SME policy for women demanded

Stakeholders and participants echo demand for fair playing field for women entrepreneurs

LAHORE:

The First Private Sector Consultative Session witnessed unanimous support for the establishment of a dedicated SME (Small and Medium Enterprises) Policy catering to women entrepreneurs in Pakistan.

Jointly organised by the Small and Medium Enterprises Development Authority (SMEDA) and the FCDO-funded organization ReMIT, the session convened at a local hotel on Tuesday.

Dr Shehla Javaid Akram, the founder President of the Women Chamber of Commerce and Industry, took the stage as the Keynote Speaker.

Other notable speakers included Nadia Jehangir Seth, GM Policy and Planning of SMEDA, and Usman Khan, Investment and Climate Financing Expert of REMIT.

Read Dedicated SME policy for women planned

Stakeholders and participants echoed the demand for a fair playing field for women entrepreneurs in Pakistan, emphasizing their role as active contributors to the national economy.

The consensus among speakers was that the development of an exclusive Women Entrepreneurship Policy (WEP) and Action Plan could be a transformative force in Pakistan’s economic landscape. The partnership of ReMIT, UKAid, ADB, and UN Women in this initiative was highlighted as an encouraging aspect.

The session successfully brought together women entrepreneurs from diverse sectors, development partners, and government representatives to delve into the primary challenges faced by women entrepreneurs in Pakistan.

Published in The Express Tribune, January 17^th, 2024.