World Bank proposes export-finance products for Pakistan’s EXIM Bank

The World Bank has proposed creating export-finance products for Pakistan's Export-Import Bank (EXIM Bank) to boost trade flows, according to a statement. Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb met with Bolormaa Amgaabazar, the Country Director from the World Bank, to discuss progress in Pakistan's economic reform partnership and potential implementation priorities.

The discussion covered various areas such as boosting investment, exports, and private-sector growth. The World Bank's proposed measures include improving the investment climate, reducing regulatory and business constraints, and enhancing access to finance for SMEs (small and medium-sized enterprises). The bank also highlighted reforms in the pharmaceuticals and agriculture sectors, including better seed registration, deregulation, and strengthening international accreditations.

Discussions on fiscal and revenue reforms included technical assistance to strengthen tax-policy capacity, GST harmonisation, and provincial property-tax reforms. The meeting also touched on domestic capital markets, public-sector efficiency, and debt-management capacity. The World Bank's analysis focused on governance, institutional effectiveness, regulatory quality, transparency, accountability, and the overall business environment.