Karachi, October 18, 2022 (PPI-OT):The Union of Small and Medium Enterprises (UNISAME) has urged the federal commerce minister Naveed Qamar to set up the SME Bureau for export promotion of SME wares as envisaged in the SME policy. President UNISAME Zulfikar Thaver said the sector needs its own export promotion bureau to promote the export of their wares in global markets.
Thaver added that the SMEs need a dedicated export promotion bureau for strong focused attention on the sector which is producing, manufacturing goods of international standards but badly needs whole hearted export marketing support which is lacking. He said in foreign countries the super markets and chain stores shelves are filled with Indian goods whereas SME Pakistani manufactures are unable to penetrate because they are not supported. There is urgent need for a separate SME export promotion bureau. During Musharaff’s time a feasibility was also prepared and funds were also allocated and a steering committee was also formed but later on the project was shelved for reasons best known to the policy.
The TDAP is doing an excellent job but mostly catering more to the big exporters but the SMEs are deprived not out of prejudice but due to no priority. Unless a serious dedicated effort is made to tap international markets for our traditional and non-traditional goods and also our geographical indication (GI) items we will not be able to compete with India who is bent upon retaining the top position although in many items we are far superior and competitive as well. They are successful only because of their marketing skills and attractive packing’s
The bureau would be in a position to examine the causes which are preventing the SME sector from global exposure and facilitate our SMEs with best marketing strategies and also involve our commercial attaches for dynamic aggressive marketing of our rice, maize, sesame seeds, vegetables, fruits, textiles, light engineering goods, sports goods, surgical, cutlery and general merchandise. Also most importantly our GI items which are exclusive but need to be well presented and publicised.
For more information, contact:
Union of Small and Medium Enterprises (UNISAME)
75/1 3rd Commercial Street, Phase IV, D.H.A.,
Karachi, Pakistan
Tel: +92-21-35884225-6
Fax: +92-21-35380642
Cell: +92-300-8245307, +92-321-8245307
Email: unisame@gmail.com
Website: http://www.unisame.org/