ISLAMABAD
The Prime Minister’s Youth Programme (PMYP) and the Small & Medium Enterprises Development Authority (SMEDA) on Saturday signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) at the Prime Minister’s Office to expand support for young entrepreneurs and micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) across Pakistan, with the partnership focusing on entrepreneurship, skills, access to finance, capacity building and inclusive economic opportunities, particularly for women and underserved communities.
Adviser to the Prime Minister and Federal Minister for Industries and Production Haroon Akhtar Khan was also present.
Under the MoU, the two institutions will work together to strengthen the entrepreneurial ecosystem by combining their institutional expertise, resources and outreach to provide greater access to knowledge, business development support and entrepreneurial opportunities.
The collaboration is also expected to complement existing government initiatives aimed at improving access to financing for young entrepreneurs, including the Prime Minister’s Youth Business and Agriculture Loan Scheme.
PMYP is a flagship government initiative aimed at empowering young people through education, skills development, employment, entrepreneurship and other avenues of youth development.
SMEDA, an autonomous institution under the Ministry of Industries and Production, is mandated to promote and facilitate the growth of SMEs and provides policy advice and support to stakeholders involved in the sector.
