Business

Forex firms advise govt to fix higher dollar rate to boost remittances

Published

2 years ago

Farwa

ECAP believes the move will place curbs on illegal channels.
Says it will eventually eliminate the prevailing grey market.
Rupee in the grey market has reached 267/270 against the dollar.

KARACHI: The Exchange Companies Association of Pakistan (ECAP) has advised the government to “fix” the dollar rate to reduce the volatility in the currency market as the country grapples with a severe economic crisis amid depleting forex reserves, reported The News.

“It is advised to fix the rupee/dollar exchange rate for export-import bills and remittances,” said Zafar Paracha, the general secretary of ECAP in a statement on Monday. These remittance proceeds could be brought in by banks and money changers at a fixed rate of 240 per dollar, he added.

The local currency ended at 228.34 per dollar, compared with the previous close of 228.15 in the interbank market. In the open market, the rupee was trading at 238.75 against the dollar. It was available at 238.50 on Friday.

Paracha suggested to the government to offer a rate of Rs240 per dollar to overseas Pakistanis and for inward remittance. He believes the move would help increase remittances, reduce Hundi/Hawala, strengthen the official channel, and eventually eliminate the grey market.

The rate of the dollar in the grey market has reached 267/270 versus the local unit, according to Paracha. For the purpose of getting the exporters’ proceeds, the offer could be made at 228 rupees to the dollar. And the rate for importers would be based on the weighted average of home remittance and exporter rates. It would benefit exporters and remittances, he explained.

“It will encourage exporters to bring dollars into the country, enhance the foreign exchange reserve, and strengthen the remittances segment of the exchange firms.”

Remittances from Pakistanis working abroad dropped 19% to $2.0 billion in December.

During the first six months (July-December) of the current fiscal year, the nation received $14.1 billion in remittances, which is a decrease of 11.1% from a year earlier.

Pakistan’s forex reserves held with the State Bank of Pakistan dropped by $1.2 billion to $4.3 billion as of January 6 — enough to cover barely three weeks’ worth of imports.

The country is currently experiencing a balance of payments crisis due to large foreign debt repayments and a lack of external finance, which have severely depleted Pakistan’s foreign reserves and led to persistent dollar shortages.

The government has restricted several imports to save dollars, and some businesses have shut down as a result of being unable to import machinery or parts.

Business

An investigation was “launched” into PTA’s inability to get Rs. 78 billion back from Telcos

Published

18 hours ago

Farwa

The PTA has reportedly been instructed to reply to NAB by July 29. According to the enquiry, the national exchequer has suffered losses as a result of the delay in collecting dues.

The PTA has been asked to provide NAB with information about any pertinent records, court proceedings, and overdue bills. The NAB Karachi has summoned the PTA officials to appear with all pertinent documentation.

All of the principle sum has to be paid by the LDI firms, according to sources. But due to judicial stay orders, the collection of dues has been impeded.

These sources further state that a steering group has been established by the Ministry of IT to supervise the issue of dues recovery.

In a previous event, the tariffs levied on importing cell phones from outside were clarified by the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA).

Contrary to what some internet reports claim, PTA clarified in response to recent news regarding the tariffs on mobile phone imports that there hasn’t been a formal decision to remove these levies in Pakistan.

the PTA.Pakistanis living abroad will be the only ones free from these levies, according to the PTA. A SIM card can be inserted and the phone restarted to temporarily register a device for non-PTA mobile subscribers.

Business

Weekly inflation in Pakistan increased by 0.17 percent.

Published

18 hours ago

Farwa

The SPI for the week under review in the aforementioned group was reported at 321.95 points, as opposed to 321.40 points during the previous week, according to the PBS statistics.

The SPI for the combined consumption group saw a 20.09 percent increase in the week under review compared to the same week the previous year.

The weekly SPI includes 51 necessary items for every spending group and 17 urban areas, with a base year of 2015–16 = 100.

The SPI for the lowest consumption category, which is up to Rs 17,732, grew by 0.08 percent from 311.97 points to 312.22 points this past week.

0.18 percent,The index of consumption for the lowest consumption groups, which are Rs 17,732-22,888, Rs 22,889-29,517, Rs 29,518-44,175 and above Rs 44,175; increased by 0.13 percent, 0.15 percent, 0.18 and 0.19 percent, respectively.

Nineteen (37.25%) of the fifty-one commodities had price increases over the week, eight (15.69%) had price decreases, and twenty-four (47.06%) had unchanged pricing.

On a weekly basis, the following commodities saw significant price decreases: tomatoes (9.19%), onions (2.14%), LPG (1.04%), bananas (0.53%), wheat flour (0.35%), potatoes (0.17%), pulse masoor (0.16%), and bread (0.05%).

Chicken (4.80%), garlic (2.01%), pulse gramme (1.87%), eggs (1.71%), beef (0.93%), gur (0.89%), pulse moong (0.84%), fresh milk (0.45%), firewood (0.23%), and cigarettes (0.12%) were among the items whose average prices increased significantly week over week.

The commodities that saw a year-over-year decline were: wheat flour (31.75%); cooking oil (13.44%); vegetable ghee 2.5 kg (10.42%); vegetable ghee 1 kg (9.85%); mustard oil (8.33%); eggs (5.82%); rice basmati broken (4.15%); and tea package (2.52%).

Gas prices for Q1 (570.00%), onions (96.01%), pulse gramme (40.39%), powered milk (39.11%), garlic (34.61%), pulse moong (29.77%), men’s sandals (25.01%), beef (23.52%), salt powder (23.28%), pulse mash (22.50%), and energy saver (17.96%) were among the commodities whose average prices increased year over year.

Business

The price of gold has drastically dropped in Pakistan.

Published

2 days ago

Farwa

As per the All-Pakistan Gems and Jewellers Sarafa Association (APGJSA), the cost of 24-karat gold per tola decreased by Rs 2,300, standing at Rs 250,500.

A kilogramme of 24-karat gold costing Rs1,972 less at the local market, making it worth Rs2114,763. Ten grammes of 22-karat gold had a price decrease to Rs196,866 as well.

After losing a significant $43 during the day, the rate per ounce of gold on the international market also decreased. It currently stands at $2,370.

On Thursday, the price of 24-karat silver also experienced a decline, falling by Rs60 to settle at Rs2,860 petal.