As part on renewed moves at empowering Small, Medium Enterprises (SMEs), sector in the country Sterling Bank Plc has thrown its weight behind the 2016 Lagos Fashion Design Week (LFDW). The event will hold from October 26 through 29 2016 at the Federal Palace Hotel, Victoria Island, Lagos.
Executive Director, Mr. Abubakar Suleiman, explained in a statement that the bank’s support of the programme was based on the need to diversify the nation’s economy in view of the sharp decline in oil export. “We also need to adequately harness the abundant talent in the fashion industry to support the local economy”, he added.
The Lagos Fashion Design week, a leading fashion event on the African Fashion calendar organised by Style House Files, has succeeded in repositioning fashion as a useful tool for commerce and creativity in the country.
Apart from supporting the event, another initiative introduced by the bank for the empowerment of small business owners is the Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME) Academy.
The focus of the Academy is to build capacity for existing and emerging micro, small and medium-sized enterprises to enable them grow and easily access funds for expansion. Participants are also well equipped to navigate the challenging operating environment.
The multiday fashion event, according to Mr. Abubakar, would serve as an avenue where fashion professionals, buyers, consumers, enthusiasts and media operators come together to appreciate the current collections and work of African designers in the fashion capital, Lagos.
He added that the Fashion Business series would also create a platform for networking among key players in the Nigerian and Pan African fashion industry for the overall growth and development of the Nigerian and African fashion industry.
A major highlight and new addition to LFDW 2016 is the LFDW X Retail which is the commercial arm of LFDW. This provides a platform for members of the fashion and creative community to sell their work. Two of the Bank’s MSME customers would be given free booths to showcase and sell their work. The bank is also providing free Wi-Fi at the 4-day event to enable guests share their experiences and promote designs that inspire them.