The World Bank expressed interest in exploring a potential collaboration with the Small and Medium Enterprises Development Authority (Smeda) during a recent mission to the agency. Delegates discussed ongoing initiatives for SME development and sought specific opportunities for joint cooperation.
Kiran Afzal, a Senior Private Sector Specialist, joined the World Bank delegation alongside Senior Economists Javier Sanchez-Reeza and Koan Martin Geven. Sheharyar Tahir, Raja Hassanein Javed, and Javed Afzal represented the senior management team of Smeda at the meeting.
The two sides examined mechanisms to formalise their cooperation, including the possibility of signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU). Tahir briefed the delegation on the primary pillars of the SME Policy 2021.
Smeda currently operates under a three-year business plan that prioritises underserved areas and targeted interventions to overcome SME challenges. The briefing highlighted priority areas such as access to finance, export readiness, women entrepreneurship, microenterprise development, digitalisation, e-commerce, and the National Subcontracting Development Programme.
Officials also noted that climate resilience and green finance are emerging areas of focus for future initiatives.
