The Union of Small and Medium Enterprises (UNISAME) has urged Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif to address the pressing demands of the SME sector in the upcoming 202526 budget to help the sector navigate challenging global conditions. On, President of UNISAME, Zulfikar Thaver, highlighted the turmoil faced by SME exporters due to increased taxes and soaring freight costs, exacerbated by regional conflicts.

Thaver appealed to the Prime Minister to instruct the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) to limit income tax on sector profits to no more than 25%. He stressed that high electricity charges, global inflationdriven raw material costs, and increased freight rates from conflict zones are making SMEs uncompetitive, necessitating immediate relief.

Additionally, the Union Council members have asked for the establishment of an SME export bureau to promote SME products and geographical indication goods, with value addition. They also emphasized the need for budgetary provisions to fund this bureau.

Furthermore, UNISAME underscored the importance of enhancing the Small and Medium Enterprises Development Authority (SMEDA) to support projects involving joint ventures and partnerships with Chinese entrepreneurs. This includes addressing the technological gap via a new technical institute under the ChinaPakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC). Thaver stressed the need for a robust SMEDA, suggesting that a token authority serves little purpose.

The Union Council has urged swift action from the Prime Minister, emphasizing the crucial nature of these budgetary considerations for the survival and competitiveness of the SME sector.