By Commerce Reporter
LAHORE, January 5 – While taking a giant leap towards development of SMEs, the Lahore Chamber of Commerce and Industry is organizing SME Finance & Banking Expo on January 8, 2026 at the LCCI to address the financial challenges being faced by Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs).
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Governor State Bank of Pakistan Jameel Ahmad is likely to inaugurated the Expo along with the LCCI President Faheem-ur-Rehman Saigol, Federal Ministers and diplomats.
LCCI Senior Vice President Tanveer Ahmad Sheikh, Vice President Khurram Lodhi and Convener LCCI Standing on Banking Syed Salman Ali are supervising the event.
The landmark event aims to strengthen SMEs, facilitate easier access to financial resources, and promote a more supportive and business-friendly economic environment. A large number of financial experts, business leaders, senior banking executives, government officials, and representatives of the SME sector are expected to attend.
The initiative reflects LCCI’s strong commitment to empowering SMEs, which are widely regarded as the backbone of Pakistan’s economy due to their significant contribution to employment generation, industrial growth, and economic stability. Alongside the Expo, an important SME Finance & Banking Symposium will also be held, where key issues, financial constraints, and modern, practical solutions for the expansion and sustainable growth of SMEs will be discussed in detail.
A total of 25 leading commercial banks will participate in the Expo by setting up dedicated stalls, offering comprehensive information on SME-focused credit schemes, easy financing options, investment alternatives, digital banking services, Islamic finance products, and other financial facilities. Each bank’s stall will provide business owners with first-hand details about financial products, terms, and conditions, enabling SMEs to directly interact with banking representatives and make informed decisions for their business financing and planning needs.
LCCI President LCCI, Mr. Faheem-ur-Rehman Saigol, termed the Expo a historic and highly significant development for the SME sector. He emphasized that SMEs play a pivotal role in Pakistan’s economic progress, employment creation, and industrial sustainability. He said that LCCI is making continuous efforts to ensure SMEs have easier and faster access to financial resources so they can enhance their production capacity, boost exports, and expand their overall business potential.
Mr. Saigol further stated that the symposium to be held alongside the Expo will cover crucial topics such as financial literacy, cash flow management, credit risk management, investment opportunities, business expansion strategies, banking regulations, and other important financial matters. These sessions will provide SME owners with practical guidance and in-depth understanding of modern banking and financial systems, enabling them to grow their businesses in a more structured, stable, and sustainable manner.
Reaffirming LCCI’s commitment, the President said that the Lahore Chamber remains fully dedicated to resolving the issues faced by the business community, especially SMEs. He added that through continuous engagement, consultation, and collaboration with the banking sector, LCCI aims to foster a stable, transparent, and business-friendly environment where entrepreneurs can operate to their full potential and contribute meaningfully to the national economy.
He also highlighted that the Expo will not only raise awareness about available financial facilities but will also provide valuable insights into investment opportunities and help strengthen business-to-bank and business-to-business linkages. According to LCCI, the core objectives of the SME Finance & Banking Expo include facilitating easy financing and investment options for SMEs, providing guidance on banking and financial services, introducing modern financial solutions, building trust between banks and the business community, and reinforcing the vital role of SMEs in Pakistan’s economic development.
