HCSTSI, SBP officials discuss SMEs financing issues

HYDERABAD: Vice President, Hyderabad Chamber of Small Traders & Small Industry (HCSTSI), Shan Sehgal, met with Chief Manager State Bank of Pakistan, Hyderabad Office, Muhammad Ismail, Deputy Chief Manager Khadim Hussain Khokhar and Deputy Director Adil Zahoor, and discussed the financing issues being faced by SMEs, various SME schemes offered by banks, and the hurdles encountered by businesses in obtaining financing.

Shan Sehgal said that during the recent SME Baithak, the business community had also highlighted difficulties relating to various bank schemes, their procedures and the problems faced in accessing financing.

He said that the State Bank’s focus on promoting SME financing and its directions to banks in this regard were appreciable. However, he stressed that practical cooperation between banks and the business community was essential to ensure that the benefits of these schemes reached businesses effectively.

He proposed that the liaison between the Hyderabad Chamber and the State Bank should be further strengthened so that issues faced by Chamber members regarding SME financing, banking schemes or other related matters could be promptly brought before the relevant forum and resolved.

On the occasion, the SBP officials assured that whenever the Chamber identifies any issue concerning SME financing or banking facilities, the matter can be brought to the State Bank’s attention, which would take up the issue with the concerned bank and take necessary steps towards its resolution.

Shan Sehgal appreciated the cooperation of the State Bank officials and their particular focus on the SME-related issues of the business community, and said that the Hyderabad Chamber would continue to play its role in facilitating the business community through effective coordination with the State Bank and the banking sector.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2026