The New Nation - Internet Edition

Business Report

Speakers at a seminar organised by the Palli Karma Sahayak Foundation (PKSF) on Monday laid high emphasis on training, technical know-how, marketing and diversified designs to reduce risks in the micro-enterprises in the country.

The seminar held on the 4th day of the five-day Microcredit Fair 2008 at Bangladesh-China Friendship Conference Centre in the city.

The seminar on Business Development Services for Expansion of Microenterprise was facilitated by Deputy General Manager of PKSF Hahan Khaled. Professor M.A Baqui Khalily of Institute of Microfinance presented slides on 'Structural Reform of Existing Organisations for Microfinance Enterprise' (ME), followed by Dewan Ali Haider Alamgir of Enterprise Resource System on 'Business Development Services:

Policy Implementation Structure', Md. Emranul Huq Chowdhury of Uddipan on 'Role of MFI to Expand ME Activities', Anisur Rahman Chowdhury on 'Technological Support for ME Development', Mashiur Rahman on 'Potentials & Challenges for Extension of Livestock based IGA's: Experiences of PLDP' and Atiqun Nabi of INAFI on 'Microinsurance for Growth in Microenterprise' .

The seminar focused on deficits of meat, milk and egg in the country. Presently, the deficit of meat production is 5.12 tonnes. Milk production is 2.2 tonnes against the demand of 8.2 tonnes.

Egg production is 14,662 pieces as against the demand of 5,369 pieces. It accounts for 63 per cent as the deficit is concerned.

The speakers said that the contribution of livestock is 2.92 per cent despite huge potentials in this agrarian country. It needs to tape that potential.

Urging the authorities concerned to reach the marketing related information to the micro entrepreneurs, Professor M.A Baqui said the small entrepreneurs should be informed of the market facilities where the profit margins are comparatively high or poor. He stressed the need for an effective connection between the village entrepreneurs and the town entrepreneurs. To that end, PKSF can pursue a wide network, he added.

Terming the micro credit as the 'eye of village development', he said, Not as product, it should be taken as the part of business process.'

Anisur Rahman said as the small entrepreneurs work in scattered way, they are not aware of the market information. He stressed the need for developing the packaging system in line with the demand of the time.

Mashiur Rahman shared his working experiences in the fields and said that investment in the livestock sector is lucrative. It is because a house wife can earn Taka 6000 per month from a hybrid milky cow which costs Taka 50,000. One Lakh Taka investment in a hatchery can provide a monthly profit of Taka 10,000-15,000. Taka 5,000 can be earned from an investment of Taka 25000-30000 in a poultry farm.

The 3rd Microcredit Fair 2008 was inaugurated on Friday last. The fair is focusing on pro-poor development.