Sindh enterprises offered Rs35m grant

The Express Tribune reported that the Sindh Enterprise Development Fund and Unido unveiled their Enterprise Grant Scheme on Wednesday. The initiative falls under PAIDAR, an EU-funded programme, and provides co-financing of up to Rs35 million for each project. The grant window covers Thatta, Sujawal, Badin, Tharparkar and Larkana.

Authorities are favouring proposals in fisheries, aquaculture, IT, R&D and bio-waste use, with women-led ventures treated as a cross-cutting theme. Applications close on September 15, 2026, and the two bodies will jointly finance up to 70% of eligible costs, with applicants contributing at least 30%. Existing SMEs, startups, cooperatives, business associations and outside investors willing to operate in those districts can apply.

At the launch, SEDF CEO Khizar Pervaiz stressed better access to capital and said the grant could help firms grow, innovate and create jobs across Sindh. Syed Qassim Naveed Qamar, a special assistant to the Sindh chief minister, argued that backing entrepreneurs supports wider value chains and employment.