- Punjab CM creates history by providing business loans worth Rs61b to more than 107,000 individuals in just three months
LAHORE: Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz on Saturday stated that the Punjab government has set a new record by providing loans of Rs61 billion to more than 107,000 individuals for launching new businesses, claiming that around 58,000 new businesses were launched during last three months for the first time in Punjab’s history.
The Punjab CM while chairing a special meeting for a detailed briefing on Easy Business Finance and Easy Business Card schemes here in Lahore, directed to complete the process on the under consideration applications for the Chief Minster’s ‘Aasan Karobar Finance’ and ‘Karobar Card’ schemes.
“For the first time, 6,753 women have acquired loans worth Rs3.4 billion to run their own businesses,” the CM said. She directed the authorities concerned to complete the process of pending applications for easy business finance and card loans as early as possible.
The Punjab chief minister directed the relevant authorities to make arrangements to activate easy business card through WhatsApp as well. She also sought a plan for the export and manufacturing sector loans. She said, “Easy Business Finance and Easy Business Card programs should not be stopped under any circumstances.”
CM Maryam Nawaz was apprised by PSIC MD Sara Umar about progress on Easy Business Scheme. She said,”3010 people got loans worth Rs18 billion under Chief Minister Easy Business Finance Scheme, while 104,000 people got loans worth Rs43 billion under Chief Minister Easy Business Card Scheme.” She added, “Out of 74,579 applications for Chief Minister Easy Business Finance, 2505 have been approved, and loans have been received; whereas out of 12,029 applications for Chief Minister Easy Business Finance Tier II, 505 have been approved, and loans have been received.”
She apprised further, “Out of 1380,838 applications for Chief Minister Easy Business Card Scheme, 104,133 have been approved.”
The chief minister was briefed that 1,312 people have been provided loans worth Rs3.91 billion for transportation business trading, whereas 175 people received loans worth Rs3.94 billion for distribution business.” She was updated there is a trend of getting loans for professional services, agriculture, dairy, food, beautification, auto, fertilizer, pesticide, and other businesses. The largest number of people are providing services through Aasan Karuba card, 61,996 took loans worth Rs26.13 billion. 24,522 people received loans worth Rs10.75 billion for trading and 10,699 people took loans worth Rs3.69 billion for agri-small business.”
