SIFC, Saudi delegation discuss investment in energy, infrastructure, agriculture

ISLAMABAD: The Special Investment Facilitation Council (SIFC) and a Saudi delegation led by Saudi-Pakistan Joint Business Council Chairman Prince Mansour are holding two-day discussions on investment opportunities in Pakistan’s energy, infrastructure, agriculture, logistics and real estate sectors, according to a news report. 

The June 4-5 visit includes government-to-government, government-to-business and business-to-business engagements aimed at identifying projects and developing investment partnerships between the two countries.

The SIFC Secretariat directed relevant ministries and departments to prepare project proposals, presentations and technical details for discussions with Saudi investors.

The engagements began on June 4 with an introductory meeting between Pakistani business leaders and their Saudi counterparts, including representatives of the Saudi-Pakistan Joint Business Council and other Saudi officials.

Pakistan’s ambassador to Saudi Arabia was also present at the meeting.

Separate sessions were subsequently held on infrastructure, transport and logistics projects.

Officials from the Ministry of Communications and the National Highway Authority briefed the delegation on investment and development opportunities linked to the M-6, M-10 and M-13 motorways.

Another session focused on the expansion and development of ports, with representatives of the Ministry of Maritime Affairs, Karachi Port Trust, Port Qasim Authority and Gwadar Port Authority discussing operational and infrastructure opportunities with Saudi investors.

The delegation also held talks with the Pakistan Airports Authority and aviation officials on airport development, operations and outsourcing.

Agriculture-related discussions covered possible investment in meat and rice processing. Officials from the Ministry of National Food Security, Fauji Foundation and associated entities participated in the talks.

The second day of meetings will focus on policy frameworks and investment roadmaps for specific sectors.

A proposed government-to-government and government-to-business framework will be discussed for implementing projects through joint Saudi-Pakistan public-private consortia involving government-linked companies and private-sector entities from both countries.

Energy cooperation will form a major part of the agenda.

Power-sector discussions will cover transmission lines and smart metering, with the Minister for Power, Secretary Power and Saudi representatives expected to participate.

Petroleum-sector talks will include gas metering and investment opportunities in mining and minerals. The Minister for Petroleum and Natural Resources and Secretary Petroleum will attend the discussions.

Saudi investors will also be briefed on opportunities in hotels, property development and tourism-related projects.

Representatives of the Ministry of Housing and Works, Capital Development Authority, Frontier Works Organization and Defence Housing Authority will participate in these sessions.

PM seeks broader Saudi economic partnership

The Saudi delegation, led by Prince Mansour, on Thursday also called on Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif at the Prime Minister’s House. Prime Minister Sharif told the Saudi businessmen that Pakistan wanted to develop its economic relationship with Saudi Arabia into a mutually beneficial partnership.

Welcoming the delegation, the prime minister recalled Prince Mansour’s previous visit with Saudi business representatives in October 2025 and expressed hope that the latest engagements would lead to memorandums of understanding and agreements in various sectors.

The delegation identified ports, highways, airport outsourcing, energy, power distribution and information technology among the areas of investment interest.

Prime Minister Shehbaz welcomed Saudi interest in these sectors and proposed agriculture and food security as additional areas for cooperation.

The Saudi delegation will continue meetings with government departments and private-sector representatives to explore investment projects in Pakistan.

Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar, Minister for National Food Security Rana Tanveer Hussain, Minister for Communications Aleem Khan, Minister for Power Sardar Awais Ahmed Khan Leghari, Minister for Petroleum Ali Pervaiz Malik, Minister for Information Technology Shaza Fatima Khawaja, Minister of State for Finance Bilal Azhar Kiyani, Special Assistant to the Prime Minister Tariq Fatemi and Special Assistant to the Prime Minister Haroon Akhtar Khan attended the meeting alongside senior government officials.