MSMEs: SMEDA, SEDF discuss avenues for access to finance

LAHORE: The Small and Medium Enterprises Development Authority (SMEDA) and the Sindh Enterprise Development Fund (SEDF) have discussed the scope of collaboration for enhancing access to finance to promote the growth of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) as per economic development vision of the Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif.

The understanding was reached during a meeting between senior officials of the two organizations at SMEDA’s office.

The SMEDA delegation was led by Chief Executive Officer Nadia Jahangir Seth and included General Manager Raja Hassanein Javed, General Manager (Microenterprise) Ashfaq Ahmed and Deputy General Manager Farah Yasir. The SEDF delegation comprised Chief Executive Officer Khizar Pervaiz and Executive Director Gohar Khizar.

CEO SMEDA Nadia Jahangir Seth said improving access to finance is one of the key strategic priorities of the ‘Business Plan’ developed by SMEDA on direction of the prime minister. She said SMEDA is implementing practical initiatives to improve the bankability of MSMEs and enable them to access formal financing.

CEO SMEDA further said SMEDA is moving beyond policy discussions to on-ground interventions that prepare entrepreneurs for bank financing through financial literacy, business formalization and advisory support. CEO SMEDA highlighted the Authority’s upcoming SME Financing Helpdesks, which will provide guidance on loan preparedness, financial management and credit access across the country. “Partnerships with institutions such as SEDF will help us extend these services to a much larger number of MSMEs and create greater opportunities for enterprise growth,” she added.

CEO SEDF Khizar Pervaiz said his organization provides technical and financial assistance to SMEs, including women entrepreneurs, and facilitates access to industrial land on subsidized terms. He expressed SEDF’s interest in working closely with SMEDA to achieve shared objectives and support the government’s efforts to expand access to finance. He also shared SEDF’s intention to explore the replication of Punjab’s Asaan Karobar Scheme in Sindh and welcomed collaboration with SMEDA on its proposed SME Financing Helpdesks.

During the meeting, SMEDA team briefed the delegation on its initiatives to promote financial inclusion, including lending studies, financial literacy programmes, identification of financing gaps, the SME Registration Portal and the upcoming SME Financing Helpdesks.

The two organizations agreed to work together in areas of mutual interest, including information sharing, financial literacy, capacity building and initiatives that strengthen the enabling environment for MSMEs and improve their access to formal finance across Pakistan.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2026