Bangkok: Minister for Economic Affairs Ahad Khan Cheema met with Makhtar Diop, Managing Director of the International Finance Corporation (IFC), during the World Bank Group-IMF Annual Meetings in Bangkok to discuss strategies for increasing private-sector investment in Pakistan. The discussions focused on supporting the country’s economic transformation and sustainable growth.

According to Radio Pakistan, Ahad Cheema underscored Pakistan’s transition from macroeconomic stabilization to a focus on sustainable growth through investment, exports, innovation, and job creation. He pointed out that the IFC’s investment portfolio in Pakistan had grown significantly, reaching approximately $3 billion in 2026, a fourfold increase since 2022.

Cheema emphasized the importance of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), housing finance, agriculture, and public-private partnerships as key areas for enhanced IFC involvement. He also called for the IFC’s assistance in crafting a comprehensive SME roadmap, bolstering the institutional capacity of the Small and Medium Enterprises Development Authority (SMEDA), and improving access to finance.

The discussions further encompassed topics such as affordable housing finance, farmer financing, agro-processing, private-sector wheat storage, and technical support for developing viable public-private partnership projects. Makhtar Diop highlighted the necessity of a comprehensive strategy to aid micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises and enhance their access to financial resources.

Both parties expressed their commitment to strengthening cooperation in support of private-sector-led growth, with a mutual focus on attracting investment, fortifying businesses, and fostering sustainable economic opportunities in Pakistan.