Trade finance gap hits MSME exporters

Federal Commerce Minister Jam Kamal Khan called for coordinated action to improve affordable trade finance for micro, small and medium-sized exporters at the 42nd COMCEC ministerial meeting in Istanbul, The Express Tribune reported. He said businesses across OIC member states face barriers including costly transactions, demanding collateral rules, fragmented regulation and slow administrative processes.

Khan set out five priorities: align legal and supervisory systems, broaden financing options and export guarantees, expand Shariah-compliant products, digitise customs and banking procedures, and provide targeted support for smaller firms. He also urged cooperation on agriculture, food security, transport links and tourism, while calling for project support and institutional coordination to turn recommendations into practical results. The session's theme was the use of trade finance to support exports among OIC countries.