The Governor of Niger state, Mohammed Umaru Bago is actively pursuing a collaborative effort between the State Government and the German Agency for International Cooperation (GIZ) to establish Free Trade Zones in Tafa, Bida, and Minna local government of the state.
Governor Umaru Bago stated this during a courtesy visit by members of the GIZ team to the Government House in Minna.
He says “the establishment of these free trade zones would empower local entrepreneurs and farmers, and it will enabling them to realize the full value of their products.”
The Governor also highlighted the positive developmental impact that value chain cluster production can bring about.
Governor Bago, while acknowledging GIZ’s notable contributions to various facets of the nation’s development, also expressed interest in further collaboration with this development partner, particularly in the realms of ICT and scholarships to facilitate career development opportunities for the people.
Mr. Marcus Wauschkuhn, the leader of the GIZ team and Head of Pro-growth and Promotion of Employment in Nigeria SEDIN, who also serves as the Coordinator of the Sustainable Economic Development Cluster (SEDEC), shared that GIZ has been engaged in partnership with the state for over two decades, primarily focusing on employment and private sector promotion.
Mr. Wauschkuhn outlined the team’s upcoming objectives, emphasizing their commitment to economic development, improved market access, and access to finance for Micro, Small, and Medium-sized Enterprises (MSMEs). This new phase of the program is slated to run from 2023 to 2026.
Furthermore, Mr Wauschkuhn revealed that the project would extend its scope to students, with a focus on imparting valuable skills early in their education, thus fostering a culture of skill acquisition from a young age.
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