'an independent, non-partisan, not for profit organization'

Pakistan’s #inflation is increasingly being driven by rising fuel costs, with #petrol prices up 46% and #diesel 42% between February and October 2026. Avg inflation surged from 5.5% before the Middle East crisis to 10.2% after its onset, highlighting the growing impact of

Pakistan's banking sector credit has expanded. However, its allocation raises a critical policy question.The government accounts for Rs 35.7tn (71%) of total credit, while private businesses received Rs 9.5tn (19%). This translates to Rs 3.75 lent to the government for every Rs 1 lent to business.While banks' profits nearly tripled to Rs 716 billion in 2025 from Rs 244 billion in 2020, with 19% after-tax return to shareholders, SME financing remains constrained. SMEs share of private credit is only 9.9% against a target of 13%. Against SBP's target of 775,000 borrowers, only 323,987 borrowers (42%) were served.Shouldn't the regulator have intervened to ensure enhanced lending to busine#financedivisiony#SBPF#SMEDADivision #SBP #SMEDA ...
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 ➔ Our Vision

Economic Policy & Business Development Think Tank’s vision is to provide strategic advice and thought leadership to policy makers in shaping a dynamic, inclusive and forward looking economic policy ecosystem that unleashes the full potential of private enterprise, drives sustainable GDP growth and ensures equitable prosperity throughout the economy

 ➔ Our Mission

  • Advocacy for evidence-based, market-friendly economic policies that catalyze industrial growth, job creation, and export competitiveness
  • Champion private sector-led development by identifying and promoting reforms that incentivize innovation, investment, and fair competition
  • Foster informed dialogue between policymakers and business leaders to align national economic priorities with global opportunities
  • Promote inclusive growth by ensuring that policy outcomes support social mobility, reduce inequality, and enable Pakistan’s youth to thrive in a modern, industrial economy

 ➔ Our Objectives

 

  • Policy Reform Advocacy: Develop evidence-based policy recommendations across critical economic domains including taxation, trade, energy, industrial policy, and regulatory governance
  • Sectoral Development Strategy: Provide sector-specific analysis and actionable roadmaps for competitiveness enhancement across Pakistan’s key economic sectors            
  • Ease of Doing Business Improvement: Identify and advocate for removal of regulatory barriers, bureaucratic inefficiencies, and administrative obstacles that constrain private sector activity

EPBD team comprises distinguished business leaders, prominent economists, esteemed academics, and experienced policy experts from across Pakistan

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