Lahore: The Small and Medium Enterprises Development Authority (SMEDA) is intensifying its efforts to assist small and medium enterprises in obtaining internationally recognized certifications. This initiative is being pursued through its significant 'SME Certification and International Accreditation Grant Programme'. The move coincides with the celebration of World Accreditation Day 2026, which emphasizes the theme "Innovation, Trust and Sustainability: The Power of Accreditation."
According to Small and Medium Enterprise Development Authority, the observance highlights the vital role of accreditation in fostering confidence in products, services, and systems. Established by the International Accreditation Forum and the International Laboratory Accreditation Cooperation, the global event underscores how accreditation facilitates trust, enhances trade, and supports sustainable economic growth. SMEDA's strategy aligns with the Prime Minister's SME development vision, supervised by Mr. Haroon Akhtar Khan, Special Advisor to the PM on Industries and Production, aiming to enable the SME sector to access export markets through global certification.
SMEDA is offering a 70 percent matching grant to cover certification costs up to Rs800,000 and related consultancy costs up to Rs200,000. The response from entrepreneurs has been notable, with businesses across various sectors and regions applying for certification support, indicating increased awareness of the importance of compliance. Officials managing the project state that the initiative aims to assist SMEs, particularly women-led enterprises and startups, in acquiring certifications such as ISO standards, HACCP, Halal Certification, and CE Marking. The programme follows a transparent mechanism, processing applications on a first-come, first-served basis while ensuring compliance with eligibility criteria.
Officials report receiving over 125 applications from SMEs nationwide, with 36 approvals granted following committee scrutiny. Most beneficiaries are expected to receive the allocated grant soon. The programme emphasizes supporting women-led enterprises, startups, and businesses in underserved regions. SMEDA has also initiated broad awareness and outreach efforts, including training sessions, media engagement, and digital campaigns, to educate entrepreneurs about certification and compliance. Over 1,100 entrepreneurs have already benefited from awareness and capacity-building activities, with the support of the National Compliance Centre.
Industry experts suggest that adopting international standards can significantly enhance Pakistan's export ecosystem by enabling SMEs to integrate into global value chains and access new markets. They emphasize the importance of accreditation in building trust and demonstrating quality in a competitive global environment. To encourage more entrepreneurs, SMEDA offers a streamlined process via the SME Registration Portal (SMERP).