Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has directed commercial banks to improve access to financing for women entrepreneurs and small and medium enterprises (SMEs), stressing the need to strengthen exports and support businesses in reaching international markets.
Chairing a meeting on Wednesday to review government initiatives for SME development, the prime minister said the sector has immense potential to strengthen Pakistan’s economy and enhance export growth.
He expressed satisfaction over the roadmap prepared by Small and Medium Enterprises Development Authority and the Ministry of Industries and Production, while instructing officials to submit a detailed implementation plan with clear timelines and measurable targets.
The prime minister also directed authorities to grant SME status to agricultural processing sectors in order to improve policy support and financial access for value-added agribusinesses.
During the meeting, PM Shehbaz emphasized the importance of increasing women’s participation in small and medium industries and expanding economic opportunities for female entrepreneurs across the country.
Officials from SMEDA, the Ministry of Industries and Production, and State Bank of Pakistan briefed the meeting that 48 initiatives are currently being implemented across eight strategic sectors under a phased development strategy.
According to officials, the initiatives are aimed at achieving growth targets over the next two and four years through sector-specific reforms and policy interventions.
Participants were also informed about measures focused on improving market access through exhibitions and roadshows, facilitating investment through easier and lower-cost bank financing, strengthening industrial value chains via vendor profiling, and improving documentation through the establishment of a national SME database.
Pakistan’s SME sector accounts for nearly 90 percent of businesses in the country and plays a major role in employment and economic activity. However, the sector continues to face challenges such as limited access to financing, weak integration into formal supply chains, documentation issues, and barriers to export markets.
According to central bank data, SME financing in Pakistan remains low compared to regional economies, prompting repeated policy efforts to improve access to credit and strengthen institutional support for small businesses.
