ISLAMABAD: Special Assistant to the Prime Minister (SAPM) on Industries and Production Haroon Akhtar Khan on Saturday chaired a follow-up meeting with the Small and Medium Enterprises Development Authority (SMEDA) to review support measures for small and medium enterprises, particularly in the pharmaceutical sector.
The meeting came a day after his detailed interaction with the SMEs Cluster of Rawalpindi and the President of the Rawalpindi Chamber of Commerce and Industry (RCCI), where pharmaceutical SMEs highlighted their challenges and called for structured government backing, according to an official statement.
During the meeting, the SAPM directed SMEDA to prepare a detailed plan and framework for establishing a Pharma Park in Islamabad, terming such a facility essential to support pharmaceutical SMEs and provide an enabling environment for growth, innovation, and quality improvement.
Haroon Akhtar Khan said SMEs possess significant potential but require proper platforms and institutional support to scale up and contribute more effectively to the national economy. He noted that Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s economic vision places SMEs at the centre of efforts for revival, job creation, and export growth.
He also stressed the need to strengthen women’s entrepreneurship, instructing SMEDA to expand facilitation programmes, training initiatives, and outreach to ensure greater participation of women in business.
The SAPM urged SMEDA to adopt a more proactive and strategic role in supporting SMEs across sectors by providing guidance, identifying bottlenecks, and proposing practical solutions. He reiterated that the Ministry of Industries and Production remains focused on strengthening SMEs through sector-specific initiatives, improved access to finance, and stronger linkages with local and international markets.
