By Praise Chinecherem
Anambra State government has reiterated its commitment to partner the organised private sector to boost the economy of the State.
The Commissioner for Commerce and Industry Dr Obinna Ngonadi stated this in Onitsha during the Tryologue at the 13th edition of Onitsha Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines,and Agriculture (ONICCIMA) Perspective annual lecture series.
He said the Ministry has embarked on engaging relevant stakeholders to design an inclusive and encompassing workable Industrial Policy for the State to help drive the industrialisation vision of Mr. Governor; Prof Charles Chukwuma Soludo.
He said he had already engaged Onitsha Business School, and that of the Nnamdi Azikiwe University (UNIZIK), in drawing a programme to promote Igbo apprenticeship scheme.
He said, “The Prof Chukwuma Soludo-led administration has mapped out programmes, including the apprenticeship (Igba boi) scheme, where selected apprentices in their penultimate year of service will be trained and empowered by the State government to establish businesses and take the leap from trading into manufacturing and entrepreneurship.
“The administration is working on providing both technical, logistics and financial support for Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) in the State to delve more into exports.”
Earlier, President of ONICCIMA, Chief Sir Kelvin Obieri appreciated government for continuous efforts in ensuring the State remained conducive for businesses and professionals to thrive.
He however called on government to involve the three Chambers of Commerce in Onitsha, Awka and Nnewi, restating their willingness to provide the available resources at their disposal to build up the commercial sector of the State economy.
