A high-level delegation of nine Executive Directors (EDs) from the World Bank Group (WBG) is arriving in Pakistan today (Monday) for the first time in nearly 20 years.
The delegation will engage in discussions regarding Pakistan’s economic development strategies, investment prospects, and the implementation of the recently approved $40 billion Country Partnership Framework (CPF) that spans the next decade.
Representing 88 countries on the World Bank’s Board of Directors, the delegation will meet with top government officials including the Prime Minister, Finance Minister, Minister for Economic Affairs, Planning Minister, and Power Minister.
The focus of the talks will include Pakistan’s long-term economic development goals, opportunities for investment, and the methods for ensuring the effective execution of the CPF.
In addition to their meetings in Islamabad, the delegation will travel to the provinces of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP), Sindh, and Punjab to gain insights into regional development issues. They will also engage with representatives from Balochistan, aligning with the World Bank’s commitment to promoting sustainable growth across all regions of Pakistan.
The delegation will meet with a range of business leaders, academics, and members of civil society. The World Bank Group, which includes five key multilateral development institutions — the International Development Association (IDA), International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD), International Finance Corporation (IFC), Multilateral Investment Guarantee Agency (MIGA), and International Centre for Settlement of Investment Disputes (ICSID) — plays a central role in shaping global economic policies.
The visit is particularly significant in light of the approval of Pakistan’s CPF, which has gained attention at World Bank headquarters and is being viewed as a model for other countries in terms of economic cooperation with the WBG.
The CPF is designed to enhance economic resilience, boost private sector growth, and improve infrastructure throughout Pakistan.
The EDs will focus on developing actionable business plans and ensuring their implementation in the years to come, underscoring the World Bank’s long-term commitment to Pakistan’s economic transformation.
This visit marks a renewed partnership between Pakistan and the World Bank, with expectations of increased financial and technical support for critical development projects across the country.
The visiting executive directors include Abdul Haq Bedjaoui from Algeria, Zanib Ahmed from Nigeria, Beatrice Maser from Switzerland, Robert Bruce Nicholl from Australia, Teresa Solbes from Spain, Paul Bonmartin from France, Lonkhululeko Magagula from Eswatini, Marlene Suzie Nzengou from Central African Republic, and Tauqir Shah, Executive Director representing Pakistan and several other countries.
They are accompanied by World Bank Group Company Secretary and Vice President Mercy Tembon.
