Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb meets a US State Department ambassador in Bangkok to discuss trade, energy diversification, critical minerals, aviation financing and digital asset regulation.
ISLAMABAD: Federal Minister for Finance and Revenue Senator Muhammad Aurangzeb has held talks with Ambassador Yon of the US State Department on strengthening bilateral economic cooperation on the sidelines of the World Bank Group–IMF Annual Meetings 2026 in Bangkok, Thailand.
According to an official statement, the discussions covered progress towards a bilateral trade framework agreement, energy diversification, investment financing and cooperation in strategic sectors.
Aurangzeb reviewed progress towards a trade framework agreement and discussed opportunities to increase energy imports from the United States as part of Pakistan’s diversification efforts.
The finance minister also outlined measures being taken to maintain fuel supplies and provide support to vulnerable consumers amid energy supply concerns.
AML/CFT, FATF and investment financing
The meeting also addressed anti-money laundering and countering the financing of terrorism (AML/CFT) arrangements, along with follow-up matters relating to the Financial Action Task Force (FATF).
Both sides discussed potential investment financing through the US Development Finance Corporation (DFC) and the Export-Import Bank of the United States (EXIM Bank).
Aurangzeb highlighted the Reko Diq project and opportunities for cooperation in critical minerals, emphasising project security and the potential to mobilise private-sector investment.
The discussions reflected the importance of attracting foreign financing and developing strategic investment opportunities in Pakistan’s mineral resources sector.
Boeing aircraft financing and digital assets
Aviation cooperation also featured in the meeting, with discussions covering the acquisition and financing of Boeing aircraft and related aviation clearances.
The two sides further exchanged views on digital asset regulation and potential applications involving remittances and the tokenisation of Eurobonds.
These discussions explored possible areas for financial and technological cooperation, including the use of digital assets in cross-border payments and capital-market transactions.
The meeting forms part of Pakistan’s engagement with international partners during the annual meetings of the World Bank Group and the International Monetary Fund.
The discussions covered a broad range of economic priorities, including trade, energy security, investment mobilisation, aviation and emerging financial technologies, with both sides examining opportunities to advance bilateral economic cooperation.