The National Institute of Banking and Finance (NIBAF) Pakistan and the Export–Import Bank of Pakistan (EXIM Bank) formalized a strategic partnership through the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) at NIBAF Pakistan, Islamabad. The agreement marks an important step toward strengthening institutional capacity building through structured collaboration focused on human resource development and skills enhancement.
The MoU was signed by Ms. Lubna Farooq Malik, Chief Executive Officer of NIBAF Pakistan, and Mr. Shahbaz Syed, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Export–Import Bank of Pakistan. The agreement provides a comprehensive framework for cooperation between the two institutions, with a particular focus on the joint design and delivery of customized training programs tailored to EXIM Bank’s operational, regulatory, and policy requirements.
Under the partnership, NIBAF and EXIM Bank aim to work closely to identify priority areas for capacity enhancement and develop learning interventions that address evolving institutional needs. The collaboration is intended to support EXIM Bank’s mandate by equipping its workforce with relevant knowledge, technical expertise, and policy-aligned competencies essential for effective performance in the export finance and development banking space.
During the MoU signing ceremony, representatives from both institutions engaged in detailed discussions on key capability gaps and the importance of closer alignment at the policy level. These discussions highlighted the growing need for specialized training programs that respond to the complexities of modern banking operations, trade finance, risk management, and regulatory compliance. Both sides emphasized that targeted capacity building is critical to improving institutional effectiveness and supporting national economic objectives.
Ms. Lubna Farooq Malik noted the importance of collaborative approaches in strengthening institutional performance. She highlighted NIBAF’s role in providing high-quality training and capacity-building solutions aligned with the needs of financial sector institutions. The partnership with EXIM Bank, she said, reflects NIBAF’s commitment to supporting specialized institutions through customized learning frameworks that translate policy intent into operational capability.
Mr. Shahbaz Syed emphasized the relevance of structured human resource development in enabling EXIM Bank to fulfill its mandate of promoting exports and supporting economic growth. He underscored that the MoU with NIBAF will help build internal capacity by addressing skill gaps and enhancing staff readiness to manage complex financial products and policy-driven initiatives. The collaboration was described as a strategic investment in the institution’s long-term effectiveness.
During the ceremony, Director Learning and Development at NIBAF Pakistan, Mr. Syed Sajid Ali, outlined the practical modalities for collaboration under the MoU. He highlighted several areas where joint efforts could yield measurable outcomes, including needs assessments, curriculum design, customized training modules, and evaluation mechanisms to assess the impact of capacity-building initiatives. His presentation focused on translating the partnership into actionable programs with clear learning objectives and performance indicators.
The MoU is expected to facilitate ongoing engagement between the two institutions, allowing for continuous refinement of training content in line with EXIM Bank’s evolving operational and policy environment. By aligning learning initiatives with institutional priorities, the partnership aims to ensure that capacity-building efforts contribute directly to improved service delivery and organizational performance.
The signing ceremony concluded with a shared commitment to maintaining close coordination and regular dialogue to maximize the value of the partnership. Both NIBAF Pakistan and EXIM Bank expressed confidence that the collaboration would lead to sustainable capacity development and support broader goals related to trade facilitation, financial inclusion, and economic growth.
NIBAF Pakistan, as a leading training and capacity-building institution for the financial sector, continues to expand its partnerships with key stakeholders to strengthen human capital across specialized banking institutions. The MoU with EXIM Bank represents another step in advancing institutional development through structured, policy-aligned learning initiatives.
Follow the PakBanker Whatsapp Channel for updates across Pakistan’s banking ecosystem.