NIGERIA: Aba Summit targets SMEs, infrastructure

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HE Aba Summit scheduled to hold in November 20 to 22, 2013 in Abia State is expected to stimulate the activities of Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) and create opportunities for infrastructural development in the country according to the organisers.

The President, Abia Think Tank Association and organisers of the summit, Mazi Sam Ohuabunwa, explained that the nation has a high concentration of SMEs which needs to be innovatively re-invigorated to sustain, deepen and expand their competitive edge in economic and business dimensions.

The former Chairman of the Nigerian Economic Summit Group (NESG) at press conference said the vision of the summit is to work for the creation of a veritable investment window to attract investors to Aba for its industrial, infrastructural and commercial transformation to a level to make Aba a distinct city with global influence that will set Abia State apart from other states and showcase the technological and commercial prowess of the city.

He added that the theme of the event, “Abia Development: Aba as a centre of entrepreneurial excellence,” was apt considering the fact that Aba remains an economic and industrial hub of Eastern states and Nigeria with great potentials yawning for exploitation.

“Left alone for government to handle, the harnessing of these economic opportunities in Aba will remain in limbo for a long time to come. The amount of work to be done is enormous and would involve full participation of the private sectors,” he stated.

He said part of the reasons, why Nigeria has not developed, is due to Federal Government’s attitude towards the private sectors.

“Our first step when we conceived this summit was to partner the government which they have agreed and the role expected of them is to create an enabling environment and more importantly, to offer incentives to investors. We are believing that government can do a lot in the country through fiscal policies and incentives in place,” he said.