World Accreditation Day: How SMEDA’s landmark project gains traction?

The Small and Medium Enterprises Development Authority (SMEDA) has intensified its efforts to help small and medium enterprises obtain internationally recognized certifications through its landmark ‘SME Certification & International Accreditation Grant Programme’. 

SMEDA’s efforts to reach out a maximum number of entrepreneurs gain resonance as World Accreditation Day 2026 is being marked under the theme “Innovation, Trust and Sustainability: The Power of Accreditation” on June 9. 

SMEDA, in line with the government’s renewed commitment to strengthening the SME sector by enabling businesses to meet global standards, improve competitiveness and enhance their export potential, has helped several enterprises overcome the financial and procedural barriers that often prevent them from obtaining international certifications. 
“SMEDA is offering 70 percent matching grant to cover the certification cost up to Rs800,000 and related consultancy cost up to Rs200,000 under the project. The response from entrepreneurs has been highly encouraging as businesses from diverse sectors and regions of the country have applied for certification support, reflecting growing awareness of the importance of compliance,” according to officials overseeing the project. 

Officials says the initiative aims to help SMEs, especially women and startups, acquire certifications such as ISO standards, HACCP, Halal Certification and CE Marking. The programme, they emphasize, is being implemented through a transparent mechanism, with applications processed on a first-come, first-served basis while ensuring compliance with eligibility requirements. 

A key feature of the initiative is special focus on women-led enterprises, start-ups and businesses operating in underserved regions, add officials.  

Industry experts believe that wider adoption of international standards can significantly strengthen Pakistan’s export ecosystem by enabling SMEs to integrate into global value chains and access new markets.

They note that in an increasingly competitive global environment and accreditation have become essential tools for building trust and demonstrating quality.

In order to encourage and facilitate more and more entrepreneurs, SMEDA offers a convenient process through SME Registration Portal (SMERP).