IMF Engages Multinational Firms on Pakistan's Economic Outlook

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) mission currently visiting Pakistan has held discussions with representatives of foreign multinational companies to review the country's macroeconomic stability and future economic prospects.

Meetings took place in Karachi on Friday, where a team from the Pakistan Business Council (PBC), led by Chairperson Dr Zeelaf Munir, met with Ms Iva Petrova, who is heading the IMF mission, and resident representative Mahir Binici. A separate delegation from the Overseas Investors Chambers of Commerce and Industry (OICCI) also met with IMF officials, sources said.

According to statements issued by the PBC and OICCI, the discussions covered a range of topics including Pakistan’s macroeconomic stability, export-led growth, taxation measures, and the perspectives of foreign investors operating in the country. The PBC delegation highlighted the need for recent economic stabilisation to translate into increased investment, productivity, and employment generation.

The meetings also addressed the current policy rate set by the State Bank of Pakistan, which stands at 10.5 per cent, and the achievement of a primary surplus. Participants focused on the structural measures required to restore private-sector confidence in the economy, according to reports.

However, the statements from the PBC and OICCI did not disclose any comments or positions expressed by the IMF team during these discussions. There were no further details provided regarding the outcomes or any specific proposals made during the meetings.

Sources familiar with the matter indicated that the engagement reflects ongoing efforts to involve key stakeholders in shaping Pakistan’s economic trajectory, with a particular emphasis on the role of foreign investors and the private sector.