LAHORE: Special Assistant to Prime Minister for Industries and Production Haroon Akhtar Khan has reaffirmed the government’s commitment to creating a robust and competitive ecosystem for Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs).
Speaking at “Expo Faisalabad 2026”, being held from July 24 to 26 at the Expo Center, Lahore, he said that the sector remains central to Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s vision for sustainable economic growth, industrial development and export promotion.
He said Pakistan has already militarily shown its prowess to the world and now it’s time to show economic resilience and development.
Appreciating the efforts of the Faisalabad Chamber of Commerce & Industry (FCCI) for organising the exhibition, Haroon said, “Faisalabad is the industrial and textile heart of Pakistan and a major contributor to our exports and manufacturing sector. Platforms like Expo Faisalabad create valuable opportunities for entrepreneurs to showcase their products, build business partnerships and explore new markets.”
The SAPM said the government has placed special emphasis on improving access to finance, promoting business formalisation, enhancing exports and creating an enabling environment where entrepreneurs can innovate, invest and expand their businesses. He appreciated SMEDA’s proactive engagement with the business community and its efforts to connect entrepreneurs with government support programmes through exhibitions and outreach activities across the country.
Earlier, CEO SMEDA Nadia Jahangir Seth said the Authority remains committed to supporting entrepreneurs through strategic partnerships and market-driven interventions.
“SMEDA believes that exhibitions such as Expo Faisalabad are powerful platforms for connecting entrepreneurs with opportunities, knowledge and government support services.” Its participation reflects the commitment to promoting business formalization, improving competitiveness, facilitating market access and strengthening Pakistan’s MSME ecosystem through sustained engagement with the private sector, she added.
She pointed out that SMEDA has established a dedicated helpdesk where entrepreneurs and visitors are being briefed on the flagship initiatives, government support programmes and business development services. The helpdesk is also facilitating free registration of informal enterprises through the SME Registration Portal (SMERP), enabling businesses to formalize their operations and benefit from enhanced opportunities for growth, financing and market access, she further said.
Copyright Business Recorder, 2026
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