The NACCIMA MSME Trade Group organized a Breakfast Meeting with public and private sector stakeholders in the MSME sector to discuss initiatives to boost the MSME sector and come up with a collaboration strategy. In particular, the objective of the event is to devise a viable strategy for developing industrial clusters/parks using a Public-Private-Partnership approach.

Stakholders present at the breakfast meeting were from the following organizations:

• Members of NACCIMA, NASME, and NASSI (Business Membership Organizations)
• Bank of Industry and GROFIN (Financial Institutions)
• Enterprise Development Centre (Business Development Service Provider)
• International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA)(Research Institute)
• DAWN Commission (Government)
• United Nations Industrial Development Organization Investment and Technology Promotion Office Nigeria (UNIDO ITPO Nigeria), Nigerian Energy Support Programme (NESP/GIZ) (Development Agencies)

The breakfast meeting started with an opening prayer, recitation of the National Anthem, and welcome remarks by the National President of the Nigerian Association of Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (NACCIMA), Iyalode Alaba Lawson, MFR, FIoD, JP. In her remarks, she welcomed all participants to the MSME breakfast meeting and informed them that the event was organized to further the objective of the Association which is to promote the growth and competitiveness of businesses by ensuring an enabling environment through policy advocacy and information dissemination. She reminded participants of the need to focus on the development of the MSME sector of the economy and expressed hope that discussions at the event will center on initiatives to boost the sector.

Next, the Chairman of the NACCIMA MSME Trade Group, Engr. Adeniyi Ogunsanya MNSE gave a presentation on Industrial Cluster Development as A viable Strategy for MSME Development. In his presentation, he gave historical context to the Economic Recession in Nigeria in 2016, the Diversification Agenda of the Federal Government of Nigeria, and the Economic Recovery and Growth Plan (ERGP 2017-2020). He highlighted, the aspects of the ERGP that specify strategies for MSME development and shared literature to show that industrial cluster development would strengthen competitiveness by increasing productivity, stimulatiang innovative new partnerships and presenting opportunities for entrepreneurial activity. He called on all stakeholders present to work with the NACCIMA MSME Trade Group to develop an Industrial Cluster Development Strategy based on a Public-Private-Partnership

Dr. Jumoke Odebiyi of UNIDO ITPO Nigeria made a presentation on activities of the agency as it affects MSMEs in Nigeria. She state that the Long term objective of the agency is to drive the process of rapid industrial development, create jobs and expand/diversify the industrial base of Nigeria. The focus of the ITPO is to promote industrial cooperation, investment and technology transfer between Nigeria and industrialized/emerging countries as well as ECOWAS countries. With respect to the Industrial Cluster development approach of UNIDO, she stated that the objectives of the scheme is to support the sustainability and growth of MSMEs by addressing common issues such as improvement of technology, skills and quality, market access, access to capital; to build capacity of MSMEs for common supportive action through formation of self-help groups, consortia, upgrade of associations; to create/upgrade infrastructural facilities in the new/existing industrial areas/ clusters of MSMEs, including setting up of Factory Complexes; and to set up common facility centres (for testing, training centre, raw material depot, effluent treatment, and complementing production processes).

Dr. Jeroen Huising of the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) made a presentation on the Business Incubation Platform (BIP) of the Institute, which is an initiative to translate relevant findings from Research for Development into commercially viable products to serve as a better mechanism for technology transfer from advanced agricultural research to the private and public sectors, and then on to farmers. He shared some of the initiatives of the BIP which include Aflasafe (a product for safe crops, better health and higher incoome), NoduMax (a legume inoculant developed by IITA), GoSeed (which empowers seed companies to improve farmers' access to quality seeds for higher yields and incomes), Microbiology Lab (provides microbiology services), AgriServe (provides agricultural consulting services, farm managment and access to IITA's market-leading technology), and the IITA Youth Agripreneurs (an initiative to train young Nigerians in agribusiness).

Mr. Femi Salami of GroFin Nigeria made a presentation on the activities of the organization and its impact on MSMEs in Nigeria. GroFin Nigeria was established in 2004, with a sole focus on developing and managing SME funds that address the finance and business support needs of entrepreneurs. The firm is a pioneering SME Development Financier and Fund Manager assisting committed entrepreneurs to access tailored finance and experienced business support, With more than 675 investments as at December 2017, GroFin is the most experienced small business investor in Africa. Proven track record with an investment sustainability rate of more than 80%. GroFin has supported businesses across multiple sectors and business maturity stages.

After the presentations, there was a Question and Answer / Discussions section where the participants sought clarification and made comments on the presentations made. The breakfast meeting end with the preparation of a Communique by the participants and Vote of thanks by the Vice Chairman of the NACCIMA MSME Trade Group, Chief Nabil Saleh.

The NACCIMA/NAWORG Export Conference 2018 was organizaed in collaboration with Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC) & Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON).

The Conference commenced with opening remarks by NACCIMA DG Ambassador Ayoola Olukanni focused on the opportunities that exist and the need to follow the rules and regulations of export business.

Iyalode Alaba Lawson MFR FIoD JP 1st female National President of NACCIMA in her welcome address said the objective of conference is to further draw attention to opportunities and proffer solutions to the challenges of Nigeria's non oil export sector in order to broaden and grow the Nigerian export trade.

Mr. Segun Awolowo CEO Nigeria Export Promotion Council (NEPC) detailed the initiatives embarked upon by the FGN towards accelerating a conducive environment in building a stronger Nigeria. One of such is the NEC which was set up to fast track export trade since no economy can survive without exporting. Awolowo had a fruitful interactive session with participants and exhibitors.

Mr. Osita Aboloma Esq DG Standard Organisation of Nigeria (SON) was represented by Mrs Tosan Akin-Akosile who spoke on producing products that are acceptable worldwide. Mr Nnadi deputy director, Nigerian Custom Service highlighted functions of the customs in export business and the need to collaborate with NACCIMA. Other speakers include Mr Udofia Institute of Export Operations & Management, Mr.Tunji Lawal president association of Hibiscus Flowers Exporters of Nigeria & CEO of Toons Consolidated and Alhaji Jani Ibrahim MNI OON National Vice President NACCIMA.

Mrs. Flora Takim-Ndifon chairperson of the planning committe gave a robust presentation on the aim of conference. Barrister Jimoh in her vote of thanks appreciated participants, sponsors, partners and conference committe members.

Conference was well attended by Nigerian exporters, manufacturers, traders and entrepreneurs from all sectors of the Nigerian economy. The successful and well attended export promotion conference will be replicated in all 6 geo political zones of Nigeria.