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Elevating Pakistan’s Enterprises .

Economic Growth and Trade | Business Enabling Environment
Asia

Small and Medium Size Enterprise Activity (SMEA)

Project Dates: November 2016 - November 2021
With structured financial and business support, small- and medium-sized enterprises in Pakistan are reaching their full potential.

In Pakistan, small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) comprise 98 percent of the country’s 3.8 million businesses, but most of these businesses operate in the undocumented, informal sector. These SMEs face a variety of barriers, from burdensome regulatory procedures to limited access to finance and markets. The USAID Small and Medium Size Enterprise Activity (SMEA) is helping Pakistani SMEs become more competitive by reforming policies and creating a stronger financial and operational framework for these enterprises to grow. The activity supports SMEs in the information and communications technology, light engineering, textile, hospitality, minerals, logistics and packaging, and leather sectors. These efforts will create jobs, cultivate entrepreneurship across the country, and reduce poverty.

Project Goals


  • Foster a positive business-enabling environment that enables SMEs to access the financial services they need
  • Improve the economic performance and productivity of Pakistani SMEs — particularly those owned by women — in competitive sectors
  • Increase access to finance and markets for SMEs to strategically expand operations and create international business linkages
  • Address policy and regulatory barriers that inhibit SME-led economic growth

Our Impact Unlocking Innovation in Pakistan’s Private Sector

In Pakistan, promising small and medium-sized enterprises are turning their innovative ideas into reality — and improving livelihoods — with a boost from a special grant fund.

In Pakistan, small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) comprise 98 percent of the country’s 3.8 million businesses, but most of these businesses operate in the undocumented, informal sector. These SMEs face a variety of barriers, from burdensome regulatory procedures to limited access to finance and markets. The USAID Small and Medium Size Enterprise Activity (SMEA) is…

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Living the Principles for Digital Development: Understand the Existing Ecosystem

In Pakistan, the USAID Small and Medium Enterprises activity (SMEA) helps small businesses overcome structural inequalities in the digital ecosystem.

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