Yasir Rashid

An E-learning curriculum has been launched for Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs) of the country for their growth and development. The curriculum has been launched by the Small & Medium Enterprises Development Authority (SMEDA) and the Revenue Mobilization, Investment and Trade (ReMIT) Project of UN-ITC (United Nations International Trade Centre). During the launch ceremony of the curriculum, various notable businessmen and academicians were present.

They included Kashif Anwar Sheikh, President Lahore Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI); Dr Muhammad Saeed from the UN-ITC Geneva; Dr Jawwad Agha, National Project Coordinator and Senior Technical Advisor of the ReMIT-ITC Project; Sehar Malik, President Women Chamber of Commerce, and Nadia J Seth, Head of Policy and Planning, SMEDA. All the speakers at the occasion appreciated the efforts of SMEDA in building the technical capacity of SMEs. They agreed that working on SMEs will help the country in increasing its exports.

The self-learning online SME e-curriculum is designed to help SMEs integrate themselves in global value chains by directly exporting their products. It will also help the SMEs in getting the important knowledge about various competencies required to integrate in international trade flows, e.g. how to comply with export regulations, understanding customs procedures and workflows, international trade and finance, air and sea freight, financing options for exporters, and government incentives for exporters. In terms of impact, the program will help the country in increasing its exports to end its reliance on imported goods.

The curriculum will be launched by SMEDA and the Trade Development Authority of Pakistan (TDAP) to their SME clients in all parts of the country. Sponsorship for the program has been provided by the government of the United Kingdom through its Foreign and Commonwealth Development Office (FCDO) with technical assistance provided by the UN-ITC, which is a joint agency of the World Trade Organization (WTO) and the United Nations (UN). President of the LCCI Kashif Anwar lauded the initiative and said that it will go a long way in creating jobs, and building the capacity of its members across the country.

President of the Women Chamber of Commerce & Industry, Seher Malik said that this opportunity will help the women of the country in better integrating themselves in the entrepreneurial culture. Dr Muhammad Saeed from the UN-ITC Geneva was of the view that trade facilitation had important implications for a country’s export competitiveness. National Project Coordinator and Senior Technical Advisor of the ReMIT-ITC Project, Dr Jawwad Agha, said that the e-learning platform will address the key national commitments of Pakistan made under the Trade Facilitation Agreement and it will also play a key role in reinvigorating national economic growth.

Head of Policy and Planning, SMEDA, Ms Nadia J Seth, concluded the event by appreciating the hard work of SMEDA’s team, and the contribution of Pakistani SMEs and their feedback for the development of the curriculum. Nadia Seth thanked the UKAID/FCDO, the International Trade Center, Geneva and the ITC national project team for their efforts in the capacity building of Pakistani SMEs.

Credit: Independent News Pakistan-WealthPk