Pakistan could learn from Türkiye’s experience of power sector reforms: Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb

ISLAMABAD, Nov 11 (SABAH): Federal Minister for Finance and Revenue Senator Muhammad Aurangzeb held a meeting with Irfan Neziroglu, Ambassador of Republic of Turkiye to Pakistan, who called on the Finance Minister at Finance Division on Monday.

During the meeting, various aspects of historical and longstanding brotherly ties between Pakistan and Turkiye, particularly the growing bilateral cooperation in trade, investment and defense, came under discussion. Senator Muhammad Aurangzeb welcomed Irfan Neziroglu on his diplomatic assignment in Pakistan. He highlighted the historical and fraternal bonds and the great potential for enhancing the current volume of bilateral trade between Pakistan and Türkiye. The Minister also recalled his meeting with Mehmet Simsek, Türkiye’s Treasury and Finance Minister, in Washington DC on the sidelines of the World Bank Group/IMF Annual Meetings 2024 in Washington DC last month. He said Pakistan could learn from Türkiye’s experience of power sector reforms and invited Turkish firms to enter into mutually beneficial joint ventures with Pakistani counterparts, particularly in the field of information technology and agriculture. Irfan Neziroglu expressed his appreciation for the economic reforms and the resultant macroeconomic stability in Pakistan. He assured his full commitment and support for further strengthening the ties between both the nations’ relations.

Meanwhile Federal Minister for Finance and Revenue Senator Muhammad Aurangzeb held a meeting with Ambassador Shoaib Sarwar, Pakistan’s Ambassador to Denmark, who called on the Finance Minister at Finance Division on Monday.

During the meeting, various aspects of bilateral ties and ways for further enhancing cooperation and collaborations in the field of trade and commerce between Pakistan and Denmark were discussed. The Minister highlighted the role of Pakistani diaspora in the socio-economic uplift of Pakistan.

Ambassador Shoaib Sarwar apprised the Minister about the current state of bilateral ties and the scope and opportunities for further business ventures and collaborations. He also highlighted the role of Pakistani expatriates settled in Demark for strengthening bilateral ties and promoting commerce and cultural exchanges between both the countries.

Meanwhile Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb held a meeting with Keith Svendsen, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of APM Terminals, who called on the Finance Minister at Finance Division on Monday. The meeting was also attended by Jakob Linulf, Ambassador of Denmark to Pakistan, Ambassador Shoaib Sarwar, Pakistan’s Ambassador to Denmark, Rene Piil Pedersen, Managing Director A.P. Moller Maersk Singapore, Ahmed Hassan, SVP of A.P. Moller Maersk Group, and Sander Riemersma, Head of Portfolio Strategy APM Terminals. The discussion focused on the progress made as a follow-up on the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) last month between Government of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan and Government of the Kingdom of Denmark to enhance bilateral cooperation and accelerate sustainable economic growth through promoting and enhancing green and sustainable Public-Private Partnership (PPP) investment.

Senator Muhammad Aurangzeb welcomed APM Terminals commitment to invest in Pakistan and assured full support in facilitating the Group and providing them with a level-playing and investment-friendly climate in Pakistan. Keith Svendsen briefed the Minister on APM Terminals’ business portfolio and its plans for building port infrastructure in Pakistan for enhanced revenue growth and improvement in regional trade and connectivity.