Committee given four weeks to redraw SMEDA, outreach widened to rural, women entrepreneurs
ISLAMABAD:
Small and medium enterprises account for approximately 99% of Pakistan’s business enterprises and contribute around 78% of employment, Adviser to the Prime Minister on Industries and Production Haroon Akhtar Khan told the Prime Minister’s Committee on the Reorganisation of the Small and Medium Enterprises Development Authority (SMEDA), which will submit its proposals to the prime minister within four weeks.
The committee, constituted by the prime minister with a focus on revitalising the institution, expanding its outreach and improving access to finance and business support for micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) across the country, directed that SMEDA’s outreach be substantially expanded, with particular attention to women entrepreneurs and businesses operating in rural and underserved areas, according to an official statement issued by the Ministry of Industries and Production on Tuesday.
Khan said access to finance, business advisory services and institutional support must reach small entrepreneurs at the grassroots level, and that the objective was to extend SMEDA’s services to every small rural community and ensure that aspiring entrepreneurs could benefit from government support regardless of their location.
He said SMEDA had remained dormant for years but had been revitalised under the vision of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, and emphasised that the institution had significant potential to support entrepreneurship, strengthen small businesses and contribute to national economic growth.
He noted that the appointment of Rana Attique as Chief Coordinator for SMEs reflected the government’s commitment to strengthening coordination and improving support for the sector, and said the prime minister had constituted the committee to develop a comprehensive plan for the reorganisation of SMEDA.
Members of the SMEDA board had also been included in the committee, he said, to ensure institutional input and meaningful consultation in preparing the reform proposals.
Khan emphasised that the reorganisation process should focus on improving the institution’s performance, expanding its nationwide outreach and enhancing the quality and accessibility of its services, adding that SMEDA should emerge as a more effective institution capable of addressing the practical challenges faced by entrepreneurs and helping businesses grow.
The committee decided to examine international best practices and successful institutional models to develop a comprehensive and practical reorganisation plan tailored to Pakistan’s economic and business environment.
Strengthening small and medium enterprises, he said, was essential for generating employment, promoting entrepreneurship, expanding economic opportunities and supporting inclusive economic growth.
The meeting was attended by Minister of State for Finance and Railways Bilal Azhar Kiyani, Prime Minister’s Coordinator for Commerce and Industries Rana Ihsan Afzal, Prime Minister’s Coordinator for SMEs Rana Attique, Federal Secretary for Industries and Production Ihsan Ali Mangi, Federal Secretary for Commerce Jawad Paul, members of the SMEDA board, SMEDA Chief Executive Officer Nadia J Seth, Additional Secretary for Industries and Production Humaira Zia Mufti and other senior government officials. Khan reaffirmed the government’s commitment to transforming SMEDA into a more accessible, responsive and effective institution that could facilitate entrepreneurs, improve access to finance and promote business development across the country.
