ILO-funded SME roadmap: Ministry set to provide coordinated framework

According to Business Recorder, the Ministry of Industries and Production intends to offer a unified structure for advancing the National Roadmap for Small and Medium Enterprises and worker formalization, a project funded by the International Labour Organization. The roadmap was assessed at the final session of a Technical Working Group chaired by Additional Secretary Humaira Zia Mufti. Mufti welcomed the document and stressed that joint institutional effort is needed so the project's results become lasting gains for SMEs and workers.

The International Labour Organization has declared the project closed as of Sept 30, 2026, although its financial closing work continues. SMEDA, which sits within the ministry, outlined the history of the initiative and the wide consultations that shaped the roadmap. An ILO representative said all technical deliverables were finished, including the roadmap's development and launch.

An implementation matrix is included in the roadmap so government bodies and other stakeholders can act on it, turning formalization goals into practical steps for businesses and workers. The meeting ended with agreement that the end of the ILO-supported project should lead to continued institutional work to formalize SMEs and their workers.