Smeda launches Inter-varsity Business Plan contest F.P. Report
PESHAWAR: Small & Medium Enterprise Development Authority (Smeda) in collaboration with (Entrepreneurship EDC and Sarhad University of Information Technology (SUIT) held first NWFP Inter-University Business Plan Competition here at Sarhad University on Thursday. The competition was participated by students from five different public and private universities while the jury was comprised of provincial chief Smeda, Javed Iqbal Khattak, Joint Director, IMSciences, Dr. Mohsin and Chief Manager Bank Al-Barka, Naeem Bangash while Zahid Arif, chairman, Sarhad Chamber of Commerce & Industry (SCCI) Standing Committee on Science & Technology was chief guest on the occasion. In his inaugural remarks, provincial chief Smeda, Javed Iqbal Khattak said that the purpose behind the initiative was the promotion of the business plan skills of the students of both public and private sectors educational institutions. The documented plan of the students, he said would be submitted with EDC, which will send it to a panel of judges. April 15, he disclosed was last date for the submission of the business plans. He told the students that the first three position holders would be awarded prizes. The first prize in this regard, he said would be given on behalf of the Governor NWFP. The province of NWFP, he said lacking the trend of preparing business plans saying that the initiative taken by the Smeda would help develop it. The developed countries, he said had developed the trend of the preparation of business plans, where it enjoys the status of first tangible topic and an important segment of the banking sector. The Smeda NWFP chapter, Javed Khattak announced had decided to make a regular annual feature of its activities and endeavour of creating business oriented awareness. In this connection, he offered any kind of support to the intending students. He further offered extending cooperation in developing their linkage with the private sector. “The concept behind the initiative is to create employer rather than employees,” contended the Smeda provincial chief adding that it will attract people towards entrepreneurship and creation of a healthy competitive environment amongst the students. The idea of the business plan, however, he said should be bankable and convertible into a realistic business plan. Smeda, he said would extend all possible facilities. Those presented their business plans were included Jalal Mohammad Khan (Comsats Abbottabad), Sarwat Abbass, Sarhad University, Ijlal Ahmad Khattak (IMSciences) and Raheela Gul (Frontier Women University).
