Pakistan launches first national SME cluster expo to boost exports, investment

LAHORE (Dunya News) – The country’s small and medium enterprise (SME) sector marked a major milestone on Saturday with the inauguration of the first national cluster-based exhibition, “Made in Pakistan – SME Cluster Showcase Expo 2026,” at the Expo Center Lahore.

The three-day event is being organised by the Small and Medium Enterprises Development Authority (SMEDA) under the Ministry of Industries and Production. It features cluster pavilions, exhibitor stalls and a structured platform for business-to-business, business-to-government and business-to-institution matchmaking, alongside policy dialogues, technical sessions and an SME Awards Ceremony.

Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on Industries and Production Haroon Akhtar Khan, who inaugurated the expo, described it as Pakistan’s flagship national platform for presenting the strength, diversity and export readiness of SME clusters from across the country. He said the initiative marks a shift towards cluster-based and data-driven SME development aligned with the economic vision of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif.

He noted that MSMEs are being presented in a more organised manner to link them with sourcing opportunities, investment channels and institutional support. The expo is expected to become an annual feature aimed at improving the marketing capability of MSMEs and enhancing their compatibility with international markets. Clusters have been brought from across Pakistan, with particular focus on Balochistan, Azad Jammu and Kashmir, and Gilgit-Baltistan, following selection through chambers of commerce, industry bodies and trade organisations. A dedicated pavilion hosts 25 women entrepreneurs and 25 microenterprises.

Foreign delegates include representatives from Malaysia, Azerbaijan, the Kenya Embassy, the Russia Embassy and Bangladesh.

SMEDA CEO Nadia Jahangir Seth said the exhibition represents a defining moment for the MSME sector, as diverse clusters are being showcased on a single national platform with an emphasis on outcomes. She said value-added products on display span textiles and handicrafts, sports goods, leather, surgical instruments, cutlery, furniture, agribusiness, marble and granite, and light engineering.

She added that SMEDA is working on a three-year business plan focused on making MSMEs bankable, promoting internationalisation and digital literacy, supporting women entrepreneurship, encouraging subcontracting and vendor development, and building climate-resilient enterprises.

Federal Minister, Board of Investment, Qaiser A. Sheikh commended SMEDA’s efforts, while Zaki Ijaz of FPCCI and SMEDA Board member Ms Aasia Saail also addressed the gathering. Sponsors including Habib Bank Limited, Bank Al Habib, Bank of Punjab and Pak Suzuki Motors reaffirmed support for government initiatives to promote the MSME sector.

The opening ceremony was followed by a symposium on SME development challenges and policy solutions, and panel discussions on the vision for SME development and the SME financial ecosystem. Sessions scheduled over the following days include discussions on digital finance and fintech for MSMEs, Pakistan’s economic landscape, industry-academia linkages, and a Banana Fiber FAO Project inception workshop.