KARACHI: Allied Bank recently conducted SME awareness session at Jhang. Besides representatives from local Chamber of Commerce, Muhammad Akbar, Deputy Chief Manager, SBP, Faisalabad, representatives of various trade organizations, agriculturists and SME customers attended the session.

After the note of welcome by Rab Nawaz, Regional Head , ABL, CRBG Jhang Region, Hussnain Raza Mirza, Group Head, ABL CRBG South briefed the audience about the importance of SMEs in overall GDP growth of Pakistan. Afterwards, Mohammad Fasih Siddiqui, Divisional Head Assets, CRBG South, delivered a comprehensive presentation, introducing ABL’s achievements in the prevailing competitive market, it’s contribution towards extending financial assistance and non-financial advisory services to SMEs.

ABL’s criteria for selecting SMEs and limitations faced by SMEs in obtaining financing facilities from banks was also elaborated as well as the suggestions for SMEs how to develop into a bankable level.

Muhammad Akbar, Deputy Chief Manager, SBP, in his address highlighted the contribution of SMEs in economic growth of the country. He also briefed the audience on SBP Refinance/Credit Guarantee facilities, available to SMEs through Banks.

Surendar Kumar, Group Head, Assets & Liabilities , ABL , CRBG South in his concluding remarks , invited all the participants to avail maximum benefit from the services offered by the Bank.—PR