ISLAMABAD: The 35th Board meeting of the Small and Medium Enterprises Development Authority (SMEDA) was held on November 25, 2025, chaired by Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on Industries & Production, Haroon Akhtar Khan. The meeting was attended by Federal Secretary for Industries & Production Saif Anjum, Acting CEO SMEDA Nadia J. Seth, and senior officials from related departments.
In line with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s vision for promoting micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs), the Board announced that the national exhibition “Made in Pakistan MSME Clusters 2025” will be held in January 2026. The event will feature product displays, exhibition stalls, national MSME awards, and panel discussions with both national and international experts. SAPM Haroon Akhtar Khan stressed that Pakistan’s SME clusters possess “immense untapped potential” and that deliberations are ongoing to select the top 100 MSMEs for national awards.
The Board informed that, in collaboration with D-8 member countries, a high-level panel of global and local experts will be constituted for the exhibition. Invitations will also be extended to international partners and stakeholders, while Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif will inaugurate the national SME exhibition.
SMEDA officials briefed the Board on a comprehensive business roadmap prepared with support from A.T. Kearney, focusing on cluster development across urban and rural regions. Cluster-specific business plans are being finalized to enhance SME growth and competitiveness.
Key initiatives announced include the launch of a dedicated e-commerce portal for women-led enterprises, deployment of specialized designer teams for digital marketing of SME products, facilitation of access to global trade fairs for Pakistani handicrafts, and finalization of cluster-specific business models nationwide.
SAPM Haroon Akhtar Khan added that a detailed SME Business Plan highlighting challenges and opportunities will be submitted to the Prime Minister. He emphasized that enabling women entrepreneurs through digital commerce and boosting exports through enhanced digital advertising remain top government priorities, reinforcing Pakistan’s commitment to fostering a robust SME ecosystem.
