Brexit negotiations have yet to begin but already the prospect of the UK splitting from the rest of the European Union has roiled the world of business, sending shockwaves through a slew of sectors. Thousands of jobs look set to move and while it’s impossible to attach a price tag to Brexit, industry bodies, consultants, economists and accountants have already published dozens of reports on the possible impact of new tariffs and a restriction on the movement of people. Here’s an overview of what we know. The broader economy The most dramatic and salient economic impact of the Brexit decision came on the night of the decision itself. The pound suffered its biggest one-day fall against the dollar on record as currency trade...
April 22, 2017 at 4:19 pm | News Desk
BEIJING: Habib Bank, one of the largest private banks in Pakistan which opened its branch in Urumqi, is eyeing opportunities connected with the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), a key component of the Belt and Road Initiative. Xinjiang is the starting point of the CPEC, which links the region with the Gwadar port in Pakistan. The CPEC is estimated to draw infrastructure investment of $45 billion. “We have always been very active on the frontlines of the CPEC,” a top bank official said on Tuesday. Bank of Beijing has also established its branch last week in Urumqi, the capital of Xinjiang. According to experts, domestic and foreign financial institutions have been pouring into Northwest China’s Xinjiang Uyghur Aut...
April 22, 2017 at 3:53 pm | News Desk
KARACHI: The leaders of major trade associations heaved a sigh of relief at the Supreme Court’s verdict. They said it cleared the clouds of uncertainty that was causing an adverse impact on business activities for the past few weeks. Talking to media, most businessmen sounded happy over the outcome. A leader articulated the community’s sentiment and said it was ‘like a big storm passing away without causing devastation’. Zubair Tufail, president Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FPCCI) advised political parties to accept the SC verdict with an open heart and try to work for the stability of the country. He appealed not to adopt a path of agitation till the investigations under the JIT were complet...
April 21, 2017 at 11:35 am | News Desk
The benchmark KSE-100 index has reacted positively to the Panama case verdict, with the index surging more than 1,869 points in the moments following the verdict. Volumes surged as 126 million shares worth Rs12.46 billion were traded. However, the benchmark index could not maintain the full momentum and adjusted to a gain of approximately 1,000 points in the hour after the verdict was announced. The Panama Papers scandal had taken a toll on the stock exchange in recent weeks, with the market mostly hovering between 47,000 and 49,000 points. Yesterday’s trading session had seen the greatest single day volatility when the benchmark index made an enormous swing of 1,668 points between the intra-day high and low.
April 20, 2017 at 3:03 pm | News Desk
ISLAMABAD – With growth prospects continuing to improve and inflation remaining contained, the Pakistani economy would continue to grow at 5.2 percent in 2017, the World Bank (WB) predicted in its recent report. In its report, the Bank said that China-Pakistan Economic Corridor has supported construction activity, which is expected to stimulate industrial sector growth. It said that these projects should help accelerate growth in the domestic construction industry and increase electricity generation, adding that sustainable and inclusive growth and poverty reduction will require greater private sector investment and longer-term development of infrastructure. “In Pakistan, economic activity expanded by 4.7 percent in 2016 and i...
April 18, 2017 at 4:21 pm | News Desk
LONDON: Arcelik, the home appliances arm of Turkey's biggest industrial conglomerate Koc Holding, is working on acquisitions to speed up its international expansion, particularly in Asia, its chief executive said on Monday. The company, which sells washing machines, dryers and refrigerators under labels including Beko and Grundig, wants more such "white goods" brands, but could also look at small appliances such as coffee makers and food processors. "(M&A) is important because we have global ambitions," CEO Hakan Bulgurlu told Reuters in an interview in London. He forecast "significant demand growth" in southeast Asia and the Indian subcontinent, including Indonesia, Vietnam and the Philippines, as well as Bangladesh, Pakistan ...
March 21, 2017 at 12:26 pm | News Desk
BEIJING: China’s government has been seeking advice from its think-tanks and policy advisers on how to counter potential trade penalties from US President Donald Trump, getting ready for the worst, even as they hope for business-like negotiations. The policy advisers believe the Trump administration is most likely to impose higher tariffs on targeted sectors where China has a big surplus with the United States, such as steel and furniture, or on state-owned firms. China could respond with actions such as finding alternative suppliers of agriculture products or machinery and manufactured goods, while cutting its exports of consumer staples such as mobile phones or laptops, they said. Other options include imposing tax or other res...
March 21, 2017 at 12:17 pm | News Desk
The activities at the Pak-Afghan border resumed today after Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif on Monday ordered immediate re-opening of the crossing as a ‘goodwill gesture’. The crossings -- Torkham at the famed Khyber Pass, and Chaman in Balochistan province -- were closed last month after a wave of militant violence killed 130 people across Pakistan and claimed by the terrorists based in Afghanistan. The prime minister ordered border reopening as it was hurting the common men and affecting the trade activities. According to the statement issued by the PM House, the premier hoped that the reasons for its closure would be addressed by the government of Afghanistan. “Despite the fact that those involved in terrorist activities in Pa...
