The International Finance Corporation (IFC), World Bank Trainer, Naveed Karim has said IFC foster suitable economic growth in Pakistan by supporting private sector development, creating opportunities for people to escape poverty and improve their lives.
He said that Business Support Fund (BSF) is aggressively supporting development of small and medium enterprise (SME) sector in the country through capacity-building programmes.
Speaking at a training programme on "Business Edge Training Methodology" jointly organised by Korangi Association of Trade and Industry (KATI), BSF, Ministry of Finance and IFC, New World Concepts, he said a world class training system, "business Edge" provides practical solution for SME sector.
He that BSF is an independent organisation operating under ministry of finance and IFC's New World Concepts to launch Business Edge Training for SMEs sector in the country. He said that BSF is operating throughout Pakistan for growth of entrepreneurs and building franchising models in Pakistan for Pakistani brands.
He said training programme based on world class content adapted to provide practical solution addressing the main management issues of small and medium sized entrepreneurs in Pakistan in five key business areas, marketing, finance and accounting, operations and quality control, human resource and personal productivity skills. New World Concepts, CEO, Yasmin Hyder lauded the role of KATI in providing help and assistance to the industry without prejudice. She said that KATI has taken the lead to support the launch of this valuable initiative of BSF in Pakistan. Chairman, Korangi Association of Trade and Industry (KATI), Ehtesham Uddin has urged the banks and DFIs to finance small and medium enterprise (SME) on priority basis in order to reinforce the country's economy and get rid of unemployment.
He said developing and promoting SME sector in Pakistan is need of the hour in order to rescue diminishing economy of the country. 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 has 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.