Karachi, November 4, 2025 – In a stirring virtual address at the Pakistan International Maritime Expo and Conference (PIMEC) today, Federal Minister for Finance and Revenue Muhammad Aurangzeb hailed the blue economy as a “game changer” for Pakistan’s future, revealing its staggering potential to reach $100 billion by 2047—coinciding with the nation’s centennial.
At the Pakistan International Maritime Expo & Conference (PIMEC 2025) in Karachi, Federal Minister Prof. Ahsan Iqbal, outlined a powerful vision for Pakistan’s Blue Economy; a transformative pillar of the URAAN Pakistan Vision 2035, driving the nation toward a $1 trillion… pic.twitter.com/Fn46LGVQfK
— Ministry of Planning and Development (@PlanComPakistan) November 3, 2025
Speaking to a packed inaugural session at Expo Centre Karachi, organized by the Pakistan Navy and Ministry of Maritime Affairs, Aurangzeb painted a vivid picture of transformation. “We’re hovering at just 0.4 to 0.5% of GDP—roughly $1 billion today,” he shared. “But with the right vision, this could explode to $100 billion, fueling our dream of a $3 trillion economy.”
The minister’s optimism centered on seafood exports, currently at $500 million, which he believes could quadruple to $2 billion in three to four years through the new National Fisheries and Aquaculture Policy, crafted with the FAO. “Imagine value-added processing, modern cold chains, and world-class hygiene standards,” he urged, “turning our oceans into engines of jobs and growth.”
Aurangzeb stressed unwavering policy continuity, vowing to modernize ports in Karachi, Qasim, and Gwadar with digitization and global best practices. He also spotlighted renewable energy like tidal and offshore wind, plus innovative tools such as blue bonds to fund sustainable projects.
Amid this maritime momentum, he celebrated Pakistan’s hard-won stability: single-digit inflation despite floods, reserves covering over 2.5 months of imports, and stable outlooks from all three major rating agencies after years of upgrades. A fresh IMF staff-level agreement further bolsters global confidence.
“We’re in a good spot,” Aurangzeb declared, crediting macroeconomic gains and “geopolitical tailwinds.” He called for shifting ties with partners like China, the U.S., and Gulf nations from aid to thriving trade and investment.
As PIMEC opened under Minister Ahsan Iqbal’s leadership, Aurangzeb’s words ignited hope: Pakistan stands ready to harness its seas for a prosperous, sustainable tomorrow.
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