The Managing Director of the Bank of Industry (BOI), Olukayode Pitan, has disclosed that the bank had so far disbursed over N9billion to support small businesses in Kwara State.

A release by the bank indicated that Pitan made the disclosure during a courtesy visit to the Kwara State Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed.

He also said he was in the state to solicit for partnership in respect of the N2billion matching fund to support the initiative for more businesses and youths’ engagement in gainful employment.

Pitan pointed out that industrialization was the surest way to achieve rapid economic growth and development, pledging to continue to support viable businesses to grow because of the multiplier effects.

The Governor solicited for an increased technical and financial partnership with the bank to sustain entrepreneurship development in the state.

He stated that the state has also established an Export Processing Zone (EPZ) for processing most of its agricultural commodities, saying that the bank’s technical and financial support was key to driving it.