PM Imran launches Kamyab Jawan Programme

PM Imran said merit is most significant aspect of the Kamyab Jawan Programme.

ISLAMABAD (Dunya News) – Prime Minister Imran Khan on Thursday launched "Kamyab Jawan Programme" for welfare of youth across the country.

Addressing a ceremony in Islamabad on Thursday, he said that the most significant aspect of this programme is merit, adding that only those nations progress which acted upon merit. "Muslims have ruled the world for thousands of years," he said and added the West progressed due to democracy.

The prime minister said that Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah urged to avoid corruption, adding that the country would only make progress when corruption is eliminated.

Read Also: How to apply for Kamyab Jawan Programme

He said as a result of establishment of state of Madinah by Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), the Muslims ruled the world for over a thousand years. He said meritocracy and uprightness were hallmarks of the state of Madinah which helped it succeed.

The Prime Minister said the main reason for demise of Muslims in the world was the adoption of monarchy and not giving democratic rights to their society. The Prime Minister said the Mughal Empire went to decline as they did not follow the rule of merit.

The Prime Minister urged the youth to read about the life of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) as he is a role model for the whole world.

The Prime Minister congratulated all stakeholders for launching the first phase of program for youth of the country.

Imran Khan said we need to change our mentality to become a self-reliant and self-esteemed nation. For this, we will need to develop a culture of paying taxes. Earlier, addressing the function Special Assistant to Prime Minister on Youth Affairs Usman Dar said this program will take our youth to prosperity.

He said Kamyab Jawan program is the first step on the promise made by Prime Minister Imran Khan to make the youth employed. He said 68 percent of Pakistan s population consists of youth. He expressed regret that previous governments failed to devise policies for the development of youth. He said our government has prepared the country s first Youth Development Framework, under which work is being carried out in six areas. Loans fewer than 100,000 rupees will be without interest and will be distributed on priority basis in 45 under privileged districts.

Meanwhile, under Kamyab Jawan Program, one hundred billion rupees will be distributed among youth as loans for their business ventures. The youth are being provided loans under three categories. It is anticipated that the program will benefit one million youth. Two hundred feasibilities have also been made available online to help assist the youth in working on business ideas.

A quota of twenty five percent has been allocated for women to increase their share in the national economy. Kamyab Jawan program has been prepared under National Youth Development Framework and it will act as milestone to make youth of the country independent. The program will help cope with unemployment and poverty. An integrated system has been developed for transparent and modern scrutiny of applications.

Objective of Kamyab Jawan Program

The objective of the Prime Minister’s Kamyab Jawan Program is to open up the self-employment opportunities for the people of Pakistan. All men and women of Pakistan with CNIC and age between 18 and 45 years can avail this opportunity.

The loan tenure will be of eight-years with a grace period of one year. Small enterprises both startups and existing business can avail the Prime Minister’s Kamyab Jawan Program and benefit from it.

Apply online for loan here: yes.kamyabjawan.gov.pk/BankForm/ApplicantForm

The loan disbursed by the banks under the program will be between Rs. 100,000 to Rs. 5,000,000.

SBP Circular 

Prime Minister’s Kamyab Jawan SME Lending Program

Small enterprises stimulate economic growth by providing employment opportunities, fostering innovation and reducing income inequalities. Lack of adequate financing facilities from formal sources is one of the key challenges faced by small enterprises and youth entrepreneurs. Government of Pakistan is cognizant of this situation and is fully committed to enabling youth to avail affordable financing from banks for establishing a new business or strengthening their existing business. In order to provide self-employment opportunities to unemployed youth, Government of Pakistan is launching Prime Minister’s Kamyab Jawan SME Lending Program across the country. Government of Pakistan shall provide mark-up and credit loss subsidy on small business loans in the range of Rs. 100,000 to Rs. 5,000,000 disbursed by banks under the program. The key features of the Program as approved by the Prime Minister are reproduced below:

Eligibility Criteria

All men/women holding CNIC, aged between 21 and 45 years with entrepreneurial potential are eligible. For IT/ E-Commerce related businesses, the lower age limit will be 18 years.

Small enterprises (startups and existing businesses) as per definition of SBP and owned by youth as per above-mentioned age brackets are also eligible.

For IT/E-Commerce related businesses, at least matriculation and/or experience of at least six months.

Focus on Women

25% of the loans will go to women borrowers.

Security Requirements

Security arrangements will be as under:

T1 loans: Clean, however, only personal guarantee of the borrower

T2 loans: As per bank’s own credit policy

Risk Mitigation

The government will bear credit losses (principal portion only) on the disbursed portfolio of the banks as under:

T1 loans: Upto 50%

T2 loans: Upto 10%

Allocation in Budget

Finance Division shall allocate funds in each fiscal year’s budget as per estimates provided by SBP. Payment will be made on submission of consolidated claims of all the banks by the SBP.

Pricing Pricing for Working Capital & Term Loans:

T1 loans: 6% p.a. fixed for the borrower. The government will pay the difference of the cost at KIBOR+500bps

T2 loans: 8% p.a. fixed for the borrower. The government will pay the difference of the cost at KIBOR+400bps

Executing Agency

In the first instance, National Bank of Pakistan (NBP), Bank of Punjab and Bank of Khyber will execute the program under the guidance and supervision of State Bank of Pakistan. Subsequently, SBP will also advise other commercial banks for participation in the program.

NBP will continue to play the lead role. NBP’s share in total disbursed loans will be up to 50%.

Sectors and Products

All sectors. Standardized schemes/ projects/ undertakings designed by SMEDA, or projects designed by private sector service providers or by individuals, themselves will also be admissible.

Application Form

The Form would be both in English and Urdu and require minimum essential information with a simple format.

The processing time will not exceed 15 days and will be stated clearly in the application form.

The forms would be readily available both in branches and through dedicated websites of the banks. A non-refundable form processing fee will be Rs. 100 (Rupee One Hundred Only).

Monitoring

SBP will publish consolidated information about the loans extended under this program for information of the public on a quarterly basis on its website.

Geographical Distribution

The whole of Pakistan. In case of Balochistan, at least one branch of NBP will be designated per Division. All non-designated NBP branches will also provide and receive filled application forms and dispatch them to the nearest branches.

Additional Measures

Executing Agencies (EAs) under this program should ensure the following additional measures:

Criteria for assessing entrepreneurial potential should be developed and implemented.

In case of loans for existing businesses, a robust independent verification mechanism may be introduced to ensure proper utilization of the loans. Further, for new businesses, a robust mechanism for ongoing monitoring of the loans’ utilization should be developed and implemented

A mechanism must be introduced to ensure that the prescribed debt-equity ratio has been maintained. Before disbursement of the loans, it should be ensured that the equity is deposited in the bank from the borrower’s own sources where the equity mechanism is in the form of cash.

3. The banks are advised to gear up their systems for successful implementation of this program and to avoid any misuse of the program.

4. Loan Application Forms will be available both in branches and through dedicated websites of National Bank of Pakistan, Bank of Punjab and Bank of Khyber. The standard loan application form is enclosed at Annexure-1. The banks are advised to mention their toll-free number in the loan application form for the facilitation of youth entrepreneurs. Eligible borrowers may apply for the loans immediately after the formal launch of the program by the Prime Minister.

5. The banks are also advised that with the launch of Prime Minister’s Kamyab SME Lending Program, Prime Minister’s Youth Business Loan (PMYBL) scheme would cease to exist.