FG assures stakeholders of improved ease of doing business

The Federal Government on Tuesday assured stakeholders in the business sector of its commitment to ensure consistent improvement in the ease of doing business (EoDB) in the country.

Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Dr Jumoke Oduwole, said this during a three-day northwest region’s Presidential Enabling Business Environment Council (PEBEC) subnational tour, held in the Katsina state.

The PEBEC subnational tour is aimed at deepening the ease of doing business at the regional level through strategic engagements with state governments, the private sector, regulatory agencies, international partners, and the business community.

In a pre-recorded video message, Odowole said the tour is a measure to promote EoDB. The tour brings stakeholders from both private and public sectors together to exchange ideas on ways to improve the business sector.

She said the three-day event would enable the government to identify challenges businesses face, with the view to addressing them. Oduwole commended the Katsina State government for hosting the three-day event, even as she wished the participants of the tour a fruitful deliberation.

Deputy Governor of the state, Farouk Jobe, said the state government set up the Katsina State Economic Council to help promote EoDB, especially for small business owners.

“This council, to which I serve as chairman, and the newly established Katsina State Enterprise Development Agency (KASEDA), are part of our strategic approach to harmonise and streamline efforts to attract investments, encourage entrepreneurship and facilitate sustainable economic growth.

“Recognising the role of technology in economic development and investment promotion, we established the Katsina State Directorate of Information and Communications Technology (KATDICT) to drive digital transformation in our state. Through KATDICT, we are empowering our people with digital skills, advancing e-governance and positioning Katsina for a technology-driven as well as knowledge-based economy,” he said.