Karachi: The Union of Small and Medium Enterprises (UNISAME) has urged Haroon Akhtar, Special Assistant to the Prime Minister, to prioritize a fast-track agenda for the advancement of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). UNISAME expressed concern over the current slow progress and emphasized the need for focused attention to address the sector's ongoing challenges.

UNISAME President Zulfikar Thaver highlighted the necessity for the government to address critical needs such as access to land through concessional schemes, affordable finance and energy, global marketing support, technical assistance, tax benefits, and measures to reduce the cost of doing business.

Thaver acknowledged the efforts made by the SAPM but stressed that rapid economic uplift requires an emphasis on meeting these requirements quickly.

The Union Council proposed several key actions, including the allocation of idle land on city outskirts for import substitution industries, affordable finance with specialized markup rates, a revised energy policy favoring entrepreneurs, and a global marketing portal for free exposure of SME products.

UNISAME experts also called for addressing the technological gap by facilitating technology transfer from advanced countries like China and Korea, suggesting collaborations and joint ventures under the CPEC framework.

The Union reiterated the importance of tax exemptions or reduced taxation for new and fledgling SMEs to ensure a strong start.

Thaver summarized the appeal by stating that SMEs need comprehensive support to compete globally. He urged the government to transition from agenda-setting to tangible implementation with rapid, fast-track measures.