LAHORE - The government needs to adopt the SME development as a top priority agenda , which should be followed up with a rigorous review of the growth strategies to ensure sustainable growth of the economy and the country with 180 million inhabitants facing challenges of being caught in a low growth trap. It was unanimously observed by various panelists while expressing their views at the Public-Private Dialogue arranged by the Small and Medium Enterprises Development Authority (SMEDA) today on “Role of Government in SME Development in Pakistan ”.
Mr. Sartaj Aziz former federal minister and the present Vice Chancellor of Beacon House National University was Chief Guest on this occasion. Whereas, Mr. Yousaf Naseem Khokhar CEO, SMEDA opened the Dialogue through a thought provoking address of welcome.
Mr. Sartaj Aziz, while addressing as Chief Guest, said that SMEs were the key to Pakistan ’s prosperity and the government of Pakistan should now move beyond the initial efforts made to support SMEs. He emphasized to build necessary infrastructure, provide business development support services and technological facilities to wide spreading SMEs in the country.
The panelists who participated in the dialogue as private sector representatives included Mr. Sajid Naqvi, Honarary Secretary General, UNISAME, Mr. Almas Hyder, CEO, SPEL Industries, Mr. Mumshad Ali, CEO, R.K. Gears, Pvt. Ltd., Lahore, Mr. Khawar Rafiq, Rafiq Engineering Industries Pvt. Ltd, Mr. Rehmatullah Javed, Federation of Pakistan Chamber of Commerce & Industry and a representative of the   women entrepreneurs.
Whereas, the panelists representing the public sector on this occasion were Mr. Liaquat Ali Dolla, Joint Registrar, Securities & Exchange Commission of Pakistan, Mr. Farhan Aziz Khawaja, Managing Director, Punjab Small Industries Corporation, Mr. Shahid Naseem, Director General Withholding, Federal Board of Revenue, Mr. Shahzad Hassan Rana, Director, Trade Development Authority of Pakistan, Ms. Zubaira Hassan, Head of Economics Department, Kinnaird College, Lahore and Mr. Muhammad Alamgir Chaudhary, General Manager-Outreach, SMEDA.