Thread by @Sme_Clinic_Zm

@ZamfaraNewMedia
@Ibellozauma
@GovMatawalle
@Bellomatawalle1
This is a paper presented at the #CEOs_Meetup organised by @StartupZamfara and is titled:

*Why_do_we_choose_publicity_over_productivity_and_why_promoting_the_personnel_rather_than_the_Brand_or_business_itself?*

2_All protocols observed.....

Before making any comments, I want to welcome all the Important Zamfara CEO's ones again to this important gathering.

3_I also want us to know that, we are all gathered here today to make an impact, to discuss SMEs, Entrepreneurship, the challenges that surround them and how we can all participate with a view to change the narrative in Zamfara state the best way we can.

4_As we all know. SME is an acronym that stands for small and medium scale enterprises. Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) are non-subsidiary, independent firms which employ less than a given number of employees.

5_The major challenges facing SMEs and Entrepreneurs especially in the core Nothern Nigeria includes inadequate funding, inadequate information management/Business formulation and record keeping, lack of knowledge of differentiating business from a personal capital,

6_poor infrastructure, and lack of management skills and that is why we are here.

7_How do we solve those problems ourselves or even try or start from somewhere?

This are the Questions and the things I believe we should focus on not just partying and dining everyday without any result.

@StartupZamfara
@ProfOsinbajo
@GovMatawalle
@Bellomatawalle1

8_Because there is no enough time, I will go straight to the recommendations made from the office of SME Clinic Zamfara State.

@ProfOsinbajo
@Ibellozauma
@Bellomatawalle1
@GovMatawalle
@ZamfaraNewMedia
@StartupZamfara

9_Amidst the challenges that are facing the SMEs in Nigeria, it is important to recognize the efforts made by the government and private institutions to improve the success of businesses.

10_An interview was conducted by one of the government official who is also a Minister who expound on the prospects existing in Nigeria to ensure there is improvement in the operating environment of SMEs.

11_The Minister noted that the government appreciates the role of SMEs in creating job opportunities and improving the economic situation.

12_The support institutions that the government has established over the years include specialized banks and financial schemes aim at creating development opportunities for SMEs.

13_All stakeholders have a role in ensuring that SMEs can thrive in the future; these efforts are aligned below:

A - The Government.

14_It is important to note that the policies put in place to help in the establishment and operations of small and medium businesses in the country have not been productive.

15_Indication shows that the policies which had been put in place have not been successful in their conceptualization and formulation, or failed in the implementation stage.

16_This showed that one of the reasons for the ineffectiveness of the policies was the fact that managers, proprietors, and operators of the SMEs were never involved in the policy formulation process, thus, could not identify the problems facing them.

17_All SME stakeholders should be involved in the formulation and implementation of policies in order to enhance their effectiveness but With the introduction and signing of the EXECUTIVE ORDER 6 into law which is for the ease of doing business things are changing.

18_Some of the changes from the government side includes
I - CAC Registration for Business registration window which was reduced from N10,000 to N5,000 for over 6 Months.
II - Recently NAFDAC slashed their registration by 80% and the list goes on.

19_The federal government is not relenting on the fortunes of small entrepreneurs to ensure they play a key role in the growth of the country’s economy which can be observed from the established institutions to support SMEs.

20_Currently, the Nigerian government has mandated the Bank of Industry (BOI) and the SME Development Agency of Nigeria (SMEDAN) with the role of establishing and maintaining SME-related funds.

21_There has also been a creation of the Small and Medium Industries Equity Investment Scheme (SMIEIS) that ensures there are loans available for the SMEs.

22_The government supports the objectives of finance international facilities like the European Investment Bank (EIB) and has also proposed the creation of the Credit Guarantee Schemes which can loan SMEs.

23_The only major challenge we have @Ibellozauma
@GovMatawalle
@ProfOsinbajo
@StartupZamfara
@ZamfaraNewMedia
@Sme_Clinic_Zm is Local and state collaboration which we are also here to discuss how we can be able to engage them for the benefit of our people.

B_Private institutions.

Apart from the government’s role in ensuring that the SME sector thrives, the private institutions and professional groups are also playing a vital role in the development of the sector.

25_Currently, the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) have made efforts to expand in their facilities throughout the country to offer cost effective financial plans for SMEs in order to easily enter the market.

26_Professional associations and private groups like the Nigerian Association of SMEs (NASME), the Chambers of Commerce, and the Nigerian Association of Small Scale Industries (NASSI) are trying in pushing d governments to provide a sustainable business environment for the SMEs.

27_These institutions should work with the governments at all levels to review the on-going reforms that aim at creating job opportunities in our dear states and the country at large.

28_C_International organizations.

According to the Minister, the Nigerian SMEs have also received support from other regions including international organizations.

29_The World Trade Organization had liberalized and a globalized trade which promotes access to international markets by small businesses.

30_The African Growth and Opportunities Act (AGOA) also provide incentives to African businesses that are willing to export goods to the United States.

31_Similarly, NEPAD creates growth opportunities for the SMEs by working with the government to invite countries overseas to invest in Nigeria through trade missions, exhibitions, trade fairs, and promotional activities.

32_In 2014, a trade delegation from Thailand was brought to Nigeria with the aim of strengthening trade relationships existing between Thailand and Nigeria.

33_The delegations were led by Charoon Lewechalermvong who met with other leaders from the Mines and Agriculture (NACCIMA), the Chambers of Commerce, and the National Association of Chambers of Commerce.

The World Bank has also worked towards ensuring that the future of SMEs in Africa is encouraging.

35_Together with USAID, DFID, UNIDO, and the World Banks’ International Development Agency, the institutions provide incentives to African countries to help create infrastructure for the SMEs.

36_In 2005, Bennedikter Molokwu who is the president of the Institute of Directors (IOD) stated that Nigeria is getting assistance from the Blair Commission for Africa to access on-lending structures and loans that can help entrepreneurs start up their businesses.

37_She noted that SMEs are the main drivers of African economy as they provide livelihood to over 80% of the African workforce. It is, however, unfortunate that these efforts have been affected by various challenges such as insecurities, taxation multiplicity,

38_lack of modern technology, and poor entrepreneurship. Further research, thus, should be done to improve the effectiveness of the international efforts.

39_An effort that shows a promising future for the SMEs is the implementation of SMEDAN which has ensured the country involves international countries to improve the operational environment for businesses in Nigeria and other countries.

40_The SMEDAN and the Nigerian government has reached for the developed nations to help the African continent translate the SME innovative ideas into productive employment, wealth creation, and income generation.

41_The Israeli government had also pledged to assist the SMEDAN through capacity building for entrepreneurs and staff. The institution would achieve this through training of SMEs in both Nigeria and Israel on management knowledge and skills. We can tap from this @Bellomatawalle1

42_From the focus of SMEDAN, the future SMEs in the 21st African century is very bright. Due to the current thrust of the institution, the SME sector in Nigeria has confidence, hope, and optimism towards improving the small business sub sector. @GovMatawalle @Bellomatawalle1

43_You can visit their website on(smedan.gov.ng) see for yourselves what they are doing.We need Your intervention Your Excellency @GovMatawalle
@Bellomatawalle1 2 collaborate with @smedaninfo
To bring the development to the SMEs in Zamfara State. @Ibellozauma pls share.

44_SMEDAN continuously carries out a nationwide survey involving SMEs Since 2004 regarding the business environment and the challenges witnessed. @GovMatawalle @Ibellozauma @ZamfaraNewMedia
@StartupZamfara
@smedaninfo

45_The aims of these surveys are to articulate the ideas of the SMEs in the national policy in order to promote and facilitate development programs and support services.
@Ibellozauma
@Hafizu_Father
@GovMatawalle
@Bellomatawalle1
@ZamfaraNewMedia

46_The agency also aim at understanding the SMEs including the type of trade and sectors they engage in such as manufacturing, trade, construction, agriculture, services, technology, and mining as well as the distribution in both urban and rural areas.

47_Such surveys will enable SMEDAN to determine the key operating difficulties like supply factors, technology infrastructure, demand-pricing influences, raw materials and policy environment.

48_The Nigerian government is expecting that the survey will equip SMEDAN to effectively conduct the following to improve SMEs.

i. Formulate strategies that would reform SMEs in the country by advising the commerce ministry on the formulation and execution of policy.

49_ii. Propose appropriate operators for business incentives that would ensure effective funding through grants, loan, and equity.
iii. Offer advisory services to invigorate SMEs bearing different circumstances in mind.

50_iv. Identify project that both locals and foreigners could engage in.
v. Identify projects that can promote export capabilities of the country to boost foreign income.

51_All of the above ways used by SMEDAN can also be used by the members of this #MEET_UP organised by @StartupZamfara to pursue the state and local governments to participate in the activities of the SME's.

52_In Conclusion,i want all of us to see this presentation as a guide not just a speech that provides a clear summary of the challenges faced by SMEs and Entrepreneurs in Zamfara State and d Nothern Nigeria and recommendations which was aided by specific objectives. @Ibellozauma

52_It also provides highlights and areas to improve the performance of the Zamfara State SMEs and Entrepreneurs. This brief recommendations would also help us all as SMEs to increase our productivity and growth.

53_And If our governments fail to improve their policies, our SMEs will always fail due to the global competition.

I will also leave You with this 1 Question to go back Home and give Yourselves the answers:

54_As the CEO of Your own State @Bellomatawalle1
Why do You choose to ignore the #SME's?

There are Situations Sir @GovMatawalle @GovMatawalle where there is no need for state government's funds, all we need is your intervention with the federal agencies like @smedaninfo ...

55_As the CEO of ur Brand or Business,Why do u choose publicity over ur own productivity nd why promoting d personnel in Your Business or Organisation rather than the business itself?

May Allah See us through
Ameen
Good Evening
Anas Lawal Andie
The Convener @Sme_Clinic_Zm