Microenterprises: SMEDA, PMIC agree to enhance access to finance

LAHORE: The Small and Medium Enterprises Development Authority (SMEDA) and the Pakistan Microfinance Investment Company Limited (PMIC) have agreed to collaborate to enhance access to finance for microenterprises across the country.

The collaborative efforts aim to strengthen financial inclusion and support underserved business segments.

The understanding was reached during a meeting between the senior management of both organizations held at SMEDA Head Office. CEO SMEDA Nadia Jahangir Seth led her team comprising GM Gender and Sustainability Sheharyar Tahir and DGM Financial Services Farah Yasir, while CEO PMIC Yasir Ashfaq was accompanied by Chief Operating Officer Saqib Siddiqui and Head Corporate Finance and Investment Banking Bilal Abdul Razzaq.

CEO SMEDA Nadia Jahangir Seth said her organization oversees the non-banking side of MSME development, including business development services, cluster development, policy inputs and facilitation of access to finance.

She said that, in line with the Prime Minister’s SME development vision, SMEDA is designing focused programmes in collaboration with financial institutions to improve financing opportunities for underserved business segments, particularly women entrepreneurs and microenterprises.

She emphasized that collaboration between SMEDA and PMIC could play a significant role in promoting microfinance solutions for MSMEs.

She called for developing a focused framework to operationalize the partnership.

CEO PMIC Yasir Ashfaq highlighted that PMIC is working to expand microfinance services for small businesses, with particular focus on agriculture, education, climate resilience and women-led enterprises.

He underlined the importance of closer collaboration between PMIC and SMEDA to achieve the shared objective of strengthening microfinance outreach for MSMEs nationwide.

He also proposed holding a joint MSME conference on micro-financing later this year to bring together stakeholders and promote dialogue on expanding financial access.

GM Gender and Sustainability, SMEDA, Sheharyar Tahir observed that stronger collaboration with microfinance institutions like PMIC is essential to effectively address the financial needs of microenterprises.

DGM Financial Services Farah Yasir added that SMEDA is actively promoting financial literacy among MSMEs through a series of training programmes being organized in collaboration with SME-focused trade bodies, aimed at improving businesses’ readiness to access formal finance.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2026