PESHAWAR: United Nation Development Programme (UNDP) Pakistan on Wednesday launched the Suppliers Development Program to support Small and Medium Enterprise in Khyber Pakhtukhwa. The SDP is part of UNDP’s larger Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Economic Development Project aimed to boost economic development in the province by creating jobs, increasing the competitiveness of SMEs. Besides it aimed at nurturing young entrepreneurs. Pakistan is the first country in South Asia to replicate the SDP model, which is based on the assumption that marginalized groups, like youth and women, can play dynamic roles in building a prosperous society. Marc-André Franche, the UNDP Pakistan Country Director, said, “The SDP is in line with UNDP’s larger objective of bringing stability through economic development in conflict-affected places. I am confident that the initiative will go a long way in generating employment and securing prosperous futures for skilled labour and entrepreneurs in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.” Under the SDP, consultants are trained to work with a value chain comprising a leading company and 6-10 suppliers. They apply a specially designed methodology to improve the competitiveness of suppliers to meet the quality, quantity, standards, and delivery time of the products being supplied to the lead company. Eventually, this low-cost model will be permanently embedded into a government or private sector entity. “Addressing weaknesses of individual SMEs will not only increase competitiveness of the companies but will also enhance the competitiveness of the sector,” Zafar Ali Shah, Secretary of Planning and Development Department said. He said “In the long run, development of private sector helps reduce poverty and inequalities in a society and SDP can be a great tool contributing towards this.” Aadil Salahuddin, Chief Commercial Officer of KP Economic Zones Development and Management Company (KPEZDMC) said, “The SDP programme provides a great opportunity both for ‘sick’ and for new industries being set up in industrial zones. Both will benefit from the programme’s services in order to improve their businesses along with their key strategic suppliers. The SDP initiative is in line with KPEZDMC’s mission for industrial development in the province.” The initiative was launched by Marc-André Franche, UNDP Country Director; Ms. Anisa Zeb Tahir Kheli, Minister of Labour and Mineral Development; Farah Hamid Khan, KP Secretary of Industries; Zafar Ali Shah, Planning and Development Secretary; Aadil Salahuddin, Chief Commercial Officer, KPEZDMC; and Iqbal Khattak, Provincial Chief, SMEDA.