Pakistan economy

Envoy says trade is convenient due to road link via Iran

Absence of triggers, upcoming monetary policy announcement keep investors sidelined

Central bank will announce monetary policy on 28th

Cautions high energy cost, WASA charges will hit exports hard

Exporters hit out at govt for hike in power, gas tariffs

Ministry of Finance says net increase in external debt in 1HFY20 is $1.7 billion instead of $5.5 billion

Spreads are widening since SBP started increasing benchmark interest rate

Will pay hired agencies one-fourth of the recovered amount

Growth dominated by a few sectors including financial and transportation

Tells commerce adviser to facilitate in expo centre construction

Drop comes on back of decline in company’s volumetric sales

Withdrawal of duties is feared to push down cotton prices in domestic market

Central bank cites no reason for increase in reserves

Discuss implementation of project by avoiding US sanctions

Sugar rates reach Rs85 per kilo in Punjab, Rs78 in Karachi

PTI govt changed 4 food secretaries in ten months; also abandoned WB -funded wheat market reforms

GIDC applicable to fertiliser producers was cut by Rs400 per bag

Board declares interim cash dividend of Rs20 per share for half year

Date for submission of bids has been extended to April 20 due to high demand

National Refinery, Attock Refinery report losses for Jul-Dec 2019

Non-project loans increase to 84% of total receipts

ECC discusses summary to increase gas prices, defers matter till next meeting

Vietnam envoy calls for regular interaction between chambers of commerce of two sides

Voice concern over delay in up to 25% of their refunds

PM aide says draft approved by cabinet will be revised to address concerns of stakeholders

It remains unclear what is the export destination

Also discusses regularisation of engineers working in Balochistan’s gas fields

Gives directives for amending Seed Act, reconstituting cotton committee

Directs FBR chairman to hold meeting with businessmen to resolve issues

FPCCI chief says country does not have surplus products to export

Imran directs provincial govts to abolish 74 different licences within three days

Benchmark index decreases 0.97% to settle at 42,747.62

Businessmen with an annual turnover of Rs100m will have to pay 0.5% instead of 1.5% tax

Ministries, divisions directed to send revised budget estimates for current fiscal year to MoF by Feb 6

Pakistan has one of the lowest export values as a percentage of GDP

Modern organic practices can be adopted in farming while utilising available land

Money loses value over time due to inflation, printing of currency by central banks

Govt may consider giving targeted subsidy with focus on inputs

Former central bank governor calls for legally defined mechanism for using foreign exchange reserves

PM Imran orders countrywide ‘grand operation’ in an attempt to tackle wheat crisis

Complaints received that FBR officials coercing shopkeepers, owners to install POS system

Major business processes of PRA including registration, return filing and tax payments, all are fully automated

Traders, retailers under tier-1 may face fines for not registering with FBR's system

Absence of positive triggers, political uncertainty keeps investors cautious

External debt peaks at 159% of total reserves at the end of last fiscal year

According to the report, youth population in South Asian region faces systemic barriers to employment

Under code-sharing, travellers will be able to book train tickets by using PIA’s booking platform

SECP has imposed roughly Rs22 million worth of penalties in past one year on violations

Directorate accused of restrictive trading conditions in its tender

Minister for Planning Development & Special Initiatives asures businessmen of early completion of projects under PSDP