PESHAWAR: SMEDA reaffirmed its commitment to fostering entrepreneurship, attracting investment, and creating a business-friendly environment as government officials, industry leaders, and entrepreneurs came together to celebrate World Micro, Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (MSME) Day at a ceremony jointly organized by the Small and Medium Enterprises Development Authority (SMEDA) and the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Board of Investment and Trade (KP-BoIT).
The event, attended by a large gathering of business stakeholders, representatives of trade bodies, chambers of commerce, public sector organizations, and entrepreneurs, highlighted the pivotal role of MSMEs in driving economic growth, employment generation, and sustainable development in the province.
Special Assistant to the Chief Minister on Industries and Commerce, Hamayun Khan, who graced the occasion as the chief guest, reaffirmed the provincial government’s resolve to accelerate business and industrial development through inclusive policymaking and stronger engagement with the private sector.
“We are committed to creating an enabling environment where businesses can thrive. The government will continue to involve all stakeholders in policymaking while promoting technical and vocational skills to harness the immense indigenous potential of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa,” he said.
Provincial Chief SMEDA (KP), Rashid Aman, underlined the significant contribution of MSMEs to Pakistan’s economy and highlighted SMEDA’s ongoing initiatives to facilitate entrepreneurs, particularly micro and small enterprises.
He assured aspiring entrepreneurs that SMEDA’s doors remain open for business advisory services and technical support, adding that following the success of the ‘Made in Pakistan’ Exhibition in Lahore, the authority is now preparing a dedicated exhibition to showcase products manufactured in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
Vice Chairman KP-BoIT, Engineer Hassan Mahmood, said the board is working closely with SMEDA and provincial departments to strengthen investment promotion and industrial development across the province.
He highlighted key reforms, including the enactment of the Aasaan Karobar Act and the development of the Aasaan Karobar Portal, aimed at simplifying business procedures and improving the ease of doing business in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
Entrepreneurs Tariq Khattak and Ayub Zakori shared their entrepreneurial journeys, encouraging governments to introduce further reforms that facilitate business growth and empower young people to embrace entrepreneurship as a pathway to economic prosperity and nation-building.
The event concluded with a renewed commitment from both public and private sector stakeholders to strengthen collaboration in promoting innovation, investment, and entrepreneurship, recognizing MSMEs as a cornerstone of inclusive and sustainable economic development in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
