Vice President Kashim Shettima says President Bola Tinubu is committed to empowering Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) to develop the nation’s economy.

In a statement on Tuesday, Olusola Abiola, the Office of the Vice President spokesperson, said Mr Shettima stated this in an interview with reporters during his tour of exhibition stands at the ongoing BRICS Trade Fair in South Africa.

He noted that the empowerment of the MSMEs was vital in empowering the youth and women to contribute to the nation’s economic development.

” President Bola Tinubu is a very compassionate leader, and in the coming months, there will be changes in the fortunes of Nigeria,” said Mr Shettima.

Mr Shettima commended the organisers of the trade fair, which had about 180 exhibitors from various sectors of the economy.

The vice president stressed that the exhibitions would, in the long run, galvanise investment and trade in the continent.

Mr Shettima, who took time to inspect Nigeria’s exhibitions, appreciated the investments of Nigerians in South Africa.

“I am quite glad that quite a number of our countrymen are doing well and are willing to partner with the home nation for the greater glory of the African continent,” he said.

The BRIC South Africa and The SA BRICS Business Council (SABBC) are organising the Trade Fair in collaboration with the Department of Trade Industry and Competition on the sidelines of the ongoing 15th BRICS Summit.

The exhibition is expected to serve as a platform for showcasing products and services from the BRICS countries and business-to-business interaction to increase intra-BRICS trade and investments.

Nigeria’s High Commissioner to South Africa, Muhammad Manta, the consul-general, Andrew Idi and other senior government officials accompanied him to the trade fair.

BRICS comprises Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa, five major emerging and developing economies.

(NAN)