Hyderabad Chamber of Small Traders & Small Industry ( HCSTSI) and Small and Medium Enterprise Development Authority (SMEDA) jointly organized a session at the Chamber Secretariat on the occasion of International Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME International Day).
HCSTSI, SMEDA mark international MSME Day, reaffirm commitment to empower small businesses, drive economic growth
HYDERABAD, Jun 28 (APP): Hyderabad Chamber of Small Traders & Small Industry (HCSTSI) and Small and Medium Enterprise Development Authority (SMEDA) jointly organized a session at the Chamber Secretariat on the occasion of International Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME International Day).
On this occasion, Acting President Ahmed Idrees Chohan said in his welcome address that International MSME Day is organized every year on June 27 across the world in recognition of the exceptional services of this sector in the economy, employment, innovation, and social development. He said that about 90 percent of businesses in Pakistan consist of small and medium enterprises, which are the backbone of the national economy, industrial development, exports and employment promotion.
He said that Hyderabad is a city with immense potential in terms of industry and trade; however, the business community is facing challenges like capital, energy, modern technology, market access and business registration, which require collective efforts to resolve.
He welcomed the strong partnership between Hyderabad Chamber and SMEDA and said that both organizations are working together to register businesses, encourage young and women entrepreneurs, provide business training and connect SMEs to national and international supply chains.
On this occasion, Vice President Shan Sehgal said in his address that Hyderabad Chamber is not only a representative body of traders and industrialists but is also playing a vital role in guiding, mentoring and developing new entrepreneurs, youth and emerging businesses.
He termed the strong partnership between HCSTSI and SMEDA as extremely beneficial for the business community and said that through this collaboration, various activities such as training programs, awareness seminars, business consultancy, capacity building and creation of new business opportunities are being organized, which are being fully utilized by the business people of Hyderabad, especially the youth and new entrepreneurs.
He also emphasized that every new entrepreneur should become a member of the Hyderabad Chamber as membership of the Chamber not only provides strong representation of the business community but also provides members with access to government and private institutions, business information, involvement in policy making, training opportunities, trade delegations, exhibitions, networking and other facilities, which play a vital role in the sustainable growth and success of any new business.
On this occasion, Ahsan Abro, district officer, SMEDA Hyderabad, in his address, highlighted the importance of World MSME Day and said that SMEDA, established under the Ministry of Industries and Production, is playing an effective role in the development of micro, small and medium enterprises across the country, promoting the business environment and encouraging new entrepreneurs.
He said that SMEDA has supported thousands of entrepreneurs through business planning, advisory services, training programs, policy support, access to financial facilities, business registration, export promotion, cluster development, capacity building and provision of modern business information.
He said that with the guidance and technical assistance of SMEDA, new investors were able to establish successful businesses, many of which have made their mark at the national and international levels today.
He said that SMEDA’s aim is not just to start businesses but to make them sustainable, competitive and compatible with modern requirements so that they can become part of local and global value chains. He urged the business community to make full use of the various facilities, training programs and business development services of SMEDA to make their businesses a part of the formal economy, adopt modern technology and play an effective role in the national economic development.
The event was well attended by representatives of various universities, Including Sindh Agriculture University Tanda Jam, Shaheed Allah Bakhsh Soomro University Jamshoro, Patron-in-Chief of Hyderabad Women Chamber of Commerce and Industry, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), Trade Development Authority of Pakistan (TDAP), Institute of Cost and Management Accountants of Pakistan (ICMA), National Incubation Center (NIC), various banks, trade and industrial institutions and other relevant stakeholders.
Former presidents, members of the executive committee, conveners of various standing committees and esteemed members of Hyderabad Chamber were also present on the occasion, who offered their useful views and suggestions regarding the development of the MSME sector, improvement of the business environment and promotion of institutional cooperation.
