Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on Industries and Production, Haroon Akhtar Khan, inaugurated the new headquarters of the Small and Medium Enterprises Development Authority (SMEDA) in Islamabad. The ceremony marked a significant milestone in the government’s efforts to strengthen institutional support for Pakistan’s micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs).
Attendance and Key Officials
The inauguration ceremony was attended by Secretary of the Ministry of Industries and Production Saif Anjum, SMEDA CEO Nadia J Seth, members of the SMEDA Board of Directors, and senior officials of the ministry. Their presence underscored the importance of this development for the SME sector.
Prime Minister’s Vision for SMEs
Speaking on the occasion, Haroon Akhtar Khan stated that under the directions of Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif, SMEDA’s headquarters has, for the first time, been established and made fully operational in Islamabad. He highlighted that this move aims to enhance coordination, policy implementation and service delivery for the SME sector. According to Haroon Akhtar Khan, “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.”
Role of SMEs in Pakistan’s Economy
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 noted that the government is undertaking comprehensive measures to empower SMEs, improve ease of doing business and create an enabling environment for entrepreneurs across the country. The new headquarters is expected to serve as a hub for these initiatives.
Broader Economic Context
This development comes amid a bearish trend at the Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX), which lost 4,626 points recently. The government’s focus on SME development is seen as a countermeasure to stimulate economic activity and support private sector growth.
