Bangladesh PM opens National SME Fair-2021

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina today inaugurated
the National SME Fair-2021 in the city aiming to help small and medium
entrepreneurs and promote market hard hit by the Covid-19 pandemic.

The premier opened the 8-day fair at Bangabandhu International Conference
Centre (BICC), joining virtually from her official residence Ganabhaban here
this morning.

The Small & Medium Enterprise Foundation (SMEF) is organizing the annual
event after a break of 19-month due to the deadly virus situation.

For the first time, 10 banks, financial institutions and Dhaka Stock
Exchange (DSE) are participating in the fair to be continued till December
12.

In the 9th edition of this year’s SME fair, all categories of
entrepreneurs, financiers, and trainers will come under one roof targeting to
provide all necessary support to help them recover businesses of SME
products.

The foundation held the last SME Fair in March 2020 which was quickly
wrapped up after the first few cases of Coronavirus infections were detected
in the country.

This edition of the fair has been designed to support the SME sector
players in all aspects so that they get confidence back in doing businesses.

Due to space constraint, the foundation is allowing 325 entrepreneurs in
the venue after selecting them considering product categories.

Sources said 325 entrepreneurs, of which 60 percent are females, have been
selected from remote and micro level of entrepreneurs, on traditional to new
and diversified products.

This year’s fair includes seminars, training for newcomers, networking,
skill development in technology and cluster base product development.

Brac Bank, Eastern Bank, Bank Asia, Janata Bank, Dhaka Bank, Mutual Bank,
BSCIC, BITAC, BSTI, JDPC and BCSIR are joining the fair.

The products to be on the display include jute, jute items, leather and
leather products, handicrafts, cane products, potteries, ceramics, artificial
flowers, jewelry, boutiques, food processing, Jamdani, agro processing etc.

Besides, products from light engineering, plastic, electronic and
electrical, agro machinery and IT and courier sector will also be there at
the fair.

Moreover, four seminars on financing mechanisms, women entrepreneur
development, technology development and the 4IR, and cluster development will
be organized during the 8-day fair.

Later, on behalf of the prime minister, Industries Minister Nurul Majid
Mahmud Humayun, MP handed over crests, certificates and cheques to four
National SME Award winning entrepreneurs.

The fair will remain open from 10am to 8pm for all every day.

BSS