Latest news with #SaifAnjum
Business Recorder
23-05-2025
- Automotive
- Business Recorder
Auto parts makers concerned over 15pc proposed duty
ISLAMABAD: Auto parts manufacturers expressed concerns that the proposed 15 percent customs duty could have a negative impact on the industry's development and overall competitiveness. A high-level meeting was held under the chairmanship of Special Assistant to the Prime Minister, Haroon Akhtar Khan, to discuss tariff issues related to the auto parts industry. The meeting brought together representatives from PAAPAM (Pakistan Automotive Parts and Accessories Manufacturers), officials from the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR), the Engineering Development Board, the Secretary of the Ministry of Industries and Production, Saif Anjum, and Secretary Commerce Jawad Paul. During the meeting, Haroon Akhtar Khan emphasised that the grievances of the auto parts industry would be formally presented before the Tariff Policy Board. He directed PAAPAM to provide a detailed analysis of the level of protection the industry requires to remain competitive and sustainable. In line with the prime minister's directives, incentives will be provided to those industries that demonstrate increased productivity. This step aims to encourage growth and enhance the performance of the sector. However, auto parts manufacturers expressed concerns that the proposed 15 per cent customs duty could have a negative impact on the industry's development and overall competitiveness. Haroon Akhtar Khan assured the manufacturers that they should place their trust in Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, affirming that their case would be strongly represented and defended before the Tariff Policy Board. Furthermore, he instructed PAAPAM to submit brief reports to be reviewed in the next meeting to ensure continuous dialogue and progress on these issues. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
Business Recorder
05-05-2025
- Business
- Business Recorder
Implementation plan of SMEDA revamping approved
LAHORE: The 30th meeting of the Small and Medium Enterprises Development Authority (SMEDA) Board of Directors held Sunday in chair with Haroon Akhtar Khan, Special Assistant to the Prime Minister (SAPM) for Industries and Production has approved the implementation plan of SMEDA revamping. The meeting was also attended by Saif Anjum, Federal Secretary Industries and Production and Socrat Aman Rana, CEO of SMEDA besides the Board members. Haroon Akhtar Khan, while chairing the meeting referred to the PM vision on SME development and expressed satisfaction on fast track working of SMEDA in line with the PM vision. He reiterated that future of Pakistan's economy lies with growth and development of SMEs and the Prime Minister is determined to raise Pakistan's SMEs at par with the international standards, for which we are hiring services of the international SME experts. The board noted that the Prime Minister had constituted a committee to study existing structure of SMEDA and proposed changes for revamping the organization and making it a catalyst for growth of SME sector in the country. In line with the directions of the Prime Minister, implementation plan of revamping to align existing SMEDA employees with the new outsourcing activities initiatives were presented before the Board today. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
Express Tribune
01-05-2025
- Business
- Express Tribune
84% of SMEs informal
Listen to article The Small and Medium Enterprises Development Authority (Smeda) has marked the International Labour Day by ensuring labour rights in all Small and Medium Enterprises (SME) development initiatives. In a joint statement, Special Assistant to the Prime Minister (SAPM) on Industries and Production Haroon Akhtar, Federal Secretary Ministry of Industries and Production Saif Anjum, and Smeda Chief Executive Officer Socrat Aman reaffirmed full support for boosting employment and skill development in SME sector. This commitment aligns with the Prime Minister's SME development vision, to be implemented by the Ministry of Industries and Production through SMEDA. He stated that the Ministry of Industries and Production was working to protect workers' rights while increasing job opportunities in the SME sector under PM's vision. Federal Secretary Saif Anjum informed that the Ministry of Industries and Production (Mop) in partnership with the ILO had launched "the Enterprise Formalisation Project, which will also formalise the labour force to improve their employability and access to the new job markets by developing the skills required for a just transition in response to climate change. Smeda CEO said, "At Smeda, we are committed to looking after the complete value chain of the SME sector, in which labour plays a pivotal role. He informed that Smeda development projects also include capacity-building initiatives for the labour force of the country to provide them with the necessary tools, training, and resources to compete in the job market. "Over 84% of Pakistan's workforce operates informally within the SMEs and home-based sectors, creating barriers for businesses and workers alike. This informality limits access to critical markets, financing, social protections and skill development," he said and hoped that the "Enterprise Formalisation Project" launched by MoIP in collaboration with ILO will remove these anomalies.
Business Recorder
01-05-2025
- Business
- Business Recorder
SME sector: SAPM extends support to enhance employments
LAHORE: Haroon Akhtar, Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on Industries and Production, Saif Anjum, Federal Secretary Ministry of Industries and Production and Socrat Aman Rana, Chief Executive Officer of the Small and Medium Enterprises Development Authority (Smeda), in a joint statement issued here on Wednesday to mark the International Labour Day 2025, have assured to extend the fullest support to enhance employments and skill development opportunities in the SME sector for labour force of Pakistan in line with the SME development vision of the Prime Minister to be implemented by the Ministry of Industries and Production through Smeda. SAPM said, 'On International Labour Day, we acknowledge the invaluable contributions of workers across Pakistan's industrial and commercial sector,' and emphasized upon the importance of formalizing the informal economy to ensure workers' rights and social protections. He said the Ministry of Industries and Production was working hard to protect workers rights while increasing job opportunities in the SME sector under PM vision. Federal Secretary Saif Anjum informed that the Ministry of Industries and Production (MoIP) in partnership with the ILO had launched 'the Enterprise Formalization Project, which will also formalize the labour force to improve their employability and access to the new job markets by developing the skills required for a just transition in response to climate change. CEO Smeda Socrat Aman Rana said, 'At Smeda, we are committed to look after the complete value chain of SME sector, in which labour plays the pivotal role.' He informed that Smeda development projects also include capacity building initiatives for labour force of the country to provide them with the necessary tools, training, and resources to compete in the job market. He said that over 84 percent of Pakistan's workforce operates informally within the SME and home-based sectors, creating barriers for businesses and workers alike. 'This informality limits access to critical markets, financing, social protections and skill development,' he said and hoped the 'Enterprise Formalization Project' launched by MoIP in collaboration with ILO will remove these anomalies. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
