SME FARMERS SEEK GOVT’S SUPPORT…The Financial Daily 11/09/2020

The Union of Small and Medium Enterprises (UNISAME) is disheartened and disappointed that the government has not taken measures to restore the SME farm sector and has urged prime minister (PM) Imran Khan to give top priority and also raise voice for donations from the international community as the SME farmers and SMEs are devastated due to floods in all the provinces and may not be able to survive without help from the government and the world organizations.
UNISAME president Zulfikar Thaver said the SME farmers and SME units engaged in value addition of produce items have suffered huge losses due to heavy rains resulting in floods and causing damage to farms, standing crops and warehouses not only the SME farmers are devastated but also SME traders and shopkeepers have also incurred huge losses.
The SME sector is relying on the hope that the PM being well aware of their turmoil will leave no stone unturned and take measures to uplift the sector to enable them stand on their feet again said Noorudin Jehangir Kazi secretary of SME Farmers Association (SMEFA).
UNISAME and SMEFA experts in a joint meeting have urged the PM to come to the help of the farm sector by giving subsidy on diesel, fertilizers and seeds as immediate relief to begin cultivation to cover their losses and survive.
Secondly Thaver also cautioned the exporters and traders of commodities not to commit supplies or export commitments for commodities and finished goods made out of produce raw materials as farms are flooded and standing crops of cotton, rice, spices and many other commodities have been destroyed in all the provinces.
He alerted the SME exporters and traders to wait till the prices of commodities are announced by the farm sector. It is apprehended that due to acute shortage of crops, pulses, vegetables and fruits the availability would be hindered. Secondly the logistics sector is also out of gear and disabled due to infrastructure damage.

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