The Presidential Enabling Business Environment Council (PEBEC) has commenced engagements with stakeholders in Plateau State aimed at improving the ease of doing business and strengthening economic growth at the subnational level.
Director-General of PEBEC, Princess Zahrah Audu, said the visit was part of a nationwide tour of all 36 states to deepen reforms and ensure alignment between federal and state policies on business environment.
She explained that the council held a technical session with the Plateau State Subnational Ease of Doing Business Council, chaired by the Secretary to the State Government, and would also convene a town hall meeting with the organised private sector.
According to her, the town hall meeting is designed to provide a platform for direct interaction between government officials and business operators in the state.
“The idea is to interface with businesses, understand the peculiarities of doing business in Plateau State, and bring the government closer to the private sector,” she said.
Audu noted that the session would feature interactive discussions and a panel where members of the state government would respond to concerns raised by business owners.
She said the initiative is aimed at strengthening the Subnational Ease of Doing Business Council and ensuring that federal-level reforms are effectively implemented across states.
Describing Plateau as the first state visited in the current round of engagements, Audu said feedback from the private sector would help shape policy adjustments tailored to the state’s unique business environment.
“We expect that Plateau State will review some of its policies and reforms to make it easier for businesses to operate. Policymakers will take feedback from the private sector and make necessary improvements,” she added.
Highlighting efforts by the Federal Government to support businesses, Audu said recent tax reforms under President Bola Tinubu’s administration were designed to ease the burden on small enterprises.
She explained that individuals earning below three million naira annually are exempt from taxation, while small businesses benefit from favourable tax thresholds.
She also noted that the Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria (SMEDAN) has been empowered to provide grants to nano businesses, alongside free business registration initiatives aimed at formalising the informal sector.
“Formalisation builds trust and helps businesses grow. These measures are designed to encourage small businesses to scale without being overburdened by taxes,” she said.
In her remarks, Plateau State government represented by the Commissioner for Information and Communication, Hon. Joyce Ramnap, commended PEBEC for selecting the state for the engagement.
She described the visit as a recognition of the state government’s commitment to economic reforms and creating an enabling environment for investment.
“For us, this is a partnership. It gives us the opportunity to assess our performance and improve on our processes to build a stronger economy,” she said.
Ramnap disclosed that Plateau State has made significant progress in ease of doing business rankings, moving to sixth position from previously being unranked.
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She said the government is focused on strengthening policies and stakeholder engagement to attract more investors into the state.
According to her, key sectors identified for investment include agriculture, mining, and tourism.
“We are creating an environment where agriculture, mining and tourism can thrive. These sectors are critical to the economic development of Plateau State,” she added.
She reiterated the administration’s commitment to sustaining reforms that will enhance the business climate and position Plateau as a preferred investment destination.