Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif chaired a high-level review meeting in Islamabad today regarding financial inclusion and the facilitation of loans for Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs), startups, and small farmers.
During the meeting, the prime minister directed the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) to take steps to further simplify the loan process for SMEs and the agricultural sector from the banking sector, the PM Office said. He emphasised that credit must be ensured on a priority basis for service providers to promote modernisation in agriculture.
“In developed countries, SMEs serve as the backbone of the economy and industry,” the prime minister remarked. He also directed that youth be provided with entrepreneurship training to foster new businesses and stimulate economic activity, the PMO said in a statement.
READ MORE: PM Shehbaz orders easy loans for SMEs to boost national economy
Special Assistant to PM Haroon Akhtar and the SMEDA team have been directed to visit all provinces, including Gilgit-Baltistan and Azad Jammu & Kashmir, to formulate a comprehensive policy for SME facilitation.
“Providing loans for the acquisition of modern technology for the private sector, specifically SMEs and small farmers, is a top priority,” the premier said.
PM Shehbaz announced that he will personally monitor progress regularly and will form a sub-committee to simplify loan procedures.
The meeting was briefed on the significant increase in private sector lending. Compared to 2021-22, the number of private sector borrowers doubled by December 2025, crossing 303,000, with the loan volume reaching 1.1 trillion rupees, the forum was told.
The number of farmers benefiting from loans is estimated to reach 3 million this year, up from 2.8 million last year, the meeting was briefed.
The forum was informed that commercial banks are prioritising loans for new businesses and modern machinery, including sectors like livestock and fisheries.
READ MORE: Loans should be more accessible to SMEs, urges PM
According to the PMO, the central bank has launched a fully digital ‘Zarkhaiz-e-App’ to facilitate small farmers.
A training programme on financial management and awareness for SMEs will be launched soon. A programme to provide loans to service providers for modern agricultural machinery is already operational in Punjab.
The meeting was attended by Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Senator Ishaq Dar, Federal Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb, State Minister Bilal Azhar Kayani, Governor State Bank Jameel Ahmad, and chief secretaries from all provinces and regions.
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