KARACHI: Developing and promoting small and medium (SME) sector in Pakistan is need of the hour in order to rescue dwindling economy of the country, said Chairman, Korangi Association of Trade and Industry (KATI) Ehtesham Uddin here on Saturday.
Addressing a training course on “Business Edge Training Methodology”, jointly organized by Business Support Fund (BSF) Ministry of Finance and IFC (International Finance Corporation) partner, New World Concepts at KATI’s premises, Ehtesham said that SME sector bears most of the burden of employment in the country and needs to be encouraged by the government.
He said that SME sector has the potential to turnaround Pakistan’s economy. He said that the countries like Japan have become economic power of the world by encouraging and developing SME sector whereas it is constantly being neglected in Pakistan despite being the major contributor in national economy.
He urged the banks and DFIs to finance SMEs on priority basis in order to strengthen the country’s economy and eliminate unemployment. He lauded the role of BSF for encouraging and providing training to the SMEs.
New World Concepts, CEO, Yasmin Hyder while speaking on the occasion lauded the role of KATI in providing help and assistance to the industry sector without prejudice.
She said that KATI deserves all praise as being the pioneer in sharing the SME capacity building and management development programme for trade and industry in Pakistan. She said that KATI has taken the lead to support the launch of this valuable initiative of BSF in Pakistan.
The IFC/World Bank Trainer, Naveed Karim in his presentation said that BSF is an autonomous organization working under ministry of finance and IFC’s New World Concepts to launch Business Edge Training for SMEs sector in Pakistan.
He said that BSF is working throughout Pakistan for fostering growth of entrepreneurs and building franchising models in Pakistan for Pakistani brands.
He further said that BSF is actively supporting growth of SME sector through providing building capacity programs.