The State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) should provide long-term loans without collateral at 3pc to women entrepreneurs in order to ensure their active participation in the national economy. This was demanded by Imran Mehmood Sheikh, Central Chairman All Pakistan Bedsheet and Upholstery Manufacturers Association (APBUMA). Addressing an awareness session, organised by the SBP in connection with World Women Entrepreneurship Day, he said that the ultimate objectives of such events are to encourage women to become active participants of the national building process instead of becoming a burden on society. He particularly underlined the role of Small & Medium Entrepreneurs (SMEs) and said that APBUMA is one of the largest representative bodies of the SMEs with 600 members out of which 350 belong to Faisalabad alone.