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Transporters need ministry’s permission for Afghan trade

The ministry of commerce has asked all transport operators to obtain a “temporary admission document” (TAD) by June 15 in order to carry out operations under the bilateral trade arrangement between Pakistan and Afghanistan. “No vehicle will be allowed to carry on bilateral trade between Pakistan and Afghanistan after June 15 without obtaining a TAD,” a commerce ministry notification said on Mon

Business confidence improves, but remains negative

Business confidence in Pakistan has improved by four percentage points, though it remains negative, as reflected in the 25th Wave of the Business Confidence Index (BCI) survey conducted by the Overseas Investors Chamber of Commerce and Industry (OICCI). The survey was conducted across Pakistan during March-April 2024. “The OICCI Business Confidence Index has shown some positive signs of econ

Real interest rate sets new record

The real interest rate is now above 1,000 basis points in the wake of an unexpected fall in inflation to 11.76 per cent in May. The real interest rate is the difference between the nominal interest rate and the rate of inflation. Higher real interest rates can raise borrowing costs and force people to curb spending and borrowing. It can slow economic activity. On the other hand, higher ra

Highest monthly jump in three years takes exports to $2.79bn

Pakistan recor­ded its highest monthly growth in exports in three years with a jump of almost 19pc in May 2024. The month-on-month growth rate of 18.76pc in dollar terms was the highest since June 2021, when the exports went up by 63.32pc. According to the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics data released on Monday, exports increased to $2.79 billion in May, a year-on-year rise of 27.08pc against

Six companies chosen to bid for PIA: minister

Pakistan has selected six companies qualified to bid to buy national carrier Pakistan International Airlines (PIA), the privatisation minister said on Monday. The announcement came a couple of weeks after Pakistan had extended the date for submitting expressions of interest. A total of eight companies and consortiums had expressed an interest. Air Blue, Arif Habib Corporation, Blue World Cit