ISLAMABAD: The Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan (SECP) has proposed raising the maximum loan limit for microenterprise and housing finance from non-banking microfinance companies to Rs5 million and increasing the income threshold for individual borrowers in the sector from Rs1.2m to Rs1.5m.

The proposals are part of draft amendments to the Non-Banking Finance Companies and Notified Entities Regulations 2008, issued for public consultation.

In order to enable non-banking finance companies to better respond to the growing financing needs of small and medium enterprises (SMEs), SECP is also proposing to revise the annual turnover ranges used to classify SMEs. The proposed range for small enterprises is Rs30m to Rs400m, compared with the current limit of up to Rs150m, while for medium enterprises, the proposed range is Rs400m to Rs2bn, compared with the current range of Rs150m to Rs800m.

SECP said the changes would help non-banking finance companies serve more borrowers and respond to the financing needs of businesses, households and individuals.Staff Reporter