LAHORE: The Small and Medium Enterprises Development Authority (SMEDA) has launched an initiative to encourage micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) to register through its SME Registration Portal (SMERP), aimed at promoting formalisation and improving access to business support services.
SMEDA, under the Ministry of Industries and Production, is encouraging entrepreneurs, particularly women-led and emerging businesses, to register through the portal to access policy incentives, advisory services and capacity-building programmes.
SMEDA CEO Nadia Jahangir Seth said a large number of Pakistani businesses and workers operate outside formal systems, limiting access to finance, markets and international value chains.
“Formalisation enables SMEs to strengthen their business identity, access finance and markets, improve credibility and participate more effectively in national and global value chains,” she said.
She added that SMERP provides enterprises with a free and simplified mechanism to begin their formalisation process. Registered MSMEs can benefit from business advisory services, training programmes, networking opportunities, trade fairs and stronger links with financial institutions and larger enterprises.
SMEDA is also working with the International Labour Organisation (ILO) to implement Pakistan’s first National SME and Worker Formalisation Roadmap under the ‘SME Formalisation and Just Transition’ initiative.
The roadmap aims to simplify business registration, improve labour compliance, support supply chain due diligence and facilitate greater participation of SMEs in the formal economy.
