Key Takeaways
- Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif directed the launch of a digital portal for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) by November.
- The portal aims to provide real-time tracking of bank loans and credit facilities for SMEs.
- The government targets increased lending to SMEs and housing, with specific targets set for 2027.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has ordered the launch of a digital portal for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) by the end of November, aiming to facilitate easier access to bank loans and real-time tracking of credit facilities.
The portal will offer updated information on bank lending to businesses, including the status of letters of credit and other banking facilities, according to an official briefing.
The government aims to increase SME lending to Rs. 1,500 billion and expand the number of borrowing businesses to 565,000 by June 2027, reflecting a significant push to support the growth of SMEs.
In the housing sector, the government’s Apna Ghar Scheme has approved 71,690 loans worth Rs. 426 billion, with Rs. 76 billion disbursed to 13,214 borrowers. The target is to provide Rs. 700 billion in housing finance for 125,000 residential units during the current year.
The prime minister also directed the Small and Medium Enterprises Development Authority (SMEDA) to strengthen the capacity of small businesses, promote modern technology, and improve productivity, encouraging their entry into global value chains.
So far, SMEs have received Rs. 1,137 billion in loans, benefiting around 350,000 businesses. The government aims to achieve a higher lending target to support more businesses.
In agriculture, lending currently stands at Rs. 1,352 billion, benefiting 3.455 million people. The government aims to raise agricultural credit to Rs. 1,500 billion and increase the number of beneficiaries to 4.5 million by June 2027.
The meeting also reviewed the lending performance of NBP and First Women Bank, with the prime minister praising the National Bank of Pakistan (NBP) for approving 76 percent of housing finance applications.
Other measures under consideration include shared risk arrangements for lending, supply chain financing, verified data sharing, and digital systems that would allow people seeking small loans to avoid repeated visits to bank branches.
