SMEs Seek Govt Help to Tackle Industry Challenges
Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on Industries and Production, Haroon Akhtar Khan, held an important meeting today with representatives of the Small and Medium Enterprise (SME) clusters from Gujranwala, Gujrat, and Wazirabad, where stakeholders highlighted major challenges faced by the industrial sectors, particularly the cutlery industry.
Representatives briefed the SAPM on the severe shortage of high-quality raw material being faced by the cutlery sector. Despite possessing immense potential, the industry is unable to compete with China due to a continued reliance on handmade production and inadequate access to modern machinery. The sector emphasized that the absence of advanced technology, research, and development remains a significant barrier to growth.
The Gujranwala Chamber informed that international exhibitions play a vital role in enhancing SME exports, but prolonged visa processes restrict SMEs from participating in global trade shows. SME cluster representatives requested government support to resolve visa-related challenges that hinder international market access.
SAPM Haroon Akhtar Khan stressed that all government institutions must extend support to SME clusters in strengthening research, innovation, and market competitiveness. He directed SMEDA to immediately take up the visa issues of SMEs with relevant embassies. He also instructed the Trade Development Authority of Pakistan (TDAP) to provide full facilitation for SMEs participating in international exhibitions.
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Highlighting the government’s commitment to promoting SMEs, the SAPM announced that SMEDA is organizing a national-level SME exhibition in line with the vision of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif. He urged all SMEs to participate actively in this major national event.
Haroon Akhtar Khan also called on the State Bank of Pakistan to provide working capital facilities to SMEs, including special support for the cutlery sector. He further emphasized that issues related to the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) and other relevant departments must be resolved on a priority basis to ensure smooth operations of SME clusters.
The SME representatives requested strong cooperation from Pakistan’s commercial attachés abroad to enhance export opportunities. The SAPM directed SMEDA to include the relevant commercial attachés in the committee to strengthen coordination and support for SMEs.
