The Punjab government is working on pilot programmes to support small and medium enterprises (SMEs) and export-oriented industries, with preparations under way for the next annual development plan, Secretary Planning & Development Board Punjab Rafaqat Ali said on Wednesday.

Speaking at a meeting held at the Lahore Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI), Ali said the government was working on several pilot programmes to support small and medium enterprises (SMEs) and export-oriented industries. According to a statement, he said that under the Asaan Karobar Scheme, industries were being provided interest-free financial assistance for export-related value addition, adding that there was consideration to further expand the programme.

LCCI President Faheemur Rehman Saigol welcomed the secretary, while Vice President Khurram Lodhi and Executive Committee members Rana Shouban Akhtar and Irfan Qureshi were also present.

In his address, Saigol said Pakistan's economy was approximately $400 billion in size, with Punjab contributing more than 55% to the national GDP. He said strengthening Punjab's industrial base was therefore essential for sustainable economic growth. He welcomed the provincial government's decision to increase the development budget for fiscal year 2025-26 from Rs842 billion to Rs1,240 billion, saying the higher allocation would help boost economic activity.

He emphasised that development planning should be business-friendly so that investment, production and exports could grow simultaneously. He said Punjab had strong potential in value-added manufacturing, engineering goods, processed food, pharmaceuticals, light engineering and IT services, but added that internationally standard testing and certification laboratories were necessary to fully realise this potential.

The LCCI president also proposed the establishment of sector-specific industrial parks and special economic zones for SMEs, where land could be provided on long-term leases at concessional rates. He said SMEs contributed about 40% to GDP and 25% to exports, and that focused attention on the sector could significantly increase employment and export earnings.

He further suggested that, given the country's large youth population, modern skill development centres should be set up under public-private partnerships to provide training aligned with global market needs. He added that promoting digitalisation, technology parks, startup support, e-commerce and artificial intelligence was also important.

Saigol stressed that industries should be supported through green financing to adopt environmentally friendly technologies and energy-efficient equipment. He also called for expanding public-private partnerships in development projects and said the Lahore Chamber was ready to fully cooperate with the government in a constructive partnership.

The planning secretary said the government was giving special attention to youth skill development and had made large investments in this area under the current development programme, particularly in nursing, health and e-commerce sectors. He said programmes had been introduced to strengthen linkages between industry and educational institutions, under which industries trained workers themselves and later provided them employment.

Ali added that preparations for the next annual development plan were beginning and urged industrialists to submit their proposals so they could be incorporated into policymaking. He said only close cooperation between industry and government could help strengthen the economy and create new job opportunities.