Small and Medium Enterprises Development Authority (Smeda) has facilitated an investment of around Rs 932 million in NWFP besides training about 12,000 SME entrepreneurs in the province. The organisation, set up in 1998 to take up the challenge of developing Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs), has also played an instrumental role in formation of sector development through establishment of companies, informed Provincial Chief of Smeda, Javed Khattak here on Wednesday.
Javed Khattak said Smeda has played an active role in setting up of Pakistan Stone Development Company (Pasdec), Pakistan Hunting and Sporting Arms Development Company (PHSADC) and Pakistan Gems and Jewellery Development Company (PGJDC).
These companies have been established with the objective of sector development through upgradation of skill of persons involved in these professions besides opening ways for export of the products. The organisation also made efforts for improvement of clusters of different artisans involved in the skill of weaving, furniture and leather shoes.
In this regard, he added, Smeda took measures for upgradation of handlooms to power looms for people making their livelihood through weaving of Khaddar (traditional fabric) in Charsadda district. Similarly lending facilities were provided to weavers through Bank of Khyber and SME. The market linkages of the stakeholders were developed besides addressing the problem causing health hazards and environmental issues.
For development of furniture cluster, a business development centre was set up in Tehkal (Peshawar). Similarly, work on setting up of a Furniture Village at Jalozai is in progress while Wood Seasoning Plant for Dir and Peshawar has been approved.
The organisation also took measures for development leather shoe manufacturers in Charsadda. There are more than 500 units operating in Charsadda and Smeda is providing input to the cluster and a footwear-training institute that was established by TDAP.