By Ahmed Khan
The Sindh Enterprise Development Fund (SEDF) has introduced a new plan to help young entrepreneurs, startups, and small businesses grow across the province.
The goal of the SEDF is simple but ambitious: to create jobs, boost innovation, and build a stronger and fairer economy for Sindh.
Sindh Enterprise Development Fund Launches New Growth Plan
SEDF, which was set up to support private sector growth, is now focusing on helping new and small businesses succeed. The new plan centers around making financing easier, improving technology use, developing skills, and adding value to local industries — all aimed at reshaping Sindh’s economic future.
Financial Support and Easier Access to Funding
Syed Gohar, Executive Director of SEDF, told this reporter that the Fund will make it easier for startups and small businesses to access financial help. “We are expanding our financial support programs to reduce business costs. This includes mark-up subsidies and low-interest loans through commercial banks,” he said.
These steps, he added, will help entrepreneurs focus on innovation, product development, and market expansion.
Boosting Startups and Green Enterprises Across Sindh
The Fund also wants to strengthen the province’s startup ecosystem by supporting tech-based ventures, agriculture-processing units, and women-led businesses. Gohar said SEDF will promote environmentally friendly businesses, especially in renewable energy, recycling, and sustainable manufacturing — a move that ties into Sindh’s long-term development goals.
Training and Technical Guidance for Entrepreneurs
But financial help isn’t the only thing SEDF is offering. The organization will also provide guidance and technical assistance to business owners.
“We will help entrepreneurs prepare feasibility reports, business plans, and understand government regulations,” Gohar explained. SEDF will also connect new businesses with investors, banks, and government departments to make their operations smoother.
Training sessions and workshops are another big part of the plan. These programs will help business owners, especially those in rural and semi-urban areas, gain the managerial and technical skills needed to run successful and sustainable businesses.
Creating Jobs and Empowering Women and Youth in Sindh
Sindh, Gohar said, already has the right ingredients for growth — a strong agricultural base, access to ports, industrial infrastructure, and a young, energetic workforce.
The Fund will prioritize sectors like agriculture, dairy, livestock, fisheries, horticulture, mining, minerals, and information technology.
One of the biggest problems startups face is getting affordable loans. To fix this, SEDF is working with banks to offer subsidized loans for business expansion and new projects. Entrepreneurs can apply through a simplified and transparent process designed to ensure quick approvals and timely funding.
The Fund also plans to introduce a performance-based support system to make sure the financial help actually delivers results — such as increased productivity, job creation, and higher revenues. Regular reviews and monitoring will be part of the plan to keep everything transparent.
Another major focus is supporting women and young entrepreneurs. SEDF will expand microfinance and development programs to reach more women-led ventures in both urban and rural areas.
Youth innovators will also get support through mentorship, startup incubators, and seed funding to help them turn their ideas into businesses.
This inclusive plan fits into the Sindh government’s larger vision of giving everyone equal opportunities, encouraging creativity, and reducing unemployment.
“With this new roadmap, we want to turn Sindh into a center of innovation and entrepreneurship,” Gohar said. “A strong startup ecosystem will not only create jobs but also strengthen the province’s industrial and technological foundation.”
Author Profile
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Ahmed Khan is a business journalist who specializes in Pakistan’s financial markets, corporate earnings, and economic policy.
With a keen eye for market trends and investor behavior, he breaks down complex financial developments into clear, insightful stories for everyday readers.
