Exposure Visit – SME Business Facilitation Center

In continuation to increase the understanding of the startup ecosystem and equip them with opportunities in their areas, a networking visit for 60 students and 5 teachers (in two batches) to SME Business Center was arranged to enable the young women to collaborate, innovate, access training, and launch new businesses. Students and faculty members were given a detailed presentation on the organizational structure, role, function, and services available at the SME Business Center. 

SME Business Facilitation Center (SMEBFC) – Multan is a PSDP Project of MoI&P, Government of Pakistan managed by SMEDA. The Facilitation Center, managed by SMEDA, acts as a one-stop facility for the development requirements of SMEs of the South Punjab region. The Center works as a bridge to disseminate information and services regarding inter-firm linkages, regulatory compliance, access to finance, and other business development services. SME Business Facilitation Center (SMEBFC) activities include business’ profiling, need assessment, and identification of regional BDSPs. It also facilitates SMEs through capacity development training programs on products for access to finance, networking with DFIs, provision of information regarding corporatization, taxation, regulatory procedures, compliance requirements of SMEs, etc. Region-specific OTC products are developed to facilitate SMEs for optimal investment decisions.

During the orientation to SME- BFC, Mr. Fawad Khan, Manager of Business Development stated that “SMEs play an important role in the economic development of a country. Their role in terms of production employment generation, contribution to exports & amp; facilitating equitable distribution of income is very critical.”