The MOU affirms Bank Alfalah’s intention, under its SME Non-Financial Advisory Services (NFAS) program, to explore new ways to initiate business support programs and projects. According to the agreement, both the institutions intend to develop programs to support business incubation and commercialization of business ideas.
Speaking at the occasion, Mr Atif Bajwa said, “Bank Alfalah is committed to exploring new ways to increase access to finance to enterprises across different segments of the economy. Through this alliance, which is a first of its kind, we hope to be able to nurture these ideas and graduate them from concepts to thriving small businesses.”
The MOU was signed in a ceremony held at ICCBS, University of Karachi in the presence of senior officials from both organizations. Mr. Atif Bajwa, President & CEO, Bank Alfalah, and Prof. Dr. M. Iqbal Choudhary, Director ICCBS, signed the agreement on behalf of their institutions. On the occasion, Mr Khurram Hussain, Group Head Retail Central & North and Consumer Banking, and Prof. Dr. Atta-ur-Rahman, former Federal Minister for Science and Technology and ex Chairman Higher Education Commission were also present.
After the signing ceremony, Mr. Atif Bajwa was invited to be the Chief Guest at an award distribution ceremony taking place at ICCBS. In his concluding remarks, he said “SME is the cornerstone of economic development of a country. It is pivotal that institutions work together to develop the eco-system required for businesses to flourish.”
