SMEDA initiates a certification program to assist Pakistani SMEs in achieving global competitiveness.

The Small and Medium Enterprises Development Authority (SMEDA) has initiated the SME Certification & International Accreditation Grant Program to assist Pakistani SMEs in attaining international standards and broadening their worldwide presence.

Small and medium-sized enterprises are universally acknowledged as a fundamental pillar of economic expansion. In Pakistan, around seven million firms exist, contributing 40% to GDP, generating 78% of non-agricultural employment, and accounting for 30% of exports. Nonetheless, the majority of SMEs function on a modest, unrecorded scale, with restricted access to financing and global trade prospects.

To address this disparity, SMEDA’s Certification Program will offer grants to cover expenses related to acquiring internationally recognized certifications and accreditations, thereby assisting SMEs in formalizing their operations and enhancing their worldwide competitiveness.

Officials assert that the plan corresponds with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s aim of advancing formalization, enhancing exports, and stimulating national economic growth. The program will be executed openly, with applications handled in the order of their submission.

Start-ups and female entrepreneurs are particularly urged to engage. SMEDA has streamlined the application process and provides expert assistance to assist SMEs in achieving export readiness, enhancing operational processes, and fortifying their businesses for sustained growth.

The program encompasses awareness campaigns and seminars aimed at educating SMEs on the advantages of international compliance and export development. Entrepreneurs seeking participation may verify eligibility and submit applications via the SMEDA website or the SME Registration Portal. Registration is complimentary and represents a crucial advancement in converting informal entrepreneurship into sustainable and lucrative economic enterprises.