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Rupee claws back on positive cues about $700m financing

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2 years ago

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  • Rupee closes at 261.90 against the US dollar.
  • In the open market, local unit closes at 269.
  • Investors take cue from news regarding IMF programme.

The Pakistani rupee bounced back on Wednesday after Finance Minister Ishaq Dar announced that Islamabad is expected to receive $700 million from China this week.

The local unit closed interbank market trade at 261.90 against the US dollar after registering a meagre increase of Re0.61, or 0.23%, compared to Tuesday’s close of 262.51.

Taking to his Twitter handle, the finance czar announced that formalities have been completed and the Board of China Development Bank has approved the facility of $700 million for Pakistan.

“This amount is expected to be received this week by the SBP which will shore up its reserves,” he wrote.

Pakistan is in dire need of funds as it battles a wrenching economic crisis as the central bank-held foreign exchange reserves barely cover one month of imports.

Sources also told The News that two more commercial loans were expected to be re-financed including $500 million and $800 million. So in totality, Pakistan is eyeing to get re-financing of Chinese loans up to $2 billion by the end of February or the first week of March 2023.

Moreover, further assurance from Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif regarding the revival of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) programme boosted the market’s sentiment as Pakistan is desperate to unlock the next tranche of a $6.5 billion loan facility.

In the open market, the local currency closed the day at 269 — the same as the day earlier.

Globally, the dollar rose slightly on Wednesday, continuing to trade near six-week highs on the back of strong economic data.

The dollar index was up 0.13% at 104.28, not far off the six-week high of 104.67 hit at the end of last week.

Investors’ focus now turns to the release of the minutes from the Fed’s latest meeting later on Wednesday, which could offer more insight into policymakers’ plans.

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Business

Irfan Siddiqui meets with the PM and informs him about the Senate performance of the parliamentary party.

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The head of the Senate’s Foreign Affairs Standing Committee and the PML-N’s parliamentary leader paid Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif a visit in Islamabad.

Senator Irfan Siddiqui gave the Prime Minister an update on the Parliamentary Party’s Senate performance.

Additionally, Senator Irfan Siddiqui gave the Prime Minister an update on the Senate Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs’ performance.

He complimented the Prime Minister on his outstanding efforts to bring Pakistan’s economy back on track and meet its economic objectives.

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Business

SIFC Increases Direct Foreign Investment: Investment in the Energy Sector Rises by 120%

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The Special Investment Facilitation Council is intended to help Pakistan’s energy sector attract $585.6 million in direct foreign investment in 2024–2025. The amount invested at the same time previous year was $266.3 million.

This is a notable 120% rise, mostly due to investments in gas exploration, oil, and power. Such expansion indicates heightened investor confidence and emphasizes the development potential in important areas.

The State Bank reports that foreign investment in other vital industries has increased by 48% to $771 million.

This advancement is a blatant testament to SIFC’s efficient investment procedure and quick project execution.

The purpose of the Special Investment Facilitation Council is to establish Pakistan as an investment hub by aggressively promoting regional trade and investment in the energy sector and other critical industries.

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Business

Discos report losses of Rs239 billion.

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When compared to the same period last year, the data indicates that discos have decreased their losses in the first quarter of the current fiscal year.

The distribution businesses recorded losses of Rs239 billion in the first three months of the current fiscal year, a substantial decrease from the Rs308 billion losses sustained during the same period the previous year.

Additionally, the distribution businesses’ rate of recovery has improved. It has increased to 91% in the first quarter of this year from 84% in the same period last year, indicating success in revenue collection.

Regarding circular debt, the Power division observed a notable change. Last year, between July and October, the circular debt grew by Rs301 billion. Nonetheless, this year’s first four months saw a relatively modest increase in circular debt, totaling about Rs11 billion.

These enhancements show promising developments in the electricity sector’s financial health in Pakistan, where initiatives are being made to accelerate recovery rates and slow the expansion of circular debt.

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