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WASHINGTON: Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb met senior IMF officials and the head of the U.S. EXIM Bank in Washington, discussing Pakistan’s reform programme, economic performance, financing for strategic projects and expanded bilateral trade.
Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb on Wednesday held separate meetings with senior International Monetary Fund (IMF) officials and the head of the U.S. Export-Import (EXIM) Bank, reviewing progress under the country’s IMF-backed reform programme while seeking to expand economic, trade and investment cooperation with the United States.
During meetings with IMF First Deputy Managing Director Dan Katz, Deputy Managing Director Nigel Clarke, Middle East and Central Asia Department Director Jihad Azour and Pakistan Mission Chief Iva Petrova, Aurangzeb reviewed Pakistan’s macroeconomic performance and progress under the IMF’s Extended Fund Facility (EFF), the Resilience and Sustainability Facility (RSF) and the broader reform agenda.
According to Pakistan’s Finance Ministry, the finance minister highlighted improvements in fiscal and external accounts, achievement of revenue targets, stronger foreign exchange reserves, record workers’ remittances and a healthier current account balance.
The discussions also covered tax and energy sector reforms, privatization, tariff rationalization, debt management, diversification of financing sources and Pakistan’s plans to regain access to international capital markets.
Both sides also exchanged views on human capital development, women’s economic participation, demographic challenges, technology-driven growth and policies aimed at promoting private sector-led, export-oriented economic expansion.
Aurangzeb thanked the IMF for recognizing Pakistan’s commitment to implementing reforms and reaffirmed the government’s resolve to maintain fiscal discipline, strengthen policy credibility and continue structural reforms to support long-term economic growth, the ministry said.
In a separate meeting, Aurangzeb met U.S. EXIM Bank President and Chairman John Jovanovic to discuss expanding Pakistan-U.S. economic and commercial cooperation through long-term project financing and increased bilateral trade.
The finance minister discussed financing opportunities for priority infrastructure projects and expanding trade in agricultural commodities, including cotton and soybeans, as well as hydrocarbons.
According to the Finance Ministry, Aurangzeb welcomed the U.S. EXIM Bank’s proposal to develop a broader strategic framework that would consolidate priority projects, establish a multi-year transaction pipeline and facilitate U.S. financing, technology, equipment and services for Pakistan.
Both sides agreed to identify near-term transactions, appoint focal persons and work towards finalizing the framework with the aim of signing it on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly session in September 2026.
The meetings form part of Pakistan’s broader efforts to strengthen investor confidence, diversify external financing sources and deepen economic engagement with international financial institutions and the United States as the country continues implementing reforms under its IMF-supported programme.
