Karachi: The Union of Small and Medium Enterprises (UNISAME) has voiced urgent concerns about delays in Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s program to enhance the Small and Medium Enterprises Development Authority (SMEDA), aimed at revitalizing the critical sector. UNISAME President Zulfikar Thaver emphasized the need for a technocrat advisor experienced in SME promotion to counsel the PM on necessary reforms to jumpstart the sector.

According to Union of Small and Medium Enterprises, Thaver recommended Shahab Khwaja, a former senior bureaucrat with experience as CEO of SMEDA and as federal secretary in the Ministry of Industries and Production, as a potential advisor. Thaver also stressed the necessity for a coordination committee to facilitate active collaboration between SMEDA, the State Bank of Pakistan, and various government departments to accelerate development with supportive policies. Additionally, UNISAME highlighted the overlooked appointment of an SME Ombudsman, the need for legal aid for SMEs, and the establishment of an SME Gallery and a B2B portal to boost exports. Lastly, Thaver called on SMEDA to press the government for improvements in the cost and ease of doing business to better support SMEs.