Putrajaya: SME Corporation Malaysia (SME Corp) and the Small and Medium Enterprise Development Authority (SMEDA) Pakistan have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to collaborate on knowledge sharing and best practices, focusing on digitalisation, sustainability, and market access. The partnership aims to create a more conducive environment that enhances the competitiveness of SMEs in both countries, enabling them to make significant contributions to economic growth.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, the collaboration seeks to leverage Pakistan’s large, youthful population and ongoing urbanisation and infrastructure development. This environment is driving demand in sectors such as halal food and beverages, consumer products, agro-processing, modest wear, and clean technology.

SME Corp has also highlighted Malaysia’s strengths in halal certification and digital innovation. These strengths are seen as providing SMEs with a competitive edge in offering premium products and services. The MoU was signed by SME Corp’s chief executive officer Rizal Nainy and Special Assistant to the Prime Minister of Pakistan on Foreign Affairs Syed Tariq Fatemi. The signing was witnessed by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim and his Pakistani counterpart Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif in Putrajaya on Monday.