Pakistan has renewed its dedication to supporting small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) at the 8th Meeting of D-8 Governmental Bodies on SMEs. Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on Industries and Production, Haroon Akhtar Khan, along with Secretary of Industries and Production, Saif Anjum, and SMEDA CEO, Suqrat Aman, represented Pakistan at the virtual session. The Developing-8 Organization for Economic Cooperation (D-8), founded in 1997, includes Bangladesh, Egypt, Indonesia, Iran, Malaysia, Nigeria, Pakistan, and Trkiye. The group focuses on boosting economic standing, trade, and living standards through joint efforts in areas like agriculture, energy, industry, tourism, and SME advancement.
Since the D-8 SME Governmental Bodies’ inception in 2010, the alliance has progressed policies on funding, online commerce, technology sharing, industrial zones, and business networking. The recent establishment of the D-8 SME Center in Abuja, Nigeria (2025) marks a significant step, acting as a center for innovation, digital commerce, and capacity development for member nations.
Khan stressed Pakistan’s commitment, under Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s leadership, to transforming SMEs into engines of sustained economic expansion and drivers of inclusive industrial progress. He noted that SMEs contribute almost 40% to developing economies’ GDP, making their strengthening crucial for employment, innovation, and poverty alleviation. Khan declared SMEs as the foundation of both national economies and regional economic integration. He highlighted the global recognition of Pakistani SMEs, particularly in textiles, surgical equipment, IT, and sporting goods, and emphasized the nation’s determination to boost their competitiveness.
Khan acknowledged financing limitations, technology disparities, and market access as persistent hurdles but expressed confidence in the collective ability to turn these obstacles into prospects. He reiterated Pakistan’s dedication to aligning its SME policies with international benchmarks, ensuring inclusivity, and involving all stakeholders.
Secretary Anjum emphasized the D-8 framework’s role in enabling member states to participate in global value chains, fostering stronger regional partnerships and industrial expansion. The 8th Meeting reaffirmed the importance of SMEs in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and agreed to improve funding access, digital adoption, environmentally sound methods, and youth and women’s empowerment within member states. Pakistan remains dedicated to advancing regional economic collaboration and promoting SMEs as the core of development and global competitiveness.