Rural Sindh: UNIDO, SEDF launch co-financed grant scheme up to Rs35m

KARACHI: The United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) and the Sindh Enterprise Development Fund (SEDF) have launched a co-financed grant scheme offering up to Rs35 million per project for enterprises operating in five districts of rural Sindh.

The scheme is being rolled out under the European Union-funded Poverty Alleviation and Inclusive Development Across Rural Sindh (PAIDAR) programme.

Applications close on Sept 15. According to a statement issued on Wednesday, the application portal —https://portal.sedf.gos.pk/Grants/Home — has been open since July 21, while the formal launch was held at a local hotel in Karachi.

Under the window, UNIDO-PAIDAR and SEDF will jointly finance up to 70 per cent of eligible project costs, with applicants required to contribute at least 30pc.

The grants are targeted at Thatta, Sujawal, Badin, Tharparkar and Larkana. Priority will be given to projects in fisheries and aquaculture, information technology, research and development, and waste recycling and bio-waste utilization, with women-led businesses identified as a cross-cutting priority.

Existing SMEs, startups, cooperatives and business associations are eligible to apply, as are investors from elsewhere in Pakistan willing to set up operations in the five target districts. Officials said a series of road shows held ahead of the launch across the target districts drew over 700 participants, indicating strong interest from local businesses and entrepreneurs.

The grant window operationalizes a EUR 3.04 million co-financing agreement signed between UNIDO and SEDF earlier this year under the PAIDAR programme. Each partner is contributing EUR 1.17m, with a further EUR 0.7m expected as private-sector equity. Under the agreement, the enterprise grant model will be anchored within SEDF, an institution of the Sindh government.

Speaking as guest of honour, Provincial Secretary for Planning, Sindh, Altaf H. Sario said the Sindh government welcomed the partnership with the EU, UNIDO and SEDF, which he said would help local enterprises access finance, strengthen businesses and create employment.

Special Assistant to the Chief Minister on Investment and Public Private Partnership Syed Qasim Naveed Qamar, who was chief guest, said the Fund was established to channel provincial resources into enterprises that can grow Sindh’s economy. “What is different about this window is that our capital sits alongside our partners’. This is the government of Sindh investing in its own rural economy, and we have the funds ready for strong proposals,” he said, urging eligible businesses to apply before the deadline.

SEDF Chief Executive Officer Khizer Pervez said the scheme was aimed at sharing risk with entrepreneurs who have viable ideas but lack access to formal credit.

“The 30 per cent contribution means every rupee of public funding is matched by genuine commitment. Our portal is open and our criterion is transparent,” he said.

Third batch of grants awarded: The ceremony also saw the award of grants to a third batch of 17 enterprises selected under PAIDAR’s earlier SME Business Development Grant scheme, totalling approximately EUR 2.03m.

The recipient firms are spread across all five PAIDAR districts and operate in agriculture, food processing, seed production, fisheries, biotechnology, engineering, minerals and export trading. Several of the enterprises are women-led. UNIDO PAIDAR Officer-in-Charge Badar-ul-Islam said PAIDAR combines financial support with technical assistance to help enterprises grow, become more sustainable and access commercial finance. “Through three grant cycles, PAIDAR will have supported 50 enterprises with approximately EUR 6.3m in grants,” he said.

The event was also attended by Investment Secretary Raja Khurram Shehzad Umer and other officials of the Sindh government, civil society representatives and entrepreneurs.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2026