SME Competitiveness Strategy for Sindh
KARACHI ( Web News )
The Sindh Provincial Working Group for the Development of Small & Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs) held a meeting on 29 March 2022 in Karachi, presided by Chief Secretary Sindh Syed Mumtaz Ali Shah.
The Provincial Working Group reviewed strategic recommendations and approved a technical paper setting the strategic orientation for the Sindh SME Development Strategy. The strategic orientations for SME development in Sindh are based on a thorough analysis of SME performance using results of a SME Competitiveness Survey, quantitative analyses, bilateral meetings with key institutions. The Strategic orientation for the SME strategy are also derived from consultations held in November 2021 in Karachi and Hyderabad with more than 200 public and private stakeholders from agriculture, manufacturing and services sectors of Sindh.
The provincial working group also approved six thematic areas for detailed action planning: Technology and Innovation, Digitalization, Access to Finance, Entrepreneurial and Business Skills, Institutional and Business Development Services, and Inclusive and Responsible Business.
Senior Officer Export Strategy at ITC, Charles Roberge said ‘’Any strategy is as good as its implementation, and for this I am glad the working group has come together to focus on planning for results. The technical paper is an interim milestone in formulating the SME strategy, which seeks to build up the enabling ecosystem of SMEs in Sindh..‘’
Chief Secretary Sindh Syed Mumtaz Ali Shah was encouraged by the progress, and said he was optimistic the Strategy will encapsulate the rural SMEs in addition to those based in urban areas. He said: “‘Sindh SMEs Competitiveness Strategy’ is aimed to be the cornerstone of the province plan to build a conducive eco-system for SMEs in close collaboration between the public and private sector. The consultative and prioritization efforts have already contributed to identify for quick-win activities for assisting SMEs rapidly.”
The private sector representatives highlighted a keen interest to take a leading role in the design and implementation of SME Development Strategy. President and CEO of Sindh Bank, Mr. Imran Samad stressed upon the greater involvement of the private sector in governance of the initiative and said that “the decision-making [on issues related to SMEs] development should engage with the private sector”. This point was echoed by Member Planning and Development Board Dr. Gul Mohammad Laghari, and SMEDA’s Provincial Chief Mr. Mukesh Kumar
The Sindh SME Development Strategy is designed by the Government of Sindh, under the leadership of the Department of Industries and Commerce. This initiative is supported by Technical assistance from International Trade Centre (ITC) through its Growth for Rural Advancement and Sustainable Progress (GRASP) a project funded by the European Union