Maryam Nawaz announces loan schemes to boost jobs and trade
Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz has announced plans to provide interest-free small and medium loans to stimulate trade and industry in the province, aiming to create more job opportunities.
The initiatives include two schemes: the ‘Business Card’ and the ‘Chief Minister Easy Business Financing’ program. Under the Business Card scheme, medium loans starting from Rs1 million will be provided, while larger loans of up to Rs30 million will be available through the Easy Business Financing program.
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The loans under the Easy Business Financing scheme will come with a five-year repayment period, including a three-month grace period for borrowers. Maryam Nawaz also directed authorities to designate specific zones in major cities for small and medium industries and encouraged preferential loans for select commercial sectors.
She clarified that the Business Card could not be used for payments in certain areas, such as restaurants, but preferential loans would be available for IT startups located in the Nawaz Sharif IT City. A comprehensive plan for implementing these schemes has been sought from relevant authorities.
Separately, Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz is set to embark on an eight-day official visit to China on Sunday at the invitation of the International Development Department of the ruling Communist Party of China (CPC). She will be accompanied by a 10-member delegation, including Senior Provincial Minister Marriyum Aurangzeb.
The visit includes stops in Beijing, Shanghai, Shenzhen, and Guangzhou. During the trip, the chief minister will meet senior CPC leaders, including International Development Minister Liu Jianzhou and Deputy Minister Sun Haiyan, who will host a luncheon in her honor.
Maryam Nawaz’s schedule includes visits to Shijiazhuang Hospital to study China’s public health system and the Beijing Municipal Commission of Transport to learn about modern urban transport solutions. She will also tour technology and environmental innovation centers, such as the Jiangdong Renewable Energy Facility and Hawaii Technologies Factory.
The visit features a Punjab-China dinner, the Punjab Investment Conference, and participation in an exhibition of imported goods. Additionally, she will visit a primary school and attend briefings on China’s education system.
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