F.P. Report
KARACHI: PEC Innovation/Entrepreneurship Committee (ICE) visited SMEDA (Small and Medium Enterprise Development Authority) to explore mutual areas of interest and promoting entrepreneurial and start-up initiatives for our engineering graduates.
Hashim Raza, CEO SMEDA, apprised PEC delegation about functions, key stakeholders and services provided by SMEDA including one window services, industrial support, linking with financial sources, training and legal guidance.
Engr. Dr. Samreen Hussain, Convener ICE, highlighted that SMEDA can be an instrumental partner to achieve tangible outcomes expected from ICE without duplicating the efforts hence preserving resources for better productivity. PEC intended to utilize SMEDA platform especially for engineering start-ups through customize training programs, third party evaluation of Business proposals and “Match making” portal for service providers and clients. She further added that a follow-up plan with General MoU followed by discreet agreement to achieve the objectives chalked out, during the first visit, to synergize the efforts of both organizations. She requested SMEDA to share the statistics of engineering start-ups facilitated by their organization.
Both the organizations identified areas of further working such as PEC to share data of newly registered engineering firms to SMEDA for facilitation services and training for contracts including JVs, financial and legal guidance. Linking PEC Match-Making Portal to SMEDA website was also discussed. Potential projects from National Idea Bank Competition be identified for support.
The other members of ICE participated in the meeting were Engr. Dr. Bhawani Shankar Chowdhury (Deputy Convener ICE), Engr. GP. Capt. (R) Riasat Ali Changezi, and Prof. Syed Mansoor Sarwar, VC UET Lahore (Special Invitee).
