SMEDA leads initiative to connect SMEs across 57 OIC states

LAHORE: The Small and Medium Enterprises Development Authority (SMEDA) has taken a major step towards connecting businesses across 57 member states of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) through a proposed networking platform aimed at promoting cross-border trade, investment and market access. A three-day international workshop, held from October 27-29 under the COMCEC Project Funding Programme, concluded with a commitment to develop a practical, financially sustainable framework for the platform.

SMEDA, under the Ministry of Industries and Production, brought together SME development institutions from Turkiye, Egypt, Senegal and Malaysia, along with international experts, to develop the platform’s organisational structure, governance mechanism and financial sustainability model.

Rana Ahmed Ateeq Anwar, Coordinator to the Prime Minister on Small and Medium Enterprises, said the initiative could help businesses identify credible commercial partners, access new markets and strengthen cross-border trade and investment.

He said the government fully supported the initiative in line with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s economic vision, stressing that its success would depend on effective coordination, an inclusive institutional framework and sustainable operations.

Federal Secretary for Industries and Production Ahsan Ali Mangi, addressing the concluding ceremony, said the workshop marked an important step towards establishing a workable mechanism for business cooperation. He emphasised that the platform should facilitate meaningful connections between enterprises and potential buyers, suppliers, distributors, investors and technology partners.

SMEDA CEO Nadia Jahangir Seth said the initiative would strengthen economic connectivity among OIC countries, support export-led growth and improve international market access for small and medium enterprises.

The proposed platform is envisioned as a common gateway for business-to-business matchmaking, market information and institutional cooperation, enabling SMEs to explore new markets and participate in regional and international value chains.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2026