SMEDA consults women chambers to boost businesses

Lahore: The Small and Medium Enterprises Development Authority (SMEDA) is intensifying its dialogue with women chambers nationwide, seeking to uncover the obstacles confronting women-led businesses and enhance their access to finance, skills, markets, and support services. This initiative is part of SMEDA's broader strategy to encourage women's entrepreneurship and fortify micro-enterprises as a cornerstone of inclusive economic expansion.

The consultation, led by SMEDA Board Member Aasia Saail, called for the establishment of robust institutional frameworks to cater to the unique requirements of women entrepreneurs and render SME support programs more accessible and responsive. Saail highlighted the forthcoming Women Entrepreneurship Portal, which will equip women entrepreneurs with essential business insights, support services, and opportunities.

Additionally, SMEDA announced the development of a comprehensive database of women entrepreneurs to enable policymakers and institutions to design targeted programs and improve access to finance, incentives, training, and market connections. SMEDA is also joining forces with national and international allies, such as the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) and the Pakistan Institute of Fashion and Design (PIFD), to deliver technical aid, capacity building, and entrepreneurship development assistance.

Representatives from women chambers conveyed the challenges faced by women-owned businesses, particularly in securing finance, accessing markets, obtaining business information, enhancing skills, and receiving institutional support. SMEDA officials emphasized that the gathered feedback would guide the authority in devising demand-driven interventions and enhancing collaboration with women's business organizations to foster the growth of women-led enterprises and micro-businesses across Pakistan.