Islamabad: The Union of Small and Medium Enterprises (UNISAME) praised Prime Minister Shebaz Sharif for his swift actions in response to their calls for strengthening the Small and Medium Enterprises Development Authority (SMEDA). This includes the appointment of a new CEO and the formation of its board of directors, along with a steering committee composed of private sector representatives.

According to Union of Small and Medium Enterprises, the newly appointed board and the Prime Minister’s direct involvement are critical to enhancing SMEDA’s capacity and reach. The board is expected to recommend further expansion to improve the agency’s effectiveness.

Zulfikar Thaver, President of UNISAME, has also highlighted the urgent need to establish a Centre of Excellence within SMEDA to foster superior efficiency, outlook, planning, outreach, implementation, and delivery. He expressed hope that the Prime Minister would address this critical requirement swiftly.

Furthermore, the UNISAME Council expressed gratitude towards the Prime Minister for the initiation of the SME fund, which is deemed vital for the promotion and development of the sector. They also stressed the importance of rapid implementation of the SME policy to support market support, modernization, and technological upgrades, along with facilitating collaborations and partnerships with internationally advanced countries.

The Council noted that while forming committees is a positive step, it often leads to delays in implementation. They suggested that setting clear deadlines for the CEO and his team could ensure faster progress in these initiatives.