Lahore, January 20, 2022 (PPI-OT):The National SME Policy, announced by the Prime Minister of Pakistan Mr. Imran Khan, has set the ground for further strengthening of the Small and Medium Enterprises Development Authority (SMEDA) to impart benefits of the Policy to SME sector in letter and spirit. According to the new SME Policy, an SME Development Fund of about Rs. 30 billion will be established and to ensure transparent and effective management of the Fund, a section 42 company is proposed to work under SMEDA.

To enhance its role and power for covering the expanded work ambit, SMEDA will have to strengthen itself through legislative amendments in SMEDA Ordinance 2002. For this purpose, SMEDA will soon initiate an institutional reform process to transform its organizational potential. Among others areas, the capabilities of SMEDA would be built in Fund management, Policy and Strategy making, Business Development Services, Skill expertise, Emerging Technologies, Monitoring and Evaluation etc.

Since, SMEDA has been assigned pivotal role by the government in implementation of the new SME Policy, it will have to coordinate proactively between SMEs and the government support organizations including banks and development institutions of public and private sector. Under the new SME Policy, SMEDA will be included in all Boards and Committees of provincial small industries departments, besides having representation in SBP Committee on SME Financing along with enhanced presence in donor programs. SMEDA will also be made part of all provincial TEVTAs, NAVTTC at federal level and councils of skills sector.

Meanwhile, the stakeholders of SMEs have welcomed the SME Registration Portal (SMERP) of SMEDA and termed it a friendly platform acting as a one-stop facilitation point for SMEs. A large number of SMEs have registered already and plenty of SMEs are approaching SMEDA after formal inauguration of the portal today by Prime Minister of Pakistan. The registered SMEs are being provided with the SME Cards that will enable them to have all the facilities announced by the government under SME Policy. The facilities include tax relief, online certification, concessional loans, participation of SMEs in international trade fairs etc.

For more information, contact:
DGM (Admin. and PR)
Small and Medium Enterprises Development Authority (SMEDA)
4th Floor, Building No.3, Aiwan-e-Iqbal Complex,
Egerton Road, Lahore, Pakistan
Tel: +92-42-111-111-456
Fax: +92-42-36304926-7
Email: aligohar@smeda.org.pk, helpdesk@smeda.org.pk
Website: www.smeda.org.pk