Today, as we celebrate 77 years of independence, we find ourselves in a critical economic and industrial situation. Mashood KhanAs we celebrate 77 years of independence this month, we find ourselves struggling to overcome economic challenges. Comparing our progress with that of countries that gained independence around the same time, it becomes evident that we have fallen short in many areas. We have a talented youth population, excelling in education, sports, and various skills by own self, yet we are not providing them with the necessary health, education, and skill development opportunities. Many are willing to leave the country. Why? This is a question our government must address. The South Korean automobile industry be...
August 18, 2024 at 9:18 pm | Economic Affairs
The China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) has been a pivotal initiative, significantly contributing to infrastructure and energy sectors, essential for sustained growth. Farhan Qureshi As we mark another year of our independence, it's a time for reflection on the significant economic progress Pakistan has achieved, driven by a collective commitment to growth and stability. My journey, like that of our nation—from a humble beginning to an emerging market on the global stage—speaks to a shared resilience, innovation, and unwavering belief in what we can accomplish together. Returning from the UK with a deep-seated patriotism, I am merely one of many who are quietly contributing to our homeland's prosperity through vari...
August 18, 2024 at 8:44 pm | Economic Affairs
April,07(A. E Report)—— Saudi Fund for Development (SFD) has signed a $240-million loan agreement with government to support Mohmand Multipurpose Dam Project.According to SFD statement, the Kingdom’s agency that provides development assistance to developing countries, the Mohmand Multipurpose Dam Project will enhance water and food security, and improve the standard of living for people living in the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province.The project, which is co-financed by the SFD, OPEC, Islamic Development Bank, and the Kuwait Fund for Arab Economic Development, aligns with some of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDG). These include food security, clean water and clean energy.The project is expected to have a significant im...
April 9, 2023 at 4:29 am | Economic Affairs
March,22(E.A Report)--Electricity generation take a dip of 4% year-on-year decline by registering 11,541 MW during February 2023 as compared to 12,036 MW generated last year.The decline in generation is being attributed to lower generation from furnace oil, which was down 80% YoY, as well as coal (-57% YoY), wind (-44% YoY), and gas (-7% YoY).“This decline in power generation is triggered by the overall decline in economic activity across the country,” said Arif Habib Limited (AHL) in a report on Wednesday. “China Power Hub Generation and Thar Energy Limited generated zero electricity during February 2023 due to the coal import issues and transmission constraints on the back of the delay in the second transmission line between Thar a...
March 22, 2023 at 8:11 pm | Economic Affairs
March,22(Agencies) Malaysian palm oil futures tumbled on Wednesday to their lowest in five months, weighed down by sharp losses in rival edible oils and crude oil, and lingering concerns about the global banking crisis.The benchmark palm oil contract for June delivery on the Bursa Malaysia Derivatives Exchange slid 140 ringgit, or 3.7%, to 3,644 ringgit ($815.94) a tonne by the midday break, hitting its lowest since Oct. 14.Palm fundamentals remain strong but trading is weighed down by bearish sentiment, said Sathia Varqa, co-founder of Singapore-based Palm Oil Analytics.“Adding to the woes is uncertainty over interest rate decision from the Fed,” Varqa said. While recent market turmoil has eased, the Federal Reserve’s interest rate ...
March 22, 2023 at 7:46 pm | Economic Affairs
March,22(E.A Report) Pakistan Business Council (PBC), one of the country’s largest corporate advocacy platforms, has warned that time is running out for the country as it struggles to resume the International Monetary Fund (IMF) programme.“As stakeholders contest short-term power, Pakistan’s long-term future is in jeopardy,” said the PBC in a statement on Wednesday. “Drip feed and hope will not suffice. Without IMF’s programme and debt reprofiling, help from friendly nations is not forthcoming.” “Pakistan is running out of time,” it added.The statement comes as Pakistan reels from one of its worst economic crises in history. The South Asian country has been faced with a barrage of woes with a perceived default risk and do...
March 22, 2023 at 7:41 pm | Economic Affairs
March17(EA Report)--Oil and Gas Regulator(OGRA ) allowed Hi-Tech Lubricants for new oil storage facility in KP in addition of selling petroleum products through up to 35 fuel stations in the province.The regulator has also allowed the company to sell its petroleum products through up to 35 fuel stations in the province. The company shared the development in a notice to the Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX) on Friday.“We are pleased to inform that OGRA, through its letters dated March 16, 2023, has permitted HTL to operate new oil storage facility at Nowshera, KPK as well as start of sale/marketing of petroleum products through the operation of upto 35 fuel stations in KPK,” read the notice.The company said that the aforesaid operations/per...
March 17, 2023 at 2:59 pm | Economic Affairs
March16(Agencies) -- Oil prices rebounded to 1percent on Friday following Saudi Arabia and Russia meeting after a banking crisis sparked a sell-off in global financial and oil markets this week.
March 17, 2023 at 11:36 am | Economic Affairs
AgenciesOil prices eked out small gains on Tuesday, recouping losses earlier in the day triggered by investor worries about demand after renewed restrictions were imposed in Europe and Asia amid a rise in coronavirus cases.Brent crude oil futures gained 25 cents, or 0.3%, to $74.64 a barrel by 0732 GMT, while U.S. West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude futures increased by 19 cents, or 0.3%, to $71.48.“Energy traders don’t want to bet against OPEC+ but all the short-term risks from Omicron to Fed tightening is proving to be very disruptive to the short-term outlook for oil prices,” said Edward Moya, senior analyst at OANDA.“The virus spread across Europe is delivering a bigger hit than expected and when you calculate family gatherings...
