KARACHI: The National Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Investment Fair concluded in Karachi on Tuesday, bringing together government representatives, investors, financial institutions and development partners to explore investment opportunities supporting Pakistan’s SDG agenda.

Convened by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the Government of Pakistan under the SDGs Plus Programme, the two-day event showcased 35 SDG-aligned public-private partnership projects with an estimated value of $26 billion.

The Fair also culminated in the signing of a Letter of Intent between a government-private sector partner and an investor for a $40 million tourism project.

Projects Across Key Sectors

Representatives from federal and provincial agencies presented investment opportunities covering transport, climate, agriculture, water and sanitation, tourism, industry, trade and technology.

Participating institutions included the Sindh Public Private Partnership Unit, Punjab Public Private Partnership Authority, Ravi Urban Development Authority, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Board of Investment and Trade, and Balochistan Public Private Partnership Authority.

Speaking at the opening session of the second day, Federal Minister for Planning, Development and Special Initiatives Prof Ahsan Iqbal highlighted the importance of mobilising investment to support Pakistan’s development priorities.

“The Fair translates URAAN’s pillars into investable opportunities, bringing government and investors together to accelerate sustainable development through investment across Pakistan,” he said.

UNDP Pakistan Resident Representative Dr Samuel Rizk stressed the importance of sustained engagement to move the projects from presentation to implementation.

“This Fair is a platform that demonstrates how well-designed investment opportunities can successfully attract financing and also ensure development impact,” he said.

Capital Markets, Private Sector Discuss Investment

A high-level panel examined the role of Pakistan’s capital markets and private sector in mobilising sustainable investment.

Moderated by Van Nguyen, the session brought together Umar Ahsan Khan, President of OICCI and CEO of Dawlance; Zehra Aneek, Director for Sustainability and Climate Change at EY MENA; Farid Alam, CEO of AKD Securities; and Amir Masood, Chief Investment Officer at InfraZamin.

The discussion focused on investment opportunities, private-sector financing and ways to channel capital towards projects aligned with Pakistan’s sustainable development objectives.

Sindh Highlights Public-Private Collaboration

The Fair was formally closed by Jam Khan Shoro, Minister of Planning and Development Department, Government of Sindh.

Shoro emphasised the importance of stronger collaboration between the public and private sectors to advance development projects in the province and across the country.

“Sustainable investment is key to unlocking Sindh’s and Pakistan’s development potential, connecting our projects with the capital and partnerships needed to deliver results in health, WASH, and agriculture,” he said.