Financial Inclusion for SMEs: Role of Digital Micro-Financial Services

Abstract

SMEs paly major role in poverty reduction and employment generation, therefore experts considered this sector as engine of economic growth. However, access to finance in developing countries is one of major issue in development of SME sector as well as hurdle in economic growth. Financial institutions banking and non-banking shows reluctant behaviour in providing financing to SMEs and the issue is more severe in emerging economies. Bank financing has been found as main source of funds for SMEs in Pakistan, however, to obtain these funds not easy for small and medium firms. Recently digital micro financial services have been introduced by a number of micro finance banks. Current study looks into the role of digital micro financial services in enhancing SMEs’ access to finance and thereby enabling a more inclusive financial market for SMEs especially in context of emerging and developing economies. By digging out the existing literature and secondary data, the study discusses that digital financial services have greatly helped owner managers of SMEs in smooth management of their transactions and finances. The study concludes that to strengthen SME sector for economic growth, it is important to further reduce the cost of using digital financial services and increase the financial product portfolio on digital platforms.