The Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria (SMEDAN) was urged to enter into a Memorandum of Understanding with the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN) Southeast zone during the one-day Stakeholders’ Engagement Forum.
The event, entitled “Access to Finance and Cheaper Funding for SMEs in Nigeria,” was held at the MAN liaison office in Onitsha, Anambra State, next to Dozzy Oil and Gas Ltd.’s industrial layout.
Speaking to the attendees, Mrs. Maureen Mba, the former Head of ATG MANSA Digital Initiative of Afreximbank and Director of Compliance, stated that the goals of the MANSA platform are to ease the onboarding of new clients and business relationships, lessen the workload and expense associated with compliance, and to facilitate cooperation between African institutions and SMEs in order to achieve regulatory compliance, meet customer and business partner expectations, and maintain the efficacy and uniformity of the compliance process, among other goals.
She claims that in order to guarantee the repository’s success, Afreximbank will make use of its partnerships with central banks, regulatory agencies, and financial intelligence units. Regular audits and reviews of the MANSA platform will also be carried out for quality assurance.
The primary goal of the event, according to Anambra State Commissioner for Industry, Hon. Christian Udechukwu, was to provide manufacturers and traders with access to funds so they could increase the production of goods and services. He claimed that the government wanted to support these businesses and provide funding for them.
Professor Charles Chukwuma Soludo, the Commissioner representing the Governor of Anambra State, encouraged manufacturers and traders to set a good example and emulate Professor Soludo, as the Governor is dedicated to constructing access roads to improve their facilities.
Lady Ada Chukwudozie, the Chairman of MAN, South East, made a suggestion in her comment that the government could provide material cost subsidies to manufacturers and offer answers to their issues.
She praised Professor Charles Soludo, the governor of Anambra State, claiming that he has the best interests of manufacturers at heart. She stated that rather than giving them money, the governor distributed one million seedlings to various households.
The former president of the Onitsha Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture, Pharm. Uche Apakama, showered praise on everyone who attended the function during his vote of appreciation. He singled out Lady Ada Chukwudozie, the head of MAN.
The Onitsha Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture is still operational, according to the president of the Anambra State Chamber of Commerce. He also commended Hon. Christian Udechukwu, who spoke on behalf of Professor Soludo, for attending the function.
Chief Humpy Anuna, chairman of the Onitsha Bridgehead market, Hon. Chinedu Ezekwuike, Chairman, Importers Association, Ugwuagba Obosi Old Motor Spareparts market, Chief Onyegiri Francis, ASMATA secretary, Conflict Resolution committee, comrade Peter Okala, and other dignitaries graced the occasion.
