Present government was fully convinced on the significant role of SME sector in economic development: Chaudhry Pervaiz Elahi

Lahore (08 October 2011) Chaudhry Parvez Elahi, Senior Federal Minister Industries and Defence Production has vowed to strengthen Small and Medium Enterprises Development Authority (SMEDA) for rapid development of SMEs in the country. While addressing the 12^th meeting of SMEDA Board of Directors at SMEDA head office today, he said that present government was fully convinced on the significant role of SME sector in economic development. The meeting was attended by Mr. Agha Nadeem, Additional Secretary, Ministry of Industries, Mr. Shafqut-ur-Rehman Ranjha, Joint Secretary, Ministry of Finance, Mr. Aftab Ahmad Bhatti, Additional Collector Customs, Mr. M. Akram Malik, Former Federal Secretary, Engineer Adeel Rauf, Chief Executive Officer, Khyber Match Factory and Mr. Zulfiqar Thaver, President, Union of Small and Medium Enterprises (UNISAME). Mr. M. Khurram Khan, General Manager Central Support, SMEDA attended the meeting as Executive Secretary to the Board.

The Senior Federal Minister appreciated performance of SMEDA and assured to extend his support in meeting needs of the organization to accelerate the pace of SME development in the country. He said that government of Pakistan was committed to curb poverty and unemployment in the country, for which growth of small and medium enterprises was vital. No doubt, the services rendered by SMEDA during last decade of its existence have reflected a visible impact on SMEs in Pakistan, he said. However, he advised SMEDA to expand operation of PSDP projects in Baluchistan and Sindh by setting up more common facility centers there. Moreover, he directed to improve the management system to run common facility centers in a befitting manner.

The Senior Minister assured to explore multiple avenues for meeting financial needs of SMEDA. In this regard he advised to mobilize international donor agencies more effectively.

Earlier, SMEDA Officials while giving a presentation to the SMEDA Board members on services, projects and organizational structure of SMEDA, informed that SMEDA had undertaken about 17 Public Sector Development Projects worth Rs.1.173 billion across the country, apart from devising sector development strategies and providing Business Development Services to SMEs.

The Board under chairmanship of Mr. Parvez Elahi reviewed the set agenda and granted necessary approvals and directions.