News

Challenges on export front

Fourteen years ago, in FY10, Pakistan’s top 10 destinations for goods exports included the USA, UAE, Afghanistan, China and the UK, respectively. A decade later, in FY20, the top five export destinations changed a bit. The USA remained top but was followed by China, UK, UAE and Germany. Afghanistan disappeared from the list, data compiled by the State Bank of Pakistan reveals. These five countries

Standard Chartered Bank, International Finance Corporation sign pact

Standard Chartered Bank Pakistan Ltd has signed an unfunded risk-participation agreement with the International Finance Corporation (IFC), said a press release on Monday. The $200 million rupee-equivalent programme will see the IFC cover 50 per cent of the commercial bank’s risk against short-term trade and working capital funded loan facilities for corporate clients. “Standard Chartered and

Commuters seek digital payment option

Public transport users in Pakistan want an interconnected and unified digital service that allows them to plan, book and pay ahead of time for all modes of transportation, according to a study by Visa, a global player in digital payments. A press release said on Monday that 33 per cent of the survey audience in Pakistan uses public transit services as their primary form of transportation. Pakis

Uzbek deputy PM arrives in Pakistan for crucial trade talks

Uzbe­kistan’s Deputy Prime Minister and In-charge of Trade and Investment Dr Jamshid Khodjaev has arrived in Pakistan for a crucial two-day visit aimed at exploring ways to bolster bilateral trade and investment relations. This high-profile visit underscores the growing economic ties between the two nations and is expected to further cement their partnership in the realms of trade and investmen

Barring tractors, auto sector faces stagnant sales

Tractor makers may be excited about the 87 per cent surge in sales, but other segments of the auto sector faced a sales slump ranging between 10pc and 47pc during 4MFY24. The rise in tractor sales to 17,296 units (Fiat and Massey Ferguson) also signals some brisk agricultural activities during July-Oct FY24, from 9,258 units in the same period last fiscal. In the car segment, the month-on-mo