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Pakistan, China sign $2.3b loan facility agreement

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2 years ago

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  • Finance Minister Miftah Ismail announces deal on Twitter.
  • He reveals inflows are expected within a couple of days.
  • “We thank Chinese govt for facilitating transaction,” Miftah says.

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan on Wednesday signed a RMB 15 billion ($2.3 billion) loan facility agreement with a Chinese consortium of banks which is expected to aid the depleting foreign exchange reserves and depreciation of the local currency.

Finance Minister Miftah Ismail announced the development on his Twitter handle, revealing that the inflows are expected within a couple of days.

“We thank the Chinese government for facilitating this transaction,” he said.

The agreement with Chinese banks is expected to bolster the country’s reserves and enable it to make import payments while lending some support to the rupee as well which has lost over 34% since the start of the outgoing fiscal year 2021-22.

The development comes as a massive relief to economic policymakers after foreign exchange reserves held by the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) fell below $9 billion as of June 10, with the level staying at less than six weeks of import cover.

The news also came as a lifeline with the country already facing an uncertain economic situation as it remains engaged in talks with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) over the revival of a stalled Extended Fund Facility.

Last night, Pakistan and the IMF evolved a broader agreement on the budget for the fiscal year 2022-23 to revise upward the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) target and slash expenditures to achieve a revenue surplus in the next fiscal year.

Resident Representative to Pakistan Esther Perez Ruiz later said discussions between the IMF and Pakistan are underway and major progress has been made regarding the budget for the next fiscal year.

Earlier, this month Miftah had announced that Chinese banks have agreed to refinance Pakistan with $2.3 billion worth of funds which will “shore up Pakistan’s foreign exchange reserves.”

Taking to his Twitter handle, Miftah wrote: “Good news. The terms and conditions for refinancing of RMB 15 billion deposit by Chinese banks (about $2.3 billion) have been agreed.”

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SIFC-Assisted OGDCL Commences Gas Production in Uch Every day, OGDCL contributes 5 million SCF to the national grid.

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21 hours ago

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The chronic gas deficit is being addressed by Oil & Gas Development Company Limited, which produces 5 million standard cubic feet of gas each day.

In the Uch region of the Dera Bugti District of Balochistan, Oil & Gas Development Company Limited has started producing gas with the assistance of the Special Investment Facilitation Council.

The company used its technological abilities to drill a well and successfully find gas at a depth of 1,345 meters.

An improvement in the energy industry is the company’s enhanced financial performance, which has resulted in a profit of 41.02 billion rupees.

In order to promote sustainable growth and strengthen national energy security, Oil & Gas Growth Company Limited is still committed to growing production.

Together with the Special Investment Facilitation Council, OGDCL’s strategic initiatives are essential to the energy sector’s future.

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The KSE-100 Index surpasses 102,000 points as the PSX begins the week on a high note.

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2 days ago

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For the first time in recent memory, the benchmark KSE-100 Index broke beyond the 102,000 point level, kicking off the new trading week on a high note for the Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX).

The index rose 835 points as of the morning session, hitting a new high of 102,192 points with an intraday peak of 102,288 points.

After a strong close to the previous week, when the index closed at 101,357 points, the PSX has continued its recent bullish performance with this upward trajectory.

Growing investor optimism has propelled the market’s rally, which has been supported by improved macroeconomic conditions, declining bond yields, and the ongoing flood of foreign capital into stocks.

The PSX has been strong because of a number of important elements. Since May 2024, the State Bank of Pakistan has lowered interest rates by a total of 700 basis points, which has improved market sentiment.

Mutual funds have invested more than $132 million in Pakistani stocks since January, indicating a move in investor preferences away from bonds and toward stocks.

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NMDA Humanitarian Aid: Damascus Receives 21st Shipment of Aid for Gaza and Lebanon

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5 days ago

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Following a chartered flight from Nur Khan Base yesterday, the 21st shipment of humanitarian aid for war-affected and displaced persons in Gaza and Lebanon has successfully landed in Damascus. The shipment contained 17 tons of relief supplies provided by NDMA.

Pakistan’s ambassador in Damascus, Air Marshal (R) Shahid Akhtar, accepted the aid.

In regards to aiding the war-torn populations of Palestine and Lebanon, the Government of Pakistan is unwavering in its resolve.

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