EU to enhance SMEs growth in Nigeria

The European Union (EU) says it will enhance Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) in Nigeria through forging of linkages and partnerships with business innovators.

Mr Jean-Jacques Lennon, the EU Senior Manager, made this known in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) at the ongoing Lagos International Trade Fair (LITF) in Lagos.

Lennon said that some EU initiatives were seeking to assist SMEs to access international markets and enhance their growth potential.

According to him, EU sees great prospects in Nigeria’s economy and wants to seize the business opportunities provided on the platform of the Lagos International Trade Fair (LITF) to upscale business activities for SMEs.

The EU officially got a pavilion and brought exhibitors to the fair for the first time in the 31 years of the fair.

He said Nigeria was listed as one of the 11 countries that EU, through its
SME Instrument Overseas Trade Fairs Programme, would showcase innovations and commercialise its technology.

Lennon said that the fair was identified as a veritable platform where investors and innovators from EU could synergise toward boosting economic growth.

He said that some of the technologies exhibited by nine EU innovators would improve activities in agriculture, waste management, weather forecast, renewable energy, food safety and genetic services.

Lennon urged the Federal Government to continue with the policies and reforms that would create an enabling environment to attract investments into the country.

NAN reports that the LITF is an annual event organised by the Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI).

It began on Nov. 3 and end on November 12.