Government Pledges Stronger Banking Support for Women Entrepreneurs

Haroon Akhtar Khan, Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on Industry, announced that the government is seeking supportive banking policies to empower women entrepreneurs and Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) in Pakistan. Speaking at the International Women’s Entrepreneurship Day ceremony, he asserted that Pakistani women-led SMEs can compete with global players like China due to lower overhead costs, provided systemic support and enhanced connectivity are implemented.

Haroon Akhtar Khan stated that the Prime Minister has issued directives to the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) to set mandatory loan targets for commercial banks specifically aimed at women entrepreneurs. He emphasized the need for formalizing women’s companies and committed to empowering the Small and Medium Enterprise Development Authority (Smeda) to help streamline businesses and improve their market outreach.

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Women business leaders present at the event highlighted key hurdles, including a male-dominated mindset, insufficient financing, and a lack of official support. The FPCCI President affirmed that women are essential drivers of innovation and that the nation cannot progress by neglecting half of its population, urging the proper implementation of the existing Women Entrepreneurship Development Policy.

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