Govt Eyes Export-Led Economic Growth with Bank Support for Key Sectors

ISLAMABAD: Federal Minister for Finance and Revenue Senator Muhammad Aurangzeb has renewed the government’s commitment to driving an export-oriented economic revival, as he chaired a high-level meeting with senior officials from the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP), the Pakistan Banks Association (PBA), and leading commercial banks. The session focused on realigning the financial sector’s role with the national strategy of building an export-led economy driven by long-term, sustainable growth.

During the meeting, the minister emphasized the pivotal role that banks must play in enabling export-oriented growth by supporting sectors that generate exportable surpluses. He stated that the government is fully focused on facilitating foreign direct investment in key sectors that can contribute to a meaningful economic transformation. He further reiterated that Pakistan must not fall into the trap of short-term gains but must chart a long-term path grounded in investment-led progress.

Citing recent investor confidence, he referenced the successful Pakistan Minerals Summit, which has drawn significant domestic and international interest in high-value projects. According to the minister, this reflects a growing consensus around Pakistan’s economic potential, especially when policy direction is clear and stable.

He also highlighted Maersk Line’s commitment to invest $2 billion in Pakistan’s maritime and port infrastructure, describing it as a signal of increasing global interest in the country’s role within regional trade corridors. He said that the banking and financial sectors must actively unlock such opportunities across logistics, trade facilitation, and industrial development, which are critical to realizing the goals of an export-oriented economic revival.

A key policy shift discussed in the meeting was the government’s decision to advance the federal budget process. The minister revealed that, unlike in previous years, he had personally visited several chambers of commerce across Pakistan months in advance to gather feedback. This participatory approach aims to ensure that the upcoming budget is firmly rooted in the needs of businesses and contributes to a realistic and sustainable economic strategy.

While macroeconomic stability has been achieved, the minister underscored that this is only a foundation. The broader goal, he said, is to create a durable, inclusive economy that thrives on investment and exports. He cautioned against returning to boom-and-bust cycles and stressed the importance of long-term planning that supports real sector growth and productivity.

Earlier in the meeting, Zafar Masud, Chairman of the Pakistan Banks’ Association, gave a detailed briefing on the banking sector’s support for agriculture, small and medium enterprises, and the digital economy. He also highlighted several ongoing initiatives aimed at improving financial inclusion, credit flow, and the digitization of services. These efforts are designed to modernize the lending landscape and support the government’s goals of inclusive growth.

In concluding remarks, the minister called for greater coordination between financial institutions, regulators, and investors. He emphasized the need to develop a structured framework for providing formal, cash-flow-based credit to smallholder farmers and micro-enterprises without requiring collateral. He added that the use of fintech solutions, such as remote sensing and embedded finance, will be crucial in enabling this transformation. These innovations are closely aligned with the Prime Minister’s vision for a digitally enabled, inclusive economy that supports grassroots economic development.

The meeting ended with a strong call for unity between the public and private sectors to translate macroeconomic stability into a tangible, export-led growth trajectory. As Pakistan moves forward, the government remains committed to fostering an environment where investment is rewarded, exports are prioritized, and structural reforms drive long-term prosperity.