March 21, 2017 at 12:11 pm | News Desk
DOHA, QATAR. Qatar Airways is regarded as one of the most luxurious airlines in the world, and has received numerous awards for their onboard service. Flight attendants Saga and Gina testify about the other side of the glamour. How employees are forced to sign contracts that prevent them from governing their own life choices. Swedish newspaper Expressen's reporter Johanna Karlsson commutes between Doha and small Swedish towns in her depiction of a five-star airline. Gina knows she is not allowed to speak to the guard. Not while he's been stationed at his post for twelve hours and is starting to get sleepy. Not while he's longing for his Nepalese family and she is just coming off a flight to Kathmandu. Not while he mentioned that he earns...
April 26, 2016 at 5:01 pm | News Desk
Washington: The US government said on Friday it had approved the sale to Pakistan of up to eight F-16 fighter jets built by Lockheed Martin Corp, radar and other equipment in a deal valued at $699 million (Dh2.5 billion). The Pentagon’s Defence Security Cooperation Agency, which oversees foreign arms sales, said it had notified lawmakers about the possible deal. The agency said the F-16s would allow Pakistan’s Air Force to operate in all-weather environments and at night, while improving its self-defence capability and bolstering its ability to conduct counter-insurgency and counter-terrorism operations. Lawmakers have 30 days to block the sale, although such action is rare since deals are well-vetted before any formal notifica...
February 14, 2016 at 9:06 am | News Desk
Pakistan Overseas Employment Promoters Association (POEPA) on Saturday said business community unconditionally supports economic and energy vision of Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif who has put country on the path of progress and prosperity. Economy is growing, investors’ confidence continue to improve while energy import and manpower export deals with Qatar are highly significant, said Chairman POEPA Chaudhry Muhammad Afzal. Talking to POEPA leaders Rashid Sheikh, Ishaq Janjua, Aqeel Awan, Raja Sultan and others, he said that LNG deal would benefit industry, agriculture and domestic consumers while government will be in a position to reduce tariff to provide relief to masses. He said that deal over such a reduced price is great achi...
February 13, 2016 at 4:04 pm | News Desk
Department of Energy Assistant Secretary for International Affairs Jonathan Elkind joined Pakistan’s Ministry of Planning, Development, and Reform, the Ministry Water and Power, and the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Resources to announce the launch of a $3 million multi-agency technical assistance program designed to support Pakistan’s energy development efforts. The three-year Program, conducted in partnership with the U.S. Agency for International Development, will bring experts from the Department of Energy national laboratories together with Pakistani experts to develop strategies and resources for integrated energy planning, energy efficiency, and promoting private investment in renewable energy and integration. “The Uni...
February 10, 2016 at 10:50 am | News Desk
Nawaz Sharif will hold talks with Emir of Qatar and the prime minister of Qatar. Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif will pay a two-day visit to Qatar from tomorrow. He will be accompanied by a high-level delegation. During the visit, the Prime Minister will hold talks with Emir of Qatar Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad bin Khalifa Al-Thani and his counterpart Sheikh Abdullah Bin Nasser Bin Khalifa Al-Thani on promotion of bilateral relations in different fields. These include energy cooperation, trade and investment, defence and increase in employment opportunities for the Pakistani workforce in Qatar. The two sides would also exchange views on regional and international issues of mutual interest. A number of Memorandums of Understanding in the ...
February 9, 2016 at 3:35 pm | News Desk
World Bank President Jim Yong Kim says Pakistan is poised to become the next fast growing successful economy due to important steps taken by the government over the past few years. Addressing a meeting on the country's economic performance in Islamabad on Tuesday, he pointed out the country has made significant strides to achieve micro economic stability and enhance its domestic revenues by introducing reforms in the tax system. He said the country has also undertaken a number of important steps to improve business climate. Yong Kim said Pakistan has an important geo strategic location and peace and stability in the country is imperative to the entire world. He said the World Bank, being a partner, will support the government's initia...
February 9, 2016 at 3:20 pm | News Desk
MANILA, PHILIPPINES – The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has approved a $400 million loan to help the Government of the Philippines further expand its flagship conditional cash transfer (CCT) program, which provides regular health and education grants to millions of the country’s poorest households. “The support, which builds on ADB’s initial loan to the project of the same amount, will help the government support more families, now also including high school students,” said Karin Schelzig, Senior Social Sector Specialist in ADB’s Southeast Asia Department. “This is important, as impact evaluation shows that the CCTs are keeping vulnerable young people at school, opening the door to a better future.” The CCT program, kno...
February 9, 2016 at 2:44 pm | News Desk
CANBERRA, AUSTRALIA - Asian Development Bank (ADB) President Takehiko Nakao today met with Minister for Foreign Affairs Julie Bishop, Minister for International Development and the Pacific Steven Ciobo, and other high-level officials in Canberra. He signed a new framework for cooperation to reinforce ADB’s partnership with Australia to reduce poverty and achieve inclusive and sustainable economic growth in Asia and the Pacific. “I am delighted to be signing this partnership agreement with Australia. The country has been a strong partner in tackling the region’s development challenges over the last 50 years,” Mr. Nakao said. “In particular, Australia has strongly supported, through contributions to trust funds and cofinancing, A...
February 9, 2016 at 12:28 pm | News Desk
Pakistan Rupee Exchange Rate