LAHORE, Oct 29 (APP):Three-day international workshop on the development of the OIC SME Networking Platform concluded with a firm commitment by participating countries to advance a practical and financially sustainable framework for connecting businesses across the 57 member states of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC).
Small and Medium Enterprises Development Authority (SMEDA), under the strategic direction of the Ministry of Industries and Production, brought together SME development institutions from Turkiye, Egypt, Senegal and Malaysia and international experts for the workshop to develop an organizational structure, governance framework and sustainable financial model for the OIC SME Networking Platform.
Held from October 27-29 under the COMCEC Project Funding Programme, the workshop that concluded on Thursday, aimed to translate the concept of a multilateral networking platform into a practical and sustainable framework for connecting small and medium enterprises across the 57 member states of the OIC.
Rana Ahmed Ateeq Anwar, Coordinator to the Prime Minister on Small and Medium Enterprises, in his address, emphasized the importance of translating regional economic cooperation into tangible business opportunities for SMEs. He noted that the proposed platform could help businesses identify credible commercial partners, access new markets and strengthen cross-border trade and investment.
In his interaction with the global partners, he noted that the Government of Pakistan fully supported the initiative in line with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s economic vision. He stressed that its success would depend on a practical and inclusive institutional framework, effective coordination and sustainable operations, with results measured through meaningful business connections and commercial opportunities.
Addressing the concluding ceremony, Ahsan Ali Mangi, Federal Secretary, Ministry of Industries and Production, emphasized that the workshop marked an important step towards translating the concept of the OIC SME Networking Platform into a workable and sustainable mechanism for business cooperation.
He also stressed that the historic event should prove a springboard for meaningful connections between enterprises and potential buyers, suppliers, distributors, investors and technology partners.
CEO SMEDA Nadia Jahangir Seth highlighted the workshop as an important step towards strengthening economic connectivity among OIC member states. She stated that SMEDA was advancing this initiative in line with the SME needs for internationalization, particularly the promotion of export-led growth and stronger market access.
She said a well-designed and sustainable networking platform could help Pakistani and other OIC enterprises build international business relationships, explore new markets and contribute to greater regional economic integration.
SMEDA officials say the platform is envisioned as a common gateway for SMEs to identify potential buyers, suppliers, distributors, investors and business partners across OIC markets. By facilitating business-to-business matchmaking, improving access to market information and strengthening institutional linkages, they say, it could help enterprises explore new markets, develop partnerships and participate more actively in regional and international value chains.
Despite their significant contribution to employment and economic activity, many SMEs across OIC countries face persistent barriers to internationalization, including limited access to business contacts, market intelligence and cross-border networks. The initiative seeks to address these very gaps by strengthening connectivity among businesses and the institutions supporting them, emphasize officials.
According to officials, the workshop aimed to produce a draft organizational, governance, financial and sustainability framework for a phased implementation roadmap and subsequent resource mobilization. A follow-up virtual consultation in November 2026 will consolidate the workshop’s recommendations before the final project report is submitted to the COMCEC Coordination Office, say officials.
Through this initiative, SMEDA is supporting efforts to strengthen institutional cooperation and create ways for SMEs to connect with business opportunities across the OIC region for stronger intra-OIC trade, investment and shared economic prosperity.
Source: APP (Associated Press of Pakistan)
