The Katina State Government has perfected plans to establish a ministry for micro, small and medium-scale enterprises (MSMEs) to achieve rapid economic emancipation.

The government said the Nigerian economy would have since gone comatose but for the efforts of thousands of MSMEs across the country.

It explained that notwithstanding the harsh enabling environment, many small business ventures have helped to create massive jobs while tackling youth unemployment.

The Governor, Dikko Radda, in a statement to commemorate the ‘2023 World MSME Day’, asserted that the sector plays a vital role in the economic growth of any nation.

Radda said: “Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) account for up to 90 per cent of businesses, 60 per cent to 70 per cent of employment and they account for half of global GDP, according to the United Nations (UN).

“That is why I believe that the theme of this year’s celebration, which is ‘Building a Stronger Future Together’ is apt. The contribution of MSMEs is invaluable. They have boosted the growth of man many economies.

“Here in Nigeria, the feats achieved by many SMEs cannot be enumerated. But that is not to say that everything is now Uhuru for many small business enterprises in the country. They still need government’s support in many ways, even though the Small and Medium Enterprise Development Agency (SMEDAN) has been coming to their aid.”

Radda, who explained that having a ministry of MSMEs in Katsina was one sure way to help nurture, grow and ensure the survival of businesses with little capital, assured that the proposed ministry would be given maximum support to actualise its intended objectives.