Finance Minister Seeks Closer Trade Ties with United States
— April 23, 2025
WASHINGTON (AIA) Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb has expressed Pakistan’s desire to strengthen trade relations with the United States.
Participating in a fireside chat at the Atlantic Council’s GeoEconomics Centre in Washington, D.C., he emphasised plans for constructive engagement with the U.S. to address trade imbalances, noting that a high-level delegation is expected to visit soon.
In a meeting with institutional investors, the finance minister shared updates on Pakistan’s economic outlook, fiscal and monetary developments, and ongoing reforms.
Aurangzeb also met with World Bank Vice President for South Asia, Martin Raiser, where he expressed gratitude for the approval of the ten-year Country Partnership Framework.
During a separate meeting with a Deutsche Bank team, he conveyed Pakistan’s interest in returning to financial markets, including the issuance of Panda and ESG bonds, citing improved macroeconomic stability and upgraded credit ratings.
In talks with Moody’s commercial team, the finance minister provided an overview of Pakistan’s fiscal and current account surpluses, declining inflation, stable exchange rate, and growing foreign reserves. Both sides discussed the Panda Bond initiative and agreed to explore future collaboration.
In a significant meeting with the CEO of the Saudi Fund for Development, Sultan bin Abdulrahman Al-Murshid, Aurangzeb appreciated G2G and B2B interest in investment opportunities in Pakistan.
He also requested expedited disbursement of funds under the Saudi Oil Facility and assured the prompt submission of oil shipment documentation. Both sides reviewed the existing portfolio, expressed satisfaction with progress, and the finance minister sought financial support for the N-25 highway project.