INP-WealthPk

Govt, Stakeholders Review Proposed SMEs Policy

December 22, 2021

ISLAMABAD, Dec 22 (INP-WealthPK): Adviser to Prime Minister on Finance and Revenue Shaukat Tarin Monday chaired a meeting to review the proposed policy on Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs). According to a statement issued by the Finance Ministry, Secretary Industries and Production Ministry briefed the meeting on proposed SMEs policy and the concerns of stakeholders. The concerns were related to key policy recommendations in the regulatory and tax environment, SMEs access to finance, institutional strengthening of Small and Medium Enterprises Development Authority (SMEDA) and SMEs development fund. The proposed policy is being designed to increase the contribution of SMEs to the economy. The meeting deliberated in detail the concerns of all stakeholders to reach a consensus on the policy framework. Highlighting the importance of SMEs in the economic and social development of Pakistan, Shaukat Tarin said the government was keen to provide a conducive environment to facilitate SMEs growth and ease of doing business. He emphasised the need to make SMEDA more effective and fully functional in order to cater to the SMEs and increase the penetration of the regional SMEs across the country. Among others, the meeting was attended by Federal Minister for Industries and Production Makhdoom Khusro Bakhtiar, Adviser to PM on Commerce and Investment Abdul Razak Dawood, secretaries of Finance, Commerce and Industries and Production, Chairman Federal Board of Revenue (FBR), Governor State Bank of Pakistan (SBP), CEO SMEDA and senior officers.