MoU inked to enhance access to financing

High-potential startups, SMEs in Sindh will be provided low-cost credit

KARACHI:

The Sindh Enterprise Development Fund (SEDF) and Accelerate Prosperity, an initiative of the Aga Khan Rural Support Programme (AKRSP), signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on Monday at SEDF's Karachi office to enhance access to finance for startups and small and medium enterprises (SMEs) across Sindh.

The agreement was signed by SEDF Chief Executive Officer Khizar Pervaiz and Accelerate Prosperity Country Head Rohma Labeeb. Special Assistant to Sindh Chief Minister for Investment & Public Private Partnership Unit and SEDF Chairman Syed Qassim Naveed Qamar along with senior leadership including Accelerate Prosperity Chief Investment Officer Harris Khan were present at the signing ceremony, according to a statement.

The partnership establishes a structured framework under which Accelerate Prosperity will identify and prepare high-potential startups and SMEs, while SEDF will evaluate and extend Kibor-based markup subsidy support in line with its mandate and priority sectors. The collaboration aims to lower financing costs, strengthen enterprise bankability and enhance access to formal credit for SMEs in Sindh.

Speaking on the occasion, Qassim Naveed Qamar stated that strengthening institutional linkages between enterprise development and formal finance was central to Sindh's economic agenda and the partnership creates a structured pathway for scalable, investment-ready businesses.

Accelerate Prosperity Country Head Rohma Labeeb noted that aligning enterprise development with structured financial facilitation would accelerate the transition of high-potential startups to investment-ready and creditworthy businesses within the province. The signing reflects the government of Sindh's commitment to transforming SME support from isolated initiatives into an institutional financing framework, positioning enterprise growth as a central driver of industrial expansion, job creation and long-term economic stability in the province.