Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif directed the scrapping of a rule that mandated SMEs to generate at least 80% of their revenue from exports to qualify for long‑term financing. During a meeting on export‑focused SME support, he also instructed authorities to guarantee banks implement preferential lending schemes for the sector.
Approximately 17,000 SMEs in Pakistan are engaged in export activities. Since launching a dedicated portal on November 1, the State Bank of Pakistan has received over 10,000 loan applications. The government has allocated Rs300 billion for SME and new‑exporter financing under the Export Finance Scheme and Rs350 billion for the Long‑Term Financing Facility in the current year.
Discussions also addressed exporters’ challenges related to taxes, refunds, provincial levies, accreditation, logistics, payments, and financing access. Shehbaz urged the simplification of regulatory procedures, enhanced accreditation standards, and the expansion of nearby testing facilities, including modern laboratories, to bolster the export community.
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