SME banking and entrepreneurship: PU’s IBA, Meezan Bank team up to launch MBA

Bajwa said agriculture, SMEs, low-cost housing are three major sectors contributing to Pakistan's economy

LAHORE: State Bank of Pakistan Governor Tariq Bajwa has said that agriculture, small and medium enterprises (SMEs) and low-cost housing are the three major sectors that can contribute to the growth in the economy of Pakistan.

He was addressing a ceremony held to sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) at the Punjab University's Vice Chancellor office on Sunday. Punjab University Institute of Business Administration (IBA) and Meezan Bank Limited signed the MoU to address the capacity-building challenges in SME banking.

Faculty of Science Dean Dr Shahid Kamal, Registrar Dr Muhammad Khalid Khan, IBA Incharge Sajida Nisar, Meezan Bank Limited President and CEO Irfan Siddiqui and other officials were present on the occasion.

According to the MoU, both the partners will collaborate to launch an MBA programme in SME Banking and Entrepreneurship at IBA. This SME Banking and Entrepreneurship degree will aim to boost the economy. The proposed MBA programme aims at minimising the gap among banks, academia and entrepreneurs, as the State Bank of Pakistan has dubbed 2018 as the year of SME's.

Bajwa highlighted the importance of the industrial sector and appreciated the efforts of Punjab University IBA and Meezan Bank in launching MBA in SME Banking and Entrepreneurship.

Published in The Express Tribune, February 12^th, 2018.