Empowering Pakistan’s Youth, PM Youth Business Loan Scheme

Youth, the most invaluable asset of any nation, holds the key to the future. In 2013, the Prime Minister’s Youth Program embarked on a transformative journey with a clear mission: to Engage, Empower, and Educate the youth of Pakistan in a meaningful and productive manner. Recently, this mission received a powerful boost with the introduction of three additional focus areas, tailored to address the contemporary challenges faced by our youth. These areas encompass Girls Learn Girls Earn, aimed at fostering the inclusion of women in the workforce; Mehnat Mien Azmat, promoting dignified blue-collar jobs; and Jobs of The Future, focused on crafting effective policies for youth employment in today’s rapidly evolving world.

PM Youth Business Loan

One of the cornerstone initiatives of this program is the Prime Minister ‘Youth Business Loan’. Tailored for young entrepreneurs aged between 21 and 45, this visionary scheme offers subsidised financing at an impressively low 8.0% mark-up per annum. With a target of benefiting one hundred thousand entrepreneurs, this support is channeled through designated financial institutions, initially via the National Bank of Pakistan (NBP) and First Women Bank Ltd. (FWBL). This small business loan boasts a flexible tenure of up to 8 years, inclusive of a first-year grace period, and adheres to a debt:equity ratio of 90:10. These loans will be disbursed to SME beneficiaries across all regions of Pakistan, covering Punjab, Sindh, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Balochistan, Gilgit Baltistan, Azad Jammu & Kashmir, and Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA). Notably, this initiative also reserves a 50% quota for women entrepreneurs and a 5% quota for families of Shaheeds, Widows, and Disabled persons.

MOIP Role & Support

The Ministry of Industries & Production (MoIP) stands as a stalwart pillar in the implementation of the PM Youth Business Loan scheme. With unwavering commitment, MoIP has diligently crafted diverse pre-feasibility reports pertaining to Industries and Production, arming aspiring entrepreneurs with essential knowledge. In tandem with this, a rich tapestry of creative endeavors such as seminars, conferences, workshops, video trainings, and media campaigns are deployed to encourage and inform youth eager to seize the business loan opportunity. The ministry’s steadfast support ensures the continued success of the Prime Minister’s initiative, ultimately contributing to the greater good of Pakistan.

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Eligibility and Application Process

To partake in the PM Youth Loan Scheme, aspiring entrepreneurs must meet specific eligibility criteria. Candidates must fall within the age bracket of 21 to 45 years, possess a viable business plan, and demonstrate a keen desire to contribute to the economic progress of Pakistan. The loan amount may range from a minimum of Rs. 100,000 to a maximum of Rs. 5,000,000, providing a diverse spectrum of opportunities for budding business owners. The loan tenure varies, offering flexibility based on the nature of the business, with options spanning from 8 to 10 years. Notably, the interest rate is set at a remarkably low 6% per annum, significantly lower than prevailing rates in other loan schemes.

PM Youth Business Loan Scheme stands as a beacon of hope for the young entrepreneurs of Pakistan, offering them a tangible pathway towards economic independence and empowerment. Through strategic partnerships, subsidized financing, and unwavering support from the Ministry of Industries & Production, this scheme promises to unlock boundless potential. With its inclusive approach, it welcomes candidates from all walks of life, transcending gender, ethnicity, religion, and socio-economic backgrounds. To embark on this transformative journey, interested individuals can visit the National Bank of Pakistan or the First Women Bank Limited’s websites, where they can submit their business plans and requisite documents. As the nation invests in its youth, it paves the way for a brighter, more prosperous future for Pakistan.

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Ayesha Khan