The federal government has disclosed that the implementation of the new United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) Country Programme (2018 – 2022), would go a long way in driving Inclusive and Sustainable Industrial Development (ISID) in Nigeria.
While noting that the scheme is in line with the Economic Recovery and Growth Plan (ERGP) of the current administration, the Minister of State, Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment, Aisha Abubarkar, who spoke during the validation workshop for new Country Programme for Inclusive and Sustainable Industrial Development in Nigeria, in Abuja said it will fast track activities of Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs).
Represented by the Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment, Edet Apkan, Mrs. Abubakar observed that the new Country Programme Document had already identified major areas of intervention which would help the country to develop and grow its industrial sector.
The minister argued that “The government and people of Nigeria are grateful to UNIDO for collaborating with other development partners, state and non-state actors, including the private sector in the country during the implementation of the UNIDO’s 2013-2016, which was later extended to June 2018.
“The new UNIDO Country Programme for Inclusive and Sustainable Industrial Development in Nigeria (2018-2022) has defined in clear terms projects and programmes to be embarked upon by Nigeria and UNIDO for inclusive and sustainable industrial development in line with the current economic realities of the country.
“Specifically, the new Country Programme (2018-2022) has identified intervention plans in nine thematic components as follows : industrial governance , research and statistics ; Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) development ; Special Economic Zones (SEZs) , industrial parks and private sector development ; innovation, science and technology management ; agro-industry and agri-business development; minerals and metals development; trade capacity building; renewable energy development, and environmental management”.
