SMEDA News
The Small and Medium Enterprises Development Authority (SMEDA) and the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics (PBS) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to promote evidence-based policy formulation, data sharing and strategic collaboration for the development of SMEs across Pakistan.
The MoU was signed by Ms Nadia J. Seth, CEO SMEDA, and Muhammad Sarwar Gondal (S.I), Member (SS/RM), Pakistan Bureau of Statistics, on the sidelines of DataFest 2025.
CEO SMEDA Ms Nadia J. Seth said the collaboration is aligned with the SME development vision of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif to be implemented under the supervision of SAPM Mr Haroon Akhtar Khan and Secretary MoI&P Mr Saif Anjum for employment generation, industrial development and export promotion through evidence-based SME development initiatives.
She observed that improving the availability and use of SME-related data will enable more targeted policy interventions, strengthen business support programs and help identify opportunities for growth and competitiveness across key sectors.
The collaboration will also include capacity-building trainings, workshops and consultations to support data-driven decision-making for SME development.
This year’s PBS DataFest covered themes of Vision of Uraan Pakistan; Disaster Risk and Climate Resilience; Data for Growth and Investment; Health, Education and Resource Distribution; and Data Ecosystem, AI and Communication.
SMEDA also set up a stall at DataFest 2025, where the team equipped the visitors with information about key initiatives to advance Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s vision of empowering Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) through financial literacy, access to finance, tech-driven upskilling and climate resilient solutions.
The Small and Medium Enterprises Development Authority (SMEDA) is pleased to share an update on the ongoing SME Finance Research Study, a major national initiative aimed at identifying and addressing the key barriers that small and medium enterprises (SMEs) face in accessing bank financing in Pakistan.
This research study is being conducted in partnership with the Lahore School of Economics (LSE), the Centre for Economic Research in Pakistan (CERP), and the University of Chicago. Together, these institutions are working to generate evidence-based insights that will inform programs that will improve SME access to formal financial services.
To date, the research team has successfully recruited over 700 registered SMEs from across Pakistan and more than 100 bank relationship managers representing a diverse range of financial institutions. Extensive interviews have been conducted with both SME managers and bank officers to better understand the lending process from both sides of the market.
The project has now entered a new phase, in which referrals are being facilitated between participating bank relationship managers and SME managers. In the coming weeks, the research team will conduct confidential follow-up calls to track and cross-verify these interactions. These follow-ups will play a crucial role in shaping SMEDA’s future support programs and financial access policies for SMEs nationwide.
All participating SMEs and relationship managers are strongly encouraged to reach out to their assigned referrals—whether by phone or in person—as every interaction contributes valuable information toward improving SME financing in Pakistan.
As a token of appreciation, certificates of recognition will be awarded to:
- SMEs that successfully make contact with their referred bank relationship managers and complete short follow-up interviews; and
- Bank relationship managers who reach out to all their assigned SME managers and complete regular follow-up interviews, along with their respective branch managers.
These certificates will be jointly issued by SMEDA, the Lahore School of Economics, and the University of Chicago, in recognition of each participant’s contribution to this important national research initiative. Certificates will be issued around December of 2025, please get in touch with referrals as soon as possible.
This study represents a vital step toward creating more inclusive financial systems and supporting Pakistan’s SME sector as a key driver of economic growth and employment.
For further information, please contact:
Muhammad Asif
Deputy General Manager, SME Division
Small and Medium Enterprises Development Authority (SMEDA)
Ph: +92 300 6363899
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The Small and Medium Enterprises Development Authority (SMEDA) is taking measures to support SME sector vendors in developing Electric Vehicles (EVs) facilities in Pakistan.
The initiative has been undertaken under SMEDA’s Vendor Development Program and is in line with the Government of Pakistan’s Electric Vehicle Policy 2025-30.
Mr Socrat Aman Rana, Chief Executive Officer of SMEDA, assured full support to e-vehicle manufacturers in developing a robust subcontracting network within the MSME sector.
He made this commitment during a meeting with a delegation of a company, a strategic ally of China’s BAIC Group actively engaged in introducing and localizing EV technology in Pakistan. Senior officials of SMEDA also attended the meeting.
Speaking on the occasion, Mr Rana stated that Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif had revitalized SMEDA to accelerate the growth of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises across the country. In line with the Prime Minister’s vision, SMEDA is prioritizing subcontracting promotion, particularly in the automobile and textile sectors, to enhance local industrial capacity and competitiveness, he added.
He emphasized that SMEDA will extend support to e-vehicle manufacturers in building a strong vendor network and trade bodies such as the Pakistan Association of Automotive Parts & Accessories Manufacturers (PAAPAM) will also be engaged in the process.
The initiative is expected to open new avenues for technology transfer, local capacity building and sustainable industrial development within Pakistan’s growing electric vehicle ecosystem, he said.
Meanwhile, the company plans to set up an E-Vehicle manufacturing unit in Faisalabad.
Special Assistant to the Prime Minister (SAPM) on Industries and Production Mr Haroon Akhtar Khan says that under the Prime Minister’s vision, microenterprises are being provided access to government financial schemes and development services.
