SAPM Haroon Akhtar Khan Meets SME Clusters from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa
Islamabad : Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on Industries and Production, Haroon Akhtar Khan, met today with representatives of Small and Medium Enterprises (SME) clusters from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KPK). The meeting was also attended by Acting CEO SMEDA Nadia, Additional Secretary for Industries and Production, and the Director General to the SAPM.
During the meeting, Haroon Akhtar Khan shared the vision of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif for Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs). He stated that the Prime Minister envisions aligning SMEs with modern technology to enhance productivity and competitiveness.
“Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif believes that small businesses are the backbone of economic growth, employment generation, and export promotion,” said Haroon Akhtar Khan. He further emphasized that the Prime Minister is committed to empowering women through entrepreneurship and skill development to achieve inclusive economic progress.
Haroon Akhtar Khan noted that no country can achieve sustainable economic development without strengthening its small and medium enterprises. He assured that the government is facilitating SMEs through banks and collaborating with international consultants to introduce best practices.
During the meeting, SMEDA informed that a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) has been signed with Mobilink, enabling online bank registration through smartphones for SMEs.
Mr. Haroon Akhtar Khan highlighted that Pakistan is playing a leading role in promoting SME cooperation among D-8 countries. The SME representatives appreciated the Ministry of Industries and Production’s efforts and expressed gratitude to Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and SAPM Haroon Akhtar Khan for their initiatives to uplift the SME sector.
Representatives from the SME clusters emphasized the need for government support for the furniture sector in KPK and pointed out the immense export potential of the province’s honey industry. Mr. Haroon Akhtar Khan assured that SMEDA will extend facilitation for honey production and packaging improvements.
He also underscored that the provision of Islamic banking facilities, financial support, and funding mechanisms will ensure SME growth. SMEDA, he said, will continue to provide technical assistance and technology upgradation to SMEs, enabling them to compete regionally and globally.
Mr. Haroon Akhtar Khan praised the performance of SMEs in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa despite numerous challenges and directed that coordination with the provincial government be enhanced for the establishment of new industrial estates in the region.
He further instructed SMEDA to provide engineers and designers to assist SMEs in improving product design and value addition.
“The promotion of SMEs will strengthen Pakistan’s economy and create employment opportunities for the youth,” concluded Mr. Haroon Akhtar Khan.
Sohail Majeed is a Special Correspondent at The Diplomatic Insight. He has twelve plus years of experience in journalism & reporting. He covers International Affairs, Diplomacy, UN, Sports, Climate Change, Economy, Technology, and Health.
