March 25, 2003	Tuesday	Muharram 21, 1424

KARACHI, March 24: Small and medium enterprises have taken strong exception of the slow and lukewarm response by utility companies in giving new connections, resulting in long delays in commencing commercial and production activities.

In a meeting held by the Union of Small and Medium Enterprises (Unisame) here on Monday, the participants discussed various problems confronting the small and medium enterprises.

However, most of the complaints were related to the utility companies, particularly the KESC, the Sui Southern Gas and the PTCL.

The participants said that despite the fact that the KESC through advertisements ensured giving immediate connections, but the ground reality was contrary.

Similar is the case with the gas connections which are to be applied with the recommendation of the chamber of commerce and industry, but it takes months for getting new connection, the participants complained. The PTCL has assured of priority in giving new connections to the SMEs, but this too, remains up to lip service.

The participants also complained of poor conditions of roads and leaking sewerages in the industrial areas.

Convener, Unisame, Zulfikar Thaver, urged the authorities, especially the sewerage department and the KMC, to look into the matter and provide healthy environment for the SMEs. He also asked Smeda, the PCSIR, the SME Bank and the trade bodies to coordinate with one another and promote SMEs to resolve the growing unemployment problem.

Mr Thaver said the government-owned banks should play a pivotal role in encouraging the SMEs.

He says banks are reluctant to finance in the agriculture sector.