THE ROLE OF BANKING IN FINANCING SMALL SCALE INDUSTRIES

CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION
1.1 BACKGROUND OF STUDY

The concept of self-reliance has occupied a place in the literature of economic development over the years, basically as a manifestation of the various attempts by the developing world to state new economic strategies, which world relieve them form economic dependence of their fromer colonial masters in Europe. Today, some years after, the concepts of self reliance continues to be misunderstood in its fundamental ramifications and has remained elusive in large sections of the developing world.

In Nigeria in particularly, neither the mixed economy approach to development nor the capitalist approach appears to have respond to the dictates of economic self reliance.

Consequently, in pursuit of self reliance in the developing world particularly in Nigeria, the central government, enacted a decree called ‘Enterprises promotion Decree, when there was need for small scale enterprises owned ad managed by Nigerians to be promoted.

The importance of small-scale enterprises in the promotion of economic development has always been at the forefront of development strategies.

However, many developing countries have failed to adopt this strategy owing to their belief that it is a relatively slow process of industrialization. But in the recent times, due to the scarcity of foreign exchange that attention began to be focused once again on development of indigenous that will be local resource based.

Without the development of small-scale industries in Nigeria, that nation’s quest for industrialization will certainly remain forever at a stake. It is the humble opinion of the researcher that future developments in our industrialization must address the basic issue of creating linkages within the economy to begin to produce real inputs to our manufacturing activities.

Priority attention must therefore be given to these industries for which domestic inputs could easily be produced. This automatically brings to mind the Agro-Allied industries like food processing and other by products objective should be to maximize the value added in their processing and manufacturing as final goods or immediate inputs.

Empirical evidence indicates that strong incentives should be given to small scale industrialist to enable them meet the food requirement and also to promote for sustained industrial growth. For instance, the market determined exchange rate through SFEM with its resultant high cost of imported inputs might serve as an impetus fro industrialist to intensify their search for local substitutes.

In 1971, the government of the then East central state statutory enacted an edict establishing on office which was hither to a sub-system of the ministry of commerce ad industry to be known as fund for small scale industry credit scheme (FUSI) to give credits for prospective investors to enable them establish their business in a bid to moving the country towards industrialization.

As at march 9th 1992, loans approved for small scale projects in Enugu State by Nigerian Bank for commerce and industry (NBCI) amounted to N13,345.40.

Similarly, in the circular on small scale and medium enterprises loan scheme released by central Bank of Nigeria in February, 1989, it was reveal that world bank has granted a loan of U.S. $270 million to the federal government for the development of small scale and medium scale enterprises in the private sector.

However, the very slow rate of growth of the industrial sector, the inability of the sector to adequately provide and satisfy the need of the economy, the over dependence of the industrial sector as well as the nation at large on foreign goods, praised a necessary cause for concern.

The means of helping small-scale industries to acquire the much-needed finance for growth and development especially form the banking industry from the background of this research study.

1.2 STATEMENT OF PROBLEM

Small-scale industry like any other business cannot be carried on extensively unless funds are available for maintenance and procurement of equipment and necessary inputs.

Three types of credit are usually required: short-term credit: this type of credit is used to yearly operation until the products or proceeds form the industry are sold: the amount involved s usually small but lock this type of credit is most accurately felt by small scale industrialists who have little or no savings with which to draw.

Medium – Term Loan: This type of loan is for more than one-year maturity period by not exceeding three to five years. This is mostly required for acquisition of inexpensive equipment with relatively short life span.

Long-term Loan: This type of credit is necessary for acquisition of major industrial machines, improvement on industrial equipment building and land. Small scale industrial credit therefore can be a powerful instrument in bringing about a revolution in industrial practices and in firms productivity especially if supplied is sufficient quantity and used efficiently.

It is well known that the development of small scale industries and attainment of self reliance in industrials production coupled with the provision of raw materials for other industries is among the top priorities of the successive government in the country.

