Minister of State for Finance Bilal Azhar Kayani calls for faster loan processing, improved export credit support and reduced business costs to help small exporters access international markets.
Islamabad, October 29, 2026: Pakistan is considering measures to improve export financing and strengthen the international competitiveness of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), as the government seeks to expand the country’s export base.
Minister of State for Finance Bilal Azhar Kayani chaired a high-level meeting at the Finance Division to discuss barriers faced by exporting SMEs and review the government’s recently announced support measures.
Kayani reaffirmed the government’s commitment to helping smaller exporters access finance, foreign markets and new product opportunities while reducing business costs and simplifying procedures.
Discussing the Export Finance Scheme (EFS), the minister stressed that participating banks should designate focal persons, clearly communicate eligibility criteria and establish timelines for processing applications.
The meeting also examined ways to improve the effectiveness of the Export Facilitation Scheme, expand export credit insurance and introduce risk-sharing mechanisms to support smaller businesses.
Representatives of exporting SMEs highlighted challenges involving taxation, regulatory compliance, certification requirements and the costs of accessing international markets. Emerging green certification requirements were also identified as a concern for businesses seeking to compete globally.
Participants discussed freight availability, shipping costs and access to modern machinery and productivity-enhancing technology, which can influence exporters’ costs and production capacity.
Kayani directed stakeholders to consult chambers of commerce and exporters, document key issues and establish a tracking mechanism with clearly defined responsibilities and deadlines.
Relevant institutions will review financing arrangements, regulatory hurdles and market-access issues, including options to improve digital access, collateral arrangements and export credit support.
The meeting was attended by Commerce Secretary Jawad Paul, senior officials from the Ministry of Commerce, representatives of provincial departments and leading SME exporters. Federal Board of Revenue Member (Strategic Transformation) Dr Hamid Ateeq Sarwar and other officials also participated.
The meeting reaffirmed the government’s stated commitment, in line with the Prime Minister’s directives, to improving access to export finance and strengthening coordination to help Pakistani SMEs expand their presence in international markets.