PESHAWAR
President, Sarhad Chamber of Commerce and Industry Junaid Altaf called for provision of loans to small traders and shopkeepers on easy terms through the Bank of Khyber.
President Junaid Altaf while exchanging views with a delegation of senior officers of the Bank of Khyber (BoK) here at the chamber house emphasized the crafting of an effective mechanism for provision of soft loans and financial assistance to SMEs is crucial to boost the economy.
Similarly, he suggested a loan facility for purchasing of five to 10 marla plots for the business community, besides a house financing facility for traders in an organised residential area on the pattern of DHA.
The delegation consisted of Mr Abdul Ghaffar, Group Head, Commercial, SMEs and Agriculture Financing, Mr Gulbar Khan, Group Head, Retail Banking and Mr Umar Aziz Khan, Head, SMEs Banking of the Bank of Khyber.
Senior vice president of the chamber Muhammad Nadeem, Vice President Sabir Ahmad Bangash, members of the executive committee Muhammad Ishfaq and Gul Zaman, Atif Shahzad, Secretary General of the chamber Muqtasid Ahsan and other officials were present on the occasion.
The meeting thoroughly discussed provision of soft loans and financial facilitation to the business community, especially small traders, shopkeepers, Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) as well as large manufacturing units/industries.
SCCI continued to say that provision of loans with low markup for construction of residential houses or purchase of a house.
He also sought the facilitation services for members of the SCCI’s Executive Committee, employees, and people of the province in an appropriate manner.
President Junaid stressed the need for establishment of close liaison and coordination between the Chamber and the BoK in order to avoid any inconvenience and difficulties to the business community in any branch of the bank.
President Junaid Altaf talking to the delegation stated the Bank of Khyber is the premier financial institution of the province, which has played a significant role in facilitating the business community and people.
Senior officers of the bank appreciated the proposals, presented by the chamber’s president and promised that the BoK would further take steps for improving the facilitation to the business community across the province.
The BoK delegation assured all proposals will be taken up with higher management for early execution and would continue to cooperate for businessmen facilitation.
President Junaid Altaf thanked the senior officers of the BoK for acknowledging the proposals and paying keen attention to difficulties/issues of the business community and assurance for their early redressal.
Later, the delegation of the BoK also held a meeting with Leader of Businessman Forum Ghazanfar Bilour and exchanged views regarding provision of financial assistance and banking facilitation to the small traders, shopkeepers as well as large-scale businesses.
