News

Afrieximbank, SMEDAN, MANSA, partner to lift South East traders, manufacturers

…signs MoU

By Polycarp Ifeanyi

Manufacturers and traders in South East were thrown into jubilation when MANSA signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria (SMEDAN), which would grant them access to funds for increased production.

The event took place at Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN) liaison office, in Anambra  during the Stakeholders’ engagement forum tagged ” Access to Finance & Cheaper Funding for SMEs  in Nigeria and Organised by Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN).

Presenting her speech, the former Director of Compliance, Head of ATG MANSA Digital Initiative of Afreximbank, Mrs. Maureen Mba said that the objectives of MANSA platform is to facilitates smooth boarding of customers and business relationship, to reduce operational workload and cost of compliance, to enable African financial institutions to cooperate and SMEs to meet customers and business partners’ expectations while ensuring regulatory compliance, to ensure consistency and effectiveness of compliance process amongst other. 

According to her, Afreximbank will leverage on partnerships with Central Bank, regulatory bodies and financial intelligence units to ensure success of the repository as well as regular audit and review of the MANSA platform for quality assurance purposes.

She further noted that MANSA platform provides a single source of primary data required for performing customers due diligence checks on counterparts in Africa.

Speaking at the event, the Anambra State Commissioner for Industry, Hon. Christian Udechukwu stated that the cardinal purpose of the event was to make manufacturers and traders access funds to enable them to improve in production of goods and services which he said Government wants to accommodate them and provide funds for them.

See also  APC Holds Counter Protest Against Anti-Tinubu Demonstrators In U.S.

The Commissioner who represented the Anambra State Governor, Professor Charles Chukwuma Soludo urged both the manufacturers and traders to live by example and follow the footsteps of Professor Soludo since the Governor is committed to building access roads to enhance their establishments.

Udechukwu used the avenue to highlight some of Governor Soludo’s achievements in the State which included: empowerment scheme to youths, Teachers employment, building Health sectors, providing bore holes amongst others.

He eulogized various critical stakeholders especially Mrs. Maureen Mba who spoke at the event as well as the Chairman of Manufacturers Association of Nigeria South East, Lady Ada Chukwudozie for her brilliance coordination.

Fielding questions from newsmen, the Chairman of Manufacturers Association of Nigeria South East, Lady Ada Chukwudozie urges Government to subsidize cost of material for the manufacturers and proffer solutions to their problems.

She extolled the Anambra State Governor, Professor Charles Soludo who she said has the interest of Manufacturers at heart, saying that the Governor dolled out one million seedlings to different household instead of giving them cash.

“So, instead of the Governor giving cash, he gave out one million seedlings to each household. Automatically, they are empowered for life. Therefore, manufacturers should as well receive incentives so that they would produce more goods and if they produce more, they create wealth, jobs and the economy would be abundant and induce Naira to appreciate against Dollars” Said Ada Chukwudozie.

She further reiterated the need for the Government to empower Manufacturers to enhance  Nation’s economic growth.

See also  NNPC: Selfish cabal behind calls for GMD, Kyari's sack - Ohanaeze

Delivering his vote of thanks, the former President of Onitsha Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture, Pharm. Uche Apakama rained encomium to all and sundry who participated in the event, he specifically lauded the leader of MAN, Lady Ada Chukwudozie.

The President of Anambra State Chamber of Commerce disclosed that the Onitsha Chamber of Commerce Industry, Mines and Agriculture is still existing and effective, just as he praised Hon. Christian Udechukwu who represented Professor Soludo for gracing the event.

Comment here