SMEDA, JICA Launch Five-Year Programme to Support Women Entrepreneurs

By Farzana Chaudhry, Lahore
Lahore: The Small and Medium Enterprises Development Authority (SMEDA), in collaboration with the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), has commenced work on a five-year programme aimed at supporting women entrepreneurs in Pakistan’s informal economic sector.
The initiative, titled “Project for Capacity Enhancement of Women Entrepreneurs in the Informal Economic Sector in Pakistan,” marks a significant step in SMEDA-JICA cooperation to promote inclusive economic growth.
Aligned with the economic vision of the Government of Pakistan, SMEDA is working to empower women-led enterprises by improving digital literacy, enhancing access to finance, expanding market opportunities, and strengthening export capabilities.
According to official data, women constitute nearly half of Pakistan’s population, yet their participation in the labor force remains low at 25.4 percent, with approximately 47 million women outside the workforce. Most women-led businesses operate informally and on a small scale, often employing fewer than five individuals.
SMEDA CEO Nadia Jahangir Seth said that a key component of the initiative is the Women Entrepreneurs Booster Package, a comprehensive support framework designed to accelerate business growth and promote sustainable entrepreneurship among women.
She added that the project will initially be piloted in Lahore and Sialkot, targeting around 2,000 women and transgender entrepreneurs. The programme will focus on high-potential sectors including IT, services, textiles, sports goods, and surgical instruments.
Nadia Jahangir Seth further stated that through targeted interventions, SMEDA aims to reduce gender disparity, increase women’s economic participation, and enable them to contribute to sustainable development.
Officials noted that the programme is a continuation of an agreement signed between SMEDA and JICA last year, underscoring the importance of addressing barriers faced by women entrepreneurs in Pakistan’s informal sector and fostering inclusive economic growth.