Hardship: Edo Investment Promotion Partners UNDP, BOI, Others To Empower MSMEs

By Simeon OSAJIE

Amidst economic hardship bedeviling the country, Edo State Investment Promotion Office (ESIPO) says it  has partnered UNDP to empower over 3,000 Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises with N300 Million grant to facilitate businesses across the state.

The move according to the Managing Director ESIPO, Mr. Kelvin Uwaibi is geared towards fostering conducive business environment and reduce bureaucratic difficulties for micro, small and medium businesses to thrive.

Uwaibi disclosed this to newsmen in Benin City during courtesy visit to the leadership of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Edo State Council led by Comrade Festus Alenkhe.

According to him, the visit to keep the public abreast  of  the activities of the state own investment promotion.

Mr. Uwaibi stated that Edo State government has also entered understanding with Bank of Agriculture (BOI) and LAPO micro finance bank to launched two billion naira to support 50,000 MSMEs, insisting that such development has enabled ease environment of doing businesses.

He said Edo Investment Promotion Office has established a one-stop-shop which will serve as a centralized platform for businesses to access different services including regulatory compliance information and support which will further reduce the bureaucratic hurdles and enhance the overall business experience in the state just as investment desks were set up across all local government areas to create rooms for MSMEs to thrive

“Edo state government is fostering a conducive business environment is further exemplified by the establishment of one -stop  investment Center which serves as a centralized platform for businesses to access various services including business registration tax compliance permits, license, regulatory compliance, information and support. This will reduce bureaucratic hurdles and enhance the overall business experience”.

He stated that the agency was working on tax unification to prevent multiple and illegal taxing adding that the Edo state government is committed to creating a supportive and hitch free environment for businesses thrive.