FBCCI-StanChart SME Awards '09 launched

---

FE Report
The fourth SME (small and medium entrepreneur) Fair-2009 begins at Bangladesh China Friendship Conference Centre (BCFCC) on May 24 (Sunday).
Federation of Bangladesh Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FBCCI) will host the
four-day long fair with a view to making local products popular and inspiring small and medium entrepreneurs.
FBCCI President Annisul Huq at a press briefing Thursday said they have decided to offer FBCCI-Standard Chartered SME Awards-2009 to the entrepreneurs in seven categories considering their outstanding contribution to their respective areas.
The FBCCI president said President Zillur Rahman will hand over the awards to the winners on the concluding day on May 27 and each winner would be given a crest as well as US$ 500. Certificates will also be given to the participants in the fair.
Under Medium Enterprises the award will be given to the best medium enterprise and the nomination will be based on an effective management style and will ensure the quality of the products/services they have provided.
Awards will also be given to the best enterprise in terms of management, standard and production system, which will be based on contribution to the national economy and to the best woman entrepreneur.
Mr Annisul Huq said the key purpose of the fair is to introduce the products of the small and medium enterprises (SMEs) of Bangladesh to the local and foreign businessmen, buyers and consumers. He said they would host sector or brand-wise fairs in future.
FBCCI Director and convener of the fair committee Kamaludin Ahmed said there would be 94 stalls in the fair with 12 pavilions.
He said Commerce Minister Lt Col (retd) Faruk Khan will formally inaugurate the fair on May 24, which will continue until May 27.
"A media centre will be set up in the fair venue so that media men can make reports from there and send those to their respective offices through internet," he said.
He said they would organise two seminars during the fair and it will be formally closed through a cultural function where country's eminent singers will perform.
Standard Chartered Bank is the key sponsor of the event.
First Vice President of FBCCI Abul Kashem Ahmed, co-convenor of the event Mohammad Iqbal Jamal, General Manager of Standard Chartered Bank Harunur Rashid and directors of the FBCCI, among others, were present during the press briefing