PM directs SMEDA to formulate comprehensive strategy

By Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has directed the Small and Medium Enterprises Development Authority (SMEDA) to formulate a comprehensive strategy for financial assistance to small and medium enterprises (SMEs) and businesspersons across the country. A review meeting on the initiatives of the SMEDA for financial assistance to SMEs and businesspersons was held today in Islamabad under the chairmanship of PM Shehbaz. Ensuring business promotion, equal facilities, and uniform technical assistance in all regions of the country should be at the forefront of SMEDA's institutional objectives, said PM Shehbaz. SMEDA's ongoing programs should be further expanded to ensure women's participation in SMEs and businesses, he added. Digital platforms should be effectively utilised to provide access to national and international trade markets for local businesspersons, he said. The prime minister said that the maximum number of regions and sectors should be included in SMEDA's business promotion strategy. SMEDA should prepare a strategy comprising special measures to organise the production and trade linkages of agricultural commodities, he said. The briefing to the meeting revealed that initiatives are being undertaken at every level to strengthen small and medium enterprises and assist businesspersons. It was stated that work is underway in line with the best global practices to increase exports of industrial production linked to small businesses and provide access to international markets. During the briefing, it was told that SMEDA is working on an integrated and comprehensive strategy in collaboration with various relevant institutions.