By Ushang Ewa
The Cross River State Government has announced plans to unveil a financing scheme for creative entrepreneurs a statement signed by the Senior Special Adviser on Creative and Knowledge Economy, Honorable Emmanuel Etim says.
“The Cross River Creative Entrepreneurs Financing Scheme is conceived to improve access to finance for forward looking creative entrepreneurs in Cross River State,” read the statement issued weekend in Calabar the state capital.
It further read: “The scheme is planned to reach both new and existing businesses and provide them with funding to start and grow their businesses respectively.”
The scheme is billed to unveiled in July and will be in partnership with Participating Financial Institutions with the aim of addressing the financial challenges faced by creative entrepreneurs in the state.
“Beneficiaries of the Creative Entrepreneurs Financing Scheme will be selected through a competitive business plan competition and put through intensive creative enterprise management training to enable them access the funding and manage financial and human resources efficiently.
“Upon completion of both stages in the scheme, beneficiaries will access the finances that will enable them start and/or grow their businesses thus contributing to the sustainable growth and development of the creative economy sector in Cross River Sate.
“The scheme is an initiative of the Cross River State Government through the Office of the SSA Creative and Knowledge Economy in partnership with the Participating Financial Institutions (PFIs).
“The Creative Entrepreneurs Financing Scheme will be officially unveiled in July, 2018 with a media engagement and thereafter the website will go live which will signify the commencement of registration. Interested Indigenous Creative Entrepreneurs are encouraged to take maximum advantage of this opportunity,” the statement read adding that; the scheme was confirmation of Governor Ben Ayade’s commitment to “the growth and development of the creative economy sector in Cross River State.”
Explaining further, Mr. Etim told CrossRiverWatch that: “It has become obvious that access to finance is one of the limiting factors in starting and growing creative enterprise in Cross River State. The dreams of many creative young people who are willing to go into business or who are already in business and want to expand are thus thwarted.
“It is in the light of this that we have created this platform as a solution to the challenge by linking these entrepreneurs to funding and providing capacity building opportunities that will ensure accountable management of the financial resources.”
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