LAHORE: The Small and Medium Enterprises Development Authority (SMEDA), in collaboration with Lahore Chamber of Commerce & Industry (LCCI), organised a stakeholder engagement session in Lahore to commemorate World MSME Day 2026.
The event brought together MSMEs, entrepreneurs, representatives of chambers and trade associations, women entrepreneurs, young entrepreneurs, financial institutions, academia and other stakeholders to celebrate the contribution of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) towards economic growth, employment generation and innovation.
Ms. Saleha Saeed, GM, Central Support, SMEDA in her opening remarks, highlighted the significance of World MSME Day and briefed participants on SMEDA’s mandate and services. Faheem Ur Rehman Saigol, President, LCCI as chief guest highlighted the importance of entrepreneurship and enterprise development in strengthening Pakistan’s economy. He appreciated the role being played by MSMEs in creating employment opportunities, fostering innovation and promoting inclusive economic growth.
Muhammad Javed Afzal, Regional Chief, Central, SMEDA, briefed the participants on SMEDA’s Three Year Business Plan 2025-2028 and SMEDA’s ongoing initiatives for MSME development across Pakistan. He informed the participants that SMEDA continues to facilitate MSMEs through business development services, entrepreneurship support, policy advocacy, access to finance facilitation, cluster development initiatives, export development support and capacity-building programmes.
Usman Khan, Member SMEDA Board, stated that Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises are the backbone of Pakistan’s economy and play a critical role in employment generation, innovation and economic growth. Strengthening MSMEs, he stressed, required close collaboration between the public and private sectors.
Ms. Aasia Sail, Member SMEDA Board also shared her thoughts with reference to the MSME Day celebration and the important role especially the micro enterprises are playing in the economy of Pakistan.
Sheikh Sajjad Afzal, Convener SME Committee, LCCI also spoke on the occasion and stressed the need of creating enabling environment and ease of doing business to give more opportunities to the MSMEs to flourish and contribute to the economy and exports.
Ms. Falahat Imran, President Women Chamber of Commerce & Industry, Lahore in her remarks appreciated the ongoing efforts of SMEDA and the Government of Pakistan for supporting the MSMEs in general and women entrepreneurs in particular.
Copyright Business Recorder, 2026
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