Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on Industries and Production, Haroon Akhtar Khan, represented Pakistan in the first virtual session and 8th Meeting of the D-8 Governmental Bodies on Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs). He was joined by the Secretary of Industries and Production, Saif Anjum, and the CEO of SMEDA, Suqrat Aman.
D-8 and SME Development
The Developing-8 Organisation (D-8), established in 1997, includes Bangladesh, Egypt, Indonesia, Iran, Malaysia, Nigeria, Pakistan, and Türkiye. Since 2010, its SME Governmental Bodies have advanced cooperation in financing, e-commerce, technology transfer, industrial parks, and SME networking. The recent launch of the D-8 SME Centre in Abuja, Nigeria, marks a milestone, providing innovation, digital trade, and capacity-building opportunities.
Pakistan’s Vision for SMEs
Haroon Akhtar Khan stressed that under Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s leadership, Pakistan views SMEs as engines of sustainable growth and inclusive industrialisation. He noted that SMEs account for nearly 40% of GDP in many developing countries and are essential for job creation, poverty reduction, and innovation.
“SMEs are the backbone of our economy and the basis of regional integration,” Khan said, highlighting Pakistan’s globally recognised strengths in textiles, surgical goods, IT, and sports. He added that financing constraints, technology gaps, and limited market access must be tackled collectively to unlock new opportunities.
Strengthening Regional Cooperation
Secretary Saif Anjum underlined that the D-8 framework enables member countries to integrate into global value chains and boost industrial growth. The 8th Meeting reaffirmed the role of SMEs in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and agreed on key priorities, including digital transformation, financing access, green practices, and empowering women and youth entrepreneurs.
Pakistan’s Regional Economic Diplomacy
The meeting concluded with a joint pledge to enhance SME cooperation across D-8 states. Pakistan reiterated its resolve to align SME policies with international standards and strengthen regional economic diplomacy, positioning SMEs as a cornerstone of development and competitiveness.
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