In recognition of the significant role of trade groups in driving the affairs of the chamber to enable it function effectively, the dynamic first female President of Port Harcourt Chamber of Commerce and NACCIMA Ex officio, Dr. Chinyere Nwoga has commended the Small and Medium Enterprises and NGOs Trade Group, including other proactive trade groups of PHCCIMA for been effective in accomplishing their activities, and for also designing effective group engagements that have remained relevant to their mission, especially in the area of bringing together operators of the private sector within their bracket.
The PHCCIMA boss made this declaration while presenting a keynote address during a meeting of the Small and Medium Enterprises and NGOs Trade Group of PHCCIMA held at the Chamber corporate office in Port Harcourt.
According to her, the leadership of the trade group has remained focus, demonstrating their ability to achieve target objectives effectively. However, she said there is more work to be done, stressing the need for the various trade groups to push further, and help sustain the primacy of PHCCIMA among the comity of chambers of commerce in the country.
Dr Nwoga noted the need for them to help increase the visibility, and inherent values of PHCCIMA in the state through value-oriented programs, networking, linkages, and strategic collaborations.

Earlier on, the Chairman of the Trade Group Mr. Jack Daboikiabo in his opening remark had appreciated the President for her bolstering words and assured her of the trade group’s resolve to meet set objectives. While welcoming members of the Trade Group who attended the meeting, he reminded them of the critical roles of the SMEs and NGOs in the Chamber movement, state, and national economy, describing the trade group as the pillar where the State economy rests, and also the veritable wheel of the Chamber movement. According to him the SMEs and the NGOs have always made very significant contributions to the economic growth of any nation, providing employment opportunities for many and contributing immensely to GDP and poverty reduction.
In his presentation, the Sout-south Regional Coordinator of the Nigerian Export Promotion Council NEPC, Benedict Itegbe told members of the Trade group that the Council is interested in the development of the SMEs, adding that they are major players that are built to be more resilient in any economy. He noted that small businesses are not small in terms of their inputs in national economies, and therefore encouraged them to see their businesses as capable of making significant contributions to aggregate exports of the nation.