18 September 2004	Saturday	02 Shaban 1425

LAHORE, Sept 17: The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has expedited its efforts to begin SME Development Programme in Pakistan, said Rainer Hartel, Financial Sector Specialist of ADB.

This he stated while talking to Smeda Chief Executive Shahab Khawaja during his visit to Small and Medium Enterprise Development Authority head offices here on Friday. He was accompanied by M. Ali Mir, Investment Officer of ADB.

Mr Rainer said that he had already met the State Bank of Pakistan's Senior Management in Karachi to discuss the funding arrangements for SME development programme. "We are busy now to hold meetings with the concerned authorities in Islamabad to settle the modalities", he said and assured that this programme would be launched very soon.

Earlier Shahab Khawaja welcomed the ADB officials and assured them of all possible cooperation on behalf of Smeda. -APP