The Board of Directors of the Small and Medium Enterprises Development Authority (SMEDA) "which is incomplete at present" is going to hold its meeting on Monday (tomorrow) to fill the vacant post of Chief Executive Officer of the Authority.
The sources told Business Recorder that there is no representation from the private sector in the SMEDA's Board of Directors which is mandatory. Therefore, the meeting is likely to be attended by the ex-officio members from the government side only, which include Secretaries of the Ministries of Industries, Commerce, Finance, FBR and Acting CEO of SMEDA besides PM Advisor on Industries as Chairman of the Board. The single point agenda of the meeting is to select a candidate for the vacant post of Chief Executive Officer.
SMEDA was constituted in October 1998 to promote SMEs in the country and the SMEs being based in private sector were provided leadership from the private sector. That is why the private sector still owns equal representation in the Board of Directors. The six out of the total 12 board members are mandatory to be included from the private sector.
At present, the entire side of private sector members is missing in the Board whereas appointment of SMEDA's chief requires approval from the competent and complete board. The business community leaders are wondered why the government is not involving private sector in SMEDA's management and why the most important decision like appointment of SMEDA's top boss is being made without representation of private sector in the Board.
The private sector is concerned over missing of their representatives in SMEDA board and also over selection of a permanent CEO in SMEDA saying the appointment made by the incomplete Board would be illegal and unlawful. There is an impression the in private sector that the process for appointment of the Chief Executive Officer is being abused to ensure selection of a government's blue eyed for this important office.
The sources further said that CEO post has been vacant since last six months. An advertisement to fill the post was published in July last for which a number of the SME experts, including SMEDA's senior general managers, had applied as candidates. According to the advertisement, the eligible candidates were required to have 18 years relevant post qualification experience besides degrees in the relevant discipline.
The applicants were called for interviews last week in Islamabad and have been asked to appear again before the Committee for final decision on Monday. It is pertinent to mention that simultaneously, the SMEDA's Board meeting has also been conveyed on Monday so that its approval for appointment of Chief Executive Officer could be sought.
Copyright Business Recorder, 2019
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