Read on blog or Reader SMALL BUSINESS INSIGHTS Read on blog or Reader US-EU tariff dispute escalates: What it means for small businesses By sbinsights on March 13, 2025 Small businesses in the wine and spirits industry are bracing for potential disruptions as US President Donald Trump threatens a 200% tariff on European alcoholic products, including wine and champagne. This move comes in response to the European Union's decision to impose tariffs on US whiskey, reigniting trade tensions between the two economic giants. For small-scale wine importers, distributors, and retailers in the US, the proposed tariffs could lead to higher costs and reduced supply, affecting businesses that rely on European imports. Likewise, European exporters fear losing a key market as US buyers may shift to alternative sources. Read also France has vowed to retaliate, with Foreign Trade Minister Laurent Saint-Martin stating, "We will not give in to threats." Meanwhile, the EU maintains that its actions are a necessary response to previous US tariffs on steel and aluminum. Industry experts warn that a prolonged trade dispute could hurt small businesses on both sides of the Atlantic. The US Distilled Spirits Council has already expressed concern, noting that similar tariffs in 2018 led to a sharp decline in whiskey exports. As the situation unfolds, small business owners in the affected industries will need to navigate rising costs, supply chain uncertainties, and shifting market dynamics in the coming months.

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Read on blog or Reader SMALL BUSINESS INSIGHTS Read on blog or Reader MAN partners with fairtrade Messe for agrofood By sbinsights on March 13, 2025 The Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN) has officially partnered with fairtrade Messe to co-host the 2025 agrofood & plastprintpack conference, a move set to boost Nigeria's manufacturing, agro-processing, and packaging industries. MAN's Director General, Segun Ajayi-Kadir, highlighted that the partnership aligns with the association's mission to drive industrial growth and innovation. "This collaboration offers our members a platform to showcase their capabilities, adopt advanced technologies, and build strategic alliances," he said. Read also Through this partnership, MAN members will receive exclusive participation benefits, including priority discounts for exhibitions and sponsorship opportunities. The conference will also serve as a hub for networking, knowledge-sharing, and international collaborations. Paul Maerz, Managing Director of fairtrade Messe, expressed excitement over the collaboration, noting that MAN's involvement underscores the event's significance as a driver of industrial development. "We are committed to fostering collaboration and sustainable growth in Nigeria's agrofood and packaging sectors," he added. Scheduled for March 25-27, 2025, at the Landmark Event Centre in Lagos, the event will bring together key players from around 16 countries, including manufacturers, suppliers, policymakers, and investors, to explore opportunities and address challenges in the sector.

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Small business owners and farmers in Borno State are set to benefit from a major agricultural boost as Governor Babagana Zulum has pledged to revitalize the long-abandoned Biu Dam to support irrigation farming. Speaking during a visit to the Emir of … Read on blog or Reader SMALL BUSINESS INSIGHTS Read on blog or Reader Borno revives Biu Dam to boost irrigation farming, empower small-scale farmers By sbinsights on March 13, 2025 Small business owners and farmers in Borno State are set to benefit from a major agricultural boost as Governor Babagana Zulum has pledged to revitalize the long-abandoned Biu Dam to support irrigation farming. Speaking during a visit to the Emir of Biu, Mai Mustapha Umar Mustapha II, Governor Zulum emphasized that his administration is committed to tackling water scarcity and enhancing food production in the region. The dam, which has been neglected for three decades, will be restored to improve farming activities in Biu and neighboring communities, creating opportunities for smallholder farmers. Read also Agriculture remains a key pillar of the state's economic strategy, and the revitalization of the Biu Dam is expected to provide sustainable livelihoods, particularly for those affected by past insurgencies. Governor Zulum also announced additional development projects aimed at fostering economic growth in the area before the end of his tenure. The Emir of Biu commended the governor for his people-focused initiatives, including a ₦1 billion empowerment program designed to support youth and vulnerable groups in the region. With improved access to irrigation, small businesses in the agricultural sector stand to gain, driving economic resilience in Borno State.

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