Surplus signals external stability, but import controls impact industrial output
LSE report highlights urgent need for structural reforms, less dependency on imports, loans
Reaches $397m in Dec, as imports reduced to $4.09b, remittances reached $2.38b
SBP says CAD dropped 64% or $1.6b in first five months of FY24
Shows just $8m deficit, down 98% compared to last year
Deficit stands at $809m for July compared to surplus in past four months
Significant improvement from the CAD of $640 million recorded in April last year
Rise in remittances, fall in imports restrict the deficit to $623m in April
High deficit due to rebound in economic activity, rising global commodity prices
State Bank, commerce ministry stand poles apart in deficit projection