Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif ordered fast action to provide easy loans to SMEs nationwide. He directed banks and financial institutions to expand credit access. The move aims to boost growth and strengthen the national economy.
The prime minister gave these directions while chairing a SMEDA business plan meeting. Officials presented a three-year roadmap for SME development. Shehbaz Sharif praised the plan as practical and effective. He also commended SMEDA’s leadership and board.
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He stressed that small and medium businesses form the backbone of the economy. Moreover, he said SME growth can significantly increase exports. The meeting reviewed challenges facing SMEs and solutions to address them. Strategies to link SMEs with export markets were also discussed.
Meanwhile, officials briefed the forum on steps to introduce Pakistani SMEs globally. They highlighted cooperation with multiple countries to improve competitiveness. Workshops were held in six cities to build SME capacity. Training programmes are ongoing to prepare firms for global markets.
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The meeting also discussed increasing women’s participation in the SME sector. Senior ministers, provincial officials, and the SBP governor attended. The government reaffirmed commitment to SME-led economic transformation. Officials said implementation would be closely monitored.