Govt gives committee four weeks to prepare SMEDA restructuring plan

Pakistan’s federal government has set a four-week deadline for a committee to propose a new structure for the Small and Medium Enterprises Development Authority (SMEDA), Profit by Pakistan Today reported. The panel is expected to assess international approaches and recommend ways to improve the authority’s performance, services and reach across the country. Its proposals are due at the Prime Minister’s Office.

The committee includes SMEDA Board members, following directions from Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, and is chaired by Industries and Production adviser Haroon Akhtar Khan. The proposed changes are intended to widen access to financing, advisory help and institutional support, including for enterprises outside major cities. The adviser said small and medium enterprises represent about 99% of Pakistan’s businesses and provide roughly 78% of employment.