LAHORE, Sept 23: Punjab Governor Khalid Maqbool has asked Smeda to allow at least 1,000 educated youths’ training of any profitable business every year, and the government would provide them with financial assistance through the Khushali Bank.

At a meeting held at Smeda head office, the governor said some of the business sectors would face challenges in the post-WTO scenario while others would find new opportunities in the world market. To create favourable business conditions in the country to take advantage of these opportunities was the need of the hour, he said.

The government, he said, was promoting low and medium level investment in the country to encourage new businesses with less money. In this connection, it would expand the sphere of Smeda and the Khushali Bank to the small towns, he added.

The governor also took a round of different departments of Smeda, and directed the officials to make plans for investment in the service sector related fields according to modern business trends. He also directed the officials to promote the cottage industry like home nursing, fitness centres, event management, teaching centres and centres of agriculture.

He said the educated young people, rural women and senior citizens attaining the age of superannuation should be given proper guidance regarding establishment of businesses and training in works like handicrafts.

He appreciated the authority’s working conditions, and talked to the visitors at its help desks to inquire about the level of guidance being provided to them.

Earlier, Smeda CEO Zahid Aziz gave a presentation to the governor.

Meanwhile, replying to questions posed by reporters, the governor said the Kalabagh dam was in the best interest of the nation. The Punjab, he said, had always adopted a positive stance towards all decisions of national interest in the past.