Skip to main content

Shahzad Akhtar enlightens SMEDA session participants

Pakistan News & Features Services

Renowned management consultant, Shahzad Akhtar, enlightened the participants of the NBDP-SMEDA Online One on One Consultancy Session held through WhatsApp Video Call on April 14.

More than 45 participants from all over the country, representing different small and medium sized enterprises, availed the opportunity of seeking guidance from the vastly experienced consultant who suggested the ways and means to manage a business during the prevailing COVID-19 in Pakistan and rest of the world. 

The online session, which commenced at around 10 am, continued until 5 pm with the entrepreneurs, concerned by the general lack of business activities due to the pandemic, continued getting advice on operating their entities in such testing times and beyond. It turned out to be a great learning session, moderated by Bilal Ayyub of NBDP-SMEDA.

Shahzad Akhtar, having nearly three decades of experience in the corporate sector at top level positions, advised the entrepreneurs to bring austerity in their personal and professional life in order to meet the challenge of today. 

Being a management & SME’s consultant for a long time, he didn’t mince words in informing the participants that the business climate may remain far from ideal in the foreseeable future which meant it essential to bring out the operating costs for longer sustenance. 

He also threw light on the post corona pandemic scenario, stating that things may not improve overnight and it will take more time than just a few months before the situation gets normalized. 

Besides offering solutions to the various challenges being faced by the participants, he stressed the need to stay positive and motivated to be able to mobilize the available resources in a more prudent manner.

Shahzad Akhtar encouraged the various businesses to think more terms in terms of digitalization and E-commerce as the world will be more towards it in the post corona era. 

The National Business Development Programme for SMEs (NBDP) is a project of SMEDA, funded through Public Sector Development Programme of the Government of Pakistan. 

It envisages provision of handholding support and business development services to SMEs to promote business startup, improvement of efficiencies in existing SME value chains to make them globally competitive.

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

University of Karachi Sindhi Department Students Organize Book Festival During Students’ Week

KARACHI: Students of the Sindhi Department at the University of Karachi (UoK) have organized a book stall as part of Students’ Week, promoting reading habits, literature and a culture of learning among students and visitors. The book festival is being held from September 29 to October 2, 2026, with the stall open from 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM. The initiative is being managed by students of the Sindhi Department, who are making books accessible to readers throughout the event. The student-led initiative comes at a time when concerns are growing over the decline of reading habits and the diminishing role of books in everyday life. The festival provides an opportunity for students, book lovers and members of the public to reconnect with literature and explore a variety of written works. Books play an important role in preserving cultural heritage, strengthening critical thinking and introducing readers to different experiences, histories and ideas. Literature also encourages empathy, broadens ...

Renowned Urdu Fiction Writer and Psychologist Hasan Manzar Passes Away

Karachi: The Urdu literary community is mourning the death of renowned fiction writer, author and psychologist Hasan Manzar, whose literary contributions explored the complexities of human psychology, social behaviour and the realities of life. Remembered for his distinctive literary style and profound understanding of human nature, Hasan Manzar earned recognition for his ability to portray the psychological dimensions of human experiences and relationships. His writings offered deep insights into the complexities of individual and collective life. His passing has left readers, writers and admirers of Urdu literature grieving the loss of a distinguished literary voice. His work remains an important part of his literary legacy and will continue to engage readers for generations to come. Hasan Manzar's writings were distinguished by their exploration of human emotions, psychological conflicts and the social circumstances that shape people's lives. Through his fiction, he brought...

Dr. Zeelaf Munir Calls for Supply Chain Reforms to Strengthen Pakistan’s Food Security at Breathe Pakistan 2026

  Karachi: At the recently held Breathe Pakistan 2026 conference, where EBM participated as the principal partner, the company’s Managing Director and CEO Dr. Zeelaf Munir emphasized the urgent need to rebuild Pakistan’s agricultural supply chain to ensure long-term food security and sustainable development. Addressing participants at the event, Dr. Zeelaf Munir stated that while initiatives such as improved seeds, affordable credit facilities, and crop insurance are important, they alone cannot transform the lives of smallholder farmers unless the supply chain that follows agricultural production is fundamentally restructured. She highlighted that Pakistan’s food security is being “made or lost” within the post-farm supply chain, stressing that inefficiencies in storage, transportation, distribution, and market access continue to limit the benefits reaching farmers and consumers alike. Dr. Munir further noted that the transformation required in Pakistan’s agri-food sector must ...