Sindh Grants: Rural businesses can apply for up to PKR 35 million

Karachi, 19 August 2026: Sindh grants of up to PKR 35 million are now available for small and medium enterprises operating in five rural districts under a new initiative launched by the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) and the Sindh Enterprise Development Fund (SEDF).

The Enterprise Grant Scheme operates under the European Union-funded Poverty Alleviation and Inclusive Development Across Rural Sindh (PAIDAR) programme. The scheme will support businesses in Thatta, Sujawal, Badin, Tharparkar and Larkana.

The application portal opened on 21 July 2026, while the formal launch took place in Karachi on Tuesday. Applicants can seek grants covering up to 70 per cent of eligible project costs, while they must provide at least 30 per cent of the total project cost themselves.

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UNIDO and SEDF are giving priority to fisheries and aquaculture, information technology, research and development, waste recycling and bio-waste utilisation. Women-led businesses remain a cross-cutting priority under the scheme.

Existing small and medium enterprises, startups, cooperatives and business associations can apply. Investors from other parts of Pakistan can also apply if they plan to operate in one of the five target districts.

Ahead of the launch, UNIDO and SEDF held roadshows across the target districts to explain the scheme, eligibility criteria and application process. More than 700 potential applicants attended the sessions, highlighting strong interest among rural businesses and entrepreneurs.

The new grant window follows a EUR 3.04 million co-financing agreement between UNIDO and SEDF under PAIDAR. Each partner is contributing EUR 1.17 million, while the programme expects a further EUR 0.7 million in private-sector equity.

Altaf H. Sario, Secretary Planning, said the Sindh government welcomed its partnership with the EU, UNIDO and SEDF. He said the initiative would help local enterprises access finance, strengthen their businesses and create jobs while supporting inclusive and sustainable economic growth.

Syed Qasim Naveed Qamar, Special Assistant to the Chief Minister of Sindh on Investment and Public Private Partnership, said the grant window would place government funding alongside contributions from development partners.

He urged eligible businesses to submit strong proposals before the deadline, saying the government had funds available to support viable enterprises in the province’s rural economy.

SEDF Chief Executive Officer Khizer Pervez said the scheme would share financial risks with entrepreneurs who have viable business ideas but lack access to formal credit. He added that the 30 per cent contribution required from applicants would demonstrate their commitment to their projects.

The ceremony also featured the award of grants to the third batch of SMEs under PAIDAR’s separate SME Business Development Grant Scheme. Seventeen enterprises received grants worth approximately EUR 2.03 million across the five target districts.

The selected businesses operate in agriculture, food processing, seed production, fisheries, biotechnology, engineering, minerals and export trading. Several of the recipients are women-led enterprises.

Badar ul Islam, Officer-in-Charge of the UNIDO PAIDAR Programme, said PAIDAR combines financial assistance with technical support to help businesses expand, improve sustainability and gain access to commercial finance.

Through three grant cycles, PAIDAR will have supported 50 enterprises with approximately EUR 6.3 million in grants.

Applicants must submit their applications online through the SEDF Grant Portal by 15 September 2026. Applicants must register before submitting their applications, while late or incomplete submissions will not qualify.