The PTI, in its manifesto, states that it is "committed to delivering an industrial strategy thatcontributes to growth and employment, and encourages SMEs to scale up and movetoward value-added exports".

To fulfill this promise, the party says it will "establish pilot SME Incubators across Pakistan" and launch a ten-year tax incentive plan.

Source: PTI Manifesto 2018

Updates:

March 4, 2022: Bank advances to SMEs jump by 20pc (read details)

March 1, 2022: PM Imran announces industrial package, says govt will remove all obstacles for SMEs (read details)

Feb 28, 2022: PM announces tax exemption for companies and freelancers in IT sector; capital gain tax for IT startups (read details)

Feb 18, 2022: KP govt, Bank of Khyber agree to launch Rs12bn SME refinancing initiative (read details)

Jan 19, 2022: PM Imran launches special policy for small and medium enterprises (read details)

Dec 15, 2021: Govt allows Rs10m collateral-free loans in SME policy (read details)

Aug 27, 2021: Tarin unveils economic plans for 14 key sectors, including SMEs (read details)

Aug 16, 2021: Scheme introduced for SMEs to get loans without collateral (read details)

June 30, 2021: SME sector being incentivized to generate economic activity, says PM Imran (read details)

June 25, 2021: SME sector given tax relief, says Tarin (read details)

June 18, 2021: KP budget: Rs10bn allocated for revival of SMES affected due to Covid-19, women (read details)

June 16, 2021: Punjab industrial development budget new schemes include SME estate in Gujrat (read details)

June 14, 2021: NA approves legal amendments to increase SMEs financing (read details)

June 12, 2021: Govt withdraws taxpayers profile condition (read details)

June 11, 2021: Rs12bn allocated for SMEs in budget (read details)

June 10, 2021: Govt will devise policies to facilitate SMEs: Tarin (read details)

May 21, 2021: ECC approves Rs60bn refinancing and credit guarantees for SMEs (read details)

May 11, 2021: Rs60bn collateral-free loan plan for SMEs in the works (read details)

May 6, 2021: Meeting held to discuss features of new credit scheme for SME sector (read details)

April 30, 2021: Promotion of SMEs among mega development package for GB (read details)

April 28, 2021: Govt introduces largest ever economic stimulus package for SMES: Tarin (read details)

April 6, 2021: Govt giving special emphasis to promotion of SMEs to take economy forward, says PM (read details)

April 1, 2021: Interest-free loan scheme for tribal districts launched (read details)

February 11, 2021: Tax policy unit set up after delay of two years (read details)

January 16, 2021: Govt working to support SMEs, says Dawood (read details)

December 17, 2021: SMEs important in stabilising economy: PM Imran (read details)

November 28 2020: KP govt plans massive sectoral reforms to promote business in tribal districts (read details)

November 14, 2020: PM Imran has formed NCC to facilitate SMEs: Hammad Azhar (read details)

November 13, 2020: Clearance system for e-commerce developed (read details)

November 3, 2020: Major power tariff relief for industries (read details)

September 21, 2020: PM considering setting up full fledged textile sector very soon to focus on SME sector, says Usman Dar (read details)

October 22, 2020: Special focus should be given to facilitation of traders in SMEs sector, says PM (read details)

October 19, 2020: SME sector a priority for State Bank (read details)

October 8, 2020: PM Imran prioritises ease of doing business (read details)

Aug 12, 2020: PM forms body to facilitate small businesses (read details)

July 31, 2020: KP govt to invest in small and medium enterprises (read details)

July 22, 2020: SMEs urge government to announce policy amid health crisis (read details)

July 20, 2020: Dawood directs enforcement of GI law to support SMEs (read details)

July 10, 2020: SBP to lessen documentation for SMEs so they can take advantage of refinance scheme (read details)

July 20, 2020: Dawood directs enforcement of GI law to support SMEs (read details)

June 17, 2020: ECC augments loss coverage for SME loans to prevent layoffs (read details)

June 15, 2020: Budget 2020-21: Rs56bn tax relief for small businesses in Punjab budget (read details)

July 11, 2020: Pakistan likely to ease regulatory curbs to boost economy (read details)

June 10, 2020: 1,320 companies benefit from SBP relief package, says Reza Baqir (read details)

May 30, 2020: ECC approves criteria for disbursement of Rs200bn in power sector received through Islamic Sukuk (read details)

May 18, 2020: KE announces relief for SMEs through prepaid bills (read details)

May 12, 2020: State Bank extends financing limits under Rozgar scheme (read details)

May 8, 2020: Govt mulls two new schemes for SME sector, says Hammad Azhar (read details)

May 7, 2020: Registry launched to boost small business financing (read details)

May 7, 2020: Assistance package: PM aide discusses relief for SMEs (read details)

May 7, 2020: Protecting SMEs is govt’s top priority: Dr Hafeez (read details)

