AsiaNet-Pakistan Premier Editorial Content and Press Release Distribution Service
Lahore: The Small and Medium Enterprises Development Authority (SMEDA) and the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics (PBS) are set to sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) focused on evidence-based policy formulation, data sharing, and strategic collaboration to bolster the development of small and medium enterprises (SMEs) across Pakistan. The agreement will be formalized by SMEDA CEO Nadia J. Seth and PBS Member Muhammad Sarwar Gondal during the upcoming DataFest 2025 event on November 11-12.
This initiative aligns with the SME development vision championed by the Prime Minister of Pakistan. Under the supervision of the Special Assistant to the Prime Minister (SAPM) Haroon Akhtar Khan and Ministry of Industries and Production (MoIP) Secretary Saif Anjum, the collaboration aims to drive employment generation, industrial development, and export promotion through enhanced support for SMEs.
CEO Nadia J. Seth emphasized the importance of improved access to SME-related data, which she believes will facilitate targeted policy interventions and strengthen business support programs. Such measures are expected to uncover growth opportunities and enhance the competitiveness of key sectors.
The MoU will enable SMEDA and PBS to share aggregate data, enhance research cooperation, and develop joint knowledge products. These efforts will be complemented by SME-focused studies aimed at understanding the sector’s role in employment and economic productivity.
Additionally, the partnership will include capacity-building trainings, workshops, and consultations to support data-driven decision-making for SME development. These initiatives are part of a broader agenda at this year’s PBS DataFest, which will address themes related to creating a data ecosystem for growth and investment under the Uraan Pakistan Program.