The Government of Pakistan has embarked on a major program to assist in the development of Small and Medium sized Enterprises (SMEs). As an integral part of the overall program, and in support of other components, the BSF has been created with the support of the Asian Development Bank to assist both SMEs and the respective providers of business development services (BDS).
The objectives of the BSF are to assist in the improvement of the competitiveness of SMEs and to enhance the revenue-generating capacity and profitability of emerging businesses. The BSF can provide matching grants to stimulate the use of business support services.

TARGET GROUPS

The target group comprises of established SMEs (employing up to 250 staff or with a maximum turnover of Rs 250 million) with an operating history of at least three years.  BSF can support individual enterprises or a group of enterprises.
The BSF is ‘sector neutral’, but is selective about working with partners (SMEs) prepared for growth.

ELIGIBLE ACTIVITIES FOR THE SUPPORT

Only new engagements of business services can qualify for funding.
BSF can support activities such as:

• Short-term consultancies for management, marketing, production, productivity, product development and adaptation, packaging, quality, standards, technology transfer or up-gradation...
• Market development, research, trade fair activities, sales missions abroad, benchmarking, promotion and similar demand driven support services...
• 
  And others as approved by the BSF management team in line with overall objectives. 
  
  

Funds are not available for capital expenditure or working capital