Pakistan, Netherlands explore viable investment avenues

Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb met a business delegation from the Netherlands, led by the Founders Carbon Network, according to The Express Tribune. The group was accompanied by Netherlands Ambassador Robert-Jan Siegert. Aurangzeb argued that stronger ties between the two countries' business communities could reveal commercially viable investment openings, support partnerships and lift investor confidence.

During the talks, he cited improving macroeconomic conditions and said the next stage of growth should be more export-oriented, productive and job-creating, backed by structural reforms and greater private capital. He also pointed to foreign exchange reserves reaching a record $21.4 billion, enough to cover more than three months of imports. Aurangzeb flagged rapid population growth and climate change as long-term challenges.

He suggested Dutch expertise and technology could support Pakistan's priorities, with public-private partnerships identified as a key channel. The adviser to the prime minister on privatisation, who attended, said the government would widen private participation through privatisation and PPPs to improve efficiency. The Dutch delegation discussed prospects for expanded cooperation between Pakistani and Dutch enterprises.