The government has dedicated Rs300 billion, approximately USD1.1 billion, exclusively to small and medium enterprises (SMEs) that export under the Export Finance Scheme (EFS). Khurram Schehzad, Adviser to the Finance Minister, announced that this financing will be provided through the Pakistan Export-Import Bank (Pak EXIM).
Schehzad stated that while this allocation was previously shared with other types of borrowers, it is now exclusively earmarked for eligible SME exporters. The move is intended to improve access to concessional financing, reduce the cost of doing business, and strengthen the country's export competitiveness.
The financing facility will be paired with tax relief measures introduced in the federal budget for FY2026-27. These measures include reductions in Super Tax and other export-related taxes to ease the financial burden on exporters.
According to Schehzad, Pak EXIM has instructed participating banks to ensure the dedicated allocation is effectively utilized. The government expects the move to provide SMEs with better access to working capital, allowing them to fulfill export orders, increase production capacity, and enter new international markets.
The initiative follows the Prime Minister’s vision and the Finance Minister’s leadership as part of a broader Ministry of Finance agenda to promote export-led economic growth. The government noted that while SMEs are a significant part of the business sector, they face ongoing constraints in accessing affordable credit for working capital and expansion.
