Karachi: The Union of Small and Medium Enterprises (UNISAME) has expressed dissatisfaction with the current measures aimed at supporting the small to medium-sized sector, calling for urgent government intervention. The organization has urged Haroon Akhtar, the Special Assistant to Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, to prioritize SME needs to address ongoing challenges.

Zulfikar Thaver, President of UNISAME, emphasized the necessity for the government to provide land at concessional rates, affordable financing, energy solutions, global marketing support, and technical assistance. Thaver highlighted the importance of tax benefits and measures that reduce the cost of doing business to facilitate the growth and modernization of SMEs.

Despite acknowledging the efforts of the SAPM in implementing reforms, UNISAME has identified a targeted agenda as crucial for the sector's uplift. The Union Council members have called for the allocation of land on the outskirts for entrepreneurs to establish import substitution industries under a pay-as-you-earn scheme.

Monetary policies with special affordable mark-up rates for SMEs are seen as essential by the Union. Additionally, UNISAME criticized the current solar and renewable energy policy, urging a shift in focus to benefit entrepreneurs rather than energy distributors.

The Union has repeatedly requested the establishment of a business portal akin to Alibaba to enhance global marketing support for SMEs. Experts within UNISAME highlighted the technological gap in the sector and advocated for technology transfer from advanced countries, with potential collaboration through China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) projects.

UNISAME also stressed the need for tax exemptions or reduced taxation for newcomers and SMEs in their initial stages. The organization calls for comprehensive support, incentives, and motivation to help SMEs meet global challenges, urging the government to implement rapid measures to boost the sector's growth.