Hon. Bomkam Ali Wuyep, the Director General of PLASMIDA, attended the inauguration of the NASME Plateau State chapter and highlighted the SME Growth Initiative.

The Nigerian Association of Small and Medium Enterprises (NASME) Plateau State chapter today held an inauguration ceremony for its newly elected state and Local Government Coordinators. The event took place at the Community and Social Development Agency Conference Hall (CSDA)Jos, Plateau State, drawing significant attendance from critical stakeholders within the SME sector.

Hon. Bomkam Ali Wuyep, the Director General of the Plateau State Microfinance Development Agency (PLASMIDA), was present to extend his heartfelt congratulations to the newly elected State Executives and Local Government Co-ordinators. In his address, Hon. Bomkam emphasized the indispensable role of small and medium enterprises, referring to them as the backbone of every economy and the engine of growth. He outlined several pivotal roles for the new executives, stressing the importance of advocacy and policy influence, capacity building and support, networking and collaboration, promoting sustainable practices, and encouraging digital transformation.

Further elaborating on the State’s commitment to SMEs, Hon. Bomkam highlighted the 7-Point Green Cap Policy Thrust of His Excellency Barr. Caleb Manasseh Mutfwang, the Executive Governor of Plateau State. This policy emphasizes education and human capital development. He noted that since the Governor’s assumption of office, several initiatives have been approved to bolster the SME sector. These include strengthening PLASMIDA through staff retraining and review of the law establishing the Agency to better serve the business community, establishing the Ease of Doing Business Council led by the Secretary to the Government of the State, Arc. Samuel N. Jatau, Re- imauguration of the MSME Council which has led to development and adoption of the MSME Policy as well as appointing three Special Advisers to support the MSME sector, including a Special Adviser on MSMEs, Job Creation and on Skill Acquisition.

Moreover, Hon. Bomkam mentioned the provision of cash grants to MSMEs through the CARES program, which will benefit over 5,000 enterprises. He also used the occasion to tell MSMEs of the MSME Devt Fund which will enable businesses have cheaper access to funding. He stressed that PLASMIDA has also prepared MSMEs to function properly in the digital economy by partnering with the Plateau Tech Company to provide Digital Skills training These initiatives underscore the government’s dedication to creating a supportive environment for businesses to thrive.

The event also featured an exhibition of products from various SMEs, providing a platform for showcasing innovation and fostering collaboration among participants. This exhibition served as the climax of the event, highlighting the diversity and creativity within the Plateau State SME community.

Overall, the inauguration ceremony marked a significant milestone for NASME Plateau State Chapter, setting the stage for enhanced support and development of SMEs in the region. The presence of critical stakeholders and the Director General’s address underscored the commitment to fostering a conducive environment for SMEs to prosper.