ISLAMABAD: Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb has invited Dutch businesses and investors to explore investment opportunities in Pakistan, stressing the need to translate economic stabilisation into export growth, productive investment and job creation.
The minister hosted a luncheon for a visiting Dutch business and investment delegation led by the Founders Carbon Network (FCN), where participants discussed investment opportunities and ways to strengthen bilateral economic cooperation.
Dutch Ambassador to Pakistan Robert Jan Siegert accompanied the delegation. The event was also attended by the prime minister’s adviser on privatisation, the governor of the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP), the commerce secretary and senior Finance Ministry officials.
Welcoming the delegation, Aurangzeb appreciated its interest in Pakistan and emphasised the importance of sustained engagement between the two countries’ business communities to identify commercially viable investment opportunities, develop partnerships and strengthen investor confidence.
Highlighting Pakistan’s improving economic outlook, the finance minister said the next phase of growth should focus on expanding exports, improving productivity and generating employment through continued structural reforms and greater mobilisation of private capital.
He outlined the government’s economic priorities, including consolidating macroeconomic stability, strengthening fiscal and external-sector resilience, promoting sustainable and inclusive growth, improving access to finance for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), agriculture and housing, and leveraging digitalisation and emerging technologies.
Aurangzeb said Pakistan’s foreign exchange reserves had risen to a record $21.4 billion, sufficient to cover approximately three months of imports.
He stressed that sustaining these gains and strengthening the economy’s resilience to external shocks were essential for maintaining investor confidence and securing long-term economic growth.
The minister also identified rapid population growth and climate change as two major long-term challenges facing Pakistan, requiring sustained policy attention and coordinated reforms.
Discussing opportunities for cooperation with the Netherlands, he said Dutch expertise, technology and investment could support Pakistan’s development priorities.
He also highlighted the role of public-private partnerships in mobilising private investment, leveraging specialised expertise and turning investor interest into commercially viable projects.
The prime minister’s adviser on privatisation reaffirmed the government’s commitment to expanding private-sector participation through privatisation and public-private partnerships. These initiatives, he said, aimed to improve efficiency, attract investment and create opportunities for commercial activity.
The SBP governor highlighted the importance of macroeconomic stability, external-sector resilience and financial-sector reforms in supporting productive economic activity. He also underscored the role of the Trade Facilitation Board in removing trade barriers and improving coordination among government institutions.
Members of the Dutch delegation shared their views on Pakistan’s business environment and prospects for bilateral cooperation. Discussions focused on strengthening commercial links, identifying areas of mutual interest and developing practical investment partnerships.
The meeting concluded with a shared interest in converting closer business engagement between Pakistan and the Netherlands into increased trade, investment and long-term economic cooperation.
The government reiterated its commitment to creating a conducive environment for international investors and expanding private-sector participation in Pakistan’s economic development.
