KARACHI, Oct 25: The Small and Medium Enterise Development Authority (Smeda) is set to undertake new projects in agro processing and value-addition of fruits and vegetables produces in Sindh.

This was decided in a meeting held on Thursday between Smeda CEO Yousaf Naseem Khokhar and Planning and Development Department additional chief secretary Malik Asrar Hussain. Both sides agreed to increase cooperation between Smeda and Sindh government departments. An MoU would also be signed in this regard between Smeda and P&D Department for enhanced cooperation.

Our reporter from Lahore adds: A Korean delegation has termed the services and projects of the Smeda innovative for SME development in Pakistan.

Acknowledging Smeda’s work and terming it beneficial for Pakistan, Dr Jang Ho Chioi who led a three-member Korean delegation on Thursday said that Pakistan and Korea could spur their pace of economic development by sharing knowledge and experience in the SME sector. He particularly admired the initiatives introduced by Smeda through its SME Policy 2007.

Smeda General Manager Central Support Khurram Khan assured the Korean delegation of cooperation under the knowledge sharing programme jointly chalked out by the Pakistan and Korea governments.

Earlier, Smeda experts briefed the delegation about services, projects and products developed by Smeda for SME sector in Pakistan. The delegation was informed that since its inception, Smeda had extended an investment facilitation of around Rs10 billion through new venture creation, business match-making, productivity and exports.

Later, the delegation also visited various projects created by Smeda including its foundry service centre and AHAN.