PESHAWAR: Shaoor foundation for Education and Awareness has launched a program for marginalized Micro SMEs from 14 districts of Pakistan.
The program “Capacity Enhancement Leadership and Linkages Development Program for SMEs” was organized a Provincial level stakeholders meeting at National Incubation Center Peshawar here on Friday.
PASS was attended by representatives from all major public and private sector stakeholders including SMEDA, SECP, Women Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Ministry of planning and reforms, Founder of Change Mechanics, Representative NIC Peshawar, and key players of the SME Ecosystem. While explaining about the events mandate, Taimur Rehman – Director Programs said that Stakeholders will be encouraged to discuss debate and work towards creating more spaces and opportunities for micro enterprises.
CELL for SMEs is a two-year long project focusing on developing and enhancing the capacities of SMEs, create their innovative linkages and partnership for improved sustainable economic environment in Pakistan. The project is funded by the Cultural Affairs Office, US Embassy, Islamabad.
Shaoor Foundation for Education and Awareness strongly believe that SME sector is the backbone of any economy. In a country like Pakistan where more than 60% of the population is rural based it is very important to enhance the capacities of rural centric SMEs to help them scale and contribute to the overall economic growth.
Project team while giving remarks emphasized on the linkages development of marginalized SMEs with the Industry and academia to enhance their potential to help them contribute in to the economic development of the country.
Mr. Bilal Farooq Khan briefed the guests about NIC Peshawar’s contributions in the entrepreneurial ecosystem especially from the rural centric.
SME leaders Appreciated Shaoor’s efforts of enhancing entrepreneurial capacities and linkages development in rural Pakistan.
Syed Ahmed Masud – CEO Change Mechanics emphasized on strengthening each other’s efforts made in the same direction to achieve better goals.
The purpose behind stakeholders meeting was to learn from the experiences of those who have already worked for the SMEs on grassroot level and prospects of possible collaborations, this will not only enhance the project impact but also duplication of efforts will be avoided. Development sector is already doing a lot of work to boost the SME sector and it is very important to join hands to achieve bigger and better goals together.
