Govt, ACCA join hands to boost skills, SMEs and private sector growth

Mettis Global reported that Senator Muhammad Aurangzeb, Federal Minister for Finance and Revenue, held talks with Lucia Real-Martin, Global Executive Director of ACCA, at the Finance Division. Reform priorities, private-sector expansion, export-led growth and macroeconomic stability formed the core of the discussion. Both parties also explored new avenues to strengthen ties between the government and ACCA on institutional and economic reform.

Aurangzeb said the IT and IT-enabled services sector holds real promise and needs better connectivity, including 5G. He also urged targeted upskilling in emerging areas like artificial intelligence and blockchain, alongside a move towards higher-value services. Real-Martin saw room to grow shared services by drawing on the country's skilled workforce through training and institutional ties.

SMEs were another focus, with Aurangzeb stressing capacity building, better financial management and easier access to finance. ACCA outlined its SME work, including fractional CFO services that could give small firms expert financial input without a full-time finance function. The two sides committed to keep building cooperation on talent development, SME strengthening and private-sector growth.