OTHER INSTITUTIONS TO JOIN HANDS WITH SBP,SMEDA AND SECP FOR SME UPLIFT

The Union of Small and Medium Enterprises (UNISAME) felicitated the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) on its plan to expand the 3S group as SME Pakistan Forum (SMEPF) on the pattern of SME Finance Forum of Berlin and the World SME Forum and similar other forums working for SME development and best coordination of stakeholders.
President UNISAME Zulfikar Thaver said the present 3S group of SBP, SECP and SMEDA has worked hard towards promoting interaction between the group, strengthening role of banks , DFIs, SECP and SMEDA for facilitating SMEs and suggesting improvements in SME policy.
The terms of reference of SMEPF are initiating and establishing interaction, coordination and facilitation among members for collaborative actions. Also preparation of recommendations and capacity building. Most important is
co-ordination and integrated plans for fast track SME promotion and development under the NFIS.
Thaver said since years we have been urging the government to form a committee for integrated efforts as the stakeholding institutions were making efforts but lacked coordination. There were issues of hierarchy and jurisdictions and several times when UNISAME approached SMEDA for promotion of export of SME wares it said it comes under the Trade Development Authority of Pakistan (TDAP) and on other occasions when the union advocated the cause of modern leasing facilities it was pointed out that it comes under the ambit of SECP and not SBP.
Thaver expressed satisfaction and happiness on the setting up of SMEPF and said it is a way forward. The SMEPF will also promote one window operation and all institutions will be on the same page for priority for the sector.
He urged the SBP to expedite the setting up of Exim Bank and the restructuring of SME Bank. He urged the TDAP to set up the SME Export Bureau. Other pending matters which need prompt finalization are the SME policy and the Office of the SME Ombudsman and the setting up of SME Liaison Committee (SME-LC).

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