PM orders measures to support SMEs

Shehbaz visits Bangladesh embassy, condoles Khalida Zia's death

ISLAMABAD:

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has directed the relevant institutions to expedite measures for providing loans to small and medium enterprises on easy terms through banks and other financial institutions.

Chairing a meeting regarding Small and Medium Enterprises Development Authority (Smeda) at the PM House on Monday, the prime minister commended Special Assistant Haroon Akhtar and Smeda's newly elected board of directors for formulating a practical and effective plan.

"Small and medium enterprises are the backbone of the country's economy," the prime minister said, adding that "there is immense potential to increase the country's exports through the development of small and medium enterprises."

A three-year roadmap for the promotion of small and medium enterprises was presented in the meeting besides a detailed briefing on the problems faced by the SMEs and the plan of action to address them; the strategy to include the SMEs in the country's exports, and other measures included in the business plan.

Prime Minister Shehbaz also visited the Bangladesh High Commission to express his condolences on the passing away of Begum Khaleda Zia, former prime minister of Bangladesh and chairperson of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party.

The prime minister conveyed his condolences to the Charge d'Affaires of Bangladesh, signed a message in the condolence book, and also offered Fateha for the departed soul.

In his condolence message, he paid rich tribute to Zia, describing her as a visionary leader and an eminent political figure who devoted her life to public service.

Remembering the late leader as a sincere friend of Pakistan, the prime minister noted that she had left behind an enduring and inspirational legacy.

(WITH INPUT FROM APP)