Pakistan seeks foreign expertise to advance economic reforms

Pakistan is consulting international advisory firms on structural changes, state-owned enterprise performance and foreign investment, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said after meeting Alvarez & Marsal Managing Director Peter Briggs in Islamabad on Friday. Business Recorder reported that Sharif said the government wants outside economic expertise and is open to engagement with international markets.

The prime minister said that after attaining economic and fiscal stability, the government is pursuing reforms aimed at export-led growth and a more productive economy. He also cited plans to improve manufacturing performance, assess SOEs’ financial viability and consider privatisation, while drawing more foreign direct investment. Briggs welcomed the government’s openness to investment and expert engagement, and said his firm was keen to work with Pakistan. Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb, Economic Affairs Minister Ahad Khan Cheema and Power Minister Sardar Awais Ahmed Khan Leghari were among those at the meeting.