The Government of Pakistan is committed to empowering women and microenterprises for sustainable economic growth. Special Assistant to the Prime Minister (SAPM) for Industries and Production, Mr. Haroon Akhtar Khan, made this statement at the MoU signing ceremony between the Small and Medium Enterprises Development Authority (SMEDA) and the Pakistan Institute of Fashion and Design (PIFD) in Lahore.

The MoU was signed by Mr Sheharyar Tahir of SMEDA and Dr Muhammad Afzal of PIFD. Mr Khan emphasised that women-led and microenterprises are underutilised economic resources. He described the MoU as a strategic intervention to unlock their potential by merging SMEDA’s expertise with PIFD’s design skills, promoting opportunities for market-ready, competitive enterprises. The MoU establishes a framework for collaboration to support micro and small enterprises, particularly women entrepreneurs and artisans. It aims to enhance product development and market access.

Ms Nadia Jahangir Seth, CEO of SMEDA, noted the partnership’s commitment to underserved segments, offering design support and business services. Both institutions will implement a ‘Three-Year National Product Development Support Programme’ focusing on women and microenterprises.

Prof. Hina Tayyaba Khalil, Vice Chancellor of PIFD, welcomed the collaboration, highlighting its role in connecting students, designers, and entrepreneurs. The event included a presentation on the PIFD Design & E-Commerce Centre and concluded with discussions and a group photograph. This partnership is expected to enhance product quality, efficiency, and market access for women-led enterprises, contributing to Pakistan’s sustainable economic growth.