SMEDA consults women chambers to boost businesses

The Small and Medium Enterprises Development Authority (SMEDA) has stepped up talks with women's chambers across Pakistan to pinpoint obstacles facing women-owned firms, according to Business Recorder. The aim is to ease their access to finance, skills, markets and wider business support. The effort is framed as a way to encourage female entrepreneurship and strengthen micro-enterprises.

Board Member Aasia Saail chaired the session, urging tighter institutional mechanisms that respond to the particular needs of women entrepreneurs. She outlined a proposed Women Entrepreneurship Portal that would give women founders access to commercial information, support services and openings. Plans also include a detailed database of women entrepreneurs that policymakers could use to design targeted schemes.

SMEDA is also working with domestic and overseas partners, among them the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) and the Pakistan Institute of Fashion and Design (PIFD), on technical help, training and enterprise development. Chamber representatives pointed to difficulties in obtaining finance, reaching markets, getting business information and building skills, as well as institutional support. Officials said the input will shape demand-driven measures and better coordination with women's business bodies.