Review on the growth of small and medium enterprises.

Byline: S. Kamal Hayder Kazmi

Analysis of Economic Survey of Pakistan released during FY2019-20 recorded that the Small and Medium Enterprises Development Authority (SMEDA), the apex SME development organization of the government, has an all-encompassing mandate of fostering growth of the SME sector in Pakistan. SMEDA's broad portfolio of services includes; business development services, infrastructure development by organizing common facility centers, industry support for productivity enhancement and energy efficiency, human capital development by its training programs, and SME related projects with national and international development partners.

It is also analyzed that SMEDA was awarded a contract for a project titled feasibility/research study on cluster development based mineral transformation plan/ vision 2025 through the planning commission.

The project entails an extensive study of 20 mineral clusters of Pakistan. By the project, the Government of Pakistan intends to develop new mineral clusters besides enhancing the efficiency of existing ones throughout the value chain i.e. supply-chain development, market intelligence, attraction of FDI (foreign direct investment) and enhanced processing. During the period, 05 Value Chain studies, 14 Cluster studies, and project proposals for Gypsum value addition and Advanced Granite Processing Unit, Mansehra were developed.

SMEDA over the counter (OTC) services

Sr. No.###Initiatives###Jul-Mar FY2020

1###SME Facilitation###5,564

2###Pre-feasibility Studies Development (New and Updated)###35

3###Investment Facilitation (RS Million)###301.92

4###Business Plans###5

5###Training Programs###298

9###Theme Specific Helpdesks###85

6###OTC Products and Guide###18

8###Cluster / District Profiles (New and Updated), Diagnostic /Value Chain Studies###11

10###SMEDA Web Portal (Download Statistics)###118,649

11###SME Observer###1

12###SMEDA Newsletter###3

National SME policy

The Economic Survey also analyzed that the present Government of Pakistan assigns high priority to SME development and creation of a conducive business environment for SMEs in the whole country.

In order to create a facilitative economic environment where SMEs in local and global market can exploit emerging opportunities, draft National SME Policy has been developed through SMEDA. Draft National SME Policy particularly focuses on job creation, export enhancement and increased contribution of SMEs to Pakistan's Economy. The Policy shall...