Pakistan has discussed expanding investment and financing support from the International Finance Corporation (IFC) for mining infrastructure, affordable housing, agriculture and other private-sector projects aimed at supporting economic growth and job creation. Federal Minister for Finance and Revenue Senator Muhammad Aurangzeb held discussions with IFC Regional Vice President for the Middle East and Central Asia Imad Fakhoury on the sidelines of the World Bank Group-International Monetary Fund Annual Meetings 2026 in Bangkok, Thailand. According to the meeting details, the discussions covered opportunities to increase private-sector participation across several industries and convert improvements in macroeconomic stability into sustainable economic activity. The engagement also reviewed the IFC’s growing investment portfolio in Pakistan and considered areas where additional financing and infrastructure partnerships could support businesses and development projects.
The Reko Diq mining project was among the key subjects discussed during the meeting. Aurangzeb reaffirmed the government’s commitment to the project and appreciated the IFC’s role in arranging financing. The discussions also covered further investment in mining infrastructure and opportunities to increase value addition within the sector. Developing large-scale mining operations requires supporting infrastructure, including transport, utilities and facilities that can help resources move efficiently through production and processing stages. Investment in value addition can also create opportunities to develop activities beyond the extraction of raw materials. However, the extent of future financing, the structure of potential investments and the timelines for additional projects were not specified in the meeting details. The discussions indicate that Pakistan is seeking continued institutional support for mining-related development as part of its broader private-sector investment agenda.
Affordable housing and property development were other areas considered for potential financing. The meeting explored opportunities for the IFC to support housing projects and property developers, with an emphasis on expanding investment in the sector. Access to suitable financing is an important consideration for housing development because projects require substantial upfront capital for land, construction, utilities and related infrastructure. Greater private-sector participation can help mobilise funding and bring additional development capacity into the market. At the same time, the commercial viability of housing projects depends on financing costs, affordability for buyers and the availability of supporting services. The discussions did not announce a new housing financing facility or specify the amount of investment that could be made available, but identified the sector as an area for further cooperation.
Agriculture also featured prominently, particularly the need to improve storage facilities, develop cold-chain infrastructure and expand financing through electronic warehouse receipts. Better storage and temperature-controlled logistics can help preserve agricultural produce, reduce losses and improve the movement of perishable goods from farms to markets. Electronic warehouse receipts can provide a digital record of goods stored in approved facilities and may support financing arrangements in which stored commodities are used to demonstrate the availability of collateral. Such mechanisms can help connect agricultural producers and businesses with formal financing channels, subject to suitable systems and lending requirements. Expanding this infrastructure could support the agricultural supply chain by improving the handling, storage and financing of commodities. The meeting also explored greater private-sector investment in livestock development, another area with potential financing and infrastructure requirements.
The discussions extended to Pakistan’s pharmaceutical industry, with both sides examining ways to support exports through improved regulatory standards and investment. Pharmaceutical exporters must meet relevant quality, manufacturing and regulatory requirements to access international markets. Investment in production capacity, compliance systems and product standards can help businesses strengthen their ability to compete in overseas markets. Cooperation aimed at improving these areas could support export development, although the meeting details did not identify specific companies, export targets or new investment commitments. The pharmaceutical sector was considered alongside agriculture and mining as part of a wider effort to identify industries where private capital and institutional financing could support economic activity and employment.
Financial-sector cooperation covered small-business financing, entrepreneurship, capital market development and opportunities involving green and digital bonds. Small businesses often require access to credit to fund working capital, purchase equipment and expand operations, while entrepreneurs may need financing suited to the early stages of business development. Improving the availability of suitable financial products can help businesses participate more actively in the formal economy. Capital market development can also provide companies and institutions with additional ways to raise funds beyond conventional bank lending. Green bonds are generally used to finance projects with environmental benefits, while digital bonds can use digital systems or tokenisation mechanisms in the issuance or management of financial instruments. The meeting explored these areas as potential avenues for financial innovation and investment diversification, but no specific bond issuance or financing agreement was announced.
Infrastructure partnerships were another focus, particularly public-private cooperation in water services, advanced electricity metering and provincial development projects. Public-private partnerships can bring private financing, technical expertise and operational capabilities into infrastructure projects, subject to appropriate contractual and regulatory arrangements. In water services, investment may be needed to improve delivery systems and infrastructure management. Advanced electricity metering can support more accurate measurement of consumption and provide utilities with improved information for billing and operational planning. Financing arrangements for provincial development projects could also help address infrastructure needs beyond the federal level. The discussions highlighted these areas as possible opportunities for cooperation with the IFC, without detailing project costs, implementation schedules or final agreements.
The meeting forms part of Pakistan’s broader effort to attract international development finance and increase the role of private investment in economic growth. The government is seeking to support sectors that require substantial capital, improved infrastructure and access to financing, while encouraging investment that can contribute to employment and business activity. The IFC’s involvement across mining, housing, agriculture, pharmaceuticals, financial markets and infrastructure offers potential avenues for collaboration. The discussions in Bangkok identified several areas for further engagement, but the reported information did not confirm new funding commitments beyond the financing role acknowledged for Reko Diq. Future progress will depend on project preparation, financing arrangements, regulatory requirements and decisions by the relevant public and private-sector participants.
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