Karachi (HRNW): Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah and Simon Andrews, Divisional Director of the International Finance Corporation (IFC) for Pakistan, have agreed to explore enhanced cooperation in digital infrastructure, renewable energy, agriculture, healthcare, human resource development, social protection, and climate-resilient infrastructure.
The understanding was reached during a meeting at the Chief Minister’s House, attended by senior officials of the Sindh Government, including Planning and Development Minister Jam Khan Shoro, Chief Secretary Asif Hyder Shah, Principal Secretary Agha Wasif, Planning and Development Chairman Najam Shah, Finance Secretary Fayyaz Jatoi, and members of the IFC delegation.
During the meeting, Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah highlighted Sindh’s commitment to attracting investment in priority sectors, including the establishment of an international data center and expanding renewable energy generation through private sector participation. He said the provincial government is focused on creating a favorable investment environment in emerging sectors to stimulate economic growth and generate employment opportunities.
The two sides also discussed strengthening the agricultural value chain by improving storage facilities, processing infrastructure, and mechanization. The Chief Minister emphasized that most farmers in Sindh are small landholders and proposed encouraging neighboring farmers to form cooperative groups to benefit from government-subsidized tractors and modern agricultural practices.
Human resource development, particularly in healthcare, nutrition, and skills training, also featured prominently in the discussions. The Chief Minister reiterated the provincial government’s commitment to addressing child stunting, improving healthcare services, and equipping young people with skills required for the future economy.
Simon Andrews expressed IFC’s interest in supporting Sindh’s reform agenda and reaffirmed the organization’s commitment to promoting sustainable and inclusive development. He noted that IFC sees significant opportunities for partnership in digital infrastructure, renewable energy, agribusiness, healthcare, and human capital development.
The meeting also focused on addressing the shortage of trained nursing professionals. Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah outlined the government’s vision to produce at least 15,000 trained nurses annually, aiming to meet domestic healthcare needs while creating employment opportunities in international markets. Both sides agreed to work on developing a comprehensive model for nursing education and specialized training.
Climate resilience and public-private partnership (PPP) projects were another major area of discussion. IFC’s Sustainable Infrastructure Advisory Team offered technical assistance to integrate climate risk assessments and adaptation measures into the planning, evaluation, and management of PPP projects. The Sindh PPP Unit requested IFC’s advisory support in institutional capacity building, developing climate adaptation guidelines, and incorporating climate risk assessment tools into infrastructure planning.
Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah stressed that Sindh is among the regions most vulnerable to climate change and emphasized that future infrastructure projects must be designed to withstand climate-related challenges. He welcomed IFC’s support in strengthening institutional capacity and developing climate-resilient planning frameworks.
The meeting concluded with both sides agreeing to continue consultations on establishing a comprehensive framework for climate risk assessment, adaptation planning, and the development of climate-resilient public-private partnership projects across Sindh.
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Disclaimer:
This report is based on an official statement issued by the Government of Sindh regarding the meeting between the Chief Minister and representatives of the International Finance Corporation (IFC). HRNW publishes official government statements in accordance with the principles of impartial journalism. Further developments and implementation of the discussed initiatives will be reported as they become available.
