Latest news with #PunjabSmallIndustriesCorporation
Express Tribune
17-05-2025
- Business
- Express Tribune
Over 6,700 women launch businesses
Loans worth Rs23.91 billion have been given to start 57,913 new businesses in Punjab during the past three months. Chairing a meeting for a briefing on Easy Business Finance and Card schemes, Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif said 6,753 women had obtained loans worth Rs3.42 billion to run their own businesses. She directed the authorities concerned to complete the processing of pending applications for the loans as early as possible. She directed the authorities to make arrangements to activate the Easy Business Card through WhatsApp as well. The chief minister also sought a plan for export and manufacturing sector loans. She said, "The Easy Business Finance and Easy Business Card programmes should not be stopped under any circumstances." Punjab Small Industries Corporation (PSIC) Managing Director Sara Umar informed the CM that 3,010 citizens had obtained loans worth Rs18 billion under Chief Minister Easy Business Finance Scheme and 104,000 had acquired loans worth Rs43 billion under the Chief Minister Easy Business Card Scheme. The MD added, "Out of 74,579 applications for Chief Minister Easy Business Finance, 2,505 have been approved and loans have been received by the applicants; whereas out of 12,029 applications for Chief Minister Easy Business Finance Tier II, 505 have been approved and loans released. Out of over 1.38 million applications for Chief Minister Easy Business Card Scheme, 104,133 have been approved." The chief minister was informed that 1,312 applicants had got loans worth Rs3.91 billion for the transportation business, whereas 175 people had received Rs3.94 billion for distribution businesses. "There is a trend of getting loans for professional services, agriculture, dairy, food, beautification, auto, fertiliser, pesticide and other businesses. The largest number of people are providing services through the Aasan Karobar Card under which 61,996 applicants took loans worth Rs26.13 billion and 24,522 people received loans worth Rs10.75 billion for trading and 10,699 people received Rs3.69 billion for small agri-businesses," the CM was informed.
Express Tribune
08-03-2025
- Business
- Express Tribune
SMEDA calls for women's economic empowerment
Listen to article A webinar hosted by the Small and Medium Enterprises Development Authority (SMEDA) on Friday, in celebration of International Women's Day 2025, highlighted the need for a dedicated forum where women can regularly engage and address challenges in achieving economic and social empowerment. According to a press statement, the event, themed "Inspire Inclusion – Accelerate Action," featured prominent women business leaders from the public and private sectors. It was addressed by SMEDA officials, including Nadia Jehangir Seth, General Manager Policy Planning; Saleha Saeed, General Manager Outreach; and Tania Buttar, Deputy General Manager. Speakers underscored the urgency of advancing women's economic participation. Saira Umar, Managing Director of Punjab Small Industries Corporation (PSIC), discussed the positive impact of appointing female directors in key roles and initiatives like 'Assan Karobar Finance', which provides interest-free loans to women entrepreneurs. Nazia Seher, Senior Programme Manager at JICA, stressed the importance of mentorship in helping women transition from home-based businesses to leadership positions. Faiza Ahsan, Additional Secretary Women Development Department, shared details of training programmes designed to enhance employability among rural women, while Faiqa Naseem, Joint Director at SBP, highlighted the success of the 'Banking on Equality policy', which has facilitated 12.2 million new bank accounts for women, boosting financial inclusion. The session under scored the need for enhanced digital literacy and financial accessibility to support aspiring women entrepreneurs. Samina Fazil, President of WCCI-Islamabad, noted that with women comprising 50% of Pakistan's population, fostering an inclusive business environment is vital for economic growth. As the event concluded, speakers called for stronger collaboration between the public and private sectors and targeted policy interventions.
