Lahore: The Small and Medium Enterprises Development Authority (SMEDA) and the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) have signed an agreement aimed at enhancing the capabilities of women entrepreneurs in Punjab's informal economic sector. The agreement was formalized at a ceremony held at the SMEDA Head Office, with Mr. Socrat Aman Rana, CEO of SMEDA, and Ms. KOMAHSHI Rie, Head of JICA Mission, in attendance.

Mr. Socrat Aman Rana highlighted the project's significance for the economic empowerment of women entrepreneurs in Pakistan. He emphasized that the enhancement of women entrepreneurs is a priority for both provincial and federal governments and committed to collaborating closely with JICA to achieve the objectives set out in the agreement.

Ms. KOMAHASHI Rie expressed her satisfaction with the collaboration, noting that the initiative aims to address the challenges faced by micro-level women entrepreneurs. She described the project as a potential breakthrough in overcoming these barriers.

The initiative, titled "Project for Capacity Enhancement of Women Entrepreneurs in the Informal Economic Sector in Pakistan," is the result of extensive consultations between SMEDA, JICA, and stakeholders in Punjab. Spanning five years from 2026 to 2030, the project plans to develop a Women Entrepreneurs Booster Package (WEBPA) to support the growth of women-led businesses.

Additionally, the project will implement a Scale-up Strategy and Action Plan (SUSAP) to apply the benefits of WEBPA throughout Punjab and potentially other regions in Pakistan. This strategy aims to mobilize public and private organizations, alongside SMEDA, to elevate women entrepreneurship across the region.