The Impact of the Covid-19 Outbreak on Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) in Quetta

Khushbakht Essa; Dr. Jameel Ahmed; Dr. Kaneez Fatima

doi:10.36902/rjsser-vol4-iss2-2023(214-223)

Khushbakht Essa MS Scholar, Institute of Management Sciences, University of Balochistan, Quetta.
Dr. Jameel Ahmed Institute of Management Sciences, University of Balochistan, Quetta.
Dr. Kaneez Fatima Institute of Management Sciences, University of Balochistan, Quetta.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.36902/rjsser-vol4-iss2-2023(214-223)

Keywords: Covid-19 pandemic, Outbreak, Impacts, Measures, MSMEs.

Abstract

This research aimed to examine the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) operating in Quetta. During the pandemic there were social restrictions on people and businesses were prevented from operating. Many of the MSMEs were affected brutally. No research has been done regarding Quetta, especially about MSMEs. Therefore, the aim of this study is to identify the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on MSMEs in Quetta. The survey method was used in this study. Questionnaires were distributed by hand and online to 385 MSMEs from Quetta. The data was analyzed descriptively. Several key impacts such as financial problems, operational problems, supply chain and distribution blockades, decline in demand etc., were identified. The MSMEs of Quetta dealt with these problems through reducing their employees, their salaries, and working hours etc. This study also gives suggestions to deal with Covid-19 like situations for future policy making regarding MSMEs.