SMEDA Briefs Business Community on Development Services at LCCI Expo

By Farzana Chaudhry
Lahore, Pakistan
LAHORE: The Small and Medium Enterprises Development Authority (SMEDA) briefed local businessmen on its business development services, including pre-feasibility studies, business planning and taxation support, aimed at ensuring the success and sustainability of small and medium enterprises (SMEs).
The information was shared by a two-member team of SMEDA experts, Mr. Saddam Qazi and Mr. Aamir Tariq, through a dedicated stall set up at the SME Finance and Banking Expo, organized by the Lahore Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI).
SMEDA officials highly appreciated the LCCI and the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) for organizing the expo, describing it as a significant initiative for the SME sector. They said the day-long event played an important role in raising awareness about the banking sector’s efforts to enhance SMEs’ access to finance in line with the directives of the Prime Minister of Pakistan.
According to SMEDA representatives, the expo successfully provided comprehensive information on SME-focused credit schemes, easy financing options, investment opportunities, digital banking services, Islamic finance products and other financial facilities available to businesses.
During the expo, LCCI President Faheemur Rehman Saigol, Executive Director SBP Syed Basit Ali, SBP Chief Manager Tariq Riaz, LCCI Senior Vice President Tanveer Ahmed Sheikh, Vice President Khurram Lodhi, and SAARC Chamber Vice President Mian Anjum Nisar visited the SMEDA stall while touring the exhibition.
A large number of prospective entrepreneurs, government officials and representatives of existing SMEs also visited the SMEDA stall. SMEDA officials briefed visitors on the organization’s initiatives to support micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs), with a particular focus on women entrepreneurs and microenterprises.
They highlighted SMEDA’s ongoing efforts to improve the bankability of MSMEs by facilitating access to finance and promoting digital literacy, in line with the current government’s vision. The initiatives and services attracted strong interest from young entrepreneurs, businessmen and members of the general public.