Pakistan’s first “Made in Pakistan SME Cluster Showcase Expo 2026 ” will be held from January 24 to 26 at the Lahore Expo Centre, bringing together thousands of small and medium businesses.
The expo will feature a wide range of sectors. These include sports goods, gems and jewellery, surgical instruments, cutlery, textiles, garments, leather goods, auto parts, household appliances, plastics, agri-based products, cosmetics, packaging, handicrafts and light engineering.
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A separate pavilion will be dedicated to women entrepreneurs, highlighting their growing role in business and industry.
Announcing the event, Special Assistant to the Prime Minister Haroon Akhtar Khan linked sustainable economic growth to strong Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises.
“MSMEs are the backbone of Pakistan’s economy and essential for achieving sustainable GDP growth of 6–7 per cent,” he said while addressing a press conference. Secretary Ministry of Industries and Production Saif Anjum was also present.
He said the three-day expo aims to showcase Pakistan’s untapped industrial and entrepreneurial potential through over 30 SME cluster pavilions, with participation from 174 representatives.
Haroon Akhtar noted that Pakistan has around seven million MSMEs, compared to only a few thousand large-scale manufacturing units, making SMEs vital for jobs and inclusive growth.
International delegates from Azerbaijan, Kenya and Malaysia will attend, giving Pakistani SMEs global exposure.
He said Pakistan has achieved macroeconomic stabilisation after a severe downturn. Institutions such as the IMF, World Bank and ADB have acknowledged this progress.
He added that policy interest rates were reduced from 22 per cent to 10.5 per cent, inflation eased to around 4–5 per cent, and power tariffs fell from Rs42 to around Rs34–35 per unit.
Haroon Akhtar admitted businesses faced pressure during stabilisation but said tough measures were needed to control the fiscal deficit.
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He said large-scale manufacturing grew 10.37 per cent year-on-year in November 2025, with over six per cent growth in the first five months of the fiscal year.
The government is also finalising a new industrial policy focusing on credit access, exports, ease of doing business and sector-specific reforms.
The expo shows strong focus on small businesses. MSMEs are getting national attention. Lower inflation and rates support growth. This event may boost confidence and exports.
