Shariah-Compliant Financing Essential for SMEs and Exports, KATI President Muhammad Ikram Rajput
Karachi: President and CEO of Meezan Bank, Dr. Syed Amir Ali, has announced that the bank will initially
allocate a seed fund of PKR 10 million to provide venture-capital-style financing for startups
recommended by the Korangi Association of Trade and Industry (KATI). Addressing industrialists at KATI,
he said the financing facility extended strictly at the KIBOR rate and without any additional markup,
offering much-needed early-stage capital to emerging businesses.
The event was attended by KATI President Muhammad Ikram Rajput, Acting Patron-in-Chief Zubair
Chhaya, Senior Vice President Zahid Hameed, Vice President Muhammad Talha Ali, Standing Committee
Chairman Rashid Siddiqui, Former Presidents and Chairmen Farhan-ur-Rehman, Farrukh Mazhar, Junaid
Naqi, and senior representatives of Meezan Bank including Salman Ahmed, Umar Warsi, Mashkoor
Khan, and Uzair Akbar Soomro, along with a large number of industrialists and members.
Dr. Syed Amir Ali highlighted that Meezan Bank, which commenced operations in 2002, is now counted
among Pakistan’s top five banks. He noted that the bank offers a range of products for industrialists,
with supply chain financing being a flagship facility. Under this model, long-standing vendors,
distributors, and suppliers working with industrial clients can access shipment-based financing on easy
terms without collateral. He added that due to the bank’s digital integration with ERP and management
systems, financing approvals can be processed within minutes. During the pilot phase, financing worth
PKR 1.5 billion has already been disbursed, with expectations that it will exceed PKR 3 billion. He
encouraged KATI members to fully utilize these facilities and expressed Meezan Bank’s interest in jointly
working with KATI on vocational training initiatives, particularly projects aimed at women
empowerment.
Speaking on the occasion, KATI President Muhammad Ikram Rajput said that the Korangi Industrial Area
serves as the backbone of Pakistan’s exports, employment, and industrial output. In this context, he
emphasized the critical role of institutions like Meezan Bank that actively support SMEs and large
industrial units through Shariah-compliant working capital, trade finance, export facilitation, and value
addition. He appreciated Meezan Bank’s vision of prioritizing economic stability, business community
confidence, and financial inclusion alongside profitability, noting that such an approach strengthens
long-term ties between industry and the banking sector.
Rajput further stated that Shariah-compliant financing, specialized facilities for SMEs and the export
sector, and industry-oriented banking solutions are vital for sustainable growth. He added that KATI
members can leverage Meezan Bank’s expertise in Islamic banking to expand their businesses on sound
and sustainable foundations.
Acting Patron-in-Chief Zubair Chhaya described Meezan Bank as Pakistan’s largest Islamic bank and the
preferred choice for customers in the banking sector. He pointed out that the local industry is facing
severe challenges due to high interest rates, additional taxation, and escalating energy costs, making
bank borrowing increasingly unviable for businesses. He stressed that SMEs, which form the backbone
of large industries, face the greatest difficulty in accessing bank financing. He expressed confidence that
if Meezan Bank extends greater facilitation to SMEs, it could significantly contribute to national
economic growth. Chhaya also announced that KATI is ready to act as a brand ambassador for Meezan
Bank and serve as a bridge between banks and industry to address banking issues and facilitate access to
financing across Korangi Industrial Zone and other industrial areas.
Standing Committee Chairman Rashid Siddiqui, in his address, suggested that banks could utilize their
CSR initiatives to support vocational training and startup facilitation in industrial zones. Senior Vice
President Zahid Hameed and Vice President Muhammad Talha Ali also shared their perspectives and
experiences related to the banking sector.
Photo Caption: KATI President Muhammad Ikram Rajput and Acting Patron-in-Chief Zubair Chhaya
present a shield to Meezan Bank President and CEO Dr. Syed Amir Ali. Rashid Ahmed Siddiqui, Zahid
Hameed, Muhammad Talha Ali, JUnaid Naqi, Farhan-ur-Rehman, Syed Farukh Mazhar and Hasham
Razzak also present.
