Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb says Pakistan is eager to tap the Yuan bond market to broaden its ties with China.

In an interview with Nikkei Asia, he said an initial issuance of a Panda bond by the end of this year is expected to be worth around 200 million to 250 million dollars.

Muhammad Aurangzeb expressed the hope to reach the “B” rating zone in due course by carrying out reforms in accordance with the IMF’s terms.

He emphasized that the China Pakistan Economic Corridor is a flagship of the Belt and Road Initiative, a core economic and geopolitical drive spearheaded by Chinese President Xi Jinping.

The Minister said government attaches focused attention at the highest level” to the safety issue not only for Chinese but for all foreign nationals in the country.

He said we are now in the 25th IMF program and we want to ensure that this is the last program.

The Minister said the country needs to firmly establish an export-led growth model, attract more foreign direct investment and go back to the international capital market.