Project is expected to generate substantial employment opportunities on both sides
ISLAMABAD:
The US has approved a major financing package worth $1.25 billion to support development of critical minerals at Pakistan’s Reko Diq site, US Chargé d’Affaires Natalie A Baker announced on Wednesday.
In a video message posted on X, Baker said the US Export-Import Bank (EXIM) had recently approved the financing that will significantly boost Pakistan’s mineral sector while deepening economic ties between the two countries.
“I am pleased to highlight that the US Export-Import Bank recently approved financing of $1.25 billion to support the mining of critical minerals at Reko Diq in Pakistan,” Baker said.
She added that in the coming years, EXIM’s project financing would help bring in up to $2 billion worth of high-quality US mining equipment and services required to build and operate the Reko Diq mine.
According to the US envoy, the project is expected to generate substantial employment opportunities on both sides: around 6,000 jobs in the US and about 7,500 jobs in Balochistan, supporting local communities and contributing to regional economic growth.
Baker described the Reko Diq initiative as a model of mutually beneficial cooperation, saying it would “bring employment and prosperity to both our nations” while supporting US exporters and strengthening Pakistan’s mining capabilities.
She underlined that the Trump administration had made forging such partnerships a key pillar of American diplomacy, especially in sectors involving critical minerals vital for global supply chains.
“We look forward to seeing further agreements between US companies and their Pakistani counterparts in the critical minerals and mining sector,” she added.
The financing announcement marks one of the most significant US economic engagements in Pakistan’s mineral sector, signaling expanding bilateral cooperation at a time when global demand for critical minerals continues to rise.
Separately, the US Charge d’Affaires called on Deputy Prime Minister/Foreign Minister Senator Ishaq Dar.
The DPM/FM highlighted the importance of close Pak-US relations and discussed bilateral matters of mutual interest, the Foreign Office spokesperson said in a press release.
They also discussed key regional and international developments.
Education, technical training
Minister of State for Federal Education and Professional Training, Wajiha Qamar, held talks on Wednesday with a high-level US delegation to explore avenues for deeper collaboration in education, technical training, and emerging industries such as minerals and mining.
The meeting took place at the Ministry following the inauguration of the new US Educational Foundation in Pakistan (USEFP) building in Islamabad. Both sides said the facility will strengthen academic advising, exchange programs and broader educational collaboration between Pakistan and the United States.
