Interest rate for SMEs to be single digit: Amu

The government is taking initiatives to lower the interest rate of the small and medium enterprises loan to single digit through banks and other financial institutions under their refinancing scheme, said industries minister Amir Hossain Amu on Sunday.
Amu was addressing the inaugural ceremony of ‘National SME Fair-2016’ and ‘National SME Entrepreneurs Award-2016’ at the Bangabandhu International Conference Centre in Dhaka and said ‘The National Industrial Policy-2016 will provide necessary instructions to speed up the works of the SME sector and make it time-befitting.’
The minister said prime minister Sheikh Hasina has instructed all to set up industries according to availability of raw materials.
He asked the SME Foundation to make more survey and research across the country for fixing up which area will be suitable for which industries.
Amu said the role of women, especially in the SME sector, is highly appreciable as they are making commendable contributions to the country’s economy.
‘The activities of SME Foundation are laudable and it is playing a vital role in creating women entrepreneurs,’ he added.
SME Foundation is organising the five-day fair where state minister for finance and planning MA Mannan and Federation of Bangladesh Chambers of Commerce and Industry president Abdul Matlub Ahmad were present as special guests.
MA Mannan called upon all to take necessary steps to further strengthen the SME Foundation for boosting country’s development.
About 183 SME institutions will participate in the event showcasing their products including jute, food and agro-processing, leather, electrical and electronic, plastic and handicraft.
On the sidelines of the fair, meeting and blood donation programme will be held.

News Courtesy:www.newagebd.com