(12 March 2009 – Karachi) ACCA Pakistan hosted SME Conference at a local hotel where ACCA launched its SME Policy “Supporting Enterprises Globally”. The conference provided a useful forum to discuss the challenges faced by SMEs in the current global economic climate and proposed pragmatic solutions to the key issues impeding growth of this crucial sector of countrys economy.
The ACCA Pakistan SME conference was endorsed by SMEDA and Shell Tameer. The conference served as a unique opportunity to create linkages between entrepreneurs, policy makers, SME consultants and ACCA members and featured useful discussions on taxation issues facing small and medium size businesses, problems caused by bribery and corruption and the pivotal role of the accountancy profession in creating entrepreneurial skills.
In his remarks Mr Arif Masud, Head of ACCA Pakistan, highlighted that significance of SME sector to Pakistans economy and said that, with 63,000 members working for or advising small firms around the world, ACCA is proud to be the accountancy body most closely affiliated to the small business sector. He said that this conference intended to provide a platform for expert deliberations that will help entrepreneurship flourish and encourage policies that hold SME business benefit at its heart.
Mr Shaid Rashid, CEO SMEDA, reiterated the importance of SME growth for economic development and lauded the continuous commitment of ACCA for supporting SME sector through a series of programmes including SME workshops, ACCA booklet for small businesses and the SME conference.
Later, Mr Mian Muzzafar Ali, President, Lahore Chamber of Commerce and Industry congratulated ACCA Pakistan for success of the event and lauded ACCA for its endless dedications towards the SME agenda.
Dr. Afra Sajjad, Head of Education and Policy Development of ACCA Pakistan outlined the salient features of the ACCA SME policy launched at the event. The SME policy identifies some common themes relevant to SMEs, where active support by government and SME stakeholders can make a significant contribution towards enhancing SMEs experience in their ability to do business. It outlines the wide range of activities, research publications and policy positions which have informed ACCA involvement in the sector, and which ACCA hopes will facilitate the sharing of best practices across the world.
Mr. Chas Roy Chowdhury, Head of Taxation of ACCA, Ms. Rosana Marsovic, SME Policy Advisor and Professor Robin Jarvis, Head of SME Affairs of ACCA joined the conference via video conferencing from UK. They talked about the taxation challenges to SMEs, the challenge of bribery and corruption and the role of accountants in creating resilient enterprises.
