LAHORE, Feb 22: The Small and Medium Enterprise Development Authority (Smeda) and the Punjab AgriMarketing Company (PAMCO) have signed an MoU to make joint efforts for the promotion of SMEs in the dairy, livestock and agri-business sectors.

The MoU was signed on Wednesday by Smeda chief executive officer Shahab Khawaja and PAMCO chief executive officer Mansoor Arifeen at a ceremony held at the Smeda head-office.

The purpose of the MoU is to build a platform for cooperation between the two organizations for the promotion and development of SME projects by making pre-feasibility study reports, holding seminars for investment promotion, developing business plans for pilot projects, arranging advisory services for prospective investors/entrepreneurs, capacity building for PAMCO help desk, outreach through Smeda RBC network and exchange of Information in agriculture and dairy sectors.

According to the MoU, the Smeda will support PAMCO for the development of pre-feasibility studies for agriculture produce-based projects identified by PAMCO. The PAMCO and the Smeda will refer any investors/entrepreneurs interested in acquiring assistance in project identification and/or business evaluation/planning to each other.

To develop awareness of the present collaboration, an effective marketing plan will be launched by both the organizations so as to make this collaboration as meaningful as possible.

This marketing plan will be prepared jointly and all expenses will also be borne by both the organizations in mutually agreed way. All the advertisement and promotional materials under the collaboration will carry names of both of them.

The MoU has been concluded to develop, promote and market the objectives of the two organisations. Both parties are committing time and resources towards the development of products and their successful marketing. For this purpose, both parties agree to meet at regular intervals at various levels, including top tier to middle management.