NAN-H-40
UNIDO
Isaac Aregbesola
Abuja, March 26, 2017 (NAN) The United Nations Industrial Development Organisation (UNIDO) Representative to ECOWAS, Jean Bakole has expressed the organisation’s determination to work with Federal Government to transform Nigeria into regional industrial hub.
According to a statement by UNIDO on Sunday, Bakole stated this when he presented his letter of credence to Foreign Affairs Minister Geoffrey Onyeama in Abuja.
Bakole, who is also the organisation’s Regional Director, said that Nigeria was UNIDO top priority in the region.
He said that UNIDO was determined to strengthen its cooperation with the Federal Government to transform Nigeria into an industrial hub.
He said that the organisation would work closely with the government to develop Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) sector and reduce the dependency of the economy on oil products.
Bakole commended Nigeria on how it designed its economic recovery and growth plan, stressing that the country was going in the right direction.
He added that the design focused on a number of key priority sectors which include industrialisation.
“It is good news for us because that is where we will engage in a number of key projects, including supporting the development of Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs),” he said.
Bakole described SMEs development as the strength of economy’s foundation.
He said what was needed was to implement plans which support sectors that have not been exploited enough to improve the economy.
He said that this included the agro processing in the rural areas where there are huge potentials.
He noted that the agency would focus its support programmes on the youth, who he said have shown lots of skills in information technology, saying “there is need to integrate the IT in the industrial process.”
He said that UNIDO, in collaboration with the Federal Government, would build women’s capacity in running their small businesses.
Onyeama in his response assured the UNIDO’s Rep. of the ministry’s support in implementing the organisation’s programmes.
He said that his ministry would make the job easier for the organisation. (NAN)
IAA/AFA
Edited by Felix Ajide