UNISAME hails the Pakistan Innovation Fund Decision - Press Release issued by Union of Small and Medium Enterprises.

Karachi -- May 15, 2020 (PPI-OT)

Following is the text of press release issued by Union of Small and Medium Enterprises (UNISAME)

Quote

The Union of Small and Medium Enterprises (UNISAME) appreciated the plan of the government to set up the Pakistan Innovation Fund (PIF) for the benefit of the micro to medium sized sector (MSME) to promote up gradation of the different segments of farming, fishing, livestock. poultry, dairy and agro-based industries.

UNISAME thanked the prime minister (PM) Imran Khan for the initiative taken by him at the behest of the union and urged him to implement it on war footings. President UNISAME Zulfikar Thaver said it is indeed a wise decision of the policy makers to promote, support, facilitate and help the MSME sector to keep the economy going in these crucial times of lockdown and post lockdown which has curtailed all activities.

The MSMEs are the ones who for their own survival will not remain idle and will face the challenges of the Covid-19 pandemic and the policy makers need to support them to keep the wheels moving. The encouragement, motivation and support can do wonders for the sector which in turn will reflect on the badly beaten economy Thaver said.

The Ministry of Science and Technology and the Pakistan Credit Guarantee Company are going to play important roles and will spear head the movement to bring about the up gradation, modernization and balancing and replacement in the targeted areas.

The first in the to do list is farming because of the climactic changes, it is very important that hydroponic farming is given top priority. Education is needed to educate the MSME farmers about the benefits of hydroponic farming and introduce it first as a parallel system and once the farmers understand how easy it is and how safe and protected it can be made, they will adopt it. Hydroponic farming can fill all gaps of shortages and guarantee regular supplies from greenhouses to the markets.

Secondly there is need to tap all resources of sea food and modernize the fishing industry. Our trawlers are outdated, we need to upgrade them with on board refrigeration and matching catching and deep sea fishing equipment. We really need to catch the fish which goes away to our neighbouring countries. Thirdly the sheep breeding industry is neglected and is not given the importance and...