UNISAME urges policy makers to implement SME Policy
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 Union of Small and Medium Enterprises (UNISAME) in its committee meeting earnestly urged the policymakers to implement the SME Policy without delay on the fastest track.
The UNISAME Council emphasized empowering SMEDA and also simultaneously increasing the speed and efficiency of bureaucracy for putting the plans into action promised under the SME policy 2021.
President UNISAME Zulfikar Thaver said since the SME sector is the majority sector the stress is on the fast implementation of SME Policy 2021 in letter and spirit.
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Secondly, he suggested strengthening 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 a 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 a very urgent need for monitoring various imports of various items although made in Pakistan of international standards are still imported. vehicles and need to be monitored.
They emphasized the need to give top priority to import substitution industries and promote it in a very big way.
The SME exporters said exports were increasing but there is a 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 the establishment of the 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.
