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Agriculture, SME and low cost housing to boost economy: Governor State Bank
Agriculture, SME and low cost housing to boost economy: Governor State Bank


LAHORE: (Sunday, February 11, 2018): State Bank of Pakistan’s Governor Tariq Bajwa has said that agriculture, SME and Low Cost Housing are the three major sectors that could contribute to the growth in economy of Pakistan. He was addressing an MoU signing ceremony held at Punjab University’s Vice Chancellor office between Punjab University Institute of Business Administration (IBA) and Meezan Bank Limited aimed at addressing capacity building challenges in SME banking. Dean Faculty of Science Prof. Dr. Shahid Kamal, Registrar Dr. Muhammad Khalid Khan, IBA Incharge Mrs. Sajida Nisar, Meezan Bank Limited President & CEO Mr. Irfan Siddiqui and other officials were present on the occasion.

According to MoU, both the partners will collaborate to launch an MBA program in “SME Banking & Entrepreneurship” at IBA. This SME Banking & Entrepreneurship degree would go a long way to boost the economy as SMEs are the harbinger of economic productivity. The proposed MBA program aims at minimizing the gap among banks, academia and entrepreneurs, as the State Bank of Pakistan has dubbed 2018 as the year of SME’s. Mr Tariq Bajwa highlighted the importance of industrial sector and appreciated the efforts of IBA-PU and Meezan Bank in launching MBA in SME Banking and Entrepreneurship. Mrs. Sajida Nisar said that IBA has been dedicated to impart world-class, market competitive education to aspiring leaders, entrepreneurs and managers. She said that initiating MBA program in “SME Banking and Entrepreneurship” would create a historic milestone because it would be one of its kinds in Pakistan and would be distinctive competitive advantage for IBA. She admired that Meezan Bank Limited had promised to leave no stone unturned in making this program a huge success at IBA. Sharing his thoughts, Mr. Irfan Siddiqui was delighted to develop strong mutual ties between banking and academia for the progress of two sectors. He also expressed that the major areas that need to be addressed were SME banking and entrepreneurship and this MBA program would produce trained human resource who would contribute to the SME sector of Pakistan. Prof. Dr. Shahid Kamal appreciated the efforts of both the parties. He expressed that by materializing the agreement, IBA-PU and Meezan Bank would be asked to set a right precedent for imparting quality education on SME banking and entrepreneurship in Pakistan and prepare professionals who were able to induce efficiency and productivity to the SME industry. Later, Prof. Dr. Shahid Kamal presented the souvenirs to the guests.