PAIDAR SME Grants Orientation Session Sparks Innovation in Sindh’s Business Community

Poverty Alleviation & Inclusive Development Across Rural Sindh (PAIDAR) programme successfully concluded its Business Grants Orientation event hosted in Karachi to empower small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), entrepreneurs, and associations. The event attracted enthusiastic participation from 77 shortlisted applicants representing diverse business sectors. These participants will now collaborate with Technical Assistance (TA) companies allocated by PAIDAR to develop robust business proposals.

The sectors represented in the grant fund span a wide range, including solar products, the automotive industry, waste management, construction, food processing, salt mining, retail, biomass processing, telemedicine, rice husking, and e-commerce amongst others. The event saw a significant turnout from women-led businesses, highlighting PAIDAR's commitment to gender inclusivity and support for female entrepreneurs.

The three Technical Assistance (TA) companies providing expert support for business planning are Sindh Enterprise Development Fund (SEDF), Empowerment through Creative Integration (ECI), and i-Consult. These renowned organizations bring extensive experience and specialized expertise, ensuring development of robust business proposals.

National Programme Coordinator for PAIDAR, Mr. Badar ul Islam and National Technical Advisor for PAIDAR, Mr. Farooque Ahmed Siddiqui introduced the audience with the overall programme objectives, and welcomed the diverse range of business proposals received under the PAIDAR SME grants. Our esteemed guests—Secretary Investment Department, Mr. Raja Khurram Shahzad Umar, Secretary Planning & Development Department, Mr. Khair Muhammad Kalwar inspired the audience with their unwavering support and words of encouragement. The PAIDAR SME Grants will set the stage for significant uplift in local businesses resulting in job creation, advancements in the business landscape, and equipping SMEs with the necessary tools and knowledge to drive economic growth and development.

About Business Grants:

The business development window was initiated to support businesses and enterprises in generating sustainable, pro-poor employment opportunities and productive incomes across Sindh, with the special focus on women and youth. Grants range from EUR 11,000 to EUR 200,000, with cost-sharing up to 50% of the proposed project cost, and up to 70% for women-led businesses.