ISLAMABAD: The International Finance Corporation (IFC) Regional Vice President for the Middle East, Central Asia, Turkey, Pakistan, and Afghanistan Hela Cheikhrouhou met with Caretaker Federal Minister for Finance, Revenue, and Economic Affairs Dr. Shamshad Akhtar at the Finance Division on Thursday.
The meeting was attended by Khawaja Aftab Ahmed, IFC Regional Director, Najy Benhassine, Country Director, World Bank, Zeeshan Shaikh, Country Manager, IFC Pakistan, and senior officials from the Economic Affairs and Finance Division.
Welcoming Hela Cheikhrouhou, the finance minister stated that the government is focusing on improving the capital market, insurance industry, investment finance, export-oriented growth, and the establishment of special economic zones to boost exports.
The insurance industry can play a crucial role in offering a social safety net mechanism and encouraging the building of sustainable and climate-resilient infrastructure in Pakistan. Effective deployment of liquidity from the insurance sector can trigger the development of the capital markets.
The Finance Minister highlighted the current economic situation in Pakistan and mentioned that the government is committed to introducing reforms in various sectors to address long-standing structural issues. She shared the reform agenda and economic reforms of the interim government, which have brought economic and fiscal stability to the country.
The Finance Minister encouraged IFC to focus its private sector operations on the insurance sector, export-oriented businesses, and export processing zones.
Hela Cheikhrouhou appreciated the steps taken by the government in the economic and financial sectors to improve Pakistan’s economy. She extended her full support for the progress and betterment of the economic agenda of the country.
