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The Federation of Bangladesh Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FBCCI) Thursday identified the lack of access to finance as a roadblock to the growth of small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in the country.
The FBCCI President, Mir Nasir Hossain, said despite the efforts of the chamber bodies, the SMEs of the country are yet to flourish.
In contrast, he said, the access to finance was easier for the big industries.
The government has created a Tk 2.0 billion fund for disbursement among the SMEs at 5.0 per cent rate of interest, but so far only four banks of the country have taken fund from the central bank for offering loans to the SMEs, he lamented.
"Proper assistance and patronisation could help the SMEs play a major role in the country's economy," the FBCCI chief said while addressing at a press conference on forthcoming 'SME fair -2006' in the city Thursday.
The fair will be held at the Bangladesh China Friendship Conference Centre from September 11 to 17.
The fair will remain open from 9 am to 9 pm on working days and 10 am to 10 pm on Friday and other holidays.
Entry fee of the fair has fixed at Tk 10 each.
The FBCCI is organising such SME fair for the third time, which will be inaugurated by Prime Minister Khaleda Zia.
The SME fair aims at bridging the gap between the government, SME entrepreneurs and the buyers.
The fair will help the SME entrepreneurs expand their market by showcasing their products.
It will also help diversify the export basket by familiarising the SME products to the foreigners.
Four seminars will be organised for the participation of SME experts on the sideline of the fair.
The FBCCI will give award to the seven categories of SME entrepreneurs with the support of the Standard Chartered Bank.
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