Faisalabad Expo to spotlight export potential, empower SMEs and startups: FCCI president

Faisalabad Chamber of Commerce & Industry (FCCI) President Farooq Yousaf Sheikh on Wednesday said that the upcoming Faisalabad Expo would serve as a major platform to showcase industrial and export potential of the city, encourage Small & Medium Enterprises (SMEs) and startups, and create new opportunities for increasing Pakistan's exports

FAISALABAD, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 22nd Jul, 2026) Faisalabad Chamber of Commerce & Industry (FCCI) President Farooq Yousaf Sheikh on Wednesday said that the upcoming Faisalabad Expo would serve as a major platform to showcase industrial and export potential of the city, encourage Small & Medium Enterprises (SMEs) and startups, and create new opportunities for increasing Pakistan's exports.

He was addressing a one-day training program on "Exhibition Stall Planning and Management," organised by the FCCI in collaboration with the Small and Medium Enterprises Development Authority (SMEDA).

He said that FCCI was committed to strengthening local industries, promote entrepreneurship and facilitate women-led businesses through market exposure and business networking.

He said that Faisalabad Expo would be held at Lahore Expo Center from July 24 to 26 and would highlight the manufacturing strength, commercial diversity and export capabilities of Faisalabad.

He said that pre-expo training session had been arranged to equip exhibitors particularly startups and SMEs with the skills required to maximize business opportunities during the three-day event.

He said that the government was extending maximum support to SME sector through various facilitation measures including access to financing on easy terms, but noted that many aspiring exporters lacked awareness about export documentation and international business procedures.

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He said that training program would also guide participants on accessing non-traditional international markets and promoting the export of non-traditional products, enabling businesses to diversify their export base and enhance competitiveness.

He urged SMEDA District Officer Fakia Zubair to facilitate entrepreneurs seeking small business loans and proposed organizing dedicated awareness sessions in collaboration with the Bank of Punjab and other financial institutions to educate SMEs about interest-free and soft financing schemes available for business expansion.

He said that he had already discussed the proposal with Punjab Minister for Industries and Commerce Chaudhry Shafay Hussain and expressed optimism that the initiative would receive official encouragement and support.

He further said that special stalls had been reserved at the expo for women entrepreneurs and SME startups, urging them to participate actively and benefit from the networking and marketing opportunities.

The expo management team would extend possible assistance to the exhibitors, he added.

Earlier, Strategy Consulting Founder and Managing Director Shehzad Akhtar briefed the participants on effective strategies for successful participation in trade exhibitions while SMEDA District Officer Fakia Zubair invited SMEs whose loan applications had previously been rejected to submit written representations so their cases could be reviewed afresh.