E-reg to bring benefits for SMEs

The entrepreneurs of Small and Medium Enterprises will avail themselves of advantages readily once they register with the electronic database.

Industries Minister Nurul Majid Mahmud Humayun said this at an inaugural ceremony that marked the compiling of digital database for the SMEs.

The programme was held on Thursday at Agargaon Parjatan Bhaban which was presided over by the Chairman of SME Foundation Prof Md Masudur Rahman.

State Minister for Information and Communication Technology Zunaid Ahmed Palak was also present at the programme along with the minister for industries.

SME (Small and Medium Enterprise) Foundation has taken up an initiative to bring the SMEs under e-database with the help of a2i (Access to Information) programme.

As a part of this pilot project, Industries Minister Nurul Majid Mahmud Humayun officially inaugurated the e-database system initially at Shyampur in Dhaka, Adamdighi in Bogura, Bhairab in Kishoreganj and Nesarabad in Pirojpur.

In his welcome speech, SME Foundation Managing Director Mafizur Rahman said: “A target has been set to up the ante of SMEs contribution to GDP sector from 25 per cent to 32 per cent within 2024. Both the SME Foundation and the a2i programme under the ICT Division will play an important role in fulfilling the government target.”

Information and Communication Technology Minister Zunaid Ahmed Palak said: “The making of digital database is a timely and realistic decision of the SME Foundation and the a2i. I would like to request the a2i programme to continue collaboration with the SME Foundation to bring all SME entrepreneurs under the database system.”

“To ensure proper training, supply of fund and providing business-related services, the ICT Division is working closely with the SME Foundation,” added the ICT minister.

Industries Minister Nurul Majid Mahmud Humayun said, “At present around 99 per cent industries fall under the SME sector which controls 70 per cent of financial activities.”

“The SME sector is meeting 30-35 per cent demand for industrial materials in the country. That is why making an e-database for the SME sector is the most time-oriented decision ever.”

Chairman of SME Foundation Prof Md Masudur Rahman said after the compilation of database would pave the way for entrepreneurs to get financial support and market their products without hindrance.