NAN-HE-22
Economy
By Lucy Nwachukwu
Abuja, Sept. 6, 2017 (NAN) The Association of Business Development Professionals in Nigeria (ABDPIN) is advocating the use of small businesses as tool to increasing the country’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP).
Mr Franklyn Akinyosoye, the President of the association, who made this known at a news conference on Wednesday in Abuja, said it was therefore promoting the development of small businesses to fast track rapid growth and development of the nation.
The ABDPIN is an association set up to represent the interest of business consultants, especially those working with Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) and Micro Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) in the country.
It is aimed at weeding out quacks doing shabby jobs in the industry that affect professional work ethics and reputation of SMEs consultants in the country.
It works with SMEs to help them get finance, start their businesses, sell their businesses, organise them and ensure they operate in the right direction.
Akinyosoye said that SMEs and MSMEs were the pillars for growth of any economy.
“Many developing countries like Malaysia, India and even the U.S. have demonstrated the use of MSMEs in their national development as they form the bulk of the organised business sector.
“This has thrived and moved their economy forward and we want the same for our economy.
“We are in the forefront of fighting that they should be recognised and be used as a tool to increasing the GDP and bettering our economy, ’’ he said.
Akinyosoye said that the association would hold a conference on Oct. 3 to Oct. 4 on SMEs Development Consultants and Business Development Service Providers (BDSPs) in Abuja.
According to him, the BDSPs collaborate with international donors in the country to ensure small business owners are able to access interventions by the agencies.
“BDSPs help to bridge the gap between the agencies and small business owners, which is generations apart.
“We are looking at the possibility of getting an institute in place that will cater for professional and ethical conducts of the BDSPs.
“ The body caters for over 150 consultants and our spread is in about 15 States; we are in Sokoto, Katsina, Kano, Kaduna, FCT, Nasarawa, Benue, Rivers, Akwa-Ibom, Lagos, Oyo, Edo and Delta.
“We have been working with international organisations like UNIDO, USAID, DFID, World Bank, SMEDAN, Federal Ministry of Trade and Investment, Bank of Industry, Bank of Agriculture among others.
“What we are doing with them is to be able to set up machinery for the SMEs and MSMEs to access the incentives and funding from these agencies and international organisations.
“We are working to help the SMEs put a structure in place to enable them run their businesses more efficiently,’’ he said.
Akinyosoye said that the upcoming national conference would give leverage to what the association had done so far and give recognition to individuals that had contributed to the growth of the association.
“ The conference will inform the public of the association’s plan to start the Institute of Business Development Service Providers.
“ The institute will serve as the training, accreditation and certification of BSDPs and SMEs development consultants in Nigeria.
“We aim to use it as a platform for capacity building. We want to make and bring out the best of every consultant in our association.
“And we urge all SMEs consultants in the country to join the association to enable them enjoy the benefits of brainstorming, networking and information sharing in the association,’’ he said. (NAN)
LCN/GY
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Edited by Grace Yussuf