FinMin stresses export, investment-led growth

Express Tribune

14-04-2025

Federal Minister for Finance Muhammad Aurangzeb has said that though the government has achieved macroeconomic stability, it must be viewed as a foundation rather than a final destination.
"The objective is not to pursue rapid and unsustainable expansion, but to ensure that the economy grows on a durable, investment-led and export-oriented basis," he said while chairing a high-level meeting on priority sector lending, according to a statement issued on Monday.
Senior officials from the State Bank of Pakistan, the Pakistan Banks Association (PBA) and the representatives from leading banks attended the huddle.
The session focused on aligning the financial sector and its lending to priority sectors with the government's agenda of driving an export-led economic revival and future growth.
The minister cautioned against the temptation of short-term gains and underscored the need to avoid the cyclical boom-and-bust patterns that had historically hindered economic progress.
He emphasised the critical role of banks in supporting and catalysing export-oriented growth, stating that the government was fully committed to this strategic direction and actively facilitating foreign direct investment, which would create exportable surplus in key sectors.
The minister underlined the importance of recent investor engagement, particularly the successful Pakistan Minerals Investment Forum that demonstrated the strong interest of domestic investors in high-value projects. He noted that such developments sent a positive signal to international stakeholders and built investor confidence in Pakistan's economic trajectory.
A notable example shared was the commitment by Maersk, a major global container shipping company, to investing $2 billion in Pakistan's maritime and port infrastructure. This reflects the growing regional importance of trade corridors and the emerging realities of real market dynamics.
The minister reiterated the role of banking and financial sectors in unlocking and expanding such strategic opportunities, especially in logistics, trade facilitation and industrial support.