Ina Lepel, Ambassador of the Federal Republic of Germany to Pakistan, met with Federal Minister for Finance and Revenue Senator Muhammad Aurangzeb at the Finance Division on Monday to discuss ongoing IMF review talks, Pakistan’s economic trajectory, and the scope for deepening bilateral investment cooperation.
Welcoming the German envoy, Aurangzeb extended his best wishes and acknowledged Germany’s consistent technical and financial support to Pakistan. He emphasized that Berlin has remained a valued partner in Pakistan’s development agenda, and underlined the government’s commitment to facilitating German investors across multiple sectors of the economy.
During the meeting, the Finance Minister provided an overview of Pakistan’s recent economic performance, pointing to improvements in key indicators despite global headwinds. He briefed the Ambassador on the progress made in negotiations with the International Monetary Fund, particularly regarding quantitative and structural benchmarks under the Extended Fund Facility and the Resilience and Sustainability Facility. The IMF review mission, currently underway in Islamabad, remains central to Pakistan’s efforts to stabilize its macroeconomic framework and unlock additional external financing.
Aurangzeb also highlighted the twin challenges of flood recovery and climate change, noting that these crises have amplified fiscal pressures but also reinforced the urgency of building climate-resilient systems. He reiterated that the government is committed to creating an investment-friendly environment, with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif insisting that private sector-led growth is the cornerstone of future policy.
To strengthen investor confidence, the Minister assured the German envoy of facilitation measures for foreign businesses operating in Pakistan. These include mechanisms for smooth repatriation of profits and dividends, regulatory support, and the removal of bottlenecks that typically hinder foreign direct investment. He invited German companies to expand their footprint in Pakistan, particularly in industries such as renewable energy, advanced manufacturing, digital services, and infrastructure development.
Ambassador Lepel, who previously served in Pakistan between 2013 and 2015, recalled her earlier experiences in the country and expressed optimism about enhancing bilateral ties. She acknowledged Pakistan’s reform efforts under the IMF programme and reaffirmed Germany’s interest in supporting initiatives aimed at sustainable and inclusive economic growth.
The Ambassador highlighted opportunities to expand bilateral trade and encouraged greater collaboration between German and Pakistani firms. She also praised the government’s commitment to encouraging private sector participation, stating that a stable and transparent business environment is critical to attracting long-term investment.
Both sides agreed on the importance of advancing Pakistan-Germany economic cooperation by identifying new avenues for trade, investment, and development partnerships. The dialogue underscored a shared commitment to strengthening ties not only at the governmental level but also by fostering stronger linkages between private enterprises in both countries.
The meeting comes at a critical juncture as Pakistan seeks to balance its fiscal stabilization efforts with growth-oriented reforms. With IMF negotiations in progress and climate-related challenges reshaping economic priorities, foreign partnerships such as those with Germany could play a pivotal role in helping the country transition toward sustainable growth.
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