The World Bank has proposed export-finance products for the Export-Import Bank of Pakistan (EXIM Bank) to help support incremental trade flows and strengthen the country’s export financing capacity.
The proposal was discussed during a meeting between Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb and a World Bank delegation led by Country Director Bolormaa Amgaabazar. The meeting reviewed Pakistan’s economic reform partnership with the World Bank and the measures expected to move forward in the next phase.
From Reform Plans to Measurable Results
The discussions covered economic growth, employment, fiscal management, revenue mobilisation, capital markets, trade, investment and institutional reform.
Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb stressed the importance of moving from reform design toward implementation. The focus, according to the discussions, is on translating policy priorities into practical measures that can improve investment, create employment and strengthen the broader business environment.
The World Bank’s proposed export-finance products for EXIM Bank form part of this wider effort to support new trade activity rather than simply refinance or recycle existing credit.
World Bank Highlights Growth and Jobs Agenda
The World Bank also presented a proposed growth and jobs operation for Pakistan.
The planned measures include developing a clearer investment framework, reducing regulatory bottlenecks and expanding access to finance. The objective is to make it easier for businesses to invest, expand operations and generate employment.
SME financing was a significant part of the discussion, with officials reviewing the Prime Minister’s Access to Finance initiative.
Expanding Credit for SMEs
The proposals include work on a unified insolvency framework, factoring legislation and regulatory measures designed to encourage greater participation by commercial lenders in financing small and medium-sized enterprises.
Improving access to credit for SMEs is expected to support business expansion while helping broaden the contribution of smaller firms to investment and employment.
Pharmaceuticals, Agriculture and Medical Products
The World Bank also identified pharmaceuticals, medical products and agriculture among the sectors requiring policy attention.
Proposals include faster seed registration and deregulation of selected commodities. Strengthening international accreditations was also discussed as a way to help Pakistani businesses access global procurement markets.
These measures are intended to improve the ability of domestic producers to meet international standards and compete in overseas markets.
Skills Development and Overseas Employment
Skills development was another area discussed during the meeting.
The proposals include strengthening the national vocational qualifications framework and expanding international recognition of Pakistani skills. The World Bank also discussed formal overseas migration pathways supported through digital platforms.
Improved skills recognition could help Pakistani workers access international employment opportunities while strengthening the country’s broader human-capital base.
National Tariff Policy and Auto Sector Under Review
The meeting also reviewed Pakistan’s National Tariff Policy and ongoing tariff-related work, including measures concerning the automotive sector.
The broader objective is to improve productivity and strengthen Pakistan’s integration into global value chains.
Tariff reforms remain an important component of the country’s wider trade and industrial policy discussions, particularly as policymakers seek to balance domestic industry development with greater international competitiveness.
Tax Reform and Revenue Mobilisation
Fiscal discussions covered tax-policy capacity, the Medium-Term Revenue Strategy and revenue modelling.
Officials also reviewed GST harmonisation, agricultural income taxation and more market-based approaches to provincial property valuation.
The measures are part of broader efforts to strengthen revenue mobilisation and improve the effectiveness of Pakistan’s tax system.
Capital Markets and Debt Management
Capital-market development was also included in the discussions, particularly reforms being pursued through the Capital Markets Development Council.
The agenda covered public-sector rightsizing, debt management and the development of domestic bond markets.
Strengthening domestic capital markets could provide additional financing channels for businesses and the government while supporting deeper financial-market participation.
Sovereign Credit Profile and Rating Gains
The World Bank and Pakistani officials also reviewed analytical work concerning Pakistan’s sovereign credit profile and the potential path toward further improvements in credit ratings.
The discussion placed sovereign credit developments within the broader reform agenda, alongside fiscal management, debt sustainability, capital-market development and institutional reforms.
The proposed export-finance products for EXIM Bank therefore form part of a much wider reform programme covering trade, investment, SME financing, taxation, skills, tariffs and financial-market development.