Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb said on Tuesday that Pakistan’s economy is in a strong position, citing macroeconomic stability and “geopolitical tailwinds” as key factors.
Speaking virtually at the Pakistan International Maritime Expo and Conference 2025 (PIMEC-25) in Karachi, he said strong ties with Pakistan’s traditional partners now offer an opportunity to move from government-to-government (G2G) cooperation to increased trade and investment flows.
The minister described the Blue Economy as a “game changer” for Pakistan’s future growth. He added that Pakistan has received “external validation” for its economic policies, with three global rating agencies not only upgrading the country but also agreeing on its stable economic outlook. Aurangzeb also referred to Pakistan’s participation in the IMF program and the recent staff-level agreement, which demonstrates international confidence in the country’s authorities.
On the Blue Economy, he said Pakistan’s current contribution to GDP is only 0.4 to 0.5 percent, roughly $1 billion. Pakistan’s current GDP is $411 billion, while its real potential is estimated at $3 trillion. The Finance Minister described the Ministry of Maritime Affairs’ target of achieving a $100 billion Blue Economy by 2047 as “transformative and ambitious.”
To achieve this target, he highlighted three main pillars:
- Fisheries and aquaculture expertise: Expanding seafood exports from $500 million to $2 billion over the next three to four years.
- Modernization of ports and logistics: Including the digitalization of ports.
- Renewable energy and sustainable development: Launching Blue Bonds and blended financing for conservation and sustainable projects.
He assured consistency in policy and added that marine biotechnology and regional cooperation could open additional growth opportunities. The Finance Minister emphasized that integrating the principles of the Blue Economy into Pakistan’s national economic transformation agenda is the ultimate goal.
