Fubara Has Good Plans For SMEs – Perm Sec … As RIV-CARES Empowers More Businesses

The Permanent Secretary of Rivers State Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Mr. Lawson Ikuru, has said the present Governor of the State, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has good plans for Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) in the state.
Ikuru, who made this known in a chat with The Tide shortly after Rivers State COVID-19 Action Recovery And Economic stimulus (RIV-CARES), Result Area 3 disbursement ceremony recently in Port Harcourt, said the Governor has highlighted his plans to collaborate with Bank of Industry for SMEs projects and development.
He noted that SMEs are captured in the 2024 budget which would in turn grow people’s businesses and the economy of the state.
On the RIV-CARE disbursement, he noted that so far, over 1000 entrepreneurs have benefitted from the  disbursement.
In his contribution, the Focal Person of RIV-CARES Result Ares 3, who is also the Head of SMEs Department, Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Mrs. Amieye Igein Sally, said Result Area 3 has exceeded her initial target of empowering 500 entrepreneurs.
“So far we have empowered over 1000 entrepreneurs”, she said.
Mrs Sally stated further that the empowerment would continue till the fund is exhausted, adding, “we will continue to empower businesses that were affected by COVID-19 pandemic.
“This is World Bank, Federal and State project that has revived businesses in the state. The results and testimonies are amazing because we don’t just give the grant and leave the people.
“We monitor to ensure progress. We also expose the beneficiaries to trainings through seminars and other practices”.
One of the resource persons during the ceremony, Mr. Chisom Sam- Orji, a Management Consultant on SMEs, said government has the responsibility of creating the enabling environment for SMEs in the country.
Sam- Orji who handled, “Cultivating the Entrepreneurial Mindset”, reiterated the need for “entrepreneurs to have a growth mindset not a fixed mindset.
“There are no limitations anywhere, except the ones we place in our minds. A good entrepreneur has the task of identifying and creating opportunities out of problems”.
He called on the beneficiaries to cultivate the habit of turning ideas into products and services and taking same to the market to create wealth.
Other resource persons exposed the beneficiaries to record keeping, digital business projections and market strategies.

By: Lilian Peters