Meezan Bank Partners with UNIDO-ITPO Bahrain and ICEI to Support Entrepreneurs and MSMEs

Meezan Bank has signed two exchanges of letters with the United Nations Industrial Development Organization’s Investment and Technology Promotion Office in Bahrain (UNIDO-ITPO Bahrain) and the International Centre for Entrepreneurship and Innovation (ICEI) to support startups, women- and youth-led businesses, and micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) in Pakistan.

The collaboration will lead to the establishment of a dedicated in-house Focus Group at Meezan Bank. The initiative will combine Islamic finance with UNIDO-ITPO Bahrain’s Enterprise Development and Investment Promotion (EDIP) methodology to help businesses improve their operations, attract investment and achieve sustainable growth.

Meezan Bank to Establish Dedicated Business Support Group

The proposed Focus Group will provide structured advisory and non-financial services to entrepreneurs and MSMEs. The initiative recognises that access to financing alone may not be enough for businesses to grow, as entrepreneurs also need professional guidance, skills, market connections and investment-readiness support.

The exchanges of letters were signed by Dr Syed Amir Ali, President and CEO of Meezan Bank; Dr Hashim Hussein, Head of UNIDO-ITPO Bahrain; and H.E. Sheikh Ebrahim Bin Khalifa Al Khalifa, Chairman of the Accounting and Auditing Organisation for Islamic Financial Institutions (AAOIFI) and ICEI.

Focus Group to Offer Advisory, Training and Investment Support

The Focus Group plans to provide a range of services designed to strengthen businesses at different stages of development. These include:

• Enterprise development and business advisory services.
• Training and capacity-building programmes for startups and MSMEs.
• Investment-readiness assistance and investor matchmaking.
• Mentoring and coaching for entrepreneurs.
• Technology and innovation linkages.
• Market access and export promotion support.
• Business incubation and acceleration opportunities.
• Referrals to suitable financial products and services offered by Meezan Bank.

Through these services, the initiative aims to help entrepreneurs build stronger businesses, explore new markets and improve their ability to attract investment.

UNIDO-ITPO Bahrain to Provide Technical Expertise

Under its exchange of letters with Meezan Bank, UNIDO-ITPO Bahrain will support the design, establishment and operation of the Focus Group.

Its role will include advising on the group’s operational framework, transferring EDIP tools and methodologies, and training designated bank staff and advisors. It will also support enterprise development, investment promotion and incubation activities.

Furthermore, UNIDO-ITPO Bahrain will help connect the Focus Group with national and international partners, experts and institutions. The collaboration will also promote entrepreneurship in emerging sectors, including clean energy, the marine economy, creative industries and services for senior citizens.

Meezan Bank Highlights Importance of Entrepreneurship

Dr. Syed Amir Ali, President and CEO of Meezan Bank, said startups, MSMEs, and women and youth entrepreneurs were central to Pakistan’s economic future. However, he noted that many promising businesses needed more than financial support to succeed.

He said the collaboration would bring an international methodology into the bank to help entrepreneurs strengthen their businesses, access new markets and become investment-ready.

UNIDO Sees Potential for a Sustainable Support Model

Dr. Hashim Hussein, Head of UNIDO-ITPO Bahrain, described the initiative as an innovative approach to strengthening entrepreneurship by bringing financial and non-financial services together.

He said UNIDO-ITPO Bahrain would share its EDIP methodology, tools and international network to help establish a sustainable platform for entrepreneurs. He also expressed hope that the initiative could develop into a regional model for entrepreneurship support within the banking sector.

ICEI Emphasises Job Creation and Economic Opportunities

H.E. Sheikh Ebrahim Bin Khalifa Al Khalifa, Chairman of AAOIFI and ICEI, said the initiative would build on the vision of demonstrating Islamic banking’s potential in Pakistan by extending support to develop successful enterprises.

He said the collaboration aimed to help entrepreneurs turn promising ideas into sustainable businesses, creating employment and economic opportunities. He also expressed hope that the initiative would become a model for Islamic financial institutions in Pakistan and beyond.

Collaboration Aims to Strengthen Pakistan’s MSME Sector

By combining Islamic banking with enterprise development, mentoring and investment promotion, the initiative aims to address some of the non-financial challenges faced by entrepreneurs and smaller businesses.

The proposed Focus Group is expected to help startups, women- and youth-led enterprises, and MSMEs improve their business capabilities, expand market access and prepare for sustainable growth.