Karachi, The International Council of Small and Medium Enterprises (ICSMEs) has shown great concern at the non seriousness of government to the burning issues of energy shortage, corruption, poor law and order, huge government expenditure on non development projects and neglect of the SME sector which is causing economic injury to the nation.
President Union of Small and Medium Enterprises (UNISAME) Zulfiqar Thaver said the ICSMEs has expressed grave concern for the sector and has advised the Pakistan government to take serious note of the wastage of electricity, gas and water which needs to be reviewed to overcome the crisis.
He said if proper system is followed the country can save up to 40 percent of electricity, gas and water.
ICSMEs has offered expert advice and the Pakistan government should avail the offer. This has been proved as recently training programmes were conducted by a foreign company in Pakistan and several industrial units were taught how to save energy and the training resulted in reduction of 40 percent of energy bills.
The union chief also pointed out that ICSMEs has urged the government to declare austerity drive to cut down unproductive expenditure of the government, strengthen accountability to check corruption, tighten the law enforcing agencies for improvement of law and order and reduction of crime.
The ICSMEs urged the finance ministry of Pakistan to elevate the Small and Medium Enterprises Development Authority (SMEDA) into a development finance institution (DFI) to enable it to introduce financial schemes for the SMEs.
ICSMEs has reiterated that the SME sector in Pakistan has big potentiality for trading, manufacturing, services and farming and if scientifically groomed could result in economic growth of Pakistan. The ICSMEs have urged the government to take the advice positively and comprehend the urgency of the situation failing which the country will face turmoil and the situation may get out of control.
