
IP rights for SMEs: SMEDA, IPO agree to undertake joint awareness drive
A meeting in this regard was held today at SMEDA head office today with IPO team headed by Chairman IPO Farrukh Amil. On this occasion SMEDA team was led by SMEDA CEO Socrat Aman Rana.
Both the teams discussed different ways and means to make SMEs aware of the IPR with a focus to strengthen the enforcement mechanism for intellectual property rights through an enhanced collaboration between SMEDA and IPO.
CEO SMEDA Socrat Aman Rana, while welcoming the IPO team assured to extend the fullest cooperation of SMEDA to enhance awareness of SMEs on IPR. He proposed to develop a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for this purpose and suggested to organize awareness sessions in the industrial clusters as collaborative events under a well-planned joint activity calendar.
The Chairman of IPO Pakistan Farrukh Amil, exchanging his views on this occasion said that SME sector can get a lot of benefits having the IPR registration. SMEDA collaboration in this regard can play vital role, he added and observed that the agriculture sector required more awareness on the intellectual property rights. He suggested putting the agriculture sector on top priority while launching the SMEDA-IPO joint awareness campaign.
Both the organizations agreed to determine specific functions of SMEDA and IPO for the proposed MOU in awareness, research and SME support. Formation of a joint working group for IP need assessment of the SME sector and sub-sectors for pilot projects were also considered on the occasion.
Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


Express Tribune
9 hours ago
- Express Tribune
SMEDA, Akhuwat join hands
Listen to article In line with the prime minister's vision of inclusive economic growth through grassroots entrepreneurship, the Small and Medium Enterprises Development Authority (SMEDA) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Akhuwat Islamic Microfinance (AIM) to improve access to finance, formalisation, and hand-holding of micro enterprises across Pakistan. According to an official statement released on Saturday, the MoU was signed by SMEDA CEO Socrat Aman Rana and Akhuwat Foundation Founder and Chairman Dr Amjad Saqib, in the presence of Federal Secretary for Industries and Production Saif Anjum at the SMEDA head office. Addressing the ceremony, Secretary MOIP Saif Anjum highlighted that micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs), as the backbone of Pakistan's economy, play a critical role in driving resilience, employment, and innovation. He emphasised that micro enterprises are a top priority in the prime minister's economic agenda. He noted that a steering committee, headed by himself, had been constituted to address challenges faced by the MSME sector. As part of its efforts, the committee has also initiated a reorganisation of SMEDA to enhance its effectiveness in serving the SME sector. "Today's MoU between SMEDA and AIM reflects the commitment of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and SAPM Haroon Akhtar Khan to empower MSMEs," he stated. He expressed hope that the collaboration would strengthen micro-financing and capacity building, helping to create a robust ecosystem for bridging financial gaps and promoting inclusion of micro enterprises in the formal financial landscape. He lauded SMEDA's contributions in training, advisory services, and advocacy, and praised AIM's efforts in promoting financial inclusion. Earlier, SMEDA CEO Socrat Aman Rana welcomed the guests and outlined the objectives of the MoU. "This collaboration with Akhuwat is a concrete step toward realising the prime minister's dream of a robust and equitable entrepreneurial ecosystem," he said. He stressed SMEDA's focus on strengthening micro enterprises through targeted capacity building and streamlined regulatory processes. He acknowledged the role of the SAPM in facilitating the collaboration, citing his ongoing support for SMEDA's mission and advocacy for MSME development. Sharing sector data, the SMEDA chief noted that microfinance now serves nearly 12 million active borrowers, supported by a gross loan portfolio of approximately Rs644 billion, reflecting a strong 13% year-on-year growth. Notably, 46% of borrowers are women, highlighting the sector's inclusive and gender-sensitive impact. He added that the main areas of microfinance. trade and services (Rs144 billion), livestock and poultry (Rs164 billion), and agriculture (Rs138 billion), mirror the core of Pakistan's MSME ecosystem, especially in rural and semi-urban regions. However, he warned that access to formal finance remains a major hurdle for MSMEs, particularly in underserved areas. He termed the MoU a major breakthrough to bridge this financing gap and unlock Pakistan's entrepreneurial potential. Speaking at the event, AIM Chairman Dr Amjad Saqib expressed confidence that the collaboration would enhance micro enterprises' access to finance through AIM's nationwide network. He acknowledged the vital role of micro enterprises in poverty reduction and employment generation, and hoped the partnership would contribute meaningfully to national economic growth.


Business Recorder
11 hours ago
- Business Recorder
Commission pending: Two key Ogra officials yet to be appointed
ISLAMABAD: The Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority's two key members are yet to be appointed to complete the commission so that it can take any important decision. The two key official positions are the Member Gas and Member Finance. The Ogra chairman is not able to take important decisions and in some cases quota must be fulfilled in the meeting before making policies on some specific issue. Consumers lack protection: Ogra failing to act against gas companies: PAC report Summary for appointment of Member Oil and Member Finance was sent to the concerned authorities but when the appointments would be made on these key posts is not known, an official of the Petroleum Division told this correspondent on condition of anonymity. The appointments are necessary to ensure proper functioning of Ogra, the official stressed. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025


Business Recorder
11 hours ago
- Business Recorder
Futures spread expands sharply
KARACHI: The futures market at the Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX) witnessed a sharp expansion in spreads during the week ended July 4, 2025, with the future spreads soaring by 5,825 basis points. The spread settled at positive 9.99 percent by the final trading session of the week, compared to a negative 48.25 percent in the preceding week, reflecting improved investors sentiments. On the activity front, however, the average daily futures volume stood at 180.39 million shares, registering a sharp decline of 48.5 percent from the previous week's 349.98 million shares. In value terms as well, the average daily turnover dropped by 57.8 percent, declining to Rs 7.91 billion from Rs 18.78 billion a week earlier, indicating reduced participation in high-value contracts despite increased spreads. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025