AsiaNet-Pakistan Premier Editorial Content and Press Release Distribution Service
Washington D.C, Pakistan and the United States have pledged to enhance their economic partnerships, focusing on alternative energy, agriculture, climate resilience, and technology during a meeting held at the World Bank headquarters in Washington. The meeting featured discussions between Pakistan’s Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb and US officials including Assistant Secretary Donald Lu and Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary Elizabeth Horst.
According to Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, the discussions affirmed the mutual intent to deepen economic relations between the two nations. Minister Aurangzeb articulated Pakistan’s interest in attracting US investments across IT, energy, agriculture, and minerals sectors. He also outlined Pakistan’s commitment to work closely with US financial institutions like the International Development Finance Corporation and the Exim Bank.
During his time in Washington, Minister Aurangzeb met with various global financial leaders, including the Minister of State for Financial Affairs of the United Arab Emirates, Mohamed bin Hadi Al Hussaini. They discussed enhancing bilateral economic cooperation. Minister Aurangzeb expressed gratitude for UAE’s financial support, emphasizing ongoing reforms under the current IMF program focusing on taxation, energy, and privatization of state-owned enterprises.
Additionally, the Finance Minister held discussions with Hiroshi Matano, Executive Vice President of the Multilateral Investment Guarantee Agency (MIGA), addressing Pakistan’s investment climate and investor confidence. Matano highlighted MIGA’s support for Pakistan’s efforts in attracting foreign direct investment.
The Finance Minister also engaged with representatives from Deutsche Bank, discussing financial strategies to help Pakistan access international capital markets, including the establishment of a Sustainable Finance Framework for green sustainability bonds.
Throughout these meetings, Minister Aurangzeb reiterated Pakistan’s focus on promoting sustainable and inclusive economic growth, crucial for enhancing investor confidence and attracting quality foreign investments across various sectors of the economy.