174 SMEs, 20+ Clusters: Pakistan Unveils Its Largest SME Platform
LAHORE :- Special Assistant to the Prime Minister (SAPM) on Industries & Production, Haroon Akhtar Khan, inaugurated Pakistan’s first-ever national cluster-based exhibition, “Made in Pakistan – SME Cluster Showcase Expo 2026,” at the Expo Centre.
The three-day Expo, organized by the Small and Medium Enterprises Development Authority (SMEDA) under the Ministry of Industries & Production, brings together 174 SMEs from more than 20 clusters across Pakistan, showcasing value-added products and export-ready potential. The event serves as a comprehensive platform for B2B, B2G, and B2I linkages, policy dialogue, technical sessions, and networking between investors, buyers, and entrepreneurs.
Addressing the inaugural ceremony, Haroon Akhtar Khan termed the Expo a milestone in Pakistan’s economic development, stating that the “Made in Pakistan” SME Cluster Showcase reflects a bright future for domestic industry and exports.
He emphasized that the initiative aligns with the economic vision of Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif, under which the SME sector is being modernized through cluster-based and data-driven development.
Haroon Akhtar Khan noted that transparent selection of participating SMEs was carried out through chambers of commerce and trade bodies nationwide, with special focus on Balochistan, Azad Jammu & Kashmir, Gilgit-Baltistan, and women entrepreneurs. A dedicated pavilion features products made by women-led enterprises, reflecting the government’s commitment to inclusive economic growth.
Calling SMEs the backbone of Pakistan’s economy, he said their progress directly translates into national progress.
He added that the Expo is a key step toward integrating Pakistan more strongly into the global supply chain while offering a prime networking opportunity for investors, buyers, and institutions.
Federal Secretary Industries & Production Saif Anjum said SMEs hold a central place in Pakistan’s economic landscape, similar to many economies worldwide.
He noted that insights from the Expo would support evidence-based policymaking and targeted cluster development initiatives.
CEO SMEDA . Nadia Jahangir Seth termed the Expo a defining moment for Pakistan’s ME sector, as diverse clusters are being presented on a single national platform with a focus on outcomes rather than display alone.
The showcased sectors include textiles and handicrafts, sports goods, leather, surgical instruments, cutlery, furniture, agribusiness, marble and granite, and light engineering.
The inauguration ceremony was also addressed by SMEDA Board Member . Aasia Saail. Representatives of sponsoring institutions — HBL, Pak Suzuki, Bank Al Habib, Bank of Punjab, — along with business leaders, diplomats, and foreign delegates from Malaysia, Azerbaijan, Kenya, Russia, and Bangladesh attended the event in large numbers.
The SME Cluster Showcase Expo 2026 stands as a national statement of Pakistan’s industrial capability and entrepreneurial strength, inviting the world to partner in a future defined by innovation, resilience, and inclusive growth.
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.
