SMEDA opens new market pathways for women at 'Made in Gujranwala' Expo in Karachi

KARACHI (Dunya News) – The Small and Medium Enterprises Development Authority (SMEDA) has strengthened its support for women entrepreneurs and microenterprises by facilitating their participation in the ‘Made in Gujranwala’ exhibition held at the Karachi Expo Centre.

The initiative follows the successful execution of the inaugural Made in Pakistan – SME Expo Showcase 2026 in Lahore, reflecting an expanding push to promote local industry across major cities.

The three-day exhibition brought together more than 100 companies from Gujranwala, presenting a broad spectrum of locally manufactured goods that highlighted the city’s industrial capacity and growing innovation base. The event also served as a platform to connect manufacturers with buyers and investors through business-to-business (B2B) engagement opportunities, encouraging commercial linkages and real-time order generation.

Earlier, the ‘Made in Gujranwala Exhibition 2026’ was inaugurated by Sindh Minister for Local Government, Housing and Town Planning Nasir Hussain Shah, under the organisation of the Gujranwala Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI). The opening marked a collaborative effort between public institutions and the private sector to promote regional manufacturing strengths on a national stage.

SMEDA Chief Executive Officer Nadia Jahangir Seth stated that the authority’s participation aligns with its broader mandate to strengthen Pakistan’s SME ecosystem, with particular focus on women-led businesses and microenterprises that demonstrate potential for innovation and sustainable growth. She noted that, with support from the Ministry of Industries and Production, SMEDA is working to translate Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s vision of inclusive economic development into practical opportunities for emerging entrepreneurs.

According to her statement, the initiative aims to provide visibility, improved market access and direct engagement with buyers, enabling smaller enterprises to secure business deals and expand their reach beyond local markets. SMEDA has also been offering technical advisory services, training programmes and guidance on product development, branding and compliance with international standards to help SMEs strengthen their competitiveness.

The exhibition featured products including home appliances, plastic furniture, ceramics, sanitary ware, kitchenware and electrical goods, showcasing the diversity of Gujranwala’s manufacturing base. Special stalls were arranged for women-led and microenterprises, offering garments, jewellery, utensils, cutlery, organic products and homemade goods. SMEDA’s help desk remained active throughout the three-day event, assisting visitors and facilitating interaction between buyers and sellers.

Officials reported strong public interest, particularly on Sunday, with steady visitor turnout across the exhibition halls. Alongside commercial activity, families were also engaged through promotional activities and lucky draw prize schemes. The event received additional support from the Trade Development Authority of Pakistan and the Export Development Fund, alongside other partner organisations contributing to its execution.