MSMEs: AEA clinches best One-Stop Shop award

By Stanley Onyekwere

In recognition of the provision of excellent support services to Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs), the Abuja Enterprise Agency (AEA) has clinched the Best MSME One-Stop Shop Award in the country.

The Vice-President of Nigeria, Prof. Yemi Osinbanjo presented the award was  during the 4th National MSMEs Awards, which coincided with the global MSMEs Day, at the State house Banquet Hall, in Abuja.

The AEA emerged first among 3 nominees (Bauchi MSME One Stop Shop, Jos MSME One Stop Shop and FCT MSMEOne Stop Shop), and awarded 2020 BEST MSME One Stop Shop by the Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osinbanjo.

It was gathered that the award was in recognition of the Agency’s performance in the following areas: Sensitization of  FCT residents on the Survival Funds, facilitation of the registration/formalization of over 7000 CAC, and provision One Stop Shop services to 2098 MSMEs and sensitization 9000 MSMEs on the activities among others.

The Acting Managing Director/CEO of the Agency, Shehu Abdulkadir, who received the award on behalf of the agency alongside some other staff, reinstated the Agency’s commitment in nurturing and stimulating business growth in the FCT.

Abdulkadir expressed his profound gratitude to the Office of the Vice President for the recognition and appreciates the management and staff of AEA for their hard work and commitment towards effective service delivery.

Recall that the Federal Capital Territory’s Micro Small & Medium Enterprise (MSME) One Stop Shop (OSS) was established as fallout of the Office of the Vice President’s ease of doing business initiative, and the Agency’s successful hosting of the Nation-wide Business Clinics held at the Eagles Square in July 2017.

Also, the FCT MSME One Stop Shop host 14 Regulatory institutions (CAC, NAFDAC, SON, FIRS etc) to eliminate regulatory constraints MSME face by providing seamless access to regulatory institution.