{
  "id": 5672297,
  "title": "SMEDA, SBP explore cluster-based lending for SMEs",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/04/smeda-sbp-explore-cluster-based-lending-for-smes",
  "topic": "finance",
  "section": "Finance & Markets",
  "published": "2026-09-04T23:59:30.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Business Recorder",
    "slug": "business-recorder",
    "url": "https://www.brecorder.com/news/40438042/smeda-sbp-explore-cluster-based-lending-for-smes"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Laahore: The Small and Medium Enterprises Development Authority (SMEDA) partnered with the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) to host a seminar on cluster-based lending research, aimed at broadening financing options for Pakistan's Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs). Attendees included financial institutions, industry stakeholders, and key partners to discuss enhancing SME access to formal financing and strengthening banking sector ties. SMEDA CEO Nadia Jahangir Seth emphasized converting research and industry insights into viable lending options for financial entities. She added that understanding individual SME clusters could help banks create tailored financing solutions. Dr Muhammad Saleem, Head of Department, SH&SFD, SBP, delivered a keynote address, followed by a presentation on cluster-based lending studies. SMEDA General Manager Raja Hassanien Javaid mentioned that SME development, competitiveness, and access to finance remained key priorities. Finance for SMEs grew by 30.5 percent year-on-year, rising from Rs691 billion to Rs901.6 billion as of June 2026, with borrower count increasing by 15.18 percent to 318,585 businesses. SMEs account for 40 percent of GDP, 30 percent of exports, and employ over 80 percent of non-agricultural workers. The seminar also addressed the SME Credit Scoring Services Model, a standardised credit risk assessment tool for SMEs developed by SMEDA, to be tested by participating banks as a supplementary assessment aid for financial institutions.",
  "summary": "LAHORE: The Small and Medium Enterprises Development Authority (SMEDA), in collaboration with the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP), organised a seminar on cluster-based lending studies to explore practical ways of expanding financing opportunities for Pakistan’s Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs). The seminar brought together representatives of financial institutions, industry stakeholders, partner…",
  "key_points": [
    "SMEDA and SBP collaborate on seminar for SME financing",
    "Cluster-based lending aims to expand SME financing options",
    "SMEs contribute 40% to GDP and employ 80% of non-agricultural workers"
  ],
  "editors_take": "This collaboration between SMEDA and SBP aims to enhance SME access to formal financing by developing tailored lending solutions based on cluster-specific needs, potentially unlocking growth for a sector critical to Pakistan's economy.",
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}