Islamabad
The All Pakistan Business Forum (APBF) has welcomed the government’s renewed commitment to strengthening the micro, small and medium enterprises (MSME) sector, saying the announced initiatives have the potential to accelerate industrial growth, employment generation and exports, provided they are implemented effectively and without bureaucratic delays.
In a joint statement, APBF President Syed Maaz Mahmood and APBF Chairman Ibrahim Qureshi said the government’s focus on MSMEs reflects the importance of the sector, which remains the backbone of Pakistan’s economy by contributing significantly to GDP, exports and employment
They said sustained support for small businesses is essential to achieving inclusive economic growth and improving the country’s industrial competitiveness.
They observed that access to affordable finance continues to be the biggest challenge facing SMEs despite recent improvements in lending.
While appreciating the increase in SME financing and the establishment of the Rs30 billion SME Development Fund, they stressed that easier access to credit, simplified loan procedures and lower financing costs are critical for enabling entrepreneurs to expand their businesses.
The APBF leaders said small businesses account for the overwhelming majority of enterprises in Pakistan but continue to face difficulties due to high borrowing costs, multiple taxes, expensive energy, cumbersome documentation and limited access to technology. Addressing these structural constraints is essential if the sector is to realise its full potential.
Syed Maaz Mahmood said the government’s emphasis on innovation, digital transformation and export-led growth is encouraging, but these objectives require consistent policy implementation. He said SMEs must be provided with a stable business environment, modern infrastructure, digital facilities and uninterrupted energy supplies to improve productivity and competitiveness.
He added that Pakistan’s export ambitions cannot be achieved without strengthening SMEs, as thousands of small manufacturers possess the potential to become exporters if they receive technical support, international certifications, market access and affordable financing.
Ibrahim Qureshi said the business community also expects meaningful regulatory reforms to reduce the cost of compliance and simplify procedures for establishing and operating businesses. Excessive paperwork, overlapping regulations and delayed approvals discourage entrepreneurship and increase the cost of doing business.
He appreciated the government’s emphasis on digitalisation and innovation, saying technology adoption would improve efficiency and enable Pakistani enterprises to compete more effectively in regional and international markets. However, he stressed that digital transformation must be supported through training programmes, technology grants and incentives for modernisation.
