Sindh enterprises offered Rs35m grant

SEDF, UNIDO launch scheme under EU-funded poverty alleviation programme

ISLAMABAD:

The Sindh Enterprise Development Fund (SEDF) and the United Nations Industrial Development Organisation (Unido) on Wednesday formally launched the Enterprise Grant Scheme under the European Union-funded Poverty Alleviation & Inclusive Development Across Rural Sindh (PAIDAR) programme, offering co-financed grants of up to a maximum of Rs35 million per project to enterprises in five districts of Sindh.

The launch ceremony brought together senior government officials, development partners, entrepreneurs and representatives from the business community.

The grant window covers Thatta, Sujawal, Badin, Tharparkar and Larkana, where priority is being given to fisheries and aquaculture, information technology, research and development, waste recycling and bio-waste utilisation, with women-led businesses as a cross-cutting priority.

Applications will remain open until September 15, 2026. Under the scheme, SEDF and Unido will jointly finance up to 70% of eligible project costs, while applicants will contribute at least 30% or more.

The scheme is open to existing SMEs, startups, cooperatives and business associations as well as investors from elsewhere in Pakistan willing to establish or operate businesses in the five targeted districts.

Speaking at the launch, SEDF CEO Khizar Pervaiz highlighted the importance of improving access to capital for entrepreneurs and the role of the grant in enabling businesses to expand and strengthen their operations. "This grant support can help entrepreneurs expand, innovate and strengthen their businesses, while creating greater opportunities for investment and employment across Sindh."

Special Assistant to Sindh CM on Investment & PPP Projects Syed Qassim Naveed Qamar explored the role of entrepreneurship and private-sector development in driving Sindh's economic growth. "When we support entrepreneurs, we are not only supporting individual businesses, we are encouraging investment, creating employment and strengthening entire value chains," he stated.