The Port Harcourt Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (PHCCIMA) has commended WEMA Bank Plc for their determination to support the small and medium scale industries (SMEs) in the country to expand their businesses and grow the economy.
The president of PHCCIMA Eze (Sir) Mike Elechi, NPOM (the award winning president) made the commendation in a chat with newsmen in course of the week-long seminar code named “SME business school” organized for SMEs in Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital for the South-South and South-East regions.
According to Eze Eechi who is the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Vintage farms and products Limited, Port Harcourt; “the gesture of the bank which is part of its corporate social responsibility was designed to assist the Small and Medium Scale entrepreneurs upgrade or innovate as to sustain their businesses especially under this harsh economy with interest free loans.
He used the opportunity to urge every chief executive to take advantage of the chance to help themselves, adding that the seminar which used to be enjoyed by the Lagos business executives alone is now being rotated round the country to benefit more businessmen and women as a result of the partnership with the WEMA bank plc.
In another development, Eze Elechi reaffirmed the preparedness of PHCCIMA to organize the 16th edition of the Port Harcourt International trade fair between 6th-20th December, 2022 with the theme as preparing SMEs to maximize trade opportunities in Africa within the South-South region.
Also speaking with newsmen, the former PHCCIMA President, Dr. Billy Gillis-Harry commended the bank for the free seminar and the zero interest loans facility which he noted, will tremendously boost their businesses and urged his colleagues to take the lectures seriously. He was however at a loss why the programme did not enjoy adequate publicity.
“The effort of the WEMA bank, plc will empower us entrepreneurially especially when all that is taught us is fully applied” he said.
Dr. Gillis Harry who is the National President of the Petroleum Products Retail Outlets Owners Association of Nigeria (PETROAN) said he was excited that the WEMA bank is organizing the business seminar in Rivers State.
In his opening remarks, the Executive Director of WEMA bank plc, Mr. Emeka Obiagwu said the gesture of the bank was intended to reach out to the South-South and South-East zones of the country in the overall interest of the Nigerian economy as a deliberate efforts of the bank.
Some of the lectures deliberated on the need for business executives to strategize and consolidate their business as according to them whoever do not innovate must surely die.
They also dwelt on corporate strategies, emphasizing on why SMEs have to keep on planning and strategizing with a view to staying afloat especially under the harsh economy prevalent in the country.
The seminar which held at the GOLDEN TULIP hotel, stadium Road, Port Harcourt was a weeklong event.
