Pakistan, ADB sign $350m “Women Inclusive Finance Sector Development Program”

June 24, 2025 (MLN): The Government of Pakistan and the Asian Development Bank (ADB) have signed a $350 million loan agreement for the “Women Inclusive Finance Sector Development Program (Subprogram-II).”

The agreement was signed by Sabina Qureshi, Additional Secretary of the Economic Affairs Division, and Dinesh Raj Shiwakoti, Head Project Administration Unit at ADB.

The Project Agreement for the Financial Intermediary Loan (FIL) was signed by the State Bank of Pakistan, as per the press release issued.

The signing reaffirms Pakistan’s commitment to fostering women’s economic empowerment through improved access to finance, expanded entrepreneurship, and increased job creation.

Subprogram-II builds on the reforms of Subprogram-I and focuses on four key areas: creating an enabling regulatory environment for women’s financial inclusion, increasing financial access for women, enhancing women’s entrepreneurship, and promoting inclusive workplaces in the financial sector.

The total financing includes a $300m policy-based loan and a $50m FIL.