PM opens SME Fair

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Sunday (May 19) opened the seven-day 11th National Small and Medium Enterprises (SME) Fair in the capital.

The premier inaugurated the fair at Bangabandhu International Conference Centre (BICC) at Agargaon this morning.

Under the guidance of the SME Foundation, the fair will run until May 25, welcoming visitors daily from 10:00 am to 9:00 pm.

More than 300 entrepreneurs are participating in the fair, with nearly 60 percent of them being women. The SME fair will exclusively display local products, with over 350 companies taking part in this year's event.

Industries Minister Nurul Majid Mahmud Humayun, its Senior Secretary Zakia Sultana, President of FBCCI Mahbubul Alam and SME Foundation Chairman Dr Md Masudur Rahman spoke at the function.

This year's fair will see the largest number of 75 participants from the garment sector. Besides, 42 participants will showcase jute products, 38 to present handicrafts, 32 to display leather products and 27 to showcase processed agricultural products.

Moreover, 23 will display light engineering products, 14 to present food products, 13 to display IT-based services as 12 SME cluster entrepreneurs will take part in the fair from different parts of the country, 5 participants will showcase herbal industry products and 5 more will display jewellery products.

Four stalls will display plastic products, 3 to showcase electrical and electronics items, 3 to present furniture items and 19 others will display various government organizations products.

Besides, 30 banks, 15 public-private organizations, business clubs of 5 universities and about 50 other organizations will provide services to participants in the fair.

SME Business Incubation Centers in Dhaka and Chattogram under the supervision of SME Foundation will display their activities.