Jean Bakole, regional director of the UN Industrial Organisation (UNIDO), says producing quality products remains key to the sustenance of micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs).

Mr Bakole said this on Thursday at the second project awareness dissemination event of strengthening the capacities of local MSMEs/manufacturers to produce high-quality personal protective equipment (PPEs) and healthcare-related products, held in Lagos.

He explained that the project’s objective was to ensure that MSMEs produce high-quality products and remain in business. The UNIDO official added that the project was also to secure the future of youths, noting that MSMEs were crucial in economic growth.

”MSMEs constitute a big pillar in which any economy can stand, and production of quality products is important. We would like to see the ownership of the MSMEs grow beyond local consumption and link them to international markets,” the UNIDO official added. 

According to him, about 162 MSMEs were selected for the project out of about 5,000 that applied.

Mr Bakole lauded the European Union for funding the project.

Samuela Isopi, the EU ambassador to Nigeria, said the organisation supported the project to help MSMEs produce PPEs to international standards.

Ms Isopi explained that the EU funded the project with €50 million through the basket fund to support 73 per cent of laid-off staff due to COVID-19.

She added that the project was also to help create decent jobs that would focus on women and youths, noting that women and youths were mostly affected by the pandemic.

(NAN)