From Credit To Digital Growth: ASACCIMA Opens New Opportunities for SMEs
By AMANDA EZE
Chamber Seeks Stronger Support for Businesses
THE Asaba Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (ASACCIMA) has deepened its drive to support small and medium-sized enterprises by entering into a new partnership with Keystone Bank.
The chamber signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the bank to expose its registered members to credit facilities, business development programmes, investment opportunities and digital transformation.
The agreement also seeks to improve access to capacity building and business promotion for entrepreneurs within the chamber.
Okolie: Partnership Can Help Businesses Grow
ASACCIMA’s Acting President, Hon. Peter Isioma Okolie, said members had long expected an initiative of this nature.
He described the agreement as the first of its kind for the chamber and said it could provide businesses with practical support for growth.
Okolie explained that ASACCIMA was aligning with an initiative already promoted by NACCIMA.
He said the chamber’s objective was to ensure that members could benefit from the opportunities created through strategic partnerships.
Building a Network of Partnerships
The chamber has also pursued collaboration outside the banking sector.
Okolie disclosed that ASACCIMA recently signed a similar MoU with the Nigeria-Indonesia Chamber of Commerce and Industry.
He said the chamber would continue to develop partnerships capable of connecting its members with finance, investment and other business opportunities.
For prospective beneficiaries, however, he stressed the need to build businesses that can demonstrate viable products and services.
He also urged operators to formalise their businesses through registration with the Corporate Affairs Commission.
Keystone Bank Promises Support
Faith Edon, Business Team Lead at Keystone Bank’s Nnebisi Road Branch in Asaba, said the bank welcomed the opportunity to work with ASACCIMA.
She noted that discussions that began as a proposal had eventually produced a formal agreement.
Edon pledged the bank’s commitment to the partnership.
She said Keystone Bank would work to ensure that ASACCIMA’s SME members gained access to the opportunities contained in the agreement.
She also expressed appreciation to the chamber’s leadership for choosing to partner with the bank.
DACCIMA Endorses the Initiative
The President of DACCIMA, Engr. Anthony Okoh, described the agreement as a positive development for the organised private sector.
Okoh, who also serves as President of the Warri Chamber of Commerce, said DACCIMA supported ASACCIMA’s initiative.
He added that NACCIMA would assist in profiling prospective beneficiaries.
The process, he explained, would help promote due diligence in selecting businesses for the programme.
Government Recognises the Private Sector’s Role
The Commissioner for Trade and Investment, Samuel Oligida, represented by Felix Oseji, said the agreement demonstrated the role of the organised private sector in economic development.
Oseji said the initiative aligned with the MORE Agenda of the Oborevwori administration.
Representatives of the Delta Investment Development Agency and the Delta Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency also delivered goodwill messages.
The DIDA Director-General, Hon. Anthony Elekeokuri, was represented by Mrs. Ufuoma Oyibo, while DEMSMEDA Executive Secretary, Dr. Godwin Adolor, was represented by Enaruke Peter.
A Partnership Now Moves to Implementation
The agreement was formally signed by Okolie for ASACCIMA and Edon for Keystone Bank.
Iwemdi Nwaham, the chamber’s Acting Director-General, and Elvis Eluemoku of Keystone Bank signed as witnesses.
The partnership now moves from agreement to implementation.
Its significance will depend on whether SMEs can translate access to finance, capacity building, investment opportunities and digital tools into stronger businesses.
For ASACCIMA, the broader objective is to create a business environment where its members can connect more easily with institutions capable of supporting sustainable growth.
