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UNISAME Calls for Strengthening of SMEDA to Boost SME Sector

Karachi, The Union of Small and Medium Enterprises (UNISAME) has expressed concern over the perceived neglect of the Small and Medium Enterprises Development Authority (SMEDA), urging the government to enhance its capabilities to effectively support the SME sector.

According to Union of Small and Medium Enterprises, the absence of a chief executive officer at SMEDA is a significant hindrance that prevents the authority from actively supporting and voicing the concerns of small and medium enterprises. This lack of leadership is seen as a major setback for addressing critical issues such as imports, exports, technological advancements, finance, and modernization within the sector.

UNISAME President Zulfikar Thaver emphasized the need for a dynamic CEO who can advocate for SMEs and influence government policy effectively. He highlighted that current structural limitations within SMEDA result in crucial matters like exports falling through the cracks, as they are deferred to other bodies like the Trade Development Authority of Pakistan. Similar issues are redirected to various ministries, diluting SMEDA’s role and effectiveness.

Thaver also criticized the organization’s inaction on key subjects and proposed that if SMEDA cannot adequately represent and advance the interests of SMEs, it should be dissolved. In its place, he suggested the creation of an SME promotion bureau, equipped with a private sector CEO, to actively promote exports and provide comprehensive support and advocacy for the sector.

Thaver, drawing from his experience as a board member, underscored the importance of keeping vital departments such as legal advisory open and advocated for SMEDA’s permission to handle Corporate Social Responsibility funds to maximize benefits for the underprivileged.

He argued that either a significant overhaul of SMEDA is necessary to empower it fully, or it should be replaced with a new entity that can effectively meet the needs of SMEs, as recommended by the Asian Development Bank.

The post UNISAME Calls for Strengthening of SMEDA to Boost SME Sector appeared first on Pakistan Business News.

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