KARACHI: In a renewed push to diversify funding sources and tap into China`s vast capital market, a Ministry of Finance team is holding high-level meetings in Beijing this week to attract investment for Pakistan`s debut Panda Bond issuance.

The outreach comes as Dubai Islamic Bank (DIB) has successfully arranged a $1bn syndicated loan for Pakistan, partially backed by the Asian Development Bank the first such guarantee-based facility for the country.

Khurram Schehzad, adviser to the finance minister, said in a post on X on Wednesday that the MoF team had engaged in technical discussions with prospective investors, underwriters, guarantors, a Chinese rating agency, and legal advisers. The meetings, which began on July 7, will continue until July 11 as part of a non-deal roadshow (NDR) ahead of Pakistan`s debut Panda Bond issue.

Mr Schehzad noted that the roadshow had attracted encouraging initial interest, reflecting investor confidence in Pakistan`s reform trajectory and its improving credibility in international markets. He added that the visit underscores the government`s commitment to proactive investor engagement and its strategy to broaden access to China`s deep and diversified onshore capital market.

In a separate development, Dubai Islamic Bank (DIB) has finalised a $1bn syndicated loan for Pakistan in partnership with a consortium of regional and international financial institutions, according to an official statement on Wednesday.

The five-year facility is partially guaranteed by a Policy-Based Guarantee (PBG) from the Asian Development Bank, marking the first transaction of its kind undertaken by the ADB for Pakistan.