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Sheikh Hasina, Bangladesh’s Prime Minister, inaugurated the 11th National SME Product Fair on Sunday. The event is a week-long exhibition of goods produced by regional small and medium-sised businesses.
The Industries Ministry and SME Foundation are co-organising the fair at the Bangabandhu International Conference Centre (BICC).
Promoting, spreading, selling, and expanding the market for goods produced by small- and medium-sized business owners locally and globally is the aim of the fair.
Initiatives to assist small enterprises will be implemented. These consist of initiatives to enhance quality, regulations to promote cooperation between large enterprises and SMEs, and easier access to funding. In a drive to promote exports, the Ministry also highlighted initiatives to increase foreign attendance at the show.
According to the organisers, the fair is exhibiting products from various sectors, like readymade garments, jute, handicrafts, leather goods, processed foods, light engineering, IT services, jewellery, and furniture. Entrepreneurs from across Bangladesh are showcasing their traditional products.
Over 350 small and medium enterprises will take part. About 60 per cent of the enterprises at the fair are led by women entrepreneurs.
About fifty entrepreneurs offering services to entrepreneurs are participating in the event, including thirty banks, fifteen government and non-government organisations, and others.
According to the organisers, entrepreneurs will have the chance to speak with bankers face-to-face and get the information they need to understand SME loans clarified.
If the banks approve in this instance, the business owner can apply for the loan at the fair and, ideally, learn more about how to secure it.
Industries Minister Nurul Majid Mahmud Humayun presided over the programme where Senior secretary of the Industries Ministry Zakia Sultana, President of the Federation of Bangladesh Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FBCCI) Mahbubul Alam and chairperson of the SME Foundation Professor Dr Md Masudur Rahman also spoke.
During the event, a documentary about the SME Foundation and the Industries Ministry was screened.
The Prime Minister presented the National SME Entrepreneurship Award 2023 crest and certificate to seven micro, small, medium, and start-up entrepreneurs during this event.