Pakistan’s Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb has revealed plans for the country to issue yuan-denominated panda bonds in June, aiming to raise between $200 million and $250 million from Chinese investors.
This move is part of Pakistan’s broader strategy to diversify its financing base and strengthen its capital market integration with China.
In an exclusive interview with the South China Morning Post, Aurangzeb emphasized the critical importance of this initiative to the country’s financial stability.
He also reiterated Pakistan’s commitment to promote cooperation with China in the next phase of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC).
The minister also seeks to improve trade relations with Hong Kong. Ahead of his meeting with Hong Kong CEO John Lee Ka-chiu, Aurangzeb shared plans to explore opportunities for Pakistani companies to set up joint ventures and secondary listings on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange (HKEX). He believes this will help attract investments into Pakistan and facilitate outward investments.
The finance minister’s visit coincides with the two-day Asian Financial Forum in Hong Kong, where he will discuss new avenues of collaboration, including the possibility of a Hong Kong delegation visiting Pakistan to explore new areas of business.
Pakistani companies have historically preferred secondary listings on the London Stock Exchange, but Aurangzeb emphasized that Hong Kong’s reputation for international capital raising offers significant untapped potential for Pakistani companies.
