ZTBL initiates ‘Benazir Credit Programme’

[LRE]

ISLAMABAD: In pursuance of the directives of the President of Pakistan, Asif Ali Zardari for the women empowerment and alleviation of rural poverty, the Zarai Taraqiati Bank Ltd has initiated ‘Benazir Credit Programme’. President ZTBL Zaka Ashraf has announced the new initiative by establishing a separate credit to women unit for this purpose. This was stated in a press release on Wednesday.

The Benazir Credit Programme aims at increasing access of credit to women to undertake income generating activities and self-employment opportunities in rural and urban areas. The female mobile credit officers would be posted in selected branches and zones having vast potential for agro-based industries to be extended in a phased manner. As the women constitute more than 52 percent of total population the majority of it is engaged in agriculture related activities. The programme would likely benefit a large segment of women engaged in agriculture sector or aspire to engage in financial viable activity, said the bank’s press release.

President ZTBL had instructed to identify villages as ‘Model Villages’ in all the four provinces including AJK and a special study has been initiated by the newly established unit to explore the potential for lending under the Benazir Credit Programme. staff report


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