December 14, 2021 at 1:35 pm | Economic Affairs
AgenciesSINGAPORE: Oil prices edged up on Tuesday after a near 5% rebound the day before as concerns about the impact of the Omicron variant on global fuel demand eased while Iran nuclear talks hit roadblocks, delaying the return of Iranian crude supplies.Brent crude futures rose 60 cents, or 0.8%, to $73.68 a barrel at 0520 GMT, after settling 4.6% higher on Monday. US West Texas Intermediate crude was at $70.23 a barrel, up 74 cents, or 1.1%, building on a 4.9% gain in the previous session.Oil prices were pummelled last week over concerns that vaccines might be less effective against the new coronavirus variant Omicron, sparking fears that governments may re-impose restrictions to curb its spread and hit global growth and oil demand.Howe...
December 7, 2021 at 12:22 pm | Economic Affairs
AgenciesBEIJING, Nov. 7— China's coal imports hit their highest level of 2021 in November, as the world's biggest consumer of the dirty fuel scrambled to feed its power system as the winter heating season kicked in.The country brought in 35.05 million tonnes of coal last month, up from 26.94 million tonnes in October, data from the General Administration of Customs showed on Tuesday.Chinese coal traders, however, were forced to sell cargoes at losses or tried to delay imports after market intervention triggered a 50% price drop that saddled them with unprofitable supplies.Chinese authorities since October have also allowed some Australian coal, which had piled up at ports for almost a year due to political tensions between Beijing and Ca...
December 7, 2021 at 11:54 am | Economic Affairs
AgenciesSINGAPORE, Nov. 16—Oil prices rebounded from a weak start on Tuesday as worries over tight inventories underpinned prices, although optimism was limited by fears over demand following a pickup in COVID-19 cases in Europe.Brent futures added 61 cents, or 0.74%, to $82.66 a barrel, as of 0421 GMT, while US West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude climbed 54 cents, or 0.67%, to $81.42 a barrel."At these oil prices, supply is going to grow but it might take six months and inventories have come down so low. We don't have a safety margin," said Tony Nunan, a Tokyo-based senior risk manager at Mitsubishi Corp."We have very low inventory levels and if we have a very cold winter and OPEC is still sluggish at increasing supplies that could push...
November 16, 2021 at 4:54 pm | Economic Affairs
Agencies SINGAPORE, Nov. 15— Crude oil prices fell on Monday, under pressure from expectations of increasing supplies and a lower demand forecast amid higher energy costs.Brent crude futures fell 45 cents, or 0.6%, to $81.72 a barrel, as of 0604 GMT. U.S. West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude lost 36 cents, or 0.5%, to $80.43 a barrel.Oil markets have dropped for the last three weeks, hit by a strengthening dollar and speculation that President Joe Biden's administration might release oil from the U.S. Strategic Petroleum Reserve to cool prices."The White House has been debating how to tackle higher inflation, with some officials calling for the strategic reserve to be tapped, or halting U.S. exports," ANZ analysts said in a report.U.S....
November 15, 2021 at 5:29 pm | Economic Affairs
AgenciesNov. 11— Oil prices were steady on Thursday after falling in previous session on concerns rising inflation in the United States, spurred by climbing energy costs, may prompt the government to release more strategic crude stockpiles to drive down prices.Brent crude futures fell on Wednesday by 2.5% and West Texas Intermediate (WTI) futures dropped by 3.3% after reports that U.S. inflation increased at the fastest rate in 30 years pushed the dollar higher and crude inventories in the U.S., the world’s biggest oil consumer, rose after the government released some strategic reserves.Brent crude futures gained 31 cents, or 0.4%, to $82.95 a barrel at 0515 GMT, while WTI futures rose 29 cents, or 0.4%, to $81.63.“Crude prices are t...
November 11, 2021 at 4:51 pm | Economic Affairs
AgenciesTOKYO, Nov. 8– Oil prices rose on Monday after Saudi Arabia's state-owned oil producer Aramco raised the official selling price for its crude, suggesting demand remains strong at a time of tighter supplies.Brent crude was up by 90 cents or 1.1% at $83.64 a barrel, after dropping nearly 2% last week. US oil gained 87 cents or 1.1% to $82.14, having declined almost 3% through Friday.Aramco late on Friday raised its December official selling price to Asia for its Arab light crude to $2.70 a barrel versus Oman/Dubai crude, up $1.40 from this month.The move by Aramco suggests "demand remains strong" as the OPEC producer and other major oil exporters keep the reins on supply, ANZ Research said in a note.The Organization of the Petroleu...
November 8, 2021 at 4:42 pm | Economic Affairs
AgenciesBEIJING, Nov. 6– China has boosted daily output of coal to a new annual high of 11.88 million tonnes after concerted efforts to alleviate a supply shortage as it heads into winter, the powerful state planner said, and production could rise further.The Asian giant's consumption of polluting coal has drawn scrutiny this week as nations gathered in Glasgow to discuss further measures needed to slow global warming.Beijing, by far the world's biggest consumer of coal and also the top producer of climate-warming greenhouse gases, is committed to reducing coal use, but only after 2025."According to current production increase trends, the daily production rate is expected to soon exceed 12 million tonnes," the National Development and Re...
November 6, 2021 at 6:11 pm | Economic Affairs