SCCI, KP business community urge govt to support SMEs

ISLAMABAD: Representatives of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa business community, led by the Sarhad Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SCCI), have urged the federal government to support the uplift of the province’s Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs), highlighting the mounting challenges faced by businesses in the region.

During a meeting on Saturday with the Special Assistant to the Prime Minister (SAPM) for Industries and Production, Haroon Akhtar Khan, the SCCI delegation — led by President Junaid Altaf — stressed that high taxation, rising utility costs, and inadequate facilities have pushed SMEs in Peshawar and the rest of the province to the brink of collapse.

The meeting was attended by the Additional Secretary of the Ministry of Industries & Production, the CEO of the Engineering Development Board, the Acting CEO of SMEDA, and representatives of the Drug Regulatory Authority. Discussions focused on the key issues being faced by the Sarhad Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

The delegation pointed out that Peshawar holds significant potential in sectors such as gemstones, pharmaceuticals, and other emerging industries. However, they noted that inadequate product-finishing facilities and a lack of infrastructure are restricting the city’s export capabilities.

The Chamber informed the SAPM that although the approval process for the Peshawar Expo Centre was nearing completion, the project has faced repeated delays and now requires urgent government intervention.

The Chamber further raised concerns that security challenges in KP have severely affected business activity in the region. They also highlighted that commercial banks are not extending the State Bank’s SME financing schemes to KP, and urged the government to intervene.

SAPM Haroon Akhtar Khan assured the delegation that, under the direction of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, all issues raised by the Sarhad Chamber will be addressed promptly. He stated that the Prime Minister is working tirelessly for the uplift of small, micro, and large businesses across the country.

Haroon Akhtar Khan emphasized that the Ministry of Industries & Production is prioritizing the resolution of business challenges and the strengthening of the national economy. He highlighted that new railway corridors connecting Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan to Pakistan will bring significant benefits to businesses in KP. Improved regional connectivity, he added, will also help address issues related to security, infrastructure, and underdevelopment.

He noted that the upcoming National Industrial Policy includes comprehensive solutions to taxation issues and the broader concerns of the business community. SAPM Haroon Akhtar Khan also directed all stakeholders to submit concrete proposals for resolving their issues and formally included the Sarhad Chamber as part of various government committees.

The President of the Sarhad Chamber appreciated the efforts of the Prime Minister and SAPM Haroon Akhtar Khan for promoting industrial growth in the country.