By Mike Adeyemi
The Kwara State Chambers of Commerce, Mine and Agriculture (KWACCIMA) has advised the state Government on the need to get ready for the post COVID-19 economy.
The Director General of KWACCIMA, Prince Ayo Fagbemi stated this during a chat with our reporter in his office, recently.
According to him, “The global market has been paralyzed as a result of the pandemic and it has brought to halt business activities across the world.
“Prior to the outbreak of COVID-19, I want to inform you that the Kwara economy was in the state of comatose. It became precarious with the emergence of coronavirus.
“KWACCIMA as a mouthpiece of Kwara businesses was badly affected as many of our business men and women could not access cash liquidity. But in spite of this, our members were able to makes ends meet.
“If you look at the cost of oil in the global market, it has dropped considerably and that is what necessitated the Federal Government to review its budgets and states are doing the same thing, ” he added.
The KWACCIMA boss further said that the lockdown impacted negatively in the economy in Kwara.
He disclosed that, “KWACCIMA has approached the Kwara State Government on ways they can assist us and the Government has asked us to come up with our blueprint.
“One of the best ways to prepare for a post COVID-19 economy is for the state government to provide soft loans to our members. Yes, I think the government also felt the pains and that is why the Federal Government directed that soft loans been given to businesses under the auspices of the Central Bank of Nigeria.
“Here in Kwara, you are entitled to take loan through the CBN. For KWACCIMA, everybody that applied for the loan, we will ensure we support them by giving them letters to take the loan. At least about 20 of our members have applied via this office,” he stated.
