Latest news with #SmallandMediumEnterprisesDevelopmentAuthority
Observer
21 hours ago
- Business
- Observer
Al Dhahirah opens technology and crafts exhibition to inspire entrepreneurs
IBRI: The Technology and Crafts Exhibition, organised by the Small and Medium Enterprises Development Department in Al Dhahirah Governorate, was organised under the auspices of Shaikh Khalid bin Salim al Saadi, Deputy Wali of Ibri. The three-day event brought together producers; and small and medium enterprise (SME) owners from various fields and governorates across Oman. The exhibition featured a rich programmme of activities, including dialogue sessions showcasing the experiences and success stories of craftsmen and entrepreneurs across different sectors. It served as an inspiring platform for SMEs to improve business quality and adopt modern technologies to develop products and services for consumers. The event also promoted handicraft products while fostering a culture of entrepreneurship and empowering innovators to launch their own projects. The exhibition served as an inspiring platform for SMEs to improve business quality Salim bin Ali al Farsi, Assistant Director of the Small and Medium Enterprises Development Authority in Al Dhahirah Governorate, described the exhibition as a pioneering initiative that integrates artistic creativity with modern technology. He noted that it combines authentic handcrafted traditions with contemporary advancements such as 3D printing, augmented reality and artificial intelligence. Al Farsi emphasised that the exhibition's goal is not only to display products but also to stimulate dialogue, encourage innovation and support participants and technology pioneers in exploring new horizons of creativity and enterprise. — ONA
Express Tribune
2 days ago
- Business
- Express Tribune
National SME Survey launched
Listen to article In a landmark step towards data-driven policymaking, the Small and Medium Enterprises Development Authority (Smeda) and Pakistan Bureau of Statistics (PBS) formally launched field operations for the National SME Survey at a ceremony held at the PBS office in Lahore, which coincided with the World MSME Day. Senior leadership from both organisations attended the event and emphasised the critical importance of the SME Survey in shaping the future of Pakistan's economic landscape. In his speech, Smeda CEO Socrat Aman Rana highlighted that SMEs were the backbone of Pakistan's economy, contributing 40% to the national GDP, 31% to total exports and generating nearly 78% 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. PBS Chief Statistician Naeemuz Zafar remarked that the survey was being undertaken in a phased manner and was designed to cover strategic sectors of SMEs.
Business Recorder
2 days ago
- 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
Observer
29-05-2025
- Business
- Observer
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.
Business Recorder
22-05-2025
- Business
- Business Recorder
NA panel reviews SMEDA, PIDC performance
ISLAMABAD: A parliamentary panel on Wednesday conducted a comprehensive examination and review of the performance, operational functions, and organisational structures of the Small and Medium Enterprises Development Authority (SMEDA) and the Pakistan Industrial Development Corporation (PIDC). The 2nd meeting of the Sub-Committee of National Assembly Standing Committee on Industries and Production met here on Wednesday with Muhammad Mobeen Arif in chair. The committee was appraised that SMEDA is an autonomous institution of the under Ministry of Industries and Production. SMEDA was established in October 1998 for encouraging and facilitating the development and growth of small and medium enterprises in the country. SMEDA is not only an SME policy-advisory body for the government of Pakistan but also facilitates other stakeholders in addressing their SME development agendas. Further the body formulate a policy to encourage the growth of SMEs in the country and advise the government on fiscal and monetary issues related to SMEs, facilitation of Business Development Services to SMEs and facilitate the development and strengthening of SME representative bodies associations/ chambers. Currently, SMEDA has a portfolio of twenty-eight projects with a total outlay of Rs4.2 billion. The authority has provided more than 0.15 million SME facilitation, over 4750 trainings, more than 400 pre-feasibility studies and over 600 consultants profiles. PIDC primarily operates as an infrastructure developer of industrial parks /estates to facilitate industrial growth across Pakistan. Five Industrial Parks are being developed/ managed by PIDC. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
