Finance Minister Senator Muhammad Aurangzeb met a delegation from Honeywell Technologies in Washington, where the company presented a proposed plan to modernise and expand Pakistan’s refinery sector. According to the finance ministry, Aurangzeb met with Honeywell Vice President and General Manager Barry Glickman as part of discussions on how the initiative could support the country’s energy infrastructure.
The finance ministry said Aurangzeb welcomed the proposed modernisation and expansion plan, noting its potential to enhance domestic refining capacity and reduce Pakistan’s reliance on imported petroleum products. Discussions during the meeting covered Honeywell’s technology and equipment solutions for the refinery sector, along with possible financing arrangements through the US Export Import Bank, the US International Development Finance Corporation, export credit agencies and major international banks. Aurangzeb described the proposed initiative as one that could support Pakistan’s energy security, industrial development and long term economic growth.
The meeting took place during Aurangzeb’s three day visit to Washington, where he has been holding a series of discussions with US officials and financial institutions covering trade, investment and broader economic cooperation. Earlier during the same visit, Pakistan and the United States resumed talks on a wider economic partnership, with discussions expected to address tariffs, market access, investment opportunities and expanding bilateral trade between the two countries. Aurangzeb is also scheduled to meet officials from the Office of the US Trade Representative, the US Exim Bank, the Development Finance Corporation and the International Monetary Fund during his time in Washington.
The visit comes as Islamabad and Washington continue negotiations that began the previous week over tariffs affecting Pakistani exports, along with discussions on a possible framework for a broader trade agreement following earlier global tariff measures. Meetings with US development and export financing agencies during this trip are aimed at exploring funding opportunities for infrastructure, energy and private sector projects in Pakistan, with the proposed Honeywell refinery initiative representing one potential avenue for that kind of investment as talks between the two countries continue.
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