Credit access pledged to exporters

Aurangzeb meets PTEA delegation, Mastercard on digital payments and financial inclusion

ISLAMABAD:

Federal Minister for Finance and Revenue Senator Muhammad Aurangzeb has said the government will improve access to finance for businesses, particularly small and medium enterprises, to strengthen their role in the export value chain, as he met a delegation of the Pakistan Textile Exporters Association (PTEA) led by Chairman Rehan Naseem Bharara to discuss sector performance, export competitiveness and the business environment.

He said the global economic landscape was evolving and emphasised the need for businesses to adapt their business models to the requirements of the new economy, encouraging greater focus on innovation, productivity, technology adoption and value addition to remain competitive and respond to changing international market dynamics, according to a statement issued on Wednesday.

The discussion covered the business environment for exporters, including energy costs and access to finance, with the minister highlighting the government's focus on strengthening the enabling environment for the private sector and the importance of continued engagement with industry.

Delegation members shared their perspectives on the evolving global trade environment and the importance of strengthening export competitiveness, highlighting an enabling business environment, improved access to finance and continued facilitation, and underscoring the value of close coordination between the government and industry.

The minister reaffirmed the government's commitment to export-led growth and said close collaboration with the private sector would remain important in strengthening industrial competitiveness, encouraging modernisation and expanding the country's presence in international markets.

The delegation included the Faisalabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry president, former PTEA chairman Khurram Mukhtar, Arif Ihsan Malik, Pakistan Hosiery Manufacturers and Exporters Association chairman Zia Alamdar and Pakistan Readymade Garments Manufacturers and Exporters Association chairman Sohail Afzal.

In a separate meeting, the minister discussed digital payments, financial inclusion and cybersecurity with a Mastercard delegation led by East Arabia Division President Mark Elliott, in line with the prime minister's cashless economy initiative.

He said digital financial solutions would support agriculture, small and medium enterprises and other underserved segments, and that cybersecurity and fraud prevention must remain central to a secure and resilient digital financial ecosystem.

Mark Elliott reaffirmed Mastercard's long-term commitment to the country and expressed interest in leveraging its global expertise to support digital transformation, citing collaboration in payment acceptance, financial inclusion, remittances and cybersecurity.