Islamabad: Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on Industries and Production, Haroon Akhtar Khan has emphasized that all stakeholders must fully support Small and Medium Enterprises in Gilgit-Baltistan, Azad Jammu and Kashmir, and Balochistan. He was presiding over a meeting in Islamabad with Small and Medium Enterprises clusters from Azad Jammu and Kashmir, Balochistan, and Gilgit-Baltistan.

According to Radio Pakistan, the Special Assistant to the Prime Minister stated that the government is working to establish single-window desks at the provincial level to facilitate SMEs. He reaffirmed that Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s SME Loan Scheme will be delivered to every eligible enterprise across the country. He directed SMEDA to maintain close coordination with all provincial departments to ensure effective support for SMEs.

Haroon Akhtar requested government support to promote Pakistan’s organic food sector and boost its export footprint. He further said that organic dates of Balochistan and organic wheat of Azad Jammu and Kashmir have huge potential in the international market.

On their part, representatives from the Gilgit-Baltistan Chamber emphasized the need for SMEDA’s support in developing value-added products and establishing warehousing facilities. Haroon Akhtar Khan directed SMEDA to work jointly with the GB Chamber to prepare a feasibility report on warehouse development. He further stressed that the State Bank of Pakistan must play a key role in improving access to finance for SMEs.

Similarly, the Mirpur Chamber of AJK stressed the need for a Digital SME Program for AJK and highlighted difficulties faced by local SMEs in accessing loan schemes. They also emphasized the importance of providing skills to women entrepreneurs, particularly in fruit harvesting and startups.

Representatives from the Balochistan Chamber highlighted the urgent need for government attention to the province’s olive sector, which has vast potential. The SAPM said that olive oil extraction and value addition can enhance both local and global market demand. During the meeting, participants discussed in detail the regional challenges of SME clusters, particularly issues related to logistics, value addition, financing, and infrastructure gaps.