CALL TO IMPLEMENT SME POLICY WITHOUT DELAY…Financial Daily 21/03/22

President UNISAME Zulfikar Thaver said since SME sector is the majority sector the  stress is on fast implementation of SME Policy 2021 in letter and spirit.

Secondly he suggested strengthening of the pillars of the economy namely banking, insurance, leasing (under pay as you earn scheme) and logistics. It is high time these tools are sharpened and modernized to meet the challenges of the time. Time is the essence he strongly urged. Much time has been lost as the policy took 3 years for its approval.

Thirdly the UNISAME Council members recommended facilities for promoting border trade with Afghanistan and Iran becoming window for marketing  produce of border countries and making best of the opportunity as Afghanistan lacks global recognition and international acceptance and now is the best time. For that matter even Iran is facing difficulties as sanctions are not interpreted correctly and Pakistan could promote items not under sanctions due to their coming under food and medicines.

They also expressed very urgent need for monitoring various imports of various items although made in Pakistan of international standards  but are still imported and need to be monitored.

They emphasized the need to give top priority for import substitution industries and promote it in a very big way.

The SME exporters said exports were increasing but there is vast scope and much more could be done if our geographical indications items are given focused attention and efforts are made to enter international markets.

The law and order situation and corruption were discussed as matters of deep concern and considered reasons for the present political turmoil and the reason for not delivering according to promises of the government.

The Council  suggested establishment of SME Liaison Committee (SME-LC) to act as a liaison between the entrepreneurs and the government and also a free legal aid sub committee under it to protect the rights of the SMEs  who are sometimes unnecessarily harassed by officials and victimized. The meeting resolved to contact the establishment  for prompt redress and knock at the doors of appropriate forums for prompt  implementation of SME policies.