Lahore (GNP) : Special Assistant to the Prime Minister (SAPM) on Industries and Production, Haroon Akhtar Khan, addressed the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signing ceremony between the Small and Medium Enterprises Development Authority and the Pakistan Institute of Fashion and Design, terming it a strategic step toward inclusive and innovation-driven economic growth.
The ceremony was attended by Federal Secretary for Industries and Production Saif Anjum, Vice Chancellor PIFD Dr. Hina Tayyaba, Director PIFD Dr. Shawana Khalil, SMEDA Board Member Asiya Sahil Khan, CEO SMEDA Nadia Jehangir Seth, along with senior officials and representatives from the business community.
Speaking on the occasion, Haroon Akhtar Khan stated that the MoU represents more than a formal agreement, calling it “an alignment of vision with value and a convergence of enterprise and creativity.” He emphasized that when innovation meets enterprise, economies not only grow but also gain competitive distinction in the global market.
Highlighting the government’s economic direction under Shehbaz Sharif, he said Pakistan is transitioning towards a model where innovation serves as currency, creativity as capital, and design as a source of strategic strength. He noted that the country is shifting from volume-based production to value-driven competitiveness, focusing on quality, branding, and global positioning.
The SAPM underscored that Pakistan possesses immense untapped potential, particularly among women entrepreneurs and microenterprises. However, he pointed out that the primary challenge lies not in capability but in access to markets, networks, and opportunities. “This initiative aims to bridge that gap by providing structure, visibility, and voice to emerging enterprises,” he added.
He described the SMEDA–PIFD partnership as a strategic collaboration designed to connect small and medium enterprises (SMEs) with creative and design expertise. The initiative will focus on enhancing product development, improving manufacturing efficiency, strengthening branding and packaging, enabling digital access, and building scalability for businesses to compete in international markets.
Haroon Akhtar Khan also highlighted the government’s commitment to women’s economic empowerment, stating that the upcoming National Women Entrepreneurship Policy will play a transformative role in reshaping the entrepreneurial ecosystem. “Empowerment is not merely about assistance—it is about access, agency, and acceleration,” he remarked.
He further noted that countries investing in design and innovation export not only products but also identity, value, and influence. Stressing the need for alignment between policy and practice, talent and opportunity, and creativity and commerce, he termed the MoU as an important step toward positioning Pakistan higher in the global value chain.
The SAPM concluded by stating that the initiative sends a strong signal that Pakistan’s SMEs, youth, and women entrepreneurs are ready to lead and compete globally. He congratulated both SMEDA and PIFD for this timely initiative, expressing confidence that it would contribute to job creation, innovation, and sustainable economic development.
Earlier, CEO SMEDA Ms. Nadia Jehangir Seth highlighted that the partnership reflects SMEDA’s commitment to supporting underserved enterprise segments through practical and scalable interventions. She noted that the collaboration would particularly benefit women-led and home-based businesses by providing access to design support, business development services, digital tools, and formal market linkages.
The MoU also includes plans for a ‘Three-Year National Product Development Support Programme’ focusing on women entrepreneurs and microenterprises. The initiative aims to strengthen industry-academia linkages, promote innovation, and enhance competitiveness across Pakistan’s SME sector.
The collaboration is expected to significantly improve product quality, production efficiency, digital participation, and financial access, thereby contributing to inclusive economic growth and employment generation across the country.
