Aurangzeb, SRF team discuss investment opportunities

ISLAMABAD: Federal Minister for Finance and Revenue Muhammad Aurangzeb, here on Friday held a meeting with a high-level delegation of the Silk Road Fund (SRF), a major Chinese investment fund, led by its Chairperson, Zhu Jun, to discuss investment opportunities and avenues for greater economic and investment cooperation with Pakistan.

The Finance Minister briefed the participants on Pakistan’s recent economic progress, including improvements in fiscal discipline, external account stability, foreign exchange reserves and the overall macroeconomic outlook.

He highlighted the Government’s focus on maintaining economic stability while pursuing structural reforms and sustainable growth, according to press release issued by finance ministry.

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Aurangzeb outlined the government’s efforts to strengthen domestic resource mobilization, broaden the tax base, improve tax administration through digitalization and address structural challenges in the energy sector. He also highlighted the government’s focus on export-led growth and strengthening the business environment to facilitate greater private sector investment.

He highlighted the government’s efforts to create a more conducive environment for long-term investment by improving policy predictability, strengthening institutional frameworks and advancing reforms across key sectors of the economy.

He noted that greater collaboration with leading international investment institutions such as SRF can support capital formation, infrastructure development and the expansion of productive economic activity.

The discussion also covered Pakistan’s privatization programme and opportunities for investment in infrastructure, energy, manufacturing and other sectors. The minister emphasized the importance of greater participation by both domestic and international investors in the country’s investment and privatization initiatives.

The minister welcomed the positive assessment of Pakistan’s private sector and emphasized the importance of building stronger linkages between international institutional capital and credible, commercially viable projects in Pakistan.

He encouraged continued engagement between the relevant Pakistani authorities, the private sector and SRF to identify viable investment opportunities and take forward areas of mutual interest.

The SRF delegation expressed interest in further engagement with Pakistan and appreciated the progress made in strengthening the country’s macroeconomic fundamentals.

Zhu Jun noted that the delegation had been particularly impressed by the quality and potential of a number of private-sector projects it had initially reviewed, as well as the strength and capabilities of Pakistan’s private sector.

She highlighted SRF’s interest in exploring additional investment opportunities in Pakistan, including infrastructure, energy, private sector development and projects capable of generating broader economic and social impact.

The delegation also discussed opportunities arising from Pakistan’s ongoing reforms in the power sector, including transmission, distribution and broader structural reforms aimed at improving efficiency and attracting investment.

The SRF delegation included Fu Lingzhi, Deputy Head of Legal Department; Cheng Liang, Senior Executive Director, Department IV; Wang Fuwei, Executive Director, Investment Department; and Mi Keyang, Senior Manager, Investment Department. Senior officials from the Finance Division, Economic Affairs Division, and Special Investment Facilitation Council also attended the meeting.