Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb has expressed confidence that Pakistan’s blue economy holds the potential to transform the country’s economic future, describing it as a “game changer” backed by clear policies, strategic planning, and ambitious long-term goals.
Speaking at a virtual maritime conference, the minister acknowledged that Pakistan’s current position in this sector remains modest, contributing only around 0.4 to 0.5 percent to the national GDP roughly one billion dollars. However, he emphasized that the government has set a clear and determined target to expand this figure to $100 billion by 2047, calling the goal both “ambitious and achievable.”
“Taking the blue economy from one billion to one hundred billion dollars by 2047 is nothing short of transformational,” Aurangzeb remarked. “It’s the right ambition and a vision that aligns with Pakistan’s long-term growth strategy.”
He underlined that the blue economy could become one of the most promising sectors for driving national prosperity, boosting trade, and enhancing Pakistan’s regional and global presence.
The minister highlighted that Pakistan’s deep-rooted international relationships are gradually evolving from government-level interactions to tangible trade and investment flows. “These shifts, Inshallah, will help us move towards a sustainable and resilient growth path,” he said.
Laying out the roadmap for achieving the $100 billion target, Aurangzeb said the strategy rests on several key pillars. Among them, fisheries and aquaculture are central with a focus on value-added seafood processing, modernized cold-chain logistics, and international hygiene standards. Currently valued at around $500 million, Pakistan’s seafood exports are expected to surge to $2 billion within the next three to four years.
He added that these initiatives would be guided by a national fisheries and aquaculture policy, developed in collaboration with the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), ensuring long-term policy stability and consistency.
The finance minister also spoke about the need to modernize Pakistan’s port infrastructure. “We’re upgrading and digitizing operations across Karachi Port, Port Qasim, and Gwadar to align with international best practices,” he said. “This will not only improve logistics efficiency but also strengthen regional trade partnerships.”
Aurangzeb further stressed the importance of exploring renewable energy and marine biotechnology within the blue economy framework. “We are launching pilot projects in tidal and offshore wind energy, and developing value chains in marine biotechnology both of which offer huge potential for innovation and growth,” he noted.
To finance these initiatives, the government plans to adopt innovative funding models, including blue bonds and blended finance structures, ensuring sustainable and environmentally responsible development.
Aurangzeb concluded by noting that, along with structural reforms and improved investment flows, the blue economy alongside sectors like digital infrastructure, artificial intelligence, and mining will form the backbone of Pakistan’s long-term economic transformation.
“This is not just another development sector,” he said. “It’s a game-changing opportunity for Pakistan’s future one that, with clear targets and policy consistency, can redefine the country’s economic landscape.”
