Islamabad, October 20, 2025 – Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Monday instructed the relevant authorities to accelerate the registration of cottage small and medium enterprises (SMEs) to help them access business loans and contribute to Pakistan’s industrial growth.
Chairing a high-level review meeting on SMEDA restructuring and SME development, the prime minister stressed the importance of small industries in driving national economic progress. He said that the growth of cottage industries forms the backbone of industrialized nations, as they supply essential raw materials to large-scale industries.
PM Shehbaz directed the Small and Medium Enterprises Development Authority (SMEDA) to set a clear timeline for implementing its restructuring roadmap and ensure swift execution. He also called for training programs in rural areas to help SMEs process agricultural commodities and improve value addition.
The prime minister appreciated initiatives promoting women’s participation in entrepreneurship and emphasized public awareness campaigns to highlight available SME opportunities.
During the briefing, officials informed the premier that SMEDA offices had been established in Azad Jammu & Kashmir and Gilgit-Baltistan, receiving positive feedback from the local business community.
A new SMEDA Board comprising private-sector experts has also been constituted, and the CEO appointment is expected to be finalized soon.
It was further revealed that progress had been made in SME capacity building, access to financing, and institutional collaboration. Moreover, an AI-powered Womenpreneurship Platform is being launched to support women entrepreneurs with resources on business registration, taxation, and skills development.