Pace of drop in deficit slows as govt eases import curbs to step up economic activities

Growth in investment, however, remains low compared to true potential

Upbeat outlook on back of technological advancement, reduced cost of repatriating funds

Amount raised will be used to pay off some dues of energy firms

BMA Capital expects KSE-100 index to hit only 49,000 points by year-end

Businesses do not believe in govt claims of economic improvement

Remittances increase as expatriate Pakistanis utilise legal channels

Reserves depleted by around $1b from August 2019 to January 2020

Profit growth will come from increasing lending to government at high rates

Two major global exporters stuck in crisis; China is dealing with coronavirus while Thailand is facing severe drought