The SME Foundation has taken initiative to create a nationwide SME e-database in collaboration with a2i under Department of Information and Communication Technology. Pilot programs have been initially launched in four Upazilas namely Shyampur in Dhaka, Adamdighi in Bogra, Nesharabad in Pirojpur and Bhairab in Kishoreganj as part of the database creation program.
Industries Minister Nurul Majid Mahmud Humayun officially inaugurated the program on Thursday (January 20, 2022). SME Foundation Chairperson Professor Md. Masudur Rahman presided over the function while State Minister for Information and Communication Technology Zunaid Ahmed Palak was present as the special guest.
SME Foundation Managing Director Dr. Md. Mofizur Rahman delivered his welcome speech and a2i project director Dr. Dewan Muhammad Humayun Kabir spoke in the program.
SME Foundation Managing Director in a welcome speech. Md. Mofizur Rahman said that the SME policy 2019 aims to increase the contribution of SME sector to GDP from the current 25% to 32% by 2024. The SME e-database, in collaboration with a2i, initiated by the SME Foundation, will play a vital role in shaping government policy in the development of this sector.
State Minister for Information and Communication Technology Zunaid Ahmed Palak MP said, “Hon’ble Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has taken various initiatives to enrich this largest sector of the country.” But due to the lack of regularly updated databases, we often had to speed up various policy decisions regarding the CMSME sector. So, I think this initiative of SME Foundation and a2i is a timely and practical initiative. I would like to request a2i to continue this work with the SME Foundation and to come up with a proper plan for how all the CMSMEs in the country can be brought under this database. In addition, I would like to request the a2i and SME Foundation to work closely with other concerned departments to ensure that all CMSMEs receive all their services from a single platform. He further said that training of SME entrepreneurs,
Industries Minister Nurul Majid Mahmud Humayun MP said, “Currently, about 99 percent of the industries and businesses in Bangladesh, including cottages, are covered by the MSME sector.” This sector controls 70 percent of the country’s economic activity. The SME sector accounts for 80 to 85 percent of the total industrial employment. The SME sector supplies 30 to 35 per cent of the total domestic industrial demand. Therefore, SME e-database activities are a very timely initiative. If the information of all SME entrepreneurs of the country is available on one platform, it will be easier for the government to determine the policy for the development of this sector. Such programs will play an important role in the development of the MSME sector, the lifeblood of the economy. I think SME Foundation and A2I deserve thanks for this reason. The Minister inaugurated the program by uploading and accepting all necessary information through Union Information Center in Vairab.
SME Foundation Chairperson Prof. Md. Masudur Rahman said that soon after the completion of SME e-database at the initiative of a2i and SME Foundation, it will play an important role in financing entrepreneurs, marketing products and improving product quality.
By logging on to this web link www.smef.nise.gov.bd an entrepreneur can upload their own information for SME e-Database by themselves / with the help of Union Digital Center / through SME Cluster Association. According to the latest economic survey conducted by the Bureau of Statistics in 2013, more than 99 per cent of the country’s more than 78 lakh businesses are in the cottage, micro, small and medium (CMSME) sector.