IFC setting up fund for entrepreneurs, startups

Discusses mobilisation of private capital for investment, development Pakistan Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb. Photo: Reuters/ File Federal Minister for Finance Muhammad Aurangzeb held a meeting with Simon Andrews, Director, IFC Pakistan, Afghanistan, Kyrgyz Republic, Tajikistan & Turkmenistan, accompanied by Naz Khan, Principal Country Officer, IFC Pakistan, to discuss ongoing and potential IFC support for private-sector development, access to finance and investment in Pakistan. The minister appreciated IFC's continued partnership with Pakistan, particularly in expanding private-sector financing and supporting investment-led growth. He highlighted the government's focus on entrepreneurship, SME and agricultural finance, affordable housing and public-private partnerships as key areas for mobilising private capital. Aurangzeb pointed to Pakistan's improving macroeconomic stability and growing investor confidence and noted that the government was focused on translating those gains into greater investment, capital formation and private sector-led growth. He emphasised the importance of expanding access to finance and creating an enabling environment for domestic and international private capital. The IFC representatives spoke about the progress towards establishing a fund for entrepreneurs, being developed in collaboration with relevant stakeholders to strengthen Pakistan's entrepreneurial and start-up ecosystem. They also shared progress on affordable housing engagement to address supply-side constraints through potential developer finance models. On agricultural finance, the discussion focused on IFC's AgriConnect initiative, particularly opportunities to mobilise private financing through improved storage infrastructure and the effective use of electronic warehouse receipts as collateral. The finance minister underlined the need for addressing supply-side constraints and creating greater certainty for lenders and farmers. Public-private partnerships (PPP) were another key area of discussion. IFC highlighted its engagement with provincial governments on projects in water and power sectors, including initiatives to improve water quality and safety, and advance metering infrastructure across distribution companies. They deliberated on the potential of PPPs to improve service delivery, reduce losses and mobilise private capital for infrastructure development. The finance minister and IFC also exchanged views on expanding local-currency financing and strengthening mechanisms for longer-term financing for private-sector projects. Aurangzeb underscored the importance of complementing domestic financial resources with international development finance to support productive investment. He called for expanding financing opportunities for SMEs, entrepreneurs, agriculture and housing, noting that improved access to long-term and affordable capital would help unlock private investment, support business expansion and strengthen productive activity. He appreciated IFC's role in developing innovative financing solutions and mobilising private capital across these sectors.