Islamabad: Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on Industries and Production, Haroon Akhtar Khan, on Wednesday inaugurated new headquarters of the Small and Medium Enterprises Development Authority (SMEDA) in Islamabad, marking a significant milestone in the government’s efforts to strengthen institutional support for Pakistan’s micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs).
The inauguration ceremony was attended by Secretary, Ministry of Industries and Production, Saif Anjum, Chief Executive Officer SMEDA, Nadia J. Seth, members of the SMEDA Board of Directors, and senior officials of the Ministry, said a press release.
Speaking on the occasion, Haroon Akhtar Khan said that, under the directions of Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif, SMEDA’s headquarters have, for the first time, been established and made fully operational in Islamabad to enhance coordination, policy implementation and service delivery for the SME sector.
He stated that, in line with the Prime Minister’s vision, SMEDA has been entrusted with expanded responsibilities to facilitate micro, small and medium enterprises, strengthen entrepreneurship and accelerate private sector-led economic growth.
Haroon Akhtar Khan emphasized that SMEs constitute the backbone of Pakistan’s economy and remain central to the Government’s strategy for sustainable economic development. He said the Government is undertaking comprehensive measures to empower SMEs, improve ease of doing business and create an enabling environment for entrepreneurs across the country.
He noted that facilitating businesses, increasing productivity and encouraging investment are among the Government’s foremost priorities. He added that special emphasis is being placed on supporting young entrepreneurs by providing them with opportunities to establish and expand their businesses.
The Special Assistant further highlighted that women’s economic empowerment is an integral part of the Government’s economic agenda. Greater participation of women entrepreneurs, he said, will contribute significantly to economic growth, innovation and inclusive national development.
Haroon Akhtar Khan said that the growth of SMEs will generate employment opportunities, enhance local manufacturing, strengthen exports and contribute to Pakistan’s long-term industrial and economic prosperity.
He also underlined the importance of providing SMEs with access to modern technology, skills development programmes and financial facilities, enabling them to compete effectively in domestic and international markets.
He reaffirmed that creating a business-friendly environment remains a key objective of the Government’s reform agenda. Strengthening SMEDA’s institutional capacity, he said, will enable the Authority to provide more efficient, coordinated and accessible services to entrepreneurs across Pakistan.
Strong SMEs are the foundation of a strong Pakistan, he said and reiterated the government’s commitment to promoting entrepreneurship, supporting innovation, encouraging self-reliance and building a vibrant SME sector capable of driving industrial growth, expanding exports and creating sustainable employment opportunities.