WE ARE CREATING BUSINESS-FRIENDLY ENVIRONMENT TO ENCOURAGE INVESTMENTS

Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu has assured members of the Nigerian Association of Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (NACCIMA) of his administration’s commitment to creating a business-friendly environment that encourages local and foreign investments and promotes sustainable business growth.

Governor Sanwo-Olu gave the assurance as the Special Guest of Honour at the 64th Annual General Meeting of the organisation held at Ikeja on Wednesday.

Represented by the Commissioner for Commerce, Cooperatives, Trade & Investment (MCCTI), Mrs. Folashade Ambrose-Medebem, the Governor highlighted the efforts to address the infrastructure deficit that has long hampered economic activities as a key priority of his administration.

His words: “We are making significant investments in power, transportation, and telecommunications to ensure that businesses can operate efficiently and competitively. I am pleased to inform you that several major projects are already underway, and we are confident that these efforts will yield positive outcomes soon.

“In addition, we are working tirelessly to simplify regulatory processes and eliminate bureaucratic bottlenecks that hinder business operations and we have launched various reforms aimed at improving the ease of doing business, which have started to bear fruit, as evidenced by our improved rankings in international business indices.

“In recognition of the vital role SMEs play in driving economic growth and job creation, and the challenge of access to finance that is critical for many businesses, we have also introduced several financial support schemes, including low-interest loans and grants, to assist entrepreneurs in expanding their businesses. We urge financial institutions to collaborate with us in this regard, as their support is crucial to the success of these initiatives”.

Sanwo-Olu emphasised the imperative of equipping the workforce with skills and knowledge needed to thrive in the 21st century and his administration’s commitment to fostering innovation and entrepreneurship, while noting that the State is enhancing its educational and vocational training systems to ensure they meet the needs of the industries.

He commended the leadership and members of NACCIMA for their unwavering commitment to facilitating dialogue, fostering understanding and promoting collaboration among businesses in different sectors of the economy.

“Your collective efforts have not only spurred economic activities but have also created employment opportunities fostered innovation, and enhanced the standard of living for many Nigerians. We value the important role that NACCIMA plays in representing the interests of Nigerian businesses, and we will continue to work closely with you to achieve our shared goals”, he said.

President, NACCIMA, Dele Kelvin Oye Esq, described Lagos State as special and different in policies, reforms and support for businesses, saying it is a pacesetter for others.

“Lagos is doing so well for businesses and I commend Governor Sanwo-Olu for the tremendous support the State is giving to us, particularly the allocation of large expanse of land to Lagos Chamber of Commerce & Industry (LCCI)”, he said.

He described NACCIMA as a strong voice for businesses and expressed the organisation’s resolve to sustain engagement with governments through policy advocacy and support.

Guest Lecturer/Managing Director, Zeenab Group, Victor Ayemere, in his lecture titled: “Demystifying Non-Oil Export for National Prosperity”, enumerated the various opportunities available and processes entail in export and charge manufacturers to take advantage of the enormous window to export their goods and earn foreign exchange.