When an economy takes a downturn, private investors and bankers tend to avoid much of the business risks thus the government’s development spending serves as a stimulus for economic growth and creates jobs. The capital spending on social and physical infrastructure also provides the private sector with business opportunities. However, according to the latest reported update issued by the Ministry…
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Falling off a cliff with an uphill task ahead
The rupee has gained around 18 paisas each day since hitting a trough of Rs168.43 on August 26 against the dollar. The rupee on Nov 13 hit a six-month high of Rs158.33 against the greenback. Between these months, markets have reacted to the first quarterly surplus in more than five years, $2 billion in remittances for five consecutive months, extension…
Read MoreFacilitating foreign investors
After launching Roshan Digital Accounts for overseas Pakistanis to boost both home remittances and foreign portfolio investment (FPI) in government debt securities, Pakistan is now trying to boost foreign direct investment (FDI) and exports. The purpose is to keep the balance of payments in shape at a time when geopolitical compulsions and a Covid-19–triggered global economic slowdown pose challenges for…
Read MoreKE’s issues: Centre seeks time for submitting ‘viable’ solution to SC
ISLAMABAD: The federal government has sought two weeks’ time from Supreme Court of Pakistan to present a viable solution to Karachi Electric’s (KE) issues including exclusivity after 2023. A government team comprising Minister for Planning, Development and Special Initiatives, Asad Umar, Minister for Energy, Omar Ayub, SAPM on Petroleum, Nadeem Babar and Nepra’s team headed by its Chairman Tauseef H.…
Read MoreGlobal treaty to tackle plastic pollution gains steam without US and UK
Support is growing internationally for a new global treaty to tackle the plastic pollution crisis, it has emerged, though so far without the two biggest per capita waste producers – the US and the UK – which have yet to signal their participation. A UN working group on marine litter and microplastics met at a virtual conference last week to…
Read MoreEU plans to increase offshore windfarm capacity by 250%
The capacity of the EU’s offshore windfarms in the North Sea, the Baltic, the Atlantic, the Mediterranean and the Black Sea will be increased by 250%, under a draft plan drawn up by the European commission. The move follows Boris Johnson’s announcement this year of his intention to generate enough electricity to power every home in the UK within a…
Read MoreRising circular debt a threat for govt move of power tariff cut for SMEs
The Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FPCCI) has said that the growing circular debt in the power sector is a continued threat for the government’s recent move of cut in power tariff for SMEs. FPCCI President Mian Anjum Nisar, in a written statement issued here, appreciated the Economic Coordination Committee (ECC) of the Cabinet to form a…
Read MoreChina can help Pakistan resolve energy woes
China can help in resolving the energy issues being faced by Pakistan and can provide muchdesired relief to the industrial, commercial and domestic sectors of the country, remarked Pakistan-China Joint Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCJCCI) President SM Naveed. Speaking at the inauguration ceremony of Offline/ Online Pakistan China Industrial Expo 2020 on Friday, Naveed appreciated the Chinese businessmen working…
Read MoreScope of expanding power tariff incentives
The government has announced an incentive package for industrial consumers of electricity with the aim of reducing the cost of production and thus increasing industrial output, employment and exports. The industry has generally hailed it, although some suggestions for improvement have been made, and contradictions of small and medium enterprises (SMEs) vs large industries have surfaced, especially in the steel…
Read MorePower sector awaits clarity
Amid nascent positive economic signs in selective areas, a lag in the implementation of a few supportive initiatives by the government continues to create uncertainties among market players. On the positive side, large-scale manufacturing (LSM) has posted 4.8 per cent growth in the first quarter (July-September) of the current fiscal year. This is driven by textile, mineral and food sectors…
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