LAHORE: Senior Federal Minister Industries and Defence Production Chaudhry Pervaiz Elahi on Monday said the government would extend its all out support to Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) for economic prosperity in the country.
Presiding over a meeting to review operational mechanism of the Public Sector Development Programmes (PSDP) being undertaken by Small and Medium Enterprises Development Authority (SMEDA), he expressed satisfaction over transparent and smooth execution of projects by SMEDA through Public Sector Development Projects.
He reiterated the government was aware of the significance of SMEs for economic prosperity of the nation. He assured his cooperation in overcoming the difficulties being faced by the SMEDA in serving its basic mandate of SME development as well as successful execution of the PSDP Projects.
Elahi was informed the PSDP projects to be executed by SMEDA were being run under PPP. Whereas, the procurements of these projects are strictly made in compliance with Public Procurement Regulatory Authority (PPRA) rules and regulations.
Yousaf Naseem Khokhar, CEO SMEDA apprised the Minister that SMEDA had obtained approval for 28 PSDP Projects, out of which 11 had become operational and 13 were passing through various stages of execution leaving 4 in limbo, which had been approved but not provided with funds for execution.
The CEO SMEDA informed SMEDA was facing hardship in serving its original mandate of `SME Development’ because of recent budgetary cuts. He requested Ministry of Industries’ intervention to overcome the budgetary constraints.
Original Article: http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=2012\04\03\story_3-4-2012_pg5_5