ADB launches new five-year plan to boost private sector and sustainability in Pakistan

The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has launched its new country partnership strategy (CPS) for Pakistan for 2026-2030, outlining a roadmap to support the country’s transition to sustainable and inclusive growth through private sector-led development.

The five-year strategy focuses on three key pathways: enabling private sector development, advancing inclusion and empowerment, and enhancing resilience and sustainability. Crosscutting priorities include good governance and institutional strengthening, gender equality and social inclusion, digital transformation, and regional cooperation and integration.

ADB Country Director for Pakistan, Emma Fan, said the CPS is designed to address structural challenges and promote strategic investments and reforms across key sectors to stimulate economic growth and create jobs, with support for both public and private sector initiatives.

The strategy responds to Pakistan’s stabilized macroeconomic conditions and ongoing structural reforms, emphasizing export- and investment-led growth, improved public financial management, a more enabling business environment, and investments in high-impact sectors.

Private sector development is central to the CPS. Planned support includes reforms to reduce regulatory and compliance burdens, improve infrastructure, expand access to finance, foster public–private partnerships, and boost private sector operations. Key areas identified include critical minerals, railways and multimodal connectivity, energy security and clean energy, agriculture and value chains, integrated water resource management, and skills development and employment.

To address emerging challenges, ADB will employ integrated solutions combining policy reforms, sovereign and non-sovereign financing, technical assistance, and knowledge support. Inclusion and empowerment priorities include strengthening human capital, expanding access to quality social services, and promoting women’s economic participation.

Resilience and sustainability form another core pillar, with initiatives supporting disaster risk management, climate change adaptation, integrated flood and water management, agricultural value chains, food security, and air quality improvement.

The CPS aligns with Pakistan’s National Economic Transformation Plan (2024–2029) and ADB’s Strategy 2030 Midterm Review, and reinforces coordination with the World Bank, IMF, and other development partners to maximize development impact.