Business

Gold price extends gains in Pakistan

Published

1 year ago

Farwa

Gold price settles at Rs199,200 per tola.
Rates increase as rupee resume its downtrend.
Silver price in domestic market remain unchanged.

Gold prices extended gains on Monday as the rupee resumed its downtrend over concerns regarding Pakistan’s external financing and delay in the revival of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) programme.

Data released by All-Pakistan Sarafa Gems and Jewellers Association (APSGJA) showed that the price of gold (24 carats) increased by Rs500 per tola and Rs428 per 10 grams to settle at Rs199,200 and Rs170,782.

The Pakistani currency lost Re0.84, or 0.30%, against the US dollar in the interbank market which pushed the price of gold in the local bullion market upwards.

Recent events show that gold remains a safe haven asset as it is able to benefit from market uncertainty.

Cumulatively, the yellow metal had shed Rs1,300 per tola during the last week — and it had only registered gains twice as the movement of Pakistani currency remains volatile.

Meanwhile, silver prices in the domestic market remained unchanged at Rs2,120 per tola and Rs1,817.55 per 10 grams, respectively.

In the international market, gold raced towards the key $1,900 level, emboldened by bets that the Federal Reserve may now have to tone down its rate hikes as investors sought cover from uncertainty triggered by the collapse of Silicon Valley Bank.

The per ounce of gold settled at $1,886 after an increase of $20.

Market participants pricing out rate hike expectations are lifting gold, said UBS analyst Giovanni Staunovo. Lower interest rates decrease the opportunity cost of holding zero-yield gold.

Gold gaining tells us that some institutional money came into the market. If we will see this trend in exchange-traded funds (ETFs) is not certain yet, said Philip Newman at consultants Metals Focus.

The yellow metal found further tailwinds from the simultaneous retreat in the dollar index, which made bullion cheaper for overseas buyers.

Business

There are US$13,280.5 million in foreign exchange reserves in Pakistan.

Published

13 hours ago

Farwa

According to a representative for the central bank, as of April 19, 2024, the nation’s total liquid foreign reserves were valued at US$ 13,280.5 million. A loss of US$74 million left the State Bank of Pakistan’s foreign reserves at US$7,981.2 million.

Commercial banks have $5,299.3 million in reserves for Pakistan.

In the week that concluded on April 12, the State Bank of Pakistan’s (SBP) foreign exchange reserves increased by $14.4 million to $8.055 billion.

“In a weekly statement, SBP stated that it has repaid US$ 1 billion in principal and interest on Pakistan’s International Bond, which matures this week.”

But at $13.374 billion, the nation’s total reserves decreased by $68 million. In the same way, commercial banks’ reserves dropped to $5.319 billion, a reduction of $82 million.

Business

NIMA seminar to increase Pakistan’s ship recycling industry’s capacity

Published

13 hours ago

Farwa

According to a release, important players from a range of maritime industries attended the conference to discuss issues facing the shipping sector.

It further stated that the symposium cleared the path for the resurgence of a sustainable future in ship recycling.

Participants in the conference included representatives of the Gadani Ship Breaking Labour Union, PSBA, KS&EW, KPT, PMSA, GEMS, and the federal and Balochistani governments.

Furthermore, global perspectives and ideas were offered by international specialists such as Rabia Razzaque from UN-ILO and Professor Raphael Baumler from the World Maritime University.

The seminar emphasized Pakistan’s capacity to emerge as a pioneer in the field of environmentally friendly ship recycling.

In order to protect the environment and the safety of employees, the participants emphasized the importance of following international standards and regulations.

During his speech, Chief Guest Senator Nisar Ahmed Khoro emphasized the importance of the maritime industry’s resurgence and the crucial necessity for coordinated efforts from all parties involved.

A new age of economic prosperity, worker safety, and environmental responsibility for Pakistan’s maritime industry was called for as he urged the stakeholders to work together on a comprehensive SENSREC program.

Vice Admiral Ahmed Saeed (Retd), the president of NIMA, emphasized the significance of environmental stewardship and safety in ship recycling procedures.

Business

Inflows into the Roshan Digital Account surged to $7.660 billion on March 24.

Published

13 hours ago

Farwa

According to the data, remittance inflows for the month of March totaled US$ 182 million, whereas they were US$ 141 million in February and US$ 142 million in January 2024.

Millions of Non-Resident Pakistanis (NRPs), including those who own Non-Resident Pakistan Origin Cards (POCs), can now engage in banking, payment, and investing activities in Pakistan with the help of these accounts, which offer cutting-edge banking solutions.

According to a statement from the State Bank of Pakistan, the number of accounts registered under the program increased by 11,091 from 668,701 accounts in February 2024 to 679,792 accounts in March 2024.

As of March 2024, the central bank reported that foreign nationals of Pakistan have invested US $312 million in Naya Pakistan Certificates, US $528 million in Naya Pakistan Islamic Certificates, and US $31 million in Roshan Equity Investment.

It is important to note that former prime minister Imran Khan introduced the Roshan Digital Account initiative in September 2020 with the goal of giving Pakistanis living abroad access to digital banking services for the first time.