Minister lays stress on better SME productivity
PHOTO: EXPRESS
Productivity enhancement and competitiveness of small and medium enterprises (SMEs) is the key to achieving sustainable development, said Federal Minister for Industries and Production Makhdoom Khusro Bakhtiar.
At a session organised by the National Productivity Organisation (NPO) for women entrepreneurs on Thursday, the minister noted that the proposed SME policy would outline incentives for women-oriented businesses, thus reducing gender gap in financial inclusion and mainstreaming women’s role in the economy.
The government would introduce a specialised credit facility for women-oriented firms, he said, requesting women participants to share their proposals with the government, as it would support the business community.
While highlighting government’s efforts to support industrial development, he said that the industries and production ministry would allot land to SMEs on the rental lease model in the Special Economic Zones (SEZs).
He called for a special lending scheme for the garment sector and IT-enabled services within the purview of SME policy.
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On the occasion, Parliamentary Secretary for Industries and Production Aliya Hamza highlighted that the ministry through organisations like NPO and Small and Medium Enterprises Development Authority (Smeda) was playing an active role to facilitate women entrepreneurs.
“The government is focusing on entrepreneurial opportunities for sustainable employment growth, skill-based education and engagement of youth and women in socio-economic affairs,” she said.
MNA Saira Bano shared that the government would take initiatives to utilise the potential of women entrepreneurs through NPO, Smeda and other relevant organisations.
Parliamentary Secretary for National Heritage and Culture Division Ghazala Saifi briefed the session participants that their division would support free stalls for the deserving women identified and recommended through chambers of commerce.
Published in The Express Tribune, October 1st, 2021.
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