PESHAWAR, Jan 11: The Sarhad Chamber of Commerce and Industry president, Ghulam Sarwar Khan Mohmand, has asked the banks and business community to pay attention to small and medium-size business and exploit the opportunities available in Afghanistan and Central Asian states.

Speaking at a function held in connection with the inauguration of the National Development Leasing Corporation Limited (NDLC) here on Saturday, the chamber chief appreciated the opening of the NDLC branch and extended full cooperation to the management of the corporation on behalf of the SCCI.

Sarwar Khan said that industrial development and promotion of banks and leasing companies required conducive atmosphere which, he said, unfortunately did not exist.

He urged upon the NDLC management to encourage small and medium entrepreneurs and local industrialists and traders to apply for loans payable on easy terms.

Sarwar Khan said that in the past Japan, India and Korea had given priority to small and medium entrepreneurs and today they were known as industrially developed countries.

He stressed upon the corporation that instead of supporting corporate sector it should pay more attention to the promotion of small and medium entrepreneurs.

He said that industrial development of the NWFP depended on the establishment of cottage industry.