LAHORE: The Lahore Chamber of Commerce and Industry Thursday organized the SME Finance and Banking Expo with the objective of providing small and medium enterprises (SMEs) direct access to banking facilities, financing schemes and financial products.
The day-long expo witnessed participation from almost all major commercial banks, Islamic banks and financial institutions of the country. Various banks set up stalls where a large number of LCCI members visited and obtained detailed information about SME-focused financing products, refinance schemes, credit facilities, Islamic finance models and digital banking solutions.
The expo was inaugurated jointly by LCCI President Faheem Ur Rehman Saigol, Executive Director State Bank of Pakistan Syed Basit Aly, Chief Manager State Bank Tariq Riaz, LCCI Senior Vice President Tanveer Ahmed Sheikh, Vice President Khurram Lodhi and SAARC Chamber Vice President Mian Anjum Nisar. Convener SME Banking Expo Syed Salman Ali, CEO EXIM Bank Shahbaz Syed, Members of the LCCI Executive Committee, senior bank officials, business leaders and women entrepreneurs were also present at the opening ceremony.
Executive Director State Bank of Pakistan Syed Basit Ali said that the SME sector is a top priority for both the government and the State Bank. He stated that the State Bank is working closely with banks to remove obstacles in SME financing and has introduced new, principle-based prudential regulations to facilitate banks in this area. He explained that Pakistan’s banking system has traditionally been collateral-based with limited risk-taking, but the State Bank is working to gradually shift financing toward cash-flow and business-model based lending. He added that the State Bank is also developing viable products in collaboration with international financial institutions.
Praising the role of women entrepreneurs, Syed Basit Ali said that women’s inclusion is essential not only for economic growth but also for social development. He informed that under the “Banking on Equality” policy, targets for women’s inclusion have been successfully achieved, and work is now underway on “Banking on Equality Vision 2.0” with even higher goals.
Chief Manager State Bank Tariq Riaz congratulated the Lahore Chamber on organizing a successful and effective expo. He said that in the current environment, such positive forums play an important role in restoring business confidence. He stressed that improving the business environment is a shared responsibility so that the youth choose to build their future in Pakistan instead of leaving the country.
Copyright Business Recorder, 2026
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