Islamabad: Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif has decided to include women entrepreneurs associated with cottage industries and small businesses in the Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) sector. The decision was made during a meeting in Islamabad to review ongoing reforms under the Small and Medium Enterprises Development Authority (SMEDA).

According to Radio Pakistan, the Prime Minister has formed a committee to create a comprehensive action plan aimed at empowering women involved in small-scale businesses. He has instructed the committee to submit its recommendations to him. Additionally, he has directed the relevant authorities to prioritize the empowerment of educated and skilled women in rural and remote areas, facilitating women entrepreneurs in cottage industries.

The Prime Minister also emphasized the need to establish facilitation centres to provide specialized training to women in cottage industries, thereby enhancing their business capabilities. Furthermore, he instructed the concerned authorities to offer low-cost loans to women through the Youth Loan Scheme.

During the meeting, Shehbaz Sharif highlighted the government’s commitment to empowering women, who make up nearly half of the country’s population. He assured that the government will provide all necessary resources and training to enable women to gain employment and manage their businesses effectively.

The Prime Minister was also briefed on the steps taken for the development of Small and Medium Enterprises under SMEDA.