Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb and New Zealand’s High Commissioner-designate David Pine discuss business links, agri-tech, digital economy and investment opportunities.
Pakistan and New Zealand have agreed to deepen bilateral economic cooperation by promoting trade, investment and stronger business-to-business connections between the two countries.
Federal Minister for Finance and Revenue Senator Muhammad Aurangzeb held a meeting with New Zealand’s High Commissioner-designate to Pakistan, David Pine, to discuss opportunities for expanding economic engagement.
Pine was accompanied by Policy and Public Affairs Adviser Avanthi Kalansooriya and Honorary Consul General of New Zealand for Pakistan Moin M. Fudda, according to an official statement issued on Wednesday.
During the meeting, Pine congratulated Aurangzeb on Pakistan’s recent return to international capital markets through its Eurobond issuance. He also acknowledged the country’s progress in macroeconomic stability and ongoing economic reforms.
The New Zealand envoy outlined his country’s interest in strengthening engagement with Pakistan and the wider South Asian region. He emphasized the need to identify practical opportunities that could translate into greater trade and investment activity.
Aurangzeb said Pakistan was focused on maintaining economic stability while moving towards investment-led and export-oriented growth. He highlighted policy continuity, fiscal discipline and structural reforms as key factors for sustaining investor confidence.
The meeting placed particular emphasis on developing direct links between businesses in Pakistan and New Zealand. Pine called for companies from both countries to establish stronger commercial connections and explore mutually beneficial opportunities.
Aurangzeb maintained that the private sector should play a leading role in expanding bilateral commerce, while the government would work to provide an environment conducive to investment and business activity.
The two sides also discussed the large number of Pakistani students and scholars studying in New Zealand, particularly in agriculture-related fields. Aurangzeb stressed the importance of using their expertise and knowledge to support Pakistan’s economic and developmental needs.
Technology, innovation and the digital economy were also identified as promising areas for cooperation. Aurangzeb highlighted Pakistan’s growing information technology and freelance sectors, along with opportunities to improve the competitiveness of traditional exports.
Pine expressed interest in exploring cooperation in sectors including agri-tech and other private-sector fields. Both sides agreed that continued government and business-level engagement would be important for converting shared interests into practical partnerships.
The meeting concluded with a reaffirmation of efforts to strengthen Pakistan-New Zealand trade relations through sustained dialogue, investment, knowledge exchange and closer business-to-business cooperation.