KARACHI: The National Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Investment Fair concluded here, bringing together federal and provincial governments, domestic and international investors, financial institutions, and development partners to explore investment opportunities that can advance Pakistan’s SDG agenda.
Convened by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the Government of Pakistan under the SDGs Plus Programme, the two-day Fair showcased 35 SDG-aligned public-private partnership projects worth approximately USD26 billion to potential investors and culminated in the signing of a Letter of Intent between a government private-sector partner and an investor for a USD40 million project in the tourism sector.
Over the two days, project representatives from federal and provincial agencies presented investment cases in transport, climate, agriculture, water and sanitation, tourism, industry, trade, and technology. Participating institutions included the Sindh Public Private Partnership Unit, the Punjab Public Private Partnership Authority, the Ravi Urban Development Authority, the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Board of Investment and Trade, and the Balochistan Public Private Partnership Authority.
In his keynote address at the opening session of day two, Prof Ahsan Iqbal, Federal Minister for Planning, Development and Special Initiatives, reflected on the importance of mobilising investment to advance Pakistan’s development priorities. “The Fair translates URAAN’s pillars into investable opportunities, bringing government and investors together to accelerate sustainable development through investment across Pakistan,” said Prof. Ahsan Iqbal.
Dr Samuel Rizk, Resident Representative, UNDP Pakistan, reflected on the importance of sustained engagement to take projects forward. “This Fair is a platform that demonstrates how well-designed investment opportunities can successfully attract financing and also ensure development impact.”
The event also included a high-level panel that explored the role of Pakistan’s capital markets and private sector in mobilising sustainable investment, moderated by Van Nguyen. The conversation focused on investment opportunities and private-sector financing, bringing together Umar Ahsan Khan, President of OICCI and CEO of Dawlance; Zehra Aneek, Director for Sustainability and Climate Change at EY MENA; Farid Alam, CEO of AKD Securities; and Amir Masood, Chief Investment Officer, Infra Zamin.
The Fair was formally closed by Jam Khan Shoro, Minister of Planning and Development Department, Government of Sindh, who underscored the value of stronger collaboration between government and the private sector in ensuring development. “Sustainable investment is key to unlocking Sindh’s and Pakistan’s development potential, connecting our projects with the capital and partnerships needed to deliver results in health, WASH, and agriculture,” he added.
Copyright Business Recorder, 2026