Islamabad: The Pakistan Microfinance Network (PMN) concluded its 10th Annual Microfinance Conference (AMC-X) in Karachi with a call to translate financial inclusion into tangible economic progress through client-centred financing, digital innovation and stronger partnerships.
According to press release received here Friday, the conference was organised by PMN in collaboration with the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) under the EU-funded Poverty Alleviation and Inclusive Development Across Rural Sindh (PAIDAR) programme.
Held under the theme ‘Pathways for Inclusive Growth: Unlocking Synergies,’ the conference focused on improving economic opportunities for women, farmers, microenterprises and underserved rural communities.
Finance Minister Senator Muhammad Aurangzeb in his virtual addressed to the conference, stressed the need to shift towards cash-flow-based lending and measure outcomes through borrower progression, job creation and women’s economic participation. PMN Chairman Amir Khan called for integrating microfinance into the broader financial ecosystem.
A major outcome was the expansion of the PAIDAR guarantee-based financing facility with the National Credit Guarantee Company Limited from Rs200 million to Rs4.2 billion, with participating financial institutions increasing from three to eight. Women will be targeted for at least 50 percent of allocated financing.
The conference also witnessed the signing of a Rs1 billion financing facility between Pakistan Microfinance Investment Company and the National Rural Support Programme under the PRIME renewable energy initiative.
Discussions covered women’s financial inclusion, artificial intelligence, climate resilience, Islamic microfinance, digital platforms and the sector’s future. HBL Microfinance Bank received the best microfinance bank award, while NRSP won in the non-banking microfinance company category.
PMN reaffirmed its commitment to partnerships and policies that convert financial access into sustainable and inclusive economic growth.