RAWALPINDI ( WNAM REPORT ): The Small and Medium Enterprises Development Authority (SMEDA), in collaboration with Rawalpindi Chamber of Chamber and Industry (RCCI), organized a stakeholder engagement session in Rawalpindi to commemorate World MSME Day 2026.
The event brought together MSMEs, entrepreneurs, representatives of chambers, Senior Vice President Khalid Farooq Qazi, Vice President Fahad Barlas, among others, Rizwan Khaleel Shamsi, Chief Manager State Bank Rawalpindi, representatives from the SME sector and trade associations, women entrepreneurs, young entrepreneurs, financial institutions, academia and other stakeholders to celebrate the contribution of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) towards economic growth, employment generation and innovation.
Usman Shaukat, President-RCCI graced the occasion as Chief Guest and highlighted the importance of entrepreneurship and enterprise development in strengthening Pakistan’s economy. He appreciated the role being played by MSMEs in creating employment opportunities, fostering innovation and promoting inclusive economic growth.
Speaking on the occasion, Mohammad Asghar Nasar, District Officer SMEDA, highlighted the significance of World MSME Day and briefed participants on SMEDA’s mandate, services and ongoing initiatives for MSME development.
He informed participants that SMEDA, under the Ministry of Industries and Production, continues to facilitate MSMEs through business development services, entrepreneurship support, policy advocacy, access to finance facilitation, cluster development initiatives, export development support and capacity-building programs.
In his remarks, Usman Shaukat, President RCCI, stated that Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises are the backbone of Pakistan’s economy and play a critical role in employment generation, innovation and economic growth. Strengthening MSMEs, he emphasized, required close collaboration between the public and private sectors. He appreciated SMEDA’s efforts in supporting entrepreneurs and creating platforms for dialogue with the business community.
The participants appreciated SMEDA’s efforts in supporting entrepreneurs and strengthening the MSME ecosystem. During the interactive session, stakeholders discussed key issues affecting MSMEs in the district, including access to finance/business formalization/export development/regulatory challenges/digitalization/other district-specific issues.
The session also provided an opportunity for participants to share recommendations aimed at improving the business environment and enhancing the competitiveness of local enterprises.
World MSME Day is observed globally on June 27 under a United Nations resolution to recognize the vital role of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises in achieving sustainable development, innovation and economic prosperity.
The event concluded with a renewed commitment by participants to work collectively towards creating an enabling environment for entrepreneurship, enterprise growth and job creation in Pakistan.
