Islamabad, In a pivotal meeting, the Federal Minister for Economic Affairs, Ahad Khan Cheema, convened with Martin Raiser, the South Asia Regional Vice President of the World Bank, to discuss enhancements in Pakistan’s economic growth and development sectors.

According to Press Information Department, the discussions centered on the implementation of the new Country Partnership Framework, which aims to guide Pakistan’s economic reforms and development initiatives. Minister Cheema expressed his appreciation for the World Bank’s ongoing support and highlighted various efforts aimed at accelerating project implementation and addressing systemic bottlenecks.

The meeting also touched on the potential expansion of the World Bank’s development portfolio in Pakistan, with a particular focus on innovative financing options and promoting private sector engagement through support from the International Finance Corporation (IFC). Vice President Raiser praised the Pakistani government’s commitment to economic reform and recovery and reaffirmed the World Bank’s commitment to strengthening its partnership, particularly in areas such as human capital development, climate change adaptation, agriculture, energy, and water management.

A Joint Communique was signed during the meeting, establishing a focused long-term partnership under the new framework, with annual reviews to assess progress and make necessary adjustments. This partnership is expected to have a transformative impact on Pakistan’s development trajectory over the next decade.