World Bank Group, IMF meetings in Bangkok: Aurangzeb assumes chairmanship of Borrowers Platform

Business Recorder reported that Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb held a series of talks in Bangkok on the margins of the World Bank Group and IMF annual gatherings. The discussions centred on macroeconomic stability, reforms, investment, climate finance, development funding and cooperation on debt management.

In a session with Dan Katz, the IMF's First Deputy Managing Director, he reviewed progress under the programme backed by the Fund and ongoing structural reforms. Both parties praised the staff-level agreement, pointing to gains in the budget position, reserve holdings, inflation control and external stability. He also highlighted stronger investor sentiment, sovereign rating upgrades and renewed access to global capital markets, while restating commitment to tax reforms and privatisation.

Discussions also touched on how the Middle East conflict is feeding into energy prices and inflation, along with targeted relief for vulnerable households. At the 17th V20 Ministerial Dialogue, he thanked the group for backing Pakistan's Climate Prosperity Plan and identifying bankable projects for climate finance. He pointed to the country's first green Panda bond, warned against initiatives left unimplemented, and accepted the chairmanship of the Borrowers' Platform Governing Council on Pakistan's behalf.