Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has underscored Pakistan’s rapidly improving macroeconomic fundamentals and the government’s commitment to advancing deep structural reforms, while inviting the United States International Development Finance Corporation (DFC) to increase its financing support for key sectors in Pakistan. The sectors identified for enhanced collaboration include energy, mines and minerals, agriculture, and information technology.
The invitation came during a meeting between Prime Minister Sharif and Benjamin Black, CEO of the DFC, held on the sidelines of the inaugural meeting of the Board of Peace in Washington. Accompanying Mr. Black were Conor Coleman, Head of Investments at the DFC, along with senior leadership from the agency.
Prime Minister Sharif acknowledged the expanding economic partnership between Pakistan and the United States and praised the crucial role played by the DFC in fostering joint ventures between private enterprises from both countries. He emphasized that these collaborations are vital for creating jobs and boosting productivity in Pakistan’s economy.
Highlighting the synergies between Pakistan’s economic priorities and the DFC’s portfolio, which exceeds USD 1 billion, the Prime Minister stressed the mutually beneficial opportunities for enhanced business-to-business engagement. He also extended a formal invitation to the DFC to participate in the upcoming Minerals Conference scheduled to take place in Islamabad in April 2026, signaling Pakistan’s openness to foreign investment in the mining sector.
During the meeting, Benjamin Black provided a detailed briefing on the agency’s strategic initiatives, investment priorities, and ongoing project pipeline in Pakistan. He expressed a keen interest in expanding the DFC’s footprint in the country, reflecting the corporation’s readiness—especially after its recent reauthorization—to support economic development in partner nations.
The discussion underscored the potential for strengthened bilateral cooperation, with both sides highlighting the alignment of their economic goals. Prime Minister Sharif also invited Mr. Black to visit Pakistan at his earliest convenience to explore and identify further investment opportunities across sectors of shared interest.
The meeting signifies Pakistan’s ongoing efforts to attract foreign investment through improved governance and structural reforms, aiming to capitalize on emerging opportunities in critical areas that can drive sustainable economic growth. The government’s outreach to the DFC demonstrates a proactive approach in leveraging international development finance to boost infrastructure, technology, and resource sectors pivotal to Pakistan’s economic future.
As Pakistan continues to rebuild investor confidence amid macroeconomic stabilization, partnerships like the one with the US DFC are expected to play an instrumental role in accelerating growth, innovation, and job creation. The upcoming Minerals Conference is anticipated to be a key platform for fostering new investments and strengthening cooperation with global stakeholders in the mining and energy sectors.
Follow the PakBanker Whatsapp Channel for updates across Pakistan’s banking ecosystem.