Furthermore, the continuous escalation of Nigeria’s import bill and unemployment are a threat to the country. It is therefore necessary for all to put heads together to formulate a meaningful policy that will stimulate a positive take off of our small scale industrial sector such ideals, this work therefore, aims to put across at the end.

The study therefore, identifies small scale industrial financing by Union Bank Enugu, Nigeria PLc as part of the wider subject of industrial development because finance is just one of the factors of production.

1.3 OBJECTIVE OF THE STUDY

The objective of the study includes

a. To evaluate the extent to which small scale industries in Nigeria have been able to obtain loans and advances from Nigeria commercial banks as a major sources of finance in the economy.

b. To examine how commercial banks in Nigeria assist the government in promoting the small industries.

c. To know the stage of small scale industrial development and what ought to be done to reduce the problems facing the sector.

d. To ascertain the extent to which the commercial banks have helped to finance small scale industries and problems hindering such

e. To identify the problems encountered by the small scale industrialists in obtaining funds from the commercial banks.

f. To evaluate various measures introduced to boost industrial production and its financing and how this have affected the industrialization of the set goals.

g. To determine the cause of variability in small scale industrial financing by commercial banks

1.4 SCOPE AND LIMITATION OF THE STUDY

The study focused attention on the evaluation of small-scale industries obtaining loans form Union Bank PLC, Enugu. The research also covers selected small scale business in Enugu.

1.5 RESEARCH QUESTIONS

i. Do the financing of small-scale industries by commercial banks boost the production capacity of small-scale industries.

ii. To what extent do the Banking industries channel their investment to the small industries.

iii. Do the capacity Utilization of our small to produce more and thereby reducing the demand for foreign goods.

iv. Must small scale Business be financed by commercial banks alone

v. What can be the hindrance to the commercial banks financing small scale industries.

1.6 HYPOTHESIS

Ho: The Union Bank of Nigeria PLC, Enugu Lending to small scale industries are affected by the attitude of their customers and other influences.

H1: The Union Bank of Nigeria PLC, Enugu Lending to small scale industries are not affected by the attitude of their customers and other influences.

Ho: The role of commercial Bank is to increase the productivity of the small-scale industries.

H1: Commercial Banks have nothing to do with increased productivity of the small scale industries

Remember:

Ho: Represents null hypothesis

H1: Represents Alternate hypothesis

1.7 SIGNIFICANCES OF THE STUDY

The development of small scale industries and self reliance in industrial and food production, coupled with the provision of raw materials for other industries is among the priorities of the Nigerian Government in the successive development plans.

Against these backgrounds, the review of the financial problems facing small-scale industries is essential. An examination of union bank of Nigeria PLC Enugu performance in financing small scale industries will enable us find a large extent why there has been a decline in industrial output in recent years.

This study to a every large extent help;

1. Boost the production capacity of small scale Agricultural and allied industries.

2. Emphasize the need for re-allocation of our resources to the more productive sectors f the economy.

1.8 DEFINITION OF TERMS:

Small Scale Industries: the Central Bank of Nigeria defines this for monetary purposes in terms of their annual turnover which is not more than five hundred thousand Naira (N500.000).

LOAN: A sum of money unit at an interest.

LONG TERM CREDIT: This type of credit is more than three years maturity. It is used to invest in long-term project.

MEDIUM TERM CREDIT: This type of credit is more than one year maturity but not exceeding three years.

SHORT TERM CREDIT: This has a very short life span. It last for months and should be matured for repayment in less than one year period of a time.

ROLE: An actor’s part in a play, person task or duty, in an undertaking.

BANK: An established for keeping money and valuables safely, the money is being paid out on the customers order (by means of cheque or cash)

EFFICIENT: Producing satisfactory result

COMMERCIAL BANKS:- This is the financial intermediary that collects money customers of the general public for safe keeping on their various accounts and make them available when required. It offers loan at an interest to the customers and also provides the required security.

MORATORIUM: Temporary agreed ban on an activity

GRAPPLING: Hold firmly, seize.