SIALKOT: State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) Governor Reza Baqir has said export promotion and easy access to financing for small and medium enterprises (SMEs) are the top priorities and measures being taken to promote industrialisation across the country.

Addressing members of the Sialkot Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SCCI) on Saturday, Reza said that the economy was showing healthy trends and the macro indicators were getting better day-by-day.

He said the country was moving in the right direction to attain the development and prosperity. “Sialkot exporters are playing a pivotal role in strengthening and boosting the economy, he said, adding that the central bank is facilitating the trade, industrial and export sectors besides continuing financial reliefs and soft-term easy business friendly loans.

He said SMEs were the backbone of the economy and financing schemes were being introduced for the development of this crucial sector.

Reza added that the SBP will encourage the exporters and SMEs for booming up national economy by introducing easy financial schemes and trade and export related incentives for them.

SCCI President Qaisar Iqbal Baryar said that Sialkot exporters had been fetching $2.5bn export proceeds annually and deserved more incentives by the SBP.

Earlier, Reza inaugurated the newly established SBP building.

Published in Dawn, November 8th, 2020