The government of Pakistan needs to adopt the SME development as a top priority agenda. It should be followed up with a rigorous review of the growth strategies to ensure sustainable growth of the economy and the country with 180 million inhabitants facing challenges of being caught in a low growth trap.
It was unanimously observed by various panellists while expressing their views at the Public-Private Dialogue arranged by the Small and Medium Enterprises Development Authority (SMEDA) today on "Role of Government in SME Development in Pakistan".
Sartaj Aziz, former federal minister and the present Vice-Chancellor of Beacon House National University was Chief Guest on this occasion. While Yousaf Naseem Khokhar CEO, SMEDA opened the Dialogue through a thought-provoking address of welcome.
The panellists who participated in the dialogue as private sector representatives included Sajid Naqvi, Honarary Secretary General, UNISAME, Almas Hyder, CEO, SPEL Industries, Mumshad Ali, CEO, R.K. Gears, Pvt Ltd Lahore, Taimur Rafiq, Rafiq Engineering Industries Pvt Ltd, Rehmatullah Javed, Federation of Pakistan Chamber of Commerce & Industry and a representative of the women entrepreneurs. Whereas, the panellists representing the public sector on this occasion were Liaquat Ali Dolla, Joint Registrar, Securities & Exchange Commission of Pakistan, Farhan Aziz Khawaja, Managing Director, Punjab Small Industries Corporation, Shahid Naseem, Director General Withholding, Federal Board of Revenue, Shahzad Hassan Rana, Director, Trade Development Authority of Pakistan, Zubaira Hassan, Head of Economics Department, Kinnaird College, Lahore and Mr Muhammad Alamgir Chaudhary, General Manager-Outreach, SMEDA.
The panellists gave their opinions on thematic areas pre-identified by SMEDA as agenda of the dialogue. The discussion covered issues to be confronted by SMEs in access to finance, Human Recourse & Skill Development, Infrastructure & Technology up gradation, SME Definition, Regulatory Environment and SMEs penetration into international Markets.
The panellists called for a positive economic outlook and conducive business environment to lure investment and stimulate innovative activities in the economy by encouraging absorption of technology, creating competitive business environment, providing access to finance, developing a technically competent labour force and a sound infrastructure, particularly with smooth power and telecommunication facilities.
Sartaj Aziz, while addressing as Chief Guest, said that SMEs were the key to Pakistan's prosperity and the government of Pakistan should now move beyond the initial efforts made to support SMEs. He emphasised to build necessary infrastructure, provide business development support services and technological facilities to wide spreading SMEs in the country.
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