LAHORE, July 31: Industries and Production Minister Liaquat Ali Jatoi has constituted a three-member committee to make the role and organizational structure of Smeda more effective and pro-active for countrywide equitable growth of the small sector.

The decision to set up the committee was taken at a meeting of the Smeda directors here on Thursday. The committee will lay down a viable plan in this purpose.

One of the Smeda directors, Shehzad Alam, was named head of the committee. Other committee members include Ms Farhana Mowjee and Zahid Aziz.

The committee will complete its report in three months and its recommendation would be implemented by the end of this year.

Speaking at the meeting, Mr Jatoi stressed the need to enhance investment and exports in the SME sector to the optimal level. He said Pakistan would not be able to face “international challenges without upgrading its technology and technical skills level”.

He advised Smeda to come forward with “highly professional and personalized service-giving approach to fill in the gap”. He also urged Smeda to make efforts for “enhancing value addition” in the SME sector.

The Smeda directors were confident that after the “realignment of its organizational structure, Smeda would bring about tangible results in the development and promotion of the SMEs”.

The board of directors was also apprised of Smeda’s past performance. It was brought into the notice of the directors that Smeda had worked to facilitate an investment of Rs3.933 billion in the SME sector and generated over 5,253 jobs and Rs42 million worth of exports.