A landmark three-day expo showcasing products from 174 small and medium enterprises (SMEs) commenced today at the Lahore Expo Centre, aiming to strengthen the national economy and expand market access for a critical sector, in line with the development vision of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif.
Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on Industries and Production, Haroon Akhtar Khan, is scheduled to inaugurate the first-ever ‘Made in Pakistan-SME Cluster Showcase Expo’, according to a report today. The opening ceremony will also feature addresses from Nadia Jahangir Seth, CEO of the Small and Medium Enterprises Development Authority (SMEDA), alongside representatives from sponsoring institutions including HBL, Bank Al-Habib, the Bank of Punjab, and Pak-Suzuki.
Organised by SMEDA under the supervision of the Ministry of Industries and Production (MoIP), the event is expected to attract significant participation, including diplomats and SME development agency representatives from Malaysia and Azerbaijan.
Following the inaugural proceedings, the first day’s agenda includes a symposium titled SME Development in Pakistan-Challenges and Policy Solutions. The session will be chaired by MoIP Secretary Saif Anjum and will feature speakers such as the presidents of the FPCCI and LCCI, in addition to the visiting delegates from Malaysia and Azerbaijan.
The second day of the expo will focus on contemporary business challenges, with symposiums on Digital Finance and Fintech for MSMEs, and another on Marketing and Branding led by expert Awais Bin Mehtab. A panel discussion on the public sector”s role with SMEs will also take place, involving officials from the BOI, TDAP, PSW, PBS, Planning Commission, provincial industry departments, and higher education institutions.
The event will conclude on Monday with an inception workshop on a Banana Fibre FAO Project. The showcase features products from more than 20 distinct SME clusters from across the country.
The exhibition is anticipated to bolster the country’s micro, small and medium enterprise ecosystem and position the nation”s SME clusters as a more competitive pillar of the economy.