SME Foundation trains entrepreneurs in ICT

The state-owned SME facilitator launched a fresh programme to make the country's small and medium entrepreneurs aware of market related information and use of technology. Under the programme, The SME Foundation organised a training course titled 'Information and Communication Technology (ICT) for SMEs' which at least 120 people, mainly women, undertook. The 40-hour training workshop from March 9 to 24 covered the basics on use of computer, internet, spreadsheets for SME management, business communication and voice communication. The participants were awarded certificates at the concluding ceremony of the workshop at a city convention centre Tuesday. State minister for science and information and communication technology Yeafesh Osman attended the function as the chief guest. Yeafesh Osman said, "To make more profit, the people have to produce quality product and upgrade the supply channel," adding that nobody could survive in the globe of competitive market without information awareness. SME Foundation chairperson Aftab ul Islam said SME entrepreneurs could easily enter the world market with the help of internet at home. He also urged the trainees to open personal website for displaying their products to local and foreign people. He sought cooperation from the computer council in this connection. SME Foundation managing director Syed Rezwanul Kabir was also present at the function with the Foundation chairperson in the chair. SME Foundation will continue the training programme in the divisional cities of the country. The first phase of the training was conducted in Dhaka in association with Bangladesh Computer Council. The 40-hour training programme in Dhaka taught the participants how to use mobile and social networking sites, facebook and twitter as communication tools for business, the basics of web marketing concepts, e-marketing, online shopping and web payment systems.