Expansion in Smeda scope urged

KARACHI: The Union of Small and Medium Enterprises (Unisame) has stressed the need to increase the size and scope of Small and Medium Enterprises Development Authority (Smeda) to enable it’s outreach to micro and medium sized entrepreneurs, as well as the farm sector, a statement said on Saturday.

“The union identified impediments and suggested remedies to the ministries of industries, finance and commerce from time-to-time. However, the government did not implement the SME policy and our proposals,” UNISAME President Zulfiqar Thaver said.

The law and order situation and energy crisis increased the cost of doing business and resulted in lower production, he said.

“Unisame had suggested to subsidise alternative energy equipment on “pay as you earn scheme”, but the government gave a deaf ear,” Thaver said, adding that the sector needed strategic planning and implementation.

Pinning hopes on the interim setup and criticising the outgoing government, Thaver said that the authorities did not facilitate, motivate, encourage and support the majority sector.

“Sector’s requirements of land at concession, uninterrupted supply of energy, regular supply of raw materials, marketing support and access to finance remained an issue.”

Unisame would continue its efforts with the next government and resubmit its proposals for fast track uplift of the sector, he added.

The Unisame president appreciated the efforts of Smeda and the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) and also applauded the National Financial Inclusion Strategy (NFIS) a shared leadership of the World Bank, SBP and the Ministry of Finance.