The manufacturing industry in Pakistan is mostly labor intensive with a low level of automation having high defect rates and low efficiency levels. As a result, it is facing serious problems in increasing, or even sustaining its share in the global market, causing unemployment in different major industrial sectors. The situation is worsening due to current energy shortfall. The increasing input costs and decreasing profit margins are causing threats to manufacturing; among others, the survival of Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) is becoming difficult day by day.

The manufacturing sector of Pakistan has been recognized as a main engine of economic growth. An increase in competitiveness of the industrial sector especially good performance in export markets is therefore crucial for the national economy. Presently, the manufacturing sector is in dire need of productivity improvement at mass level along with efficient utilization of available energy resources in order to survive in the competitive environment of local and international markets.

SMEDA has initiated an Industry Support Programme (ISP) since 2004 with the objective to transfer technical expertise and knowledge to local industry through involvement of International and Local Experts. 

Industry Support Programme operates in collaboration with different international organizations like Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), German International Cooperation (GIZ), Training & Development Centers of the Bavarian Employers’ Association (bfz- Germany), Asian Productivity Organization (APO- Japan), Senior Experten Service (SES-Germany), United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) and World Bank for its various initiatives. Through international organization, ISP is offering different services to member mills of its local partners like Pakistan Hosiery Manufacturers Association (PHMA), Pakistan Readymade Garments Manufactures & Exporters Association (PRGMEA), All Pakistan Textile Mills Association (APTMA), All Pakistan Textile Processing Mills Association (APTPMA), Pakistan Association of Automotive Parts and Accessories Manufacturers (PAAPAM) and Pakistan Foundry Association (PFA) and others.

Through ISP, SMEDA has been providing technical guidance and consultancy to industrial sectors in the areas of Productivity Improvement, Quality Assurance, Cost Reduction and Energy Efficiency. This Programme has been facilitating different industrial sectors including Textiles, Auto Parts, Foundry, Fan, Furniture, Jute, Leather Footwear, Food Processing etc. 

To ensure the success of Industry Support Programme, an Industry Support Cell (ISC) at SMEDA was established in April 2004. The main objectives of establishing this cell are the capacity building of SMEDA staff and to ensure the continuity of different initiatives.

ISC consists of professionals who work closely with foreign experts for the development and up- gradation of local industry.