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Pakistan signs $350 million ADB loan to boost women's financial inclusion
Pakistan has secured a $350 million loan from the Asian Development Bank (ADB) aimed at advancing financial inclusion and economic empowerment for women, state broadcaster Radio Pakistan reported on Tuesday.
The loan agreement was signed in Islamabad by Sabina Qureshi, Additional Secretary of the Economic Affairs Division, and Dinesh Raj Shiwakoti, Head of ADB's Project Administration Unit, under the Women Inclusive Finance (WIF) Sector Development Programme.
The funding under WIF's second sub-programme targets four critical areas: fostering a supportive regulatory and policy framework for women's financial access, expanding financing options for women, enhancing female entrepreneurial capabilities, and building inclusive work environments within the financial sector.
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The programme is designed to offer women improved access to credit and other financial services, expand their business opportunities, and generate new jobs, Radio Pakistan said. It added that the initiative aligns with Pakistan's broader national goal of integrating women more fully into economic activity.
By strengthening women's role in the financial and business landscape, the programme aims to drive equitable growth and sustainable development across the country.
The loan comes amid challenging economic circumstances for Pakistan. According to the Economic Survey 2024-25 released on June 9, the country's debt rose to PKR 76 trillion during the first nine months of the fiscal year. Despite the debt burden, Pakistan's economy is projected to grow by 2.7% this year.
Islamabad is also pursuing additional external financing. It is currently working to secure $3.3 billion through a syndicated loan and commercial refinancing from Chinese banks, even as it continues under a $7 billion loan programme agreed with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) last year. Pakistan has already received two tranches under the IMF programme, the latest of which was disbursed in May.
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