Latest news with #SMEDA
Saba Yemen
16 hours ago
- Business
- Saba Yemen
Field day for vegetable farmers in Hamdan, Sana'a
Sana'a - Saba: Fares Al-Kahali, Deputy Governor of Sana'a for Services Sector, emphasized the importance of encouraging and supporting farmers to enhance agricultural productivity, particularly in cereal crops. His remarks came during a field day for vegetable farmers in Hamdan District, organized by the Small and Micro Enterprises Development Agency (SMEDA) of the Social Fund for Development (SFD). The event was funded and supported by the International Development Association (IDA) of the World Bank in partnership with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), under the supervision of the Agricultural Sector in the province. Al-Kahali highlighted the need to develop and improve agricultural extension programs to educate farmers on best practices and modern techniques that help reduce costs and increase production rates. He praised the farmers' engagement with project officials and their cooperation in implementing various agricultural production programs. For his part, Ali Al-Qiri, head of the Agricultural Sector in the governorate, commended the farmers' interaction, stressing the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, Water Resources, and local authorities' commitment to developing agricultural infrastructure by supporting farmers to achieve self-sufficiency. He also appreciated the support of the SFD, SMEDA, and all partners involved in implementing the project, which targets 60 farmers in the Wadi'ah area of Hamdan District. Fahd Attiya, Director of Hamdan District, noted the local authority and agricultural sector's dedication to farmers, in line with the directives of the Revolution Leader and the Supreme Political Council to support farmers and facilitate agricultural development. Meanwhile, Abdulrahman Al-Akhram, Cash-for-Work Program Officer at SFD, Bashir Al-Azib, Livelihood Improvement Supervisor, and Mansour Sanad, Head of the Project's Community Committee, explained that the "Integrated Development Interventions" project under the Second Additional Financing for the Social Protection Enhancement Project in Hamdan District aims to support 60 small-scale vegetable farmers in Breesh and Dharhan villages. The project provides technical guidance for vegetable production using modern agricultural techniques, including modern irrigation systems, agricultural inputs, and advanced methods, covering a quarter-hectare per farmer in areas known for irrigated vegetable farming from sustainable wells in Wadi'ah. The total project cost is $120,000, covering 15 hectares. Additionally, the project includes interventions such as rehabilitating ponds, dams, irrigation channels, and terraces in Dharhan and Al-Lakmah villages under the Cash-for-Work component, costing $255,000. The initiative seeks to contribute to food security, improve livelihoods, introduce modern agricultural inputs and techniques, reduce production and irrigation costs, minimize crop losses, increase vertical production per unit area, and enhance farmers' income. Officials praised the support of the agricultural sector and local authorities in Hamdan, as well as the farmers' cooperation in ensuring the project's success. Whatsapp Telegram Email Print more of (Local)
Express Tribune
05-07-2025
- Business
- 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
05-07-2025
- Business
- Business Recorder
IP rights for SMEs: SMEDA, IPO agree to undertake joint awareness drive
LAHORE: The Small and Medium Enterprises Development Authority (SMEDA) and the Intellectual Property Organization (IPO) have agreed to undertake the joint efforts to make SMEs aware of the significance of Intellectual Property Rights. 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
Business Recorder
28-06-2025
- Business
- Business Recorder
SMEDA, PBS launch National SME Survey
LAHORE: In a landmark step towards data-driven policy making, the Small and Medium Enterprises Development Authority (SMEDA) and the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics (PBS) formally launched the field operations of the National SME Survey at a special ceremony held at the PBS Office in Lahore, coinciding with World MSME Day. Senior leadership from both organisations attended the event and emphasized the critical importance of the SME Survey in shaping the future of Pakistan's economic landscape. In his address, Socrat Aman Rana, CEO SMEDA, highlighted that Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) are the backbone of Pakistan's economy, contributing approximately 40 percent to the national GDP, 31 percent to total exports, and generating nearly 78 percent of total employment. He underscored that despite their pivotal role, the lack of reliable and comprehensive data has historically hindered the development of effective, targeted SME policies. He further informed the audience that Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, during a meeting of the Steering Committee on SME Development, had directed the launch of a nationwide SME Survey to address the long-standing issue of outdated and fragmented data. In line with this directive, SMEDA and PBS joined hands to design and implement the National SME Survey through a collaborative and consultative process involving multiple stakeholders. Appreciating PBS's dedication and technical leadership, CEO SMEDA commended the Bureau's unwavering efforts in successfully executing the early phases of the survey. Speaking on the occasion, Naeem Uz Zafar, Chief Statistician, PBS, remarked that the survey is being implemented in a phased manner and is designed to cover strategic economic sectors of SMEs through a total of 12 sectoral surveys. He informed the house that four of these surveys have already been successfully completed, owing to the close coordination between PBS, SMEDA, and other stakeholders. Marking World MSME Day 2025, the Chief Statistician and CEO SMEDA announced the commencement of field operations for the next five sectoral surveys of Education, Human Health & Social Work Activities, Publishing & Software Development, Acco mmodation & Food Service Activities (Hotels and Restaurants) and Other Personal Service Activities. He added that these surveys would generate reliable and current data to support evidence-based policymaking and promote inclusive and sustainable growth within Pakistan's SME sector. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
Zawya
30-05-2025
- Business
- Zawya
Oman: Dialogue session calls for supporting SMEs financially
MUSCAT: The Small and Medium Enterprises Development Authority (SMEDA) held its thirteenth dialogue session on enhancing opportunities for small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in the financial services sector. Abdullah bin Salem al Salmi, Chairman of the Financial Services Authority, presided over the event. As part of the authority's efforts to partner and integrate with relevant entities and improve the business environment and its attractiveness to SMEs, a dialogue session was held on the financial services sector and related activities. Al Salmi said: "It is very important to have dialogue and consultation between institutions and beneficiaries of these sessions. We heard many challenges, questions and inquiries from entrepreneurs, many of which are solvable and we encourage entrepreneurs to participate in such sessions. Among the issues we addressed were that SMEs need funding, support and assistance in matters related to managing the enterprises until they reach a level that enables them to survive during the first three or four years. They require attention from all of us, to help and embrace them so that they can continue in their business." The session aimed to boost the role of SMEs in developing financial services by presenting innovative ideas and improving operational efficiency, encouraging government and private partnerships and cooperation with SMEs, and raising awareness of the importance of the sector as a vital component of supporting the national economy. The session included several topics, including policies, legislation, licences and enablers that support SMEs in developing innovative solutions and partnerships in the financial services sector. Financial support is one of the most important factors for the success of SMEs and startups. Recent efforts have contributed to providing various support factors for the growth of entrepreneurial activities. According to the authority's latest statistics, there are 150,601 SMEs registered in the authority's database, including 131,315 micro-enterprises, 18,222 small enterprises, and 1,064 medium enterprises. Of these, 27,724 have obtained an Entrepreneurship Card. 2022 © All right reserved for Oman Establishment for Press, Publication and Advertising (OEPPA) Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc. (
