SMEDA, JICA Launch Landmark Project to Boost Women Entrepreneurship in Punjab

By Farzana Chaudhry | Lahore, Pakistan
LAHORE (April 30): Pakistan’s Small and Medium Enterprises Development Authority (SMEDA), in collaboration with the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), has launched a landmark initiative aimed at promoting women entrepreneurship and formalizing businesses in Punjab.
The five-year project, titled “Increasing Women-led Businesses in the Informal Economy Sector in Punjab,” was formally inaugurated at a ceremony in Lahore, attended by senior officials, development experts, and stakeholders from both Pakistan and Japan.
Speaking at the event, SMEDA CEO Nadia Jahangir Seth described the collaboration as a significant step toward creating an enabling ecosystem for women entrepreneurs, aligned with the development vision of the Government of Pakistan under the Ministry of Industries and Production.
She emphasized that the initiative focuses on strengthening institutional capacity, improving access to finance, enhancing market linkages, and promoting digital and financial literacy among women. She also noted that Pakistan’s first Women Entrepreneurship Policy, prepared by SMEDA, is expected to receive federal cabinet approval soon.
JICA’s Chief Advisor Chiyo Mamiya outlined the project’s roadmap, stating that the initial phase will be piloted in Lahore and Sialkot, with a target of integrating 2,000 women and transgender individuals into the formal economy.
The project aims to support participants in sectors such as sports goods, textiles, and services, while improving access to credit and enhancing export capabilities.
A key component of the initiative is the introduction of a “Women Entrepreneur Booster Package,” designed to accelerate business growth and ensure sustainable entrepreneurship among women operating in the informal sector.
Strategic Communication Specialist Sadaf Abid highlighted the critical role of women’s economic participation in achieving sustainable development, noting that while structural challenges persist, initiatives like this signal a positive shift.
Earlier, SMEDA’s General Manager for Gender and Sustainability Shehryar Tahir elaborated on the organization’s ongoing efforts to empower women and promote inclusive growth.
The ceremony concluded with an interactive workshop led by JICA Gender Expert Sonal Dhanani, focusing on key gender-related challenges and opportunities in Pakistan’s business landscape.