2nd SME Conference

International
March 15-16, 2017 Lahore, Pakistan

Patrons
Mr. Sher Ayub Khan (CEO, SMEDA)
Dr. Hasan Sohaib Murad (Rector, UMT)

CALL FOR PAPERS

The significance of SME sector in economic development has been recognized globally for its contribution
to employment generation and poverty alleviation. That is why, policy makers in developed, as well as
developing nations emphasize the need to strengthen SMEs as an engine for sustainable economic growth
through fostering SME focused research. There is also wide agreement that promoting such a culture
invariably calls for collaboration of industry, academia, government, and development agencies. In fact,
globally, think tanks play a critical role in highlighting issues and proposing recommendations for their
redressal. However, in Pakistan, a culture of research has yet to gain the significance it merits. To promote
this culture of research, specifically in the area of SMEs, the first National SME Conference was jointly
organized by SMEDA and UMT on 25th May 2016 at Lahore, aiming to promote SME specific research in
Pakistan. The conference was unique as it particularly focused on Contribution, Challenges and Prospects of
SME Sector in Pakistan hence attracting participants from Academia, International development Agencies,
Government Organizations and Private Sector. An overwhelming response was received from academia, as
around 50 research papers were contributed by 27 Universities across Pakistan. Renowned Scholars, Policy
Makers, Development Practitioners and Entrepreneurs shared their views and experiences regarding SME
development at the conference.
After the success of the 1st National SME Conference, the 2nd SME Conference is planned to be held on 15th
-16th March 2017 in Lahore, Pakistan. This time, the conference aims to bring together International SME
representative bodies from developed and developing countries, academia, government departments,
international development agencies, financial institutions, large scale enterprises, and researchers. It will
highlight the challenges and prospects of SME sector in Pakistan in light of international best practices, and
furnish declarations for all stakeholders, in general; and policy makers in particular.

We welcome case studies, empirical and conceptual scholarly contributions related to SME Sector of
Pakistan in the following thematic areas:

1. Conducive Business Environment (Long Term Policy Framework, Fiscal Policy, Trade Policy, Legislation,
Doing Business, Competitiveness, Level Playing Field etc.)

2. Access to Finance (SME Financing, Leasing, Credit, Venture Capital, Angel Investment, SME Stock
Exchanges etc.)

3. Entrepreneurship & Enterprise Development (Business Creation, Human Resource Development,

Foreign Direct Investment, Cluster Development etc.)

4. Local & International Market Development for SMEs (Integrating SMEs into Global Value Chains,
Market Access, Trade Openness, Quality and Technology, Certifications, Branding, Joint Ventures,
Trade Agreements etc.)

Organizers Partners

Small and Medium

Enterprises Development
Authority
Government of Pakistan
 2nd SME Conference
International
March 15-16, 2017 Lahore, Pakistan

Patrons
Mr. Sher Ayub Khan (CEO, SMEDA)
Dr. Hasan Sohaib Murad (Rector, UMT)

PAPER SUBMISSION, REVIEW PROCESS & ACCEPTANCE NOTICE

Authors can send empirical and conceptual papers. The papers should include Objectives, Data and
Methods, Results, up to 6 key words, and Conclusions with significance. All papers will undergo
double-blind review process and the notification of the acceptance will be served within 4 weeks after their
submission.

PUBLICATION OPPORTUNITIES

Abstracts of all selected papers will be published in Conference Proceedings in online and hard-copy
formats. With consent of authors, top 5 papers based on reviewers evaluation will be published in
Volume 4, Issue 1 of SMEDA Research Journal (ISSN: 2220-7570).

BEST PAPER AWARD

Cash award, along with certificate, will be given to 5 Best papers. All selected papers will be considered for
best paper nomination, whereas final decision will be made based on Reviewers evaluation/score.

REGISTRATION AND PUBLICATION FEE

Participation in conference will be with prior registration. Registration and publication fee will be covered by
Conference organizers and sponsors. Therefore, no fee will be charged from authors and participants of the
conference. All participants will be provided conference material (proceedings, bags etc.) refreshments and
lunch.

HOW TO SUBMIT PAPERS

https://easychair.org/conferences/?conf=2ndsmeconference

Organizers Partners

Small and Medium

Enterprises Development
Authority
Government of Pakistan
 2nd SME Conference
International
March 15-16, 2017 Lahore, Pakistan

Patrons
Mr. Sher Ayub Khan (CEO, SMEDA)
Dr. Hasan Sohaib Murad (Rector, UMT)

For more information visit our website: http://smeconference.com.pk/

or contact

Nadia Jahangir Seth Sami Ullah Bajwa

Conference Manager/ Conference Manager/
General Manager Director Internationalization
Policy and Planning School of Business and Economics
Division SMEDA University of Management & Technology
nadia@smeda.org.pk sami.bajwa@umt.edu.pk

Venue
Pearl Continental Hotel, Lahore, Pakistan

Submission Deadline: 7th December 2016

Registration Deadline: 7th December 2016

Organizers Partners

Small and Medium

Enterprises Development
Authority
Government of Pakistan