Aurangzeb Reaffirms Pakistan’s Commitment to Reko Diq in Meeting With IFC Regional Vice President

Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb met Imad Fakhoury, the International Finance Corporation’s (IFC) regional vice president for the Middle East and Central Asia, to explore ways to turn economic stability into sustainable growth, investment and job creation. Aurangzeb reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to the Reko Diq project and acknowledged the IFC’s leadership role in financing the major mineral development initiative.

Strengthening Private Sector Cooperation

The meeting focused on strengthening cooperation with the IFC to encourage private sector-led development and expand financing across several sectors. The two sides reviewed the IFC’s expanding portfolio in Pakistan and its financial support for small businesses, and assessed developments in capital markets, including opportunities involving green and digital bonds.

Reko Diq and Local Value Addition

The discussions also covered infrastructure linked to mineral resources and ways to increase local value addition, to strengthen the economic benefits of mineral development and encourage investment in related industries.

Other Areas Discussed

• Affordable housing: Financing opportunities, including support for developers to expand investment in the housing sector

• Agriculture: Improving storage and cold-chain infrastructure, and financing based on electronic warehouse receipts

• Livestock: Prospects for greater private sector participation across the value chain

• Pharmaceuticals: Attracting investment and increasing exports by improving regulatory standards