Business
Traders expect Pakistan’s Rupee to lose ground in coming week
Traders expect the Pakistani rupee to weaken further in the coming week owing to a sharp decline in foreign exchange reserves brought on by fresh repayments of external debt.
Traders say this is causing concern for investors who are worried about how the country’s economic situation will develop.
“We expect the rupee to depreciate much further during the course of the upcoming week due to declining foreign reserves and repayment of foreign loans. Any developments on the IMF (International Monetary Fund) front are being eagerly watched by the market,” a forex trader said.
The local currency closed at 226.94 against the US dollar on Monday while it ended the week at 227.14 against the dollar on Friday.
Pakistan paid back $600 million to the Emirates NBD Bank and $420 million to the Dubai Islamic Bank, causing the State Bank of Pakistan’s (SBP) reserves to fall to a critically low level of $4.5 billion.
The coming week is turning out to be significant for Pakistan’s economy as a donors’ conference is set to begin on Monday, January 9, which will be led by the US in partnership with Pakistan to garner support for post-flood aid, according to Geo TV.
Currently, Pakistan’s chief of army staff is visiting Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates. Experts have said “no one is second guessing what this trip is about.”
Meanwhile, the delay in IMF funding of $1.1 billion has made Pakistan struggle to allay default fears.
Islamabad and the IMF differ over a review of policy and reforms the Fund is requiring in the country. The IMF’s programe review was supposed to be finished in November, Geo TV reported.
The IMF programe is connected to another essential foreign financing, making it difficult for the country to meet its external funding requirements. Up until June, they amounted to more than $30 billion and included imports, especially energy, and debt repayments.
The decline in the forex reserves put pressure on the rupee owing to the government’s slow progress in rolling over and securing foreign inflows from international lenders.
Given that elections are slated to take place this year, the government keeps delaying the IMF’s requirements out of concern for further political capital loss.
The local currency has lost 28.3% of its value against the dollar in 2022.
Finance Minister Ishaq Dar has assured that the government would complete the IMF programe.
Business
$23 million pharmaceutical company opens in Kabul
The Islamic Emirate officials also stated that while they fully cooperate with pharmaceutical companies, these manufacturers need to produce drugs that meet international standards.
A new pharmaceutical company, costing $20 million, was officially opened on Thursday in Kabul in the presence of Islamic Emirate leaders, including Deputy Prime Minister for Economic Affairs Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar.
The new company will reportedly manufacture 50 different types of drugs once fully operational.
Addressing the launch ceremony on Thursday, Baradar outlined the importance of quality in terms of pharmaceuticals and said poor-quality drugs threaten lives while good-quality medicines can save lives.
Baradar also pointed out that more manufacturing companies like this will help grow the country’s economy.
He once again called on investors, both in the country and abroad, to help in the reconstruction and development of the country and start businesses. He also said the way has been paved for them to invest and that they should make use of the opportunities available.
Health officials meanwhile said that currently there are 77 pharmaceutical companies in the country and that serious efforts are being made to make the country self-sufficient in this regard.
The Islamic Emirate officials also stated that while they fully cooperate with pharmaceutical companies, these manufacturers need to produce drugs that meet international standards.
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Business
Sugar exports to Afghanistan resume after four year break
Islamabad banned the export of sugar to Afghanistan four years ago to address shortages and control prices in the country.
Sugar exports from Pakistan to Afghanistan resumed this week after a four-year suspension, with over 400 vehicles crossing the Torkham border in the last four days.
According to Pakistan sources, Islamabad recently agreed to the export of 150,000 tons of sugar to Afghanistan, setting an August 15 deadline for the completion of the shipment process.
Customs clearing agents at Torkham said around 100 vehicles, each carrying 33 tons of sugar, crossed into Afghanistan four days ago and more thereafter.
Islamabad banned the export of sugar to Afghanistan four years ago to address shortages and control prices in the country.
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At the same time, the deputy minister welcomed their interest and stated that Afghanistan is a place of opportunities for investment and that the ministry is ready to cooperate.
The Ministry of Industry and Commerce says that Ahmadullah Zahid, deputy minister, met with a number of Chinese investors in his office on Tuesday.
According to a statement issued by the ministry, Ehsanullah Shahab, the head of special economic zones, was also present in this meeting, where investors from China expressed their interest in investing in solar power generation and agriculture technology sectors.
At the same time, the deputy minister welcomed their interest and stated that Afghanistan is a place of opportunities for investment and that the ministry is ready to cooperate.
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