SMEDA, PBS Sign MoU to Advance Evidence-Based SME Development in Pakistan

Farzana Chaudhry |PakistanLAHORE — The Small and Medium Enterprises Development Authority (SMEDA) and the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics (PBS) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) aimed at strengthening data-driven policymaking, research collaboration, and strategic cooperation for the growth of small and medium enterprises (SMEs) across Pakistan.

The MoU was formally signed by Ms. Nadia J. Seth, CEO of SMEDA, and Muhammad Sarwar Gondal (S.I), Member (SS/RM) of PBS, during DataFest 2025 — an event focusing on data innovation and policy integration under the Uraan Pakistan Program.

Speaking on the occasion, Ms. Seth said the partnership aligns with the SME development vision of the Prime Minister of Pakistan, being implemented under the supervision of SAPM Mr. Haroon Akhtar Khan and Secretary MoIP Mr. Saif Anjum. She emphasized that the initiative aims to drive employment generation, industrial development, and export competitiveness through evidence-based decision-making.

> “Improving the availability and use of SME-related data will enable more targeted policy interventions, strengthen business support programs, and identify opportunities for growth and competitiveness across key sectors,” Ms. Seth remarked.

Under the MoU, SMEDA and PBS will collaborate to share aggregate data, conduct SME-focused studies, and develop joint research outputs assessing the sector’s contribution to employment, productivity, and national economic growth. The agreement also includes provisions for capacity-building workshops, training sessions, and consultations to foster a data ecosystem supporting SME development.

DataFest 2025 is highlighting multiple themes of the Uraan Pakistan Program, particularly the creation of a data ecosystem for growth and investment, reinforcing Pakistan’s broader commitment to innovation-driven economic planning.