August 17, 2007	Friday	Sha’aban 3, 1428

ISLAMABAD, Aug 16: Small traders will benefit from the establishment of credit information centres regarding loans for SMEs under the new small and medium enterprises policy.

Islamabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ICCI) President Nasir Khan while welcoming the first SME policy said it would help the small traders to avail the facility of maximum loans.The policy would also be helpful in curtailing unemployment, he said adding that the changes brought about in the curriculum in line with the SME policy will help students in getting technical education, which would generate skilled manpower in the country.

Mr Khan showed his discontentment over the SME schemes already introduced by some financial organisations and said that the strict rules covering the schemes involving middleman were harmful for small businessmen to obtain loans.

“If the new SME policy creates hurdles for common man to get money, it will be flop like previous schemes,” he said. The government should assure the common man that he can get money without any reference or interference of a middleman, he demanded.

The ICCI president suggested that the government should start a campaign for the recovery of loans from the defaulters.