Federal Government says it is collaborating with relevant agencies to finance and finalize the leather product policy.
The policy will be used to stimulate the growth of Micro Small and Medium Enterprises and facilitate the provision of leather manufacturing which will be managed by Public Private Partnership (PPP).
Minister for Industry, Trade and Investment, Dr Okechukwu Enelamah made this known ,during the formal launch of Aba Finished Leather Goods Cluster Financing Programme ,in Aba.
Enelamah, said that the financing programme was targeted at developing sustainable economic growth adding that the annual estimation of shoe products stands at over 60million with over 90,000 artisans skilled in shoemaking.
Enelamah, who was represented by Mr Edet Akpan, said that the Federal Government had evolved the financing programme to encourage leather artisans to improve capacity in their enterprise as well as create additional jobs.
Also speaking at the event,the Managing Director of Bank Of Industry(BOI) Mr Olukayode Pitan,said BOI would continue to focus on the growth and development of the Aba leather finished goods cluster through initiatives that promote the “Made in Aba” brand.
He said that the BOI was led to design the financing programme to boost the creation of jobs and improve the quality of life of artisans by providing non-collateral loans.
Pitan said the sum of N300,000 would be given to each person to small production tools and the programme was being implemented in partnership with Ford Foundation and Fidelity Bank.
In his address,Abia state Governor,Okezie Ikpeazu said that his administration was committed to delivering quality infrastructure that would boost business activities in the state.
Ikpeazu urged the beneficiaries to make judicious use of the loans they had received , adding that the strength of Abia was dependent on the productivity of its people.
In his remark, the Managing Director of Fidelity Bank Plc,Mr Nnamdi Okonkwo said that the bank would provide efficient account management services to ensure that beneficiaries utilise the loan wisely.
Okonkwo, who was represented by Mr Obaro Odeghe, said that the bank resolved to partner BOI in furtherance to the bank’s commitment to build Nigeria’s next generation of entrepreneurs.
Responding, the Chairman of Leather Products Manufacturers Association of Abia State(LEPMAAS),Mr Okechukwu Williams said that the initiative was a welcome development and expressed gratitude for the opportunity which the association had received to compete with leather products manufacturers across the world.
