News Briefs-(29-03-2018)

Nat'l SME fair begins Apr 4

A five-day 'National Small and Medium Enterprise (SME) Fair-2018' will begin in the city on April 4, bringing together local small and medium entrepreneurs under a single roof. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina is expected to inaugurate the fair at Bangabandhu International Conference Centre (BICC), an official of the SME Foundation told BSS on Wednesday. SME Foundation and the Federation of Bangladesh Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FBCCI) are jointly organising the fair. Around 274 SME institutions will exhibit their products, including jute, agriculture and leather products and electrical and IT products. In the fair, SME entrepreneurs will be given the 'National SME Entrepreneurs Award-2018' for their outstanding contribution to the country's economy.

— BSS

Call to provide soft loans for private medical colleges

The Federation of Bangladesh Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FBCCI) urged the government on Wednesday to formulate time-befitting 'Health Service Act' and 'Private Medical College Establishment and Operation Act' considering the interest of common people. The business body made the call at a meeting of its Standing Committee Relating to Health Ministry held at its office in the city. Chaired by committee chairman ABM Haroon, the meeting was addressed by FBCCI Vice-President M Muntakim Ashraf, its Director Hafez Haroon and Director-in-charge of the committee Priti Chakrabarti. At the meeting, the speakers underscored the need to provide soft loans for private medical colleges and to introduce a universal health insurance scheme. Chairmen and directors of Kumudini Women's Medical College (KWMC), Green Life Medical College and Hospital, Delta Hospital Limited, Rangpur Community Medical College and Jahan Ara Clinic Limited and Health City were present at the meeting. — BSS