Aurangzeb courts IFC to ignite investment

April 14, 2026 (MLN): Pakistan is seeking greater support from the International Finance Corporation to accelerate private sector investment and develop its capital markets, as policymakers navigate external pressures and push for sustainable growth.

Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb held talks with IFC Managing Director Makhtar Diop on the sidelines of the World Bank–IMF Spring Meetings in Washington, highlighting the need to scale up private capital mobilization.

Aurangzeb pointed to risks stemming from the ongoing Middle East conflict, saying authorities are closely monitoring spillover effects on Pakistan’s economy.

He emphasised the importance of strengthening collaboration with IFC to boost productivity, support job creation, and expand local-currency financing.

The minister also sought IFC’s assistance in developing Pakistan’s capital markets, drawing on international best practices, while underscoring the institution’s role in trade finance amid a challenging external environment.

Discussions also focused on enhancing cooperation in agriculture, with Aurangzeb calling for closer engagement between IFC and the government’s task force to drive innovation and growth in the sector.

The meeting also highlighted IFC’s shift toward an originate-and-distribute model to crowd in private investment, a move seen as key to scaling financing flows into emerging markets like Pakistan.