Bangladesh Seeks Collaboration With SMEDAN On SMEs Dev

The Bangladesh High Commissioner to Nigeria, Mr Masudur Rahman, has solicited the collaboration of the Small and Medium Enterprise Development Agency of Nigeria (SMEDAN) to explore opportunities in the nation’s various sectors.
Rahman said this during a visit to the Director-General of SMEDAN, Mr Olawale Fasanya, in his office, Monday, in Abuja.
Noting that the collaboration would help to grow the economies of both countries, Rahman said Nigeria and Bangladesh could collaborate in the textile, pharmaceutical, agriculture/farming, energy and Information Communication Technology (ICT) industries.
He stated that Bangladesh had comparative advantage in most of the sectors, while entrepreneurs in Nigeria could tap into experiences of their contemporaries in the country.
Rahman continued that the partnership would also improve the intra-trade volume of both countries, adding that his country has experienced progress in micro-economic growth.
“Nigeria will be holding an SME multilateral platform event in October.
“We look forward to enhancing the intra-trade between the countries because there will be huge opportunities from the event.
“As a diplomat, bureaucrat, I am convinced that entrepreneurs will find their way out to do meaningful businesses that can help the two economies and bring about growth,” Rahman said.
Responding, Fasanya said Nigeria’s economy was similar to the Bangladeshi economy.
The Director-General said SMEs in the country had a lot to learn from their Bangladesh counterpart.
He said the country would be hosting SME summit in October to facilitate exchange of ideas.
Fasanya said both countries could collaborate in various areas to explore the benefits to the Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs).
The Director-General stated that the proposed SME centre would help coordinate activities for exchange of ideas, innovative technology and markets.
“We have a lot to learn from you because you have been able to develop faster and in terms of economic variables in Bangladesh.
“We will look at all areas that we can collaborate,” he said.