Mobilink Bank and Hashoo Foundation (HF) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to jointly enhance financial inclusion for Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs). This collaboration aims to empower MSMEs supported and trained by Hashoo Foundation, fostering their entrepreneurial journey. Mobilink Bank, as part of the VEON group, has committed to enabling the growth and success of small businesses in a rapidly evolving economic landscape.
The partnership between Mobilink Bank and HF will leverage their respective capacity-building programs, particularly focusing on Mobilink Bank’s Women Inspirational Network (WIN) program, which aims to minimize the gender gap in financial inclusion. Through collaborative events, the two institutions will identify and transform potential prospects into business project plans. With a shared vision of empowering women and MSMEs, they are dedicated to creating synergies that ensure growth and prosperity.
The agreement has signed by Ghazanfar Azzam, President and CEO of Mobilink Bank, and Ms. Ayesha Khan, CEO of HF and Chief Sustainability Officer (CSO) at Hashoo Group, in the presence of senior officials from both organizations. The partnership aims to foster an inclusive banking ecosystem by utilizing digital onboarding processes and granting entrepreneurs access to a diverse range of essential financial products and solutions. Female beneficiaries of HF will also gain access to Mobilink Bank’s Bint-e-Hawwa product.
During the signing ceremony, Ghazanfar Azzam expressed his thoughts on the partnership, emphasizing its potential as a catalyst for change. He highlighted how it fuels the growth of women-led SMEs and micro-enterprises, leading to empowerment, prosperity, and a more equitable financial landscape. Mobilink Bank actively supports the advancement of these enterprises through customized capacity-building initiatives and networking opportunities, narrowing the gender gap and constructing an inclusive economy that benefits all individuals.
Ms. Ayesha Khan shared how Hashoo Foundation has positively impacted the lives of three million people through its signature programs, such as the Entrepreneurship Training Hub and Incubation Center (ETHIC). These programs have received multiple awards, including the International Forum (iF) Social Impact Prize, BBC Global Challenge Award, and the Clinton Global Initiatives Award, for empowering women through various value chain approaches.
She mentioned an innovative action research initiative that trained women entrepreneurs for waste-to-money conversion in the Sustainable Methods and Resilient Technologies (SMaRT) village project. Over the past year, HF has empowered over 12,000 women and men through collaborations and partnerships.
Overall, the partnership between Mobilink Bank and Hashoo Foundation holds great potential in promoting financial inclusion, supporting MSMEs, and empowering women entrepreneurs. By combining their resources and expertise, they aim to create a more inclusive and prosperous economy for all individuals involved.
