Exports to nine regional states rise

Exports to nine regional countries grew by 5.10 per cent in the first month of the current fiscal year compared to the same period last year, driven largely by increases in shipments to China, Sri Lanka, and Bangladesh. This growