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LAHORE, Dec 22 (APP): The Small and Medium Enterprises Development Authority (SMEDA) has introduced the SME Registration Portal (SMERP) as a key initiative, aimed at strengthening transparency and enhancing convenience for Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs).
SMERP facilitates online registration of SMEs and issuance of SMEDA SME Size Certificates through a fully digital process with minimal human interaction, ensuring transparency, efficiency, and ease of access for businesses across the country.
The portal has been designed to develop a comprehensive and reliable SME database, which will support research, evidence-based policy formulation, and effective alignment of government interventions with the needs of SMEs, the SMEDA spokesman disclosed this to media here Monday.
To further strengthen transparency and information verification, SMEDA has integrated Application Programming Interfaces (APIs) of NADRA (National Database and Registration Authority), Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) and Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan (SECP) into the portal.
Registration on SMERP and application for the SMEDA SME Size Certificate are voluntary, with no mandatory requirement for SMEs. However, eligible manufacturing SMEs with annual turnover of up to Rs 250 million can benefit from a tax rate reduction under the 14th Schedule of the Finance Bill 2021 upon obtaining the SME Size Certificate through SMERP.
Recently, the SMEDA has also introduced grants under the SME Certification, International Accreditation, and Quality Improvement Program, which can be applied for online through SMERP for enhanced transparency and convenience for SMEs.