Pakistan and Japan Collaborate to Empower Women Entrepreneurs in Punjab

Strategic Insights -

The Small and Medium Enterprises Development Authority (SMEDA) of Pakistan and the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) have entered into a partnership aimed at enhancing the capacity of women entrepreneurs in the informal economic sector of Punjab. The agreement, signed between SMEDA CEO Socrat Aman Rana and JICA Head of Mission Ms. KOMAHASHI Rie, marks a significant milestone in the collaborative initiative. The project, titled "Project for Capacity Enhancement of Women Entrepreneurs in the Informal Economic Sector in Pakistan," is a five-year endeavor (2026-2030) that seeks to develop a comprehensive support system for women entrepreneurs through a multi-stakeholders forum and the formulation of a Scale-up Strategy and Action Plan (SUSAP).

Key Takeaways:

  • The partnership between SMEDA and JICA aims to enhance the capacity of women entrepreneurs in the informal economic sector of Punjab through the development of a Women Entrepreneurs Booster Package (WEBPA).
  • The five-year project (2026-2030) will provide comprehensive support to women entrepreneurs through a multi-stakeholders forum and the formulation of a Scale-up Strategy and Action Plan (SUSAP).
  • The project expects to facilitate business growth of women entrepreneurs through the application of WEBPA, with the goal of extending its benefits to women entrepreneurs across Punjab and other regions of Pakistan.
  • SMEDA CEO Socrat Aman Rana highlighted the project's importance for the economic development of women entrepreneurs, stating that enhancement of women entrepreneurs is a priority of both the provincial and federal government in Pakistan.
  • JICA Head of Mission Ms. KOMAHASHI Rie expressed satisfaction on the collaboration with SMEDA, noting that the project will prove to be a breakthrough to overcome barriers faced by micro-level women entrepreneurs.

Statistics:

  • The project has a duration of five years from 2026 to 2030.
  • The partnership involves the collaboration of SMEDA, JICA, and relevant public and private sector stakeholders in Punjab.
  • The project aims to develop a Women Entrepreneurs Booster Package (WEBPA) to facilitate business growth of women entrepreneurs.
  • The multi-stakeholders forum established under the project will mobilize public and private organizations to enhance women entrepreneurship in Punjab.

Sources:

  • "Lahore -- Small and Medium Enterprises Development Authority (SMEDA) and the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA)". ["Lahore -- Small and Medium Enterprises Development Authority (SMEDA) and the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA)](source)