In keeping with its mandate to support Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises, the Small and Medium Enterprises Development Authority (SMEDA) is set to celebrate World MSME Day 2026 by organizing awareness activities and interactive sessions across country.
Observed globally on June 27 under the auspices of the United Nations, the day highlights the critical role of these enterprises in driving innovation, generating employment and promoting inclusive economic growth.
SMEDA strengthens MSME awareness, engagement under PM Shehbaz's vision
In line with the vision of Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif, who has consistently emphasized support for MSMEs for economic development of Pakistan, SMEDA aims to strengthen awareness about government initiatives and create greater engagement between entrepreneurs and public institutions.
SMEDA to recognise resilience, extend support services
SMEDA, with the support and guidance of the Ministry of Industries and Production, plans to organize a range of activities at the national and regional levels to acknowledge the resilience and achievements of Pakistan’s MSMEs and bring support services closer to businesses.
The main interactive session is scheduled to be held at the Islamabad Chamber of Small Traders and Small Industries, where Special Assistant to Prime Minister for Industries and Production Haroon Akhtar Khan is expected to deliver the keynote address.
Other sessions are expected to engage entrepreneurs, chambers of commerce, trade bodies, women and youth-led startups, financial institutions and development partners. As part of the initiative, district-level discussions are being planned to establish stronger linkages with local enterprises and provide a platform for dialogue on opportunities and challenges facing MSMEs.
SMEDA honours stakeholders, highlights initiatives and projects
Besides highlighting SMEDA’s initiatives and key projects launched in the recent past, SMEDA will distribute shields among the prominent stakeholders to acknowledge their contribution to the development of the MSME sector.
In a statement, Ms Nadia Jahangir Seth, Chief Executive Officer of SMEDA, says: “World MSME Day is not merely a ceremonial occasion; it is an opportunity to celebrate the entrepreneurial spirit of millions of Pakistanis and renew our collective commitment to creating an enabling environment where these enterprises can innovate, grow and compete.”
She says SMEDA, under the strategic direction set by the Ministry of Industries and Production and Board members, is working on a three-year Business Plan which focuses on enhancing access to finance, promoting business formalization, exports, subcontracting opportunities, climate-resilient enterprises and women entrepreneurship.
“Our renewed focus is on equipping women-led and microenterprises with digital and financial literacy, product development and export readiness, and providing them opportunities for market access, B2B linkages and value chain integration,” she emphasizes.
“The observance of World MSME Day 2026 will serve as a platform to raise awareness about SMEDA’s initiatives and encourage greater collaboration among government and financial institutions, academia and the private sector for the development of a resilient and globally competitive MSME ecosystem,” says the CEO SMEDA.
As part of its renewed commitment and institutional rejuvenation, SMEDA has stepped up activities to provide an enabling ecosystem to MSMEs - especially those in underserved areas in AJK, KP, GB and Balochistan - to avail themselves of incentives to enhance business activities and become competitive for meaningful contribution to the national economic growth.
