Fatima Fertilizer Company Limited and the International Finance Corporation (IFC) have launched a US$60 million annual renewable liquidity facility to secure uninterrupted fertilizer production in Pakistan.
The Fatima Fertilizer IFC facility allows the company to import essential raw materials, machinery, and technical services despite ongoing foreign exchange shortages.
Addressing Pakistan’s Foreign Exchange Constraints
Pakistan continues to face severe foreign currency shortages. As a result, import delays have threatened fertilizer supply chains and agricultural productivity.
However, IFC’s liquidity support fills a critical market gap. It ensures access to USD financing when hard currency remains scarce.
Sustaining Fertilizer Output and Employment
Through the Fatima Fertilizer IFC facility, the company can operate at full capacity at its Sadiqabad complex. The plant produces around 1.46 million tonnes of fertilizer annually.
This uninterrupted production:
Protects more than 850 direct jobs
Supports thousands of businesses in the fertilizer distribution network
Strengthens national nutrient supply chains
Helps maintain yields for wheat, rice, and other staple crops
Moreover, the facility reduces supply risks during peak planting seasons and shields farmers from price volatility.
Leadership Views on the Partnership
Fatima Fertilizer CEO Fawad Ahmed Mukhtar said the facility improves operational resilience and ensures timely nutrient supply to farmers.
Meanwhile, Ashruf Megahed, IFC’s Regional Industry Head for Manufacturing, Agribusiness & Services, highlighted its broader impact. He noted that USD financing supports food security, protects jobs, and strengthens Pakistan’s agribusiness value chain.
Supporting Food Security and Economic Resilience
The facility also stabilizes domestic fertilizer prices and reduces dependence on imported finished fertilizers. In addition, it strengthens Pakistan’s agricultural sustainability.
By backing Fatima Fertilizer, the World Bank Group reinforces confidence in Pakistan’s agribusiness sector during economic stress.
Advancing National Agricultural Priorities
Overall, the Fatima Fertilizer IFC facility supports key national goals:
Food security through steady fertilizer availability
Employment stability across the supply chain
Import substitution by boosting domestic production
Economic resilience amid foreign exchange challenges
The partnership plays a vital role in protecting rural livelihoods and strengthening Pakistan’s food systems.
