria, Ahmed Ali Sirohey the MoU is in the spirit of the D-8 Group’s objective to diversify and create new opportunities in trade relations.

Sirohey revealed that the partnership will afford both agencies the privilege to cross fertilize and interface on areas that will be of benefit to SME in both countries. He also expressed the willingness of the Pakistani government to collaborate with SMEDAN to stage a forum for the benefit of Pakistani businessmen, exporters and manufacturers who would be visiting Nigeria on a trade mission between August and September.

Expressing delight over the partnership, SMEDAN Director General, Alhaji Muhammad Nadada Umar asserted that Pakistani government had really lived up to expectation in the area of developing the SME sector in his country, adding that Nigeria had a lot to learn from the experience of Pakistan.

SMEDAN boss also noted that the Pakistani’s presentation at the D-8 meeting was an eye-opener for Nigeria.

Highlighting achievements by SMEDAN, Alhaji Umar said the final ratification of the SME policy will soon be passed on to the Federal Executive Council for approval. Other of the agency’s achievements also includes the One Local Government, One Product (OLOP) program, an initiative borrowed from the Japanese model as well as establishing the Rural Women Entrepreneurship Development Program (RUWEDEP).

Alhaji Umar urged Pakistani government to assist SMEDAN in the area of cluster development as the agency was planning to develop a furniture cluster in the FCT.

 Yinka Awosanya

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