He stated this while addressing the signing ceremony of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the Small and Medium Enterprises Development Authority (SMEDA) and Mobilink Microfinance Bank Limited (MMBL), held at SMEDA Headquarters on Oct 18.
The MoU was signed by SMEDA’s Chief Executive Officer Mr Socrat Aman Rana and MMBL President & CEO Mr Harris Mahmood Chaudhry. Federal Secretary for Industries and Production Mr Saif Anjum was also present.
SAPM Haroon Akhtar Khan said that under the dynamic leadership of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Pakistan is progressing towards building a strong, inclusive and growth-oriented SME sector. He added that the government aims to create a business environment where every micro, small and medium enterprise has equal opportunities to grow, compete and contribute meaningfully to Pakistan’s economic future.
He expressed concern that despite their tremendous potential, MSMEs continue to face persistent challenges - the most significant being limited financial literacy and inadequate access to finance. He emphasized that the MoU marks a major step towards addressing these barriers.
Under this collaboration, both institutions will work together to extend loans and business development services to small enterprises operating even in Pakistan’s villages and towns, he said.
Mr Khan added that the present government is also striving to formalize micro, small and medium businesses operating in the informal sector so that they can benefit from government support schemes. He congratulated the leadership of SMEDA and MMBL for joining hands to support microenterprises in Pakistan.
Federal Secretary for Industries and Production Mr Saif Anjum said that under the leadership of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and the guidance of SAPM Haroon Akhtar Khan, Pakistan is moving forward with renewed commitment to strengthen its SME sector.
He expressed confidence that the partnership between SMEDA and MMBL would play a vital role in developing MSMEs through financial literacy and capacity-building programs. He noted that through this MoU, the combined services of Mobilink Microfinance Bank and SMEDA will reach hundreds of thousands of small businesses across the country.
Earlier, SMEDA’s CEO Mr Socrat Aman Rana, while highlighting the significance of the MoU, informed that the total microfinance portfolio in Pakistan exceeds Rs650 billion, of which microfinance banks hold a 71.3% share. However, women borrowers account for only 34.8% of total lending, reflecting the need for greater credit inclusion in this sector.
He added that under the guidance of SAPM Haroon Akhtar Khan and Federal Secretary Saif Anjum, SMEDA has previously signed MoUs with the Pakistan Microfinance Network and Akhuwat to promote microfinancing and the collaboration with MMBL is a continuation of that effort. He expressed hope that this partnership between SMEDA and MMBL would further empower small businesses in Pakistan.
MMBL President & CEO Mr Harris Mahmood Chaudhry said that empowering MSMEs is vital for Pakistan’s socioeconomic development and microfinance has a key role to play in that process. Through this partnership with SMEDA, he added, MMBL will be better positioned to fulfill that role effectively.
He said the collaboration will not only promote microfinancing but also combine digital finance, training and business development services to create an enabling environment in which MSMEs can emerge as a strong pillar of Pakistan’s sustainable economic growth.
The 32nd meeting of the Board of the Small and Medium Enterprises Development Authority (SMEDA) held under the chairmanship of Mr Haroon Akhtar Khan, Special Assistant to the Prime Minister (SAPM) on Industries and Production, reviewed proposed amendments to the SMEDA Ordinance 2002, appointment process of the new Chief Executive Officer and the Authority’s SME Formalization initiative.
The meeting was attended by Mr Saif Anjum, Secretary, Ministry of Industries and Production; Mr Socrat Aman Rana, CEO SMEDA, Mr Masood Akhtar, Chief (Law & Clarification), FBR; Ms Iffat Malik, Joint Secretary (Expenditure), Ministry of Finance; and Mr Muhammad Ashraf, Executive Director General, Ministry of Commerce. Private sector members Ms Aasia Saail Khan, Dr Syed Zahoor Hassan, Mr Mashood Khan and Mr Osman Saifullah Khan also participated.
While addressing the Board, Mr Haroon Akhtar Khan reiterated the Prime Minister’s strong commitment to the rapid development of the SME sector, emphasizing SMEDA’s pivotal role in driving sustainable industrial growth and employment generation. He advised SMEDA to launch a nationwide awareness campaign highlighting the government’s incentives for registered SMEs and urged acceleration of efforts to bring more enterprises into the formal sector through SMEDA’s SME Registration Portal.
The SAPM further underscored the importance of long-term financing for SMEs, informing that it has been made a key component of the forthcoming Industrial Policy. He added that a high-level committee headed by the Federal Minister for Finance has been constituted to promote long-term industrial financing mechanisms.
Mr Socrat Aman Rana, CEO SMEDA, apprised the Board that 13 amendments have been proposed in the SMEDA Ordinance 2002 to streamline inter-ministerial coordination for ensuring swift approvals of SME development incentives required from other divisions. He also briefed the Board on SMEDA’s fruitful participation in the launch of the OIC SME Network (OIC-SMENET) held in Baku, Azerbaijan, and Pakistan’s debut participation at BIOPROM-2025, Russia’s leading biotechnology and pharmaceutical trade fair.
The CEO SMEDA extended his gratitude to the SAPM and Secretary, Ministry of Industries and Production, for their continued guidance and support in enabling SMEDA to strengthen Pakistan’s SME ecosystem and expand international linkages for local enterprises.