Aurangzeb Highlights Insufficient Financing for SMEs in Pakistan

Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb, speaking at the International Business Forum in Seville during the Financing for Development conference, emphasized the pivotal role of small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in Pakistan’s economy—accounting for about 40% of GDP, 25% of exports, and nearly 78% of non‑agricultural employment—while lamenting their limited access to formal finance. He outlined a strategic national goal to increase SME financing to 17% of private-sector credit by 2028, aided by central bank incentives and coordinated across government. He also linked SME support with climate-friendly, tech-based growth and financial inclusion initiatives