She said that entrepreneurship training programme was being devised with the cooperation of Punjab Small Industries Cooperation and KOSGEB for the promotion of SMEs in the province, under which, special business training would be given to the students completing their education from technical training institutes and universities. For this purpose, services of Chamber of Commerce and best universities of Public and Private sector would be acquired, she added.
She said that trained experts from Turkey would be invited for the training of masters.
She expressed these views during a briefing given to Deputy Governor State Bank of Pakistan Saeed Ahmed about recent visit to Turkey for the promotion of SMEs, at Civil Secretariat, on Wednesday.
She told that after reviewing financial model of KOSGEB, Punjab Small Industries Corporation had prepared proposals comprising Loan Interest Support Programme and Credit Scheme for the expansion of small and medium scale business in Punjab and for its implementation, Punjab government would have to acquire the services of State Bank of Pakistan.
Managing Director Punjab Small Industries Corporation Bilal Ahmed informed about the details of initial programme of the proposals prepared.
He said that contacts had been started with different banks of Public and private sector which were ready to extend all out cooperation for the promotion of SMEs.
Deputy Governor State Bank expressed interest in the model presented by Punjab Small Industry and assured that they would be informed about conditions and rules and regulations for extending them financial assistance after necessary scrutiny by State Bank.
The Minister asked Deputy Governor to settle the affairs as soon as possible as the present situation of SME sector demanded immediate measures.
Earlier, Provincial Minister for Finance presided over 8th meeting of steering committee of E-Agri Credit Scheme which reviewed the performance so far of Agriculture Development Bank and National Bank of Pakistan, The Bank of Punjab and Akhuwat Micro financing regarding provision of loans to the farmers and they were given new targets for new season.
Secretary Agriculture informed the Minister about the difficulties in the way of speedy completion of the scheme.
On the request of Dr. Amjad Saqib, decision was taken for the provision of loans to the farmers on the basis of needs in future by eliminating the fixed limit for loan.