Small Business

PM Shehbaz Sharif approved the AI-powered Womenpreneurship Platform to boost women in the SME sector and reviewed SMEDA's reforms.SMEDA has opened new regional offices and formed a new board of experts. The PM ordered a clear timeline for the reforms. Finally, SMEDA/TDAP will represent Pakistan at BIOPROM-2025 in Russia.

The Ufone-Telenor merger has transformed Pakistan's telecom sector into a three-player market, creating a near two-horse race. The new entity, MergeCo (≈32.8% share), is now a powerful rival to the market leader, Jazz (≈43%). This consolidation is expected to spark intense competition, forcing both giants to invest heavily in 4G and 5G networks. Customers are set to benefit from better network quality and more competitive pricing, while Zong (≈24.1%) adapts as the third major competitor.

Alibaba.com has signed an MoU with Pakistan’s Ministry of IT & Telecom (MoITT) through Ignite to strengthen the digital economy, support SMEs and startups, and expand global e-commerce opportunities. The partnership will offer AI-powered tools, B2B training, and trade show initiatives to boost exports and enhance Pakistan’s role in digital trade.

Federal Minister for Planning, Development and Special Initiatives Ahsan Iqbal has launched "Pakistan One," a nationwide business plan competition designed to transform youth creativity into globally competitive ventures. The initiative, part of the new URAAN five-year plan, aims to engage over 10,000 young entrepreneurs and will award a record-breaking $5 million Grand Prize to promising ventures. The program seeks to shift Pakistan from a job-seeking to a job-creating economy by focusing on high-growth sectors like IT, agri-tech, and sustainable manufacturing to boost the country's stagnant export figures.

A new Economic Census from the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics (PBS) shows that micro and small enterprises, those with fewer than 10 employees, make up a staggering 95% of all businesses in Pakistan. The census, which was integrated into the country's first-ever digital population census, highlights the pivotal role of these small-scale businesses and the informal sector in driving the nation's economy, creating jobs, and empowering women. The data provides a crucial new foundation for policymakers to develop targeted strategies for inclusive growth.

Punjab is launching an innovative interest-free electric taxi scheme in August 2025. This initiative aims to promote sustainable transport, empower individuals, and combat climate change by distributing 1,100 e-taxis with significant government support.

The State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) has mandated a two-day maximum turnaround time for new bank account openings and pushed for widespread digital payment acceptance. This bold move aims to significantly boost financial inclusion and enhance customer experience across Pakistan, building on recent successes that saw the country’s financial inclusion rate reach 60% in 2023. Banks are now required to simplify processes, offer digital account opening, and ensure merchants are equipped with digital payment solutions like Raast QR and POS terminals.

Pakistan is rapidly embracing a digital economy, with a staggering 89% of all retail transactions now processed through digital channels in the third quarter of FY25. This impressive shift, highlighted by the State Bank of Pakistan’s latest review, is largely fueled by the exponential growth of mobile banking, e-money, and branchless banking wallets. From everyday in-store purchases to booming e-commerce, digital payments are transforming how Pakistanis transact, promoting greater financial inclusion and efficiency across the nation.

Recent US military actions against Iranian nuclear sites have sent ripples of concern across global financial markets. Investors are closely monitoring the unfolding situation, bracing for potential oil price spikes and a rush to safe-haven assets. While Middle Eastern markets initially remained calm, the heightened uncertainty surrounding Iran’s response, particularly regarding the critical Strait of Hormuz, could significantly impact inflation and global economic stability