Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on Industries and Production, Mr. Haroon Akhtar Khan, held an important meeting with the Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) Cluster of Rawalpindi today.
The meeting was attended by the President of the Rawalpindi Chamber of Commerce and Industry Mr. Usman Shoukat, the Acting CEO of SMEDA Nadia J. Seth, and representatives from the Ministry of Industries and Production.
During the meeting, pharmaceutical SMEs briefed the SAPM on their challenges and operational constraints. Mr. Haroon Akhtar Khan assured them that the government is fully committed to addressing their concerns in line with the vision of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif.
Mr. Haroon Akhtar Khan highlighted that the Prime Minister’s priority is to align SMEs with modern technology, strengthen their role in the economy, and enhance their contribution to employment generation and exports.
He stated that “SMEs are the backbone of the economy, and their role is commendable. The government is committed to empowering them through targeted reforms and support policies.”
The SAPM announced that the government is formulating a policy to provide Pharma Parks for pharmaceutical SMEs. A model of a Pharma Park is being developed and will soon be presented to the Prime Minister.
He added that the government, in collaboration with the banking sector, is working to improve SMEs’ access to credit, while SMEs participating in the export sector will be provided export financing to boost their international competitiveness.
Mr. Haroon Akhtar Khan reiterated the government’s commitment to elevating the quality and standards of Pakistani SMEs to meet global requirements. He emphasized that commercial attachés and diplomats must play a more proactive role in supporting SMEs and identifying export opportunities.
The SAPM also underlined the Prime Minister’s vision to promote local vaccine manufacturing in Pakistan, noting that the National Vaccine Policy is currently in the final stages of development. He stated that enhancing domestic vaccine production will strengthen health security and simultaneously benefit the SME sector.
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