May 6, 2020: Govt promises to bear 40pc first loss to banks on SME loans (read details)

May 6, 2020: Punjab finance minister reviews extension of small loans, SMEs and rural entrepreneurship (read details)

April 27, 2020: Package for SMEs to also increase employment in construction sector: Azhar (read details)

April 26, 2020: ECC approves Rs50bn support package for SMEs (read details)

April 19, 2020: Dawood hints at scheme for small businesses (read details)

April 13, 2020: Support scheme for SMEs on the anvil (read details)

April 12, 2020: SMEs slate govt for being selective in support (read details)

April 4, 2020: SBP expands scope of relief package (read details)

March 26, 2020: SBP issues relief package for households, businesses as Covid-19 cases surge (read details)

March 25, 2020: SCCI demands inclusion of SMEs in relief package (read details)

March 24, 2020: Rs1.2tr stimulus package aimed at supporting poor, helping industry: Hammad Azhar (read details)

March 24, 2020: PM Imran announces financial stimulus package to mitigate economic fallout from Covid-19 (read details)

February 20, 2020: Small units want all-inclusive SME policy (read details)

January 2, 2020: Abu Dhabi announces $200m for Pakistan's SMEs (read details)

December 6, 2019: PM Imran distributes cheques under 'Kamyab Jawan' programme (read details)

December 6, 2019: Small & medium enterprises to get priority for loans: PM (read details)

November 27, 2019: FBR dead set on netting undocumented SMEs: Zaidi (read details)

November 26, 2019: Minister hopes Pakistan’s EODB ranking will climb further (read details)

November 26, 2019: Govt increases private sector credit to SMEs (read details)

November 22, 2019: Chinese SMEs eager to relocate to Pakistan (read details)

November 15, 2019: CCoP directs to expedite privatisation process of SME Bank & PIA Investment Limited (read details)

November 12, 2019: Listing rules for SMEs, startups approved (read details)

October 26, 2019: PM Imran directs economic team to promote SMEs (read details)

October 21, 2019: PTI govt reviews proposals for cottage industry (read details)

October 18, 2019: Business loans to be provided to potential young entrepreneurs: Usman Dar (read details)

October 10, 2019: PM directs to complete legal and administrative reforms to revive sick industries (read details)

October 5, 2019: ITC’s initiative to help livestock, horticulture SMEs (read details)

September 28, 2019: Rs6 billion allocated to issue loans to businesswomen, says Firdous (read details)

Septemeber 16, 2019: PMYAP renames SME scheme as ‘Kamyab Jawan Youth Entrepreneurship Scheme’ (read details)

September 6, 2019: Inspection-less regime for SMEs to spur growth: PM (read details)

August 30, 2019: PM directs to promote dialogue with business community for economic stability (read details)

August 20, 2019: Imran Khan's govt focused on boosting industrial potential (read details)

August 7, 2020: Modaraba-based financing for SMEs introduced (read details)

July 13, 2019: 'Prime Minister’s Kamyab Jawan SME Lending Programme' launched by SBP (read details)

June 24, 2019: PM Imran forms body to ease business registration (read details)

May 29, 2019: Poultry industry project gets access to direct financing (read details)

May 27, 2019: Five big fisheries projects worth Rs4.6bn proposed for merged areas (read details)

May 08, 2019: Subsidised loan scheme for farmers, SMEs planned (read details)

May 03, 2019: National Steering Committee reviews draft of SME policy (read details)

April 25, 2019: Govt plans new body for effective policy implementation (read details)

Feb 11, 2019: Govt aims to create 'a million jobs' for youth under Kamyab Jawan Programme (read details)

Feb 03, 2019: Govt likely to offer incentives for SEZs’ success (read details)

Jan 23, 2019: Reduction and abolishment (in some cases) of duties on raw materials to support export industries (read details)

Jan 23, 2019: Tax on income generated from loans to small businesses, agriculture sector and low-income housing to be reduced from 39pc at present to 20pc (read details)

Dec 25, 2018: Subsidy for sunflower farmers (read details)

Dec 18, 2018: Govt working to facilitate SME, exporters: PM Imran (read details)

Dec 8, 2018: Govt framing national tariff policy to boost exports (read details)

Dec 6, 2018: Supplementary grant of Rs25.75 billion for provision of subsidy to zero-rated export-oriented industries (read details)

Dec 6, 2018: National Steering Committee holds first meeting for revision of SME Policy (read details)

Dec 6, 2018: Govt is taking various measures to create conducive environment for SMEs, says minister (read details)

Dec 4, 2018: Government allows sugar millers another 100,000 tonnes of export (read details)

Dec 3, 2018: Steps will be taken to increase export of drugs, says minister (read details)

Dec 2, 2018: President Alvi urges nation to buy local products (read details)

Nov 22, 2018: PM approves 5-year plan for boosting economy including promotion of SMEs (read details)