Business Desk 
Oct 17, 2025
Pakistan has officially requested China’s assistance for its membership in the New Development Bank (NDB), whilst having reiterated Pakistan's commitment to broaden Chinese participation in agriculture, ICT, industry, and minerals.
As reported by the Finance Division, Finance Minister Aurangzeb met in Washington with China’s Deputy Finance Minister Liao Min and welcomed Beijing’s increasing investment interest in essential sectors of the economy in Pakistan.
“Mr Aurangzeb sought China’s support for Pakistan’s membership in the NDB and welcomed enhanced investment from Chinese enterprises in key sectors including information and communication technology, agriculture, industry, and minerals,” the official statement read.
The New Development Bank (NDB), created by BRICS nations Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa, invests in infrastructure and other sustainable development projects in developing countries.
In February, the Economic Coordination Committee (ECC) of Pakistan approved the purchase of capital shares totalling $582 million, including $116 million as paid-in capital to gain membership of the NDB. Islamabad has also applied to become a member of BRICS in late 2024.
During the same meeting, Aurangzeb provided Liao Min with updates on Pakistan's recent staff-level agreement with the International Monetary Fund (IMF), calling it a positive endorsement of ongoing economic reforms.
He briefed the Chinese officials on the ongoing process of issuing the Panda Bond in the Chinese market and invited Liao Min to visit Pakistan.
Apart from his discussions with Liao Min, Aurangzeb separately met US Congressman French Hill, the chair of the House Financial Services Committee, to talk about broader Pakistan-US economic cooperation.
The issues discussed that are under the area of economic cooperation include digital finance, mineral development and innovation-led sustainable economic growth.
Both sides agreed to further enhance engagement on bilateral economic progress and deepen collaboration in sustainable economic development through technology-based cooperation.
