SMEDA

Pre-feasibility studies are well researched reports that facilitate potential entrepreneurs in project identification for investment. The pre-feasibility study covers various aspects of project concept development, start-up, and production, marketing, finance, and business management. The document also provides sectoral information and international scenario, which have some bearing on the project itself.

The major hindrance to SMEs growth is the lack of information on suitable investment projects and market potential. Whatever help is available for SMEs, is too fragmented and is offered by a number of provincial, federal and private sector institutions making it very difficult for SMEs to access and receive any meaningful service.

SMEDA Helpdesk is designed to be one stop shop to assist and support SMEs in all areas of business through one window operation. The services are free or nominally charged to attract maximum number of SMEs and quality is maintained to add value to the enterprise. SMEDA Helpdesk provide range of services from Project Identification to Project Implementation including Business Plan Development, Assistance in Raising Finance, Financial Advice, Management Services, Technical Services, Marketing Services (Branding, Promotion, Labeling, Packaging etc), Regulatory Services and Information Services.

These help desks are conducted at the premises of the Chamber/Trade body/Association.  Legal Experts mostly practicing in that particular area provide legal facilitation to SMEs visiting, these desks, with their queries. Interested SMEs are also provided practical assistance by these legal experts at a subsidies rate. For this purpose SMEDA has already established its Network of Legal Service Providers (NLSP) consisting of Advocates, CAs, ITPs etc. at different cities.  

•      Conducting awareness/training seminars

•      Discussion forum to discuss regulatory framework concerning to stakeholders

The development of entrepreneurship culture plays a very significant role in the economic development of a country. Keeping in view the importance of the subject SMEDA – Punjab has taken an initiative to organize half day seminars on “Entrepreneurship as a Career Option” with collaboration of Higher Educational Institutions across Punjab. The main objective of these Seminars is to impart knowledge regarding Entrepreneurship as a Career Option and Role of SMEDA for Enterprise Development in Pakistan.

In addition to this, SMEDA also provide support to educational institutions for establishment of Entrepreneurship Development Centres (EDC) to promote SMEs in the region, by enhancing the contribution of the Institution to society through knowledge transfer from the Institution to the community. 

Pakistan is the country of 180 million people, and Pakistan is the 4th largest milk producer with the quantity of 22 billion liters of milk, rate of milk is increasing 30 to 40 % every year, it is  a opportunity for the new investors to invest in the sector to get the benefit of demand and supply gap. SMEDA Punjab dairy and livestock sector team have started a program which provides full support to potential investors which includes, developing feasibility, design of farms and knowledge sharing on best practices of countries having developed this sector. These are first positive cash flow farms and become model for whole sector.

They have also initiated a pilot project on promotion of Quail Farming as profitable enterprise in Southern Punjab in collaboration with Avian Research Training (ART) Centre, University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences (UVAS), Lahore and Khawateen Welfare Council (KWC), Bahawalpur. 

Clusters are geographical concentration of enterprises which produce and sell a range of related or complementary products and are, thus, faced with common challenges and opportunities. Cluster development is basically supporting and strengthening the clusters by creating networking among the stakeholders to reduce the cost of doing business, bringing them on a single platform for more voice among policy makers, create new business opportunities, reducing risk of doing business and capacity building of the enterprises. Cluster development has also proved its contributing in employment generation and poverty reduction worldwide. 

SME Clusters in Pakistan have huge potential and critical to SME growth. SMEDA has always been fully cognizant of the significance of Cluster Development and has taken several initiatives. These initiatives includes Technological Up-gradation, establishment of Common Facility Centers(CFCs) , access to Formal Finance for SME clusters, Marketing support, Improving HR skills and Awareness on International Certification & Regulations.

Business Plan development facilitation is one of the key services provided to enable existing as well as potential investors to make well researched and informed investment decisions. SMEDA has developed a business plan template for SMEs to draft a business plan to look ahead, allocate resources, focus on key points and prepare for problems and opportunities presented by changing business environment. A business plan acts as a communication tool, which can be used to attract investment capital, secure loans, and assist in attracting strategic business partners. As a management tool, a business plan helps in tracking, monitoring and evaluating the progress of a business. As a planning tool, the business plan guides an entrepreneur through the various phases of the business, which helps in identifying roadblocks and obstacles that can be avoided.

•      Olive Cultivation-Profitable Business

•      Fruit Processing (Grapes, Kino, Mango etc)

•      Seed Processing