Bauchi State Governor, Bala Mohammed has hinted his administration’s resolve to privatize all moribund industries belonging to the state government.
The Governor who gave the hint on Monday while speaking at the 2019 Trade and Exhibition Fair at the Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida (IBB)square, said a committee has been constituted to perfect the plan.
The trade fair with the theme ” The New National Economic Recovery and Growth Plan and Eventual Diversification of Nigeria’s Economy, the Role of Small and Medium Enterprises has since climaxed with different traders participating.
Governor Bala Mohammed who was represented by his Deputy, Baba Tela expressed optimisms that the recommendations of the committee and it’s subsequent implementation by the state government will go along way in improving and revitalizing the ailing industries.
According to him, the constitution of the committee was in recognition of the importance of Small and Medium Scale Enterprises in the state in line with his economic policies.
“The fair and exhibition are essentially an event meant to exhibit goods and services to potential buyers in addition to networking to private organizations to grow customer base for the development of business relationship.” Governor Bala said.
He added that the 1st National Trade and Exhibition fair in Bauchi state will open window of cooperation between government, private sector and small scale Enterpreneurs to interface, exchange ideas and promote synergy for national growth and development.
“The seemingly high level of carpentry works going on in both the pavilion and open spaces for participants to have the necessary exhibition stand to display their commodities is another means of livelihood to our local enterpreneurs and teeming unemployed youth.” Bala explained.
The Governor who expressed delight over the effort of the organisers of the trade fair called on all the stakeholders to ensure its sustenance and start making proactive step towards reviving the traditional North East Joint Domestic Trade Fair in the near future.
Earlier speaking, the Minister of State for Industry, Trade and Investment, Ambassador Maryam Yalwaji Katagum who declared the trade fair opened,
said the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari was fully committed to providing both financial and technical assistance to small and medium enterprises to ensure that their products meet international standard.
According to her, the theme of the trade fair was in line with the present administration’s desire to ensure economic advancement as well as empower local businesses that can add value to the country’s resources.
Ambassador Yalwaji urged stakeholders in the sector to support government’s efforts towards strengthening the capacity of small and medium enterprises to create job opportunities and ensure rural development.
On his part, the President, Bauchi State Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture, Alhaji Habu Jajere informed that the Trade Fair was organized in order to revive regional trade fair in the zone in addition to providing conducive environment for the federal government to educate stakeholders on the new National Economic Agenda and Strategies for diversification with particular emphasis on small and medium enterprises (SMEs).
