Kaduna State Government on Thursday unveiled a Trade Fair tagged “Kaduna Buy and Sell” for the Youths in the state.
The State Deputy Governor, Dr Hadiza Balarabe, declaring the programme open, said it was part the state government initiatives designed to boost human capital development in the state through Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs).
She said that the government had established the Kaduna State Enterprise Development Agency and Kaduna State Women Empowerment Fund to build the capacity of small and medium enterprises and empower citizens, especially women and youths.
The Deputy Governor noted that MSMEs were recognised as one of the major contributors to the economies of most nations in the world.
In his goodwill message, the Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Mr Niyi Adebayo, appreciated the organisers for the initiative, interest and passion for promoting trade through buying and selling.
Adebayo, who was represented by Mr Sadiq Bako, described trade as one of the core goals of the ministry, which he said was largely supported by MSMEs.
He pledged support to the initiative in view of the big role MSMEs play in the growth of the Nigerian economy.
According to him, MSMEs were responsible for driving innovation and competition in many sectors of the country’s economy.
The minister said that the new initiative would go a long way in creating jobs at relatively low capital cost, especially in the fast-growing services.
Adebayo added that it will lessen income inequality and open up opportunities for the creation of novel technology ideas.
The Minister of Finance, Budget, and National Planning, Zainab Ahmed, urged business owners to look for new opportunities to expand their enterprises in her speech.
She advised them to work hard to expand their local businesses and take advantage of opportunities in the global and domestic supply chains.
