The Union of Small & Medium Enterprises (Unisame) has said SMEs upliftment was not everybody's job. According to press release, the Unisame president while speaking at a breakfast forum of senior citizens and intellectuals said it was a job of specialist and experts in this field well versed with the SME promotion.
"There is an urgent need for integrated efforts on the part of the Pakistan Council of Scientific & Industrial Research (PCSIR), the Small & Medium Enterprises Development Authority (Smeda), National Productivity Organisation (NPO), Commercial Banks, SME Associations, NGOs and community development agencies under the leadership of Private sector with full government support," he added.
Answering questions about the slow growth of the sector, he said it is very important that preliminary requirements of an entrepreneur are met satisfactorily before undertaking the long-term plans.
To begin with the person desiring to set up a manufacturing unit or expand the running business, needs the support of a consultant, who can advise him or her on the selection of land, machinery and equipment, raw material, finance and professional managers, he explained.
He said that unfortunately a person, who wishes to set up a factory, has to go in circles and run from pillar to post.
Speaking on opportunities, he elaborated that there are ample opportunities in various areas like foodstuffs, textiles, chemicals, engineering and service industries.
The selection of a line of trade would first depend upon a person's aptitude and secondly experience and scope of the line, the statement added.
SME Promotion and upliftment is a very technical job and based on scientific methods.
Replying to concerns about unemployment, he emphasised the need for setting up of 'joint employment exchanges' by Smeda, PCSIR, NPO, Unisame & other welfare organisations for publishing list of employers and job applicants.
A list of new prospective industries, which can be profitably established by new comers in various fields, should also be published jointly.
The answer to many problems lies in the promotion and development of agro-based industries and it is a fact, which cannot be overlooked and concentrated efforts are required by the various bodies for the adoption of modern techniques with dedication.
Enumerating the avenues of investment the participants listed the products, which can be manufactured ranging from consumer goods to machinery and urged the SME welfare organisations to come forward with promotional schemes.-PR