Pakistan PM Shehbaz Sharif Chairs Export Development Fund and Export Credit Support Meeting

Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif chaired a significant meeting on the Export Development Fund (EDF) and export credit support measures for the small and medium-sized enterprise (SME) sector. The meeting took place as the Pakistani government seeks to boost export growth through enhanced financial infrastructure and resource allocation for export-oriented businesses. According to the disclosed information, the entire amount of Rs24 billion currently available in the Export Development Fund has been fully allocated for export support programs. Notably, a Risk Pool fund worth Rs3 billion has been established to protect export transactions against credit risks and market risks. The meeting was attended by several senior officials including Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb, Commerce Minister Rana Tanveer Hussain, Energy Minister Awam Jam Kamal Khan, Chemicals Minister Ahad Khan Cheema, Economic Advisor Bilal Azhar Kayani, former Finance Minister Haroon Akhtar, and EDF Board Chairman Omar Saeed. The government affirmed its commitment to accelerating export-led growth under Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif's economic guidance. This strategy focuses on strengthening the capacity of the Export-Import Bank of Pakistan (EXIM Bank) in providing export credit risk insurance instruments, thereby directly supporting the SME sector - the main driving force of Pakistan's economy. The full participation of relevant ministers demonstrates the strategic importance of the export issue for the Pakistan government at this stage. The allocation of the entire EDF fund and the establishment of the risk reserve fund are viewed as concrete steps to improve Pakistan's export competitiveness in the international market.