As per Lawkidunya, The Small and Medium Enterprise Development Authority (SMEDA) is a government-owned organization in Pakistan that plays a vital role in promoting and developing the small and medium enterprise (SME) sector in the country. Established in 1998, SMEDA is responsible for providing support to SMEs in Pakistan, with the aim of enhancing their competitiveness, productivity, and contribution to the national economy.
Mission and Objectives
The mission of SMEDA is to promote and develop the SME sector in Pakistan, with a focus on creating a favorable business environment, providing support services, and enhancing the competitiveness of SMEs. The objectives of SMEDA include:
1. Promoting SMEs: SMEDA aims to promote SMEs in Pakistan by providing them with access to finance, technology, and markets.
2. Enhancing Competitiveness: SMEDA works to enhance the competitiveness of SMEs in Pakistan by providing them with training, consultancy, and other support services.
3. Creating Employment Opportunities: SMEDA aims to create employment opportunities in Pakistan by supporting the growth and development of SMEs.
4. Increasing Exports: SMEDA works to increase exports from Pakistan by supporting SMEs in accessing international markets.
Functions and Services
SMEDA provides a range of services to SMEs in Pakistan, including:
1. Business Planning and Advisory Services: SMEDA provides business planning and advisory services to SMEs, including feasibility studies, business plan development, and market research.
2. Training and Capacity Building: SMEDA provides training and capacity-building programs for SMEs, including entrepreneurship development, management skills, and technical training.
3. Access to Finance: SMEDA provides access to finance for SMEs, including loans, grants, and equity investments.
4. Market Access and Promotion: SMEDA provides market access and promotion services for SMEs, including market research, product development, and export promotion.
5. Technology Transfer and Innovation: SMEDA provides technology transfer and innovation services for SMEs, including technology transfer, research and development, and innovation support.
Initiatives and Programs
SMEDA has launched several initiatives and programs to support the growth and development of SMEs in Pakistan, including:
1. SME Policy 2007: SMEDA developed the SME Policy 2007, which provides a framework for the development of SMEs in Pakistan.
2. SME Development Centers: SMEDA has established SME Development Centers across Pakistan, which provide support services to SMEs, including training, consultancy, and access to finance.
3. SME Finance Scheme: SMEDA has launched the SME Finance Scheme, which provides loans to SMEs at subsidized interest rates.
4. Export Development Program: SMEDA has launched the Export Development Program, which provides support to SMEs in accessing international markets.
Achievements and Impact
SMEDA has achieved significant success in promoting and developing the SME sector in Pakistan, including:
1. Creation of Employment Opportunities: SMEDA has created over 100,000 employment opportunities in Pakistan through its support to SMEs.
2. Increase in Exports: SMEDA has helped to increase exports from Pakistan by supporting SMEs in accessing international markets.
3. Improvement in Competitiveness: SMEDA has helped to improve the competitiveness of SMEs in Pakistan by providing them with training, consultancy, and access to finance.
Conclusion
In conclusion, SMEDA plays a vital role in promoting and developing the SME sector in Pakistan. Through its range of services and initiatives, SMEDA has helped to create employment opportunities, increase exports, and improve the competitiveness of SMEs in Pakistan. As the SME sector continues to grow and develop in Pakistan, SMEDA will remain a key player in supporting the growth and development of SMEs in the country.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is SMEDA?
SMEDA is the Small and Medium Enterprise Development Authority, a government-owned organization in Pakistan that promotes and develops the SME sector in the country.
2. What are the objectives of SMEDA?
The objectives of SMEDA include promoting SMEs, enhancing their competitiveness, creating employment opportunities, and increasing exports.
3. What services does SMEDA provide to SMEs?
SMEDA provides a range of services to SMEs, including business planning and advisory services, training and capacity building, access to finance, market access and promotion, and technology transfer and innovation.
4. What initiatives has SMEDA launched to support SMEs?
SMEDA has launched several initiatives to support SMEs, including the SME Policy 2007, SME Development Centers, SME Finance Scheme, and Export Development Program.
5. What impact has SMEDA had on the SME sector in Pakistan?
SMEDA has had a significant impact on the SME sector in Pakistan, including the creation of employment opportunities, increase in exports, and improvement in competitiveness.