WASHINGTON DC: Pakistan’s Finance Minister, Muhammad Aurangzeb, participated in the JP Morgan Seminar on “Pakistan: Economic Policy Outlook,” presenting a positive overview of the country’s economic landscape.
He highlighted achievements such as a strong agriculture sector, stable exchange rates, declining trade deficit, and robust remittances. Aurangzeb emphasized the government’s commitment to tackling challenges through taxation, energy, and privatization reforms.
Aurangzeb attended the Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan, and Pakistan (MENAP) Ministers and Governors meeting with IMF Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva. They discussed key economic issues and policy priorities, with Aurangzeb underlining the impact of geo-economic factors on Pakistan’s economy.
He expressed gratitude for international support and outlined Pakistan’s aggressive reform agenda, emphasizing tax base expansion, SOE privatization, and climate resilience measures.
Additionally, Aurangzeb met with UAE’s Minister of State for Financial Affairs Mohamed bin Hadi Al Hussaini to discuss bilateral economic cooperation. He acknowledged the historic ties between Pakistan and the UAE and expressed Pakistan’s commitment to continue reforms in taxation, energy, and SOE privatization. Aurangzeb also explored avenues to re-engage Middle Eastern banks for potential investment opportunities in Pakistan.
Moreover, Aurangzeb held discussions with Hiroshi Matano, Executive Vice President of the Multilateral Investment Guarantee Agency (MIGA), to enhance investor confidence in Pakistan.
Pakistan’s Finance Minister also held talks with representatives from Deutsche Bank, discussing transaction structures to access international capital markets effectively.
Meanwhile, US State Department officials met with Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb at the World Bank headquarters to emphasize political will in strengthening Pak-US ties. The focus was on upgrading economic partnerships, particularly in alternate energy, agriculture, climate resilience, and the tech industry. Aurangzeb briefed them on Pakistan’s reform agenda and highlighted emerging opportunities for American investments.
