SMEDA under the support of Ministry of Industries and Production (MoIP) agreed upon and signed an MoU with the International Trade Center (ITC) to collaborate for Growth for Rural Advancement and Sustainable Progress (GRASP project). The Small and Medium Enterprises Development Authority (SMEDA) is looking forward to undertake joint activities along with ITC for effective progress of the project which will benefit greatly for the rural areas of the country.
According to the project, Balochistan and Sindh will be the main provinces of focus and small agricultural businesses will be made stronger for effective reduction of poverty in the country. The sectors of horticulture and livestock will be strengthened and competition will increase by improving resources of the businesses at all levels.
The project will take six years for completion. ITC, the joint Agency initiated by WTO and UN will be supervising this project. The Food and Agriculture organization and Pakistan Poverty Alleviation Fund (PPAF) will also be participating actively in the progress of the project.
Three committees are said to be orienting the project, one at a national level and two working at a provincial level. Both the committees will be led by their respective governments. The budget for the project is said to be of up to 308 million rupees. Agriculture service providers, producers, consumers and policy makers are said to be the key stakeholders for the project.
