Haroon Akhtar Khan, Adviser to the Prime Minister on Industries and Production, has chaired a meeting of the Prime Minister’s Committee tasked with reorganising the Small and Medium Enterprises Development Authority (SMEDA). The committee is focused on reviving the institution, widening its reach and making it easier for micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) across Pakistan to obtain finance and business support.
Among those attending were Minister of State for Finance and Railways Bilal Azhar Kiyani, Prime Minister’s Coordinator for Commerce and Industries Rana Ihsan Afzal, and 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 and Additional Secretary Humaira Zia Mufti also took part, along with other senior officials.
Reviving SMEDA and widening its outreach
During the meeting, Khan said SMEDA had been dormant for years but had been revitalised under the vision of Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif. He said the institution could play a major role in encouraging entrepreneurship, strengthening small businesses and supporting national economic growth.
The Adviser said the Prime Minister had instructed that SMEDA’s outreach be considerably broadened to cover MSMEs. He said particular attention would be paid to women entrepreneurs and to businesses in rural and underserved areas.
Bringing finance and advice to grassroots entrepreneurs
Khan stressed that access to finance, business advisory services and institutional backing must reach small entrepreneurs at the grassroots level. The goal, he said, is to extend SMEDA’s services to every small rural community so that aspiring entrepreneurs can benefit from government support wherever they live.
He also noted that the appointment of Rana Attique as Chief Coordinator for SMEs reflected the government’s commitment to stronger coordination and better support for the sector.
Committee to submit reform proposals within four weeks
Khan said the Prime Minister had set up the committee to draw up a comprehensive plan for reorganising SMEDA. Members of the SMEDA Board were included so that the institution could contribute directly to the reform proposals.
The Adviser said the reorganisation should focus on improving the institution’s performance, expanding its nationwide reach and raising the quality and accessibility of its services. He added that SMEDA should become a more effective body able to address the practical problems faced by entrepreneurs and help businesses grow.
The committee has decided to examine international best practices and successful institutional models. The aim is to produce a practical plan suited to Pakistan’s economic and business environment. The committee will submit its proposals to the Prime Minister within four weeks.
Khan highlighted the economic weight of the sector, saying that small and medium enterprises account for about 99 per cent of Pakistan’s business enterprises. He said they contribute around 78 per cent of employment. He argued that strengthening SMEs was essential for creating jobs, promoting entrepreneurship and supporting inclusive growth, and reaffirmed the government’s commitment to making SMEDA a more accessible and effective institution.
