Chevron-Backed PIND Foundation hosts second edition of Niger Delta Development Forum

Chevron-Backed PIND Foundation hosts second edition of  Niger Delta Development Forum.

The Foundation for Partnership Initiatives in the Niger Delta (PIND),  in collaboration with partners including Edo State Government, Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria (SMEDAN), United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO), and United States Agency for International Development (USAID) MARKETS II Program,  is hosting the second edition of its annual Niger-Delta Development Forum (NDDF) in Benin City, Edo State, with the theme “PromotingInnovative approaches for Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises Development in the Niger Delta” at Best Western Homeville Hotel, GRA, Benin City, Edo State, on the 26^th and 27^th of November, 2013.

NDDF is a platform wherein public and private sector stakeholders, as well as other interested observers, can come together to network and engage in open and interactive discussions on key market and development issues facing the Niger Delta. The Forum is designed to increase public dialogue and engagement and provide an opportunity to network for support Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs); influence policymakers interested in repositioning and strengthening MSMEs in the Niger Delta to promote policies and programs and enforce appropriate and evidence-based regulatory frameworks; create awareness of finance institution requirements and needs among MSMEs; give public sector agencies first-hand opportunity for information-gathering on the needs of MSMEs to help establish an enabling business environment for MSMEs ; and leverage resources for the growth and development of the MSMEs in the Niger Delta.

The 2013 NDDF recognizes the urgent need to take proactive measures to revamp operations of value chain actors and the larger economy by addressing key constraints with these four topics: Access to finance; Access to markets; Business Support Services; fostering an enabling environment for entrepreneurs and youth and women in entrepreneurship development.

Key benefits entrepreneurs will derive from solution-driven discussions at the forum include: practical guidance on how to access finance from leading MSME financing institutions, how to access new markets to sell products and services from leading business linkages experts and entrepreneurs with practical experience and gather relevant about available market information business support services they can benefit from.

Among others, this year’s Forum will be organized by PIND in partnership with:

• Niger Delta Partnership Initiative (NDPI), Washington DC, USA
• Enhancing Nigerian Advocacy for a Better Business Environment (ENABLE)  A DFID Funded program)
• DAI Implementer of Market Development Project (MADE) A DFID and PIND Funded Project)
• International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD)
• International Fertilizer Development Center (IFDC)
• Mercy Corps Nigeria

Organizers of this forum expect an increase in support for research-based policies and programs, as well as engagement between policymakers, business membership organizations, business regulatory agencies and financial institutions; improved resource allocation and investment from private and public institution; and a boost in knowledge-sharing and collective action among MSME operators.

Participation at the symposium is free and open to representatives of government, civil society organizations, the private sector, trade unions, parliamentarians, academics and international organizations.