Islamabad, Pakistan (CU)_ The European Union Ambassador to Pakistan, Androulla Kaminara, said that EU will help local small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Pakistan to take full advantage of the GSP Plus status. The ambassador met Hashim Raza, CEO of the Small and Medium Enterprises Development Authority (Smeda), and noted that the EU had granted GSP Plus status under 27 conditions, most of which have already been approved by Pakistan.
The ambassador said that Pakistan has been one of the major exporters of textiles and leather to EU. She said, “Since 2014, Pakistan’s exports to EU have increased to a substantial level and it has a bright scope for further enhancement through SMEs. There are many other areas that could be accessed under the GSP Plus status.” Kaminara noted that Pakistani entrepreneurs should also concentrate on other export products such as their traditional handicrafts, gems and jewelry. Furthermore, she added that women’s entrepreneurship can be improved through SMEs and has great potential too.
The ambassador revealed serious intention to continue relation with Smeda in order to lay down concrete measures to help the development process of SMEs in Pakistan. During the occasion, Raza informed the ambassador of the facilities, projects and special initiatives established by Smeda for the growth and sustainability of small and medium-sized enterprises in Pakistan.
To enhance the women’s entrepreneurship in Pakistan, he told Kaminara that a unique department had been functioning since 2005 under a senior manager, where many women entrepreneurs had graduated from a women’s business incubation center in major cities of Pakistan. Many such new incubation centers are now being built in the underdeveloped areas such as Gilgit-Baltistan and DI Khan.
