Standard Chartered Bank Pakistan and the International Finance Corporation (IFC), a member of the World Bank Group, have announced a new USD 400 million risk-participation facility aimed at expanding short-term trade and working capital financing for major Pakistani corporations and exporters.
The initiative is expected to strengthen Pakistan’s foreign exchange inflows and support sustainable economic growth by enhancing access to much-needed liquidity for the country’s export-driven sectors.
Rehan Shaikh, CEO & Head of Coverage at Standard Chartered Pakistan, said the new partnership further deepens the bank’s long-standing relationship with IFC. He highlighted that, with Standard Chartered’s strong presence across 53 markets in Asia, Africa, and the Middle East, the bank continues to play a vital role in facilitating access to capital and promoting global trade.
Shaikh added that the expanded facility would enable Standard Chartered to better support its corporate clients, helping them scale operations and unlock growth opportunities.
Momina Aijazuddin, IFC’s Regional Head of Industry for the Financial Institutions Group in the Middle East, Türkiye, Central Asia, Pakistan, and Afghanistan, described the agreement as an important milestone in IFC’s ongoing collaboration with Standard Chartered.
She noted that by doubling the size of the Risk-Participation Facility, IFC aims to unlock essential trade and working-capital financing for businesses that contribute to growth, employment generation, and Pakistan’s long-term economic resilience. She added that the initiative demonstrates IFC’s commitment to supporting export-oriented industries and fostering inclusive, sustainable development in the country.
Formalised in September 2025, the new USD 400 million facility builds on a USD 200 million joint program launched in December 2022. Leveraging the combined expertise of IFC and Standard Chartered, the initiative focuses on expanding access to trade and working-capital loans, including supply-chain financing and sustainable finance products.
The partnership is expected to play a critical role in strengthening Pakistan’s manufacturing and export landscape while contributing to long-term economic stability.
