05 October 2004	Tuesday	19 Shaban 1425

KARACHI, Oct 4: Production and Industries Minister Jehangir Khan Tareen said on Monday the government was keen to promote small and medium enterprises and all-out efforts were being made to expand this sector.

In a meeting with the representatives of Union of Small and Medium Enterprises (Unisame) led by its President Zulfikar Thaver held here, the minister assured SME sector's representation on the board of Smeda and other bodies dealing with this sector.

Unisame put forward some of the irritants and their solution which the minister welcomed. The minister was informed that without proper representation on the Smeda board, SME Bank, SME Leasing, National Bank of Pakistan, the PCSIR, the Engineering Board, the Export Promotion Board and other organizations, the required pace and growth in the SME sector could not be achieved.

Mr Thaver also demanded setting up an SME body that could coordinate with government bodies for the development of SME sector. He also stressed upon the need for establishing an SME fund and industrial estates and sought relaxation and waver of import duties. A demand for setting up of import and export houses and formation of export credit guarantee insurance for SMEs was also raised.

Mr Tareen appreciated the role of Unisame and directed the Smeda CEO to take Zulfikar Thaver on the board of directors of Smeda and also give full support to the union in setting up of a chamber of commerce and industry for SMEs.

He also directed heads of various financial institutions for providing facilities to SMEs. The minister said coordinated efforts were going on to ensure a fast and quick implementation of SME related matters.