BII reaffirms Pakistan commitment, seeks greater private capital mobilisation

By British International Investment (BII) on Thursday reaffirmed its commitment to Pakistan and expressed interest in significantly expanding its investment footprint in the country, with a focus on infrastructure, climate finance, technology and private markets. The development came during a meeting between Finance Minister Senator Muhammad Aurangzeb and BII Managing Director and Head of Asia Srini Nagarajan, the Finance Division said in a press release. Nagarajan was accompanied by BII Head Pakistan Imtiaz Saithna, Manager Pakistan Reema Gani, Development Director, FCDO, Sam Waldock and Investment Manager Zaigham Iqbal. The discussions focused on BII's investment plans for Pakistan, private capital mobilization, infrastructure and climate finance, private equity, SME financing and emerging investment opportunities arising from Pakistan's ongoing economic and structural reforms. Nagarajan briefed the minister on BII's 2026-31 strategy under which the institution plans to invest at least $2 billion across Asia and Africa, with a significant focus on South Asia and frontier markets. He identified Pakistan as an important investment destination and expressed BII's interest in significantly expanding its investment footprint in the country over the coming years. 'He also outlined BII's focus on mobilising private capital alongside its own investments and leveraging its experience across infrastructure, climate finance, financial services, technology and private markets to help develop investable markets and crowd in additional capital,' the Finance Division stated. Aurangzeb highlighted improvements in macroeconomic stability and investor confidence, as well as the government's reform, privatisation and private-sector-led growth agenda. He cited Pakistan's $3 billion international bond issuance, progress on privatisation and improvements in sovereign credit ratings as signs of strengthening investor confidence. The two sides also discussed climate finance, capital-market instruments, access to finance for SMEs and agriculture, mobilizing private investors, developing practical financing solutions and potential new financing structures to mobilise domestic and international private capital. BII reaffirmed its interest in working with Pakistan on actionable investment opportunities and supporting sustainable economic growth. The finance minister welcomed BII's offer to contribute its international experience to relevant government initiatives, studies and policy forums, emphasising the importance of bringing development finance institutions and private investors together around specific and investable opportunities. Nagarajan appreciated the improvement in Pakistan's macroeconomic environment and expressed confidence in the country's economic prospects.