PAKISTAN
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has called for renewed efforts to strengthen Pakistan’s cottage and small and medium enterprises (SMEs), terming them the backbone of sustainable industrial growth and job creation.
Chairing a high-level review meeting on SMEDA Restructuring and SME Development, the prime minister directed the relevant authorities to accelerate the registration of cottage and small businesses so they can access financing facilities and contribute more effectively to the national economy.
He noted that the industrial progress of developed nations is deeply linked with the success of their small enterprises, which serve as critical suppliers to larger industries. “The growth of cottage SMEs is vital for Pakistan’s economic revival and industrial expansion,” the prime minister emphasized.
Focus on Rural SMEs and Value Addition
Prime Minister Shehbaz underscored the importance of training rural entrepreneurs in the processing and value addition of agricultural commodities, noting that this approach would enhance incomes, reduce post-harvest losses, and boost exports. He also urged the Ministry of Industries and Production to define a clear timeline for SMEDA’s roadmap implementation, ensuring early execution of reforms and support programs.
Empowering Women Entrepreneurs
A key highlight of the meeting was the government’s commitment to increasing women’s participation in the SME sector. The prime minister appreciated initiatives designed to empower women entrepreneurs and called for greater public awareness campaigns to encourage women’s involvement in business and enterprise.
Officials briefed the meeting on the establishment of an AI-powered Womenpreneurship Platform, which will provide women with one-stop access to business-related information—covering company registration, taxation, financing options, and skill development. The platform is aimed at breaking traditional barriers and fostering an inclusive entrepreneurial ecosystem.
SMEDA Reforms and Expansion
The meeting was informed that as part of the restructuring of the Small and Medium Enterprises Development Authority (SMEDA), new regional offices have been opened in Azad Jammu and Kashmir and Gilgit-Baltistan—a move that has been widely welcomed by local chambers of commerce and the business community.
A new SMEDA Board has also been formed, comprising private-sector experts, while the appointment of the authority’s Chief Executive Officer is expected to be finalized soon. Officials reported notable progress in SME capacity building, loan provision, and institutional collaboration, in line with the directives of the federal Steering Committee on SME Development.
Commitment to Inclusive Industrial Growth
Prime Minister Shehbaz expressed satisfaction over the Ministry of Industries and Production’s efforts to streamline SME operations and promote inclusive industrial development. He reaffirmed the government’s resolve to build a vibrant SME ecosystem, integrating small enterprises into the formal economy and enabling them to benefit from policy and financial incentives.
The meeting was attended by Federal Ministers Ahad Khan Cheema, Dr. Musadik Malik, Attaullah Tarar, Special Assistant Haroon Akhtar, and senior government officials. – ER News Desk
