Federal Government has earmarked over N75 billion to support Small and Medium Scale Businesses as well as encourage Youths partake in small scale business ventures.
The Director General, Dr. Dikko Umaru Radda disclosed this at the closing of a three day 2020 Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria SMEDAN Talent Hunt, in Fashion, Arts and Crafts in partnership with Zamfara State Zakkat and Endowment Board in Gusau.
Dr. Dikko Umaru Radda said, Lagos, Kano and Abia states would get larger share of the N75 billion scheme considering their population density and involvement of youths in various small and medium businesses among the 36 states.
According to him, this year’s SMEDAN Talent Hunt with the Theme; Breaking Covid-19 Pandemic Conventional Constraints to Spark Innovation, is aim at developing local Craft and talent among Craft professionals and encourage patronage of made in Nigeria products.
”The scheme will empower the participants through further capacity development, linkages and visibility via E- marketing Program and market and trade fairs both local and international respectively” Dr Dikko added.
The Director General commended Zamfara State for hosting the event with enabling environment for Implementation of the scheme and urged participants to make use of what they’ve learnt during the training so as to attain desired objectives.
Earlier, in a goodwill message, Governor Bello Mohammed Matawalle Represented by the Speaker Zamfara state Assembly Alhaji Nasiru Ma’azu Magarya said the State was empowering 1800 women every months with N20,000 each to conduct petty business at their matrimonial homes.
COV/ SANI HARUNA