The Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment, Mr Aminu Aliyu-Bisalla, has stated that the Federal Government had started reviewing trade and investment policies to create an enabling environment for businesses to thrive.
Aliyu-Bisalla, who made the declaration at an interactive forum with captains of industries in Lagos, said President Muhammad Burahi- led administration was planning to implement Nigeria Industrial Revolution Plan, Nigeria Enterprise Development Programme, Harmonization of Quality Infrastructure and Certification.
He said the government had also partnered with the organised private sector to ensure a successful review of the policies.
He said: “The government is desirous of addressing these initiatives and programmes, including reforms in the power sector and the review of trade, industry and investment policies.
“The ministry will also ensure the ease of doing business in Nigeria. All these policies are geared towards stimulating socio-economic development in the country,” he stressed.
The permanent secretary added that the government was aware of the challenges facing the commercial and industrial sector ranging from transport to inability to access loan at a single digit.
He said that the economic diversification agenda of the government would not be achieved without the organised private sector.
The Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Dr Okechukwu Enelamah, at the forum, said the administration would partner with the private sector to operate objectively.
He said to further drive this policy, the Federal Government had set up an inter-ministerial council called the ‘Presidential Enabling Business Environment Council.’
Enelamah, who disclosed that the council was led by the Vice President, “This is to address the challenges, bottlenecks and roadblocks that get in the way of adding value to businesses.”
The Director General of Standards Organisation of Nigeria, Mr Paul Angya, said it was necessary for people to be able to do business easily, freely and achieve results.
Angya also said that the organisation was developing the capacity that would help businessmen to improve standards, laboratories and certification for export.
He added: “The influx of substandard products is a problem to the attempts by the government to improve the economy. So, we are renewing our pledge that we will do anything to ensure local industries have access to international markets.”
The National President of Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN), Dr Jacobs Udemba, said the association was aware of the efforts of the government to develop the sector but urged it to do more.
Udemba said that the challenges of manufacturers included scarcity of forex to purchase raw materials and that taxes were affecting the growth of the sector.
He also noted that VAT increase was not the way forward because it would be disastrous to the sector’s growth.
He said the association was working with the Raw Materials, Research and Development Council to reposition the manufacturing sector. (Independent Nigeria)
No comments:
Post a Comment