WASHINGTON, Feb 20 (APP): Shehbaz Sharif on Friday highlighted Pakistan’s fast-improving macroeconomic fundamentals, the government’s commitment to structural reforms, and the country’s attractive investment climate, inviting the United States International Development Finance Corporation (DFC) to enhance financing for projects in energy, mines and minerals, agriculture, and IT sectors.
The prime minister met DFC Chief Executive Officer Benjamin Black on the sidelines of the inaugural meeting of the Board of Peace, where he appreciated the expanding economic partnership between Pakistan and the United States.
Benjamin Black was accompanied by DFC’s Head of Investments Conor Coleman and the agency’s senior leadership.
Prime Minister Shehbaz recognized DFC’s crucial role in catalyzing joint ventures between private enterprises of the two countries, terming such collaborations essential for job creation and productivity enhancement.
He appreciated DFC’s portfolio of over $1 billion and pointed to the strong synergies between the economic priorities of both countries, which present mutually rewarding opportunities for enhanced business-to-business engagement.
The prime minister also invited DFC to participate in the upcoming Minerals Conference scheduled to be held in Islamabad in April this year.
Benjamin Black briefed the prime minister on the agency’s strategic initiatives, priorities, and project pipeline in Pakistan, expressing interest in enhancing DFC’s footprint in the country.
He underscored that DFC remains firmly poised — including in view of its recent reauthorization — to support economic development in partner countries.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif invited Benjamin Black to visit Pakistan at his earliest convenience to explore mutually beneficial investment opportunities in various sectors of shared interest.
 to increase financing in Pakistan’s energy, minerals, agriculture and IT sectors during a meeting in Washington.){kind=link}