The Union of Small and Medium Enterprises (UNISAME) has urged Prime Minister (PM) Imran Khan and his cabinet to revisit the highly important SME policy made by all the stakeholders, in collaboration with international institutions and SME experts back in 2007, and give the sector the validation and priority that it deserves to enable it to meet its challenges and goals.
President UNISAME Zulfikar Thaver stated that the SME policy in place is an inclusive policy made with the consent of all stakeholders in SME promotion and development. He said that the policy foresees the uplifting of the majority sector on a fast track basis and on modern lines and takes into account all the challenges, requirements and limitations that Small and Medium Enterprises face, making itself a noteworthy policy that must not be neglected.
He also added that the policy bears in commitment that it is the responsibility of the state to ensure the promotion, support and uplifting of the under privileged sectors of the economy, and that such measures should not be regarded as an encumbrance or charity by the government.
The comprehensive policy deals with every aspect of SME promotion and development right from access to finance, modernization, value addition, training, research, technical support for up gradation, marketing support both domestic and global, efficient logistics with collateral management capabilities, he said.
Besides the strengthening of the pillars of the economy namely banking, leasing, insurance and logistics it has envisaged the promotion of alternate energy, a system of redressing complaints through the office of ombudsman, as well as alternate dispute resolution.
It has also promised an SME specific bank, SME Export Promotion Bureau, Chamber of Commerce for SMEs, Institute of technology for transfer of technology to fill the technological gap, in addition to the provision of Credit Guarantee Insurance.
He stressed on the issue that the re-validation of the policy is going to put it in good gear for the benefit of the micro to medium sized sector inclusive of the SME farmers in the fold for fast track promotion of the primary, secondary and tertiary sectors without any loss of time.
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