Islamabad: Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb has expressed optimism for a strengthened long-term partnership between Pakistan and the Asian Development Bank (ADB), emphasizing the Bank’s critical role in supporting Pakistan’s development agenda. This sentiment was shared during a meeting with Emma Fan, the new Country Director of the ADB in Pakistan.

According to Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, the Finance Minister provided updates on Pakistan’s economy and ongoing reforms in various sectors, including state-owned enterprises, taxation, and energy. These reforms are part of a broader effort to enhance governance, efficiency, and sustainability within the country.

The new Country Director of the ADB acknowledged the reforms underway in several economic sectors and stated that the ADB is developing a new country partnership strategy for Pakistan. This strategy will focus on key areas such as climate change, economic growth, and overall prosperity.

Emma Fan also briefed the Finance Minister on the ADB’s portfolio investments and its ongoing and upcoming projects in Pakistan. The Bank’s support spans economic reforms, socio-economic development, poverty reduction, climate change initiatives, and includes policy-based funding and budgetary support for the nation.