News Desk
KARACHI: The National Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Investment Fair concluded today in Karachi, bringing together federal and provincial governments, domestic and international investors, financial institutions, and development partners to explore investment opportunities that can advance Pakistan’s SDG agenda.
Convened by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the Government of Pakistan under the SDGs Plus Programme, the two-day Fair showcased 35 SDG-aligned public-private partnership projects worth approximately US$26 billion to potential investors and culminated in the signing of a Letter of Intent between a government private-sector partner and an investor for a $40 million project in the tourism sector.
The Fair began on 6 October with the launch of the SDG Investment Pipeline Compendium and project pitchbooks. Senator Muhammad Aurangzeb, Federal Minister for Finance and Revenue, joined virtually as Chief Guest. “Every country needs a policy framework and a financing equation. But the most important piece is capacity building, which is where we need to talk about investable, bankable projects that we can structure, report on and monitor in line with international standards,” said Senator Aurangzeb. The session also featured remarks by Ms. Sherry Rehman, Chair, Senate Standing Committee on Climate Change, and Mr. Najam Shah, Chairman, Planning and Development Department, Government of Sindh.
Ms. Van Nguyen, Deputy Resident Representative, UNDP Pakistan, underscored the importance of sustained investment in promising initiatives. “Over the next two days, I hope these conversations translate into partnerships that outlast this Fair. Its success should not be measured only by the number of projects showcased or commitments announced, but by whether these projects move forward: into financing, implementation and real improvements in people’s lives,” she said in her remarks.
Over the two days, project representatives from federal and provincial agencies presented investment cases in transport, climate, agriculture, water and sanitation, tourism, industry, trade, and technology. Participating institutions included the Sindh Public Private Partnership Unit, the Punjab Public Private Partnership Authority, the Ravi Urban Development Authority, the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Board of Investment and Trade, and the Balochistan Public Private Partnership Authority.
In his keynote address at the opening session of day two, Prof. Ahsan Iqbal, Federal Minister for Planning, Development and Special Initiatives, reflected on the importance of mobilizing investment to advance Pakistan’s development priorities. “The Fair translates URAAN’s pillars into investable opportunities, bringing government and investors together to accelerate sustainable development through investment across Pakistan,” said Prof. Ahsan Iqbal.
The event also included a high-level panel that explored the role of Pakistan’s capital markets and private sector in mobilizing sustainable investment, moderated by Ms. Van Nguyen. The conversation focused on investment opportunities and private-sector financing, bringing together Mr. Umar Ahsan Khan, President of OICCI and CEO of Dawlance; Ms. Zehra Aneek, Director for Sustainability and Climate Change at EY MENA; Mr. Farid Alam, CEO of AKD Securities; and Mr. Amir Masood, Chief Investment Officer, InfraZamin.
A panel discussion moderated by Ms. Naghma-e-Tehniat Jerral explored moving from development planning to investment. It featured insights from Mr. Najam Shah, Chairman, Planning & Development Board, Government of Sindh; Dr. Zeeshan Hanif, CEO, Punjab Public Private Partnership Authority; Mr. Faayaz Ali, Additional Secretary Finance, Balochistan; Mr. Iqbal Sarwar, Director for Business Facilitation and Administration; and Dr. Fareena Mazhar, Former Secretary, Board of Investment.
The Fair was formally closed by Mr. Jam Khan Shoro, Minister of Planning and Development Department, Government of Sindh, who underscored the value of stronger collaboration between government and the private sector in ensuring development. “Sustainable investment is key to unlocking Sindh’s and Pakistan’s development potential, connecting our projects with the capital and partnerships needed to deliver results in health, WASH, and agriculture,” he added.
Dr. Samuel Rizk, Resident Representative, UNDP Pakistan, reflected on the importance of sustained engagement to take projects forward. “This Fair is a platform that demonstrates how well-designed investment opportunities can successfully attract financing and also ensure development impact.”
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