Islamabad: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has emphasized the critical role of small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in bolstering Pakistan’s economic growth and increasing export capacity. Chairing a meeting focused on government initiatives for SME development, the Prime Minister directed relevant authorities to prioritize the provision of easy financing for these enterprises.

According to Radio Pakistan, the Prime Minister commended the efforts of the Small and Medium Enterprises Development Authority (SMEDA) for their swift action in facilitating SMEs through accessible credit, digital financing, integration into the formal economy, and improved access to export markets. He reviewed the roadmap prepared by SMEDA and the Ministry of Industries and instructed that a detailed implementation plan with clear targets be submitted within a specific timeframe.

Prime Minister Sharif also urged commercial banks to simplify credit access for SMEs and advocated for recognizing processing sectors in agriculture as SMEs. Additionally, he highlighted the importance of integrating women into the SME sector and called for enhanced measures to support their access to loans and export opportunities.

The meeting was informed of SMEDA’s execution of 48 initiatives across eight strategic sectors, aligning with the Prime Minister’s directives. Updates were also provided on efforts to enhance market access, investment opportunities, vendor profiling, SME databases, and training programs.