African SMEs demand favourable trade terms, ease of doing business

African Small and Medium Enterprises, SMEs, under the auspices of All Africa Association for Small and Medium Enterprises, AAASME, has demanded at the ongoing 79th Session of the United Nations General Assembly, UNGA 79, for favourable trade terms and easy of doing business in the international market based on the strategic position Africa occupies in global business. In an interview with Vanguard, the President, AAASME, Dr Ebiekure Eradiri, who is attending the UNGA 79 at the UN headquarters in New York, said the ease of doing business is very key to the survival of businesses in Africa and also to boost the economy, hence there should be a review in that regard.

He said “The world is indeed a global village and now with technology its fast becoming a Borderless world. However, the ease of doing business especially for developing and least developing countries have to be reviewed with the terms favourable to all parties. Africa is a choice destination for the world’s natural resources which accounts for a huge number of deposits, it is fair for the Continent to also enjoy good global share of trade indexes and value chain benefits.” Meanwhile, the AAASME boss said their message at the UNGA 79 is very clear and strong, which is the world’s future lies with Africa. “Our message to clearly is that the Africa we want is the Africa the World needs and so we request an Expanded Re-imagination of the global future with Africa at its core! Let us Mobilize for that reframed future Now guided by Agenda 2030,2063 amongst others. We must be intentional about shifting poor perceptions about our Continent by all means, recall that the Economist Magazine once dubbed us a ” Hopeless Continent” but as an Afro-optimist we see bright future with Africa rising to take its pride of place”, he said.