‘Small entrepreneurs must have online marketing skills’

There is no alternative to the skills of small entrepreneurs in marketing their products online, commented SME Foundation Chairperson Prof Dr Md Masudur Rahman on Thursday.

He made the remark at a view-exchange meeting held to prepare female entrepreneurs to face the second wave of Covid-19, adding that online marketing has developed as an alternative system for small entrepreneurs, helping them survive amid the Covid-19 crisis.

Prof Masudur mentioned that the SME Foundation has taken various initiatives, including providing advice, so that the entrepreneurs do not leave the business amid the current situation. 

"Women entrepreneurs need to be prepared to face the second wave of the pandemic, and they need financial support in this situation," Prof Masudur added.

The SME Foundation is in regular contact with banks and financial institutions to ensure loans are available under the incentive package for small entrepreneurs. Under this situation, the Bangladesh Bank, commercial banks and financial institutions are expected to come forward, Prof Masudur said.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has announced a separate incentive package of Tk20,000 crore for small and medium entrepreneurs, he mentioned at the event.

The meeting provided detailed ideas on skills training for women entrepreneurs, advisory services, financing opportunities and services provided by the SME Foundation on market management.

During the exchange of views, the entrepreneurs raised the issue of repaying bank loan instalments and getting new loans.

SM Shaheen Anwar, deputy managing director and Farzana Khan, general manager of the SME Foundation also spoke on the occasion.

The programme was organised by the SME Foundation with representatives from 23 women's chambers, associations and trade bodies, and several banks and financial institutions.