SMEDA formulates policy to globalize Pakistan SME sector

SMEDA formulates policy to globalize Pakistan SME sector
LAHORE:  Small and Medium Enterprises Development Authority (SMEDA) is devising a long-term programme to globalize Pakistan's SMEs by enabling them meet international standards of world export markets. 

SMEDA Chief Executive Officer Sher Ayub Khan chaired a meeting to discuss the programme being evolved in collaboration with Netherlands Expert Organization known as PUM, according to SMEDA spokesman here Sunday.

SMEDA In charge (Directorate of External Relations) Sheharyar Tahir briefed the meeting that a joint fact finding mission of SMEDA and PUM had collected insight from the stakeholders of SME sector by holding consultative sessions with a cross-section of trade bodies to lay down the programme.

He said that Odulfus Van Summeren, a PUM Senior Expert from Netherlands, had been working with SMEDA to undertake the consultation process and determine the impediments weighing down evolution of SMEs in Pakistan. 

For this purpose, he added, SMEDA had also organized various industry field visits for a complete in-depth analysis of structure and process of industry. Sheharyar said that taking benefit of the Dutch Associate, SMEDA also arranged counseling sessions with several Startups, Business Incubation Centers and Chambers of Commerce to discuss their constraints and offer on-the spot practical advice based on the experts experience of Netherlands.

During multiple meetings with trade bodies, he mentioned, SMEDA was praised by Chambers of Commerce of Lahore, Rawalpindi and Faisalabad for initiation of a much-needed programme and were of the opinion that PUM programme would help SMEs evolve to global standards and make them capable of accessing new potential export markets.

During the meeting, CEO Sher Ayub advised External Relations Directorate of SMEDA to ensure early implementation on the programme so as to achieve the set goals at the earliest. He hoped that programme would scale up SMEs of Pakistan, thus making them capable of exporting goods and adding to export revenues of Pakistan.