Aziz Memon urges aggressive approach towards SMEs

Pakistan News & Features Services

“Pakistan needs adopt aggressive approach towards Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs) and follow the modules of Japan, Korea and Taiwan in this direction to transform the economy.” 

This was stated by Aziz Memon, one of the leading entrepreneurs of the country, in an interview in which he threw light on the importance of the SMEs and the decisive role they play in boosting the economy. 

“The banking sector should prefer to finance small business like PM youth loan and the government should provide all basic facilities to the SMEs, like road, electricity, gas and water. Let there be more friendly policies to boost the SMEs in Pakistan,” he advised. 

Having presided over and addressed many meetings, workshops and lectures in Japan, Korea and Taiwan regarding SMEs growth and activities, Aziz Memon, Chairman, Kings Group, reckoned that Pakistan has no other option but to develop the SMEs if the country is to expand the industrial growth at par with world level. 

“At first, Japan sets a module to develop its small business. Then there are Korea and Taiwan who followed in the footsteps. They all are very successful,” he remarked. 

“If the government has a plan and can give attention to the SMEs then we can change our economy. Every small business as a different issue and we have to solve it,” he reckoned. 

“The PM loan scheme is not a game changer for the SMEs as this is not ensuring basic facilities for growth of the SMEs but it is touching just one aspect of financing. No skills development, no provision of basic needs like water, gas and electricity with this scheme. A successful plan may not be enough for the small business in Pakistan,” Aziz Memon added. 

“As we are now promoting big industry, it will assure good for small business, job market and overall tax collection as well. We cannot provide jobs to all graduates and frankly speaking it is almost impossible for us to provide good jobs to all young people, so it is imperative to guide them towards entrepreneurship. If every entrepreneur gives jobs to five people, then you can say it is taking care of at least 50 persons directly or indirectly,” he observed. 

“I have a clear module for development of small business in Pakistan. First of all, the banks should start schemes for start-up capitals and the government should encourage them to do so or give a friendly policy,” he suggested. 

“Secondly, there should be skill development and proper training for all people who want to start their entrepreneur and manage their own business. Every year there should be at least two batches of the classes or workshops for them. After trained them mentally, and prepared them for risk management, they should be provided with a guide to most suitable business areas,” he explained. 

“On the government part, all basic facilities should be provided without any delay. So, if any area has some SMEs, it must have roads, gas, telephone, electricity and water available,” Aziz Memon concluded while volunteering his services to the government for advising them on this matter if needed.