LAHORE – SME is the only route to prosperity Rehmatullah Javed Founder mission Chief of SAARC Chamber,Founder of LCCI & SME expert of Pakistan.
He further added that all developed countries like Japan, Korea, China & Taiwan became super ecnomic powers through their SMEs. Industrial revolution can change the fate of Pakistan. He suggested that Import less & Export more to promote Made in Pakistan must be our basic target.
He added that SMEs were hit hard during pandemic but again this sector if properly supported will deliver in these hard days of COVID. Government must pay full attention to promote SMEs industrialisation and excess to finance must ensured at very low rate of 3/4%. A vertual guarantee fund must be established to provide easy collateral to SMEs for financing by banks.All Pakistani commerical banks do not like to finance SMEs and avoid SBP instructions.A process of strict monitoring must be introduced by SBP to ensure financing by commerical banks to SMEs.
Javed stated that deposit portfolio of SMEs to the banks is much larger than mega projects whereas loan portfolio of the banks to SMEs is almost nil which must be controlled. Mr. Javed said organisations like SMEDA must pay full attention to promote small entrepreneurs and guide them to start new business. SMEDA is going very slow and have failed to provide proper capcity building programs to guide the beginners.SMEDA managers must be changed with fresh & entrepreneurial qualities. He added that Prime Minster excellency Imran Khan is in strong favour to promote SMEs.
He also strongly suggested to the policy makers that economic industrial & trade policy for the year 21-22 must be formulated with consultation of stake holders specialy keeping in view the promotion of SMEs He has further advised to provide long term loans at a very low mark up so that SMEs May pay their bills and pay off to their labour. Javed said that let us promise to promote SMEs on this SME world day.
