KARACHI - The small and medium enterprises (SME) sector can play an important role in the reconstruction process of the flood-affected areas of the country as this sector has a vast untapped potential to generate small-business opportunities in different sectors of economy especially agriculture, housing, fisheries and textiles. This was the crux of the presentations given by the delegates at the 4th Pakistan SME Conference 2010 on Rebuilding and Rehabilitation - The Task, Responsibility and Opportunity for SMEs held here on Saturday. The conference was organized by Shamrock Conferences International. Addressing the conference, speakers said that the catastrophic floods have caused extensive losses to the national economy. The agriculture, power and infrastructure sectors badly affected from the worst devastating natural calamity in the countrys history. They said that there are a number of opportunities for a small farmer in the agriculture sector of the flood-hit rural areas. In the aftermath of the floods, the land will remain fertile for many years. In addition, the water management system due to new irrigational infrastructure and up-gradation would be improved. The expected technological advancement and improvement in service delivery would enable the farmers to increase their productive gains in time to come. They were of the view that the govt in collaboration with different stakeholders should introduce the scheme of cooperative farming in such areas. This programme would facilitate small-level farmers in flood-hit parts and allow them to stand on their on feet. The speakers urged the government to start giving parallel financial support to the flood affectees. Apart from banks credit, the government should introduce leasing facilities for the affected people in order to make them economically empowered. Zubair Motiwala, Adviosr to the Chief Minister, Sindh, and VP Board of Investment, said that there are many projects in the local SME sector, which would become operational soon. He said that there is a need to reenergize this sector with whole-hearted commitment and dedication. He denied the impression that international investors are reluctant to invest into Pakistan, saying that 21 companies from Italy are ready to bring investment for Pakistans Marble City Project, which covers 300 acres area. Earlier, Saquib Mohyuddin, CEO SME BSF, in his keynote address said, the SME empowerment, structural reforms, good-governance and HR training can help reinvigorate the national economy and the SME sector. A Cluster-financing model will soon be introduced with more focus on the agricultural sector and the needs of Pakistani society.