World Bank explores tie-up with SMEDA in building skills

The World Bank has signalled interest in working with Smeda, the Small and Medium Enterprises Development Authority, on access to finance, adoption of technology and skills training. According to The Express Tribune, a World Bank team met Smeda officials to review current SME programmes and look for joint projects that could strengthen small and medium firms in Pakistan. Both parties discussed a Memorandum of Understanding or another suitable arrangement to give their cooperation a formal footing.

The visiting delegation included Kiran Afzal, Javier Sanchez-Reeza and Koan Martin Geven, while Smeda's senior management, including Sheharyar Tahir, attended the meeting. Tahir set out the main principles of the SME Policy 2021 and the accompanying action plan, linked to a three-year business plan that gives priority to underserved regions. Discussion covered women entrepreneurs, microenterprises, digital commerce, export preparedness, subcontracting programmes, grant support for certification, and green finance and climate resilience as emerging areas.