SUKKUR: In continuation of its efforts to create awareness about agricultural and SME credit, Allied Bank Limited arranged a financial awareness seminar at Sukkur under its CSR program. The SBP officials, business community, agriculturists, members of Chamber & Commerce and other trade bodies of Sukkur attended the session. Allied Bank’s management briefed the participants about its SME & Agri products and their prerequisites.

While taking at the event, Asif Bashir, Group Chief, ABL, Commercial & Retail Banking (South) thanked the participants for attending the session and showing their interest in ABL products.

He further informed that ABL is working on extension of quality credit to SME & Agri customers and in this regard imparting awareness is important to all stakeholders. He said that in line with the policies & vision of State Bank of Pakistan, ABL has taken various initiatives for financial inclusion of underserved areas of country.

He further added that the assessment of the role of Agri and Small and Medium Enterprises in Pakistan is of vital importance as SME and Agri sectors are the backbone of any economy. He further emphasized that SMEs need to document their operations, as there is strong need and advantages of creating formal corporate structures in business entities that will reduce if not eliminate the risk for a bank to invest in them.

Israr Hussain Bhatti, Secretary General Sukkur Chamber of Commerce & Industry speaking on the occasion highlighted the importance of SME and agriculture financing and its outreach to small scale entrepreneurs and farmers in the area.—PR