ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Wednesday directed the Small and Medium Enterprises Development Authority (Smeda) to develop a comprehensive strategy to provide financial support to SMEs and entrepreneurs, aiming to boost their capacity and expand their access to global markets.

While chairing a meeting on the matter, the prime minister directed that promoting entrepreneurship and ensuring equal facilities and uniform technical support nationwide should be among Smeda’s foremost institutional objectives.

Mr Sharif directed that the ongoing Smeda programme aimed at ensuring greater participation of women in small and medium-sized industries and businesses should be further expanded.

He also directed that digital platforms be used effectively to give local entrepreneurs access to national and international commercial markets.

The prime minister said Smeda’s strategy for promoting businesses should cover as many regions and sectors as possible.

He further directed the authority to formulate a strategy comprising special measures to organise production and commercial linkages of agricultural commodities.

He directed that equal attention should be given to financial support for entrepreneurs, enhan­ce­ment of technical capa­city and provision of facilities.

Published in Dawn, September 17th, 2026