ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif on Monday directed authorities to accelerate efforts to provide small and medium enterprises (SMEs) with loans on easier terms through banks and other financial institutions.
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Chairing a meeting on SME development, the premier praised Special Assistant Haroon Akhtar and the newly elected board of the Small and Medium Enterprises Development Authority (SMEDA) for devising a practical and actionable plan to support the sector.
“SMEs are the backbone of the country’s economy,” Mr Shehbaz said, emphasizing their potential to drive exports and enhance Pakistan’s global competitiveness.
During the meeting, officials presented a three-year roadmap for SME promotion, highlighting key challenges faced by the sector and strategies to address them. The discussion also focused on integrating SMEs into Pakistan’s export framework and expanding international collaborations to showcase domestic businesses globally.
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The meeting included briefings on recent initiatives to strengthen local SMEs, including workshops held in six cities aimed at capacity building and skill development. The prime minister stressed the importance of swift implementation of measures to ensure SMEs have access to the necessary financial support for growth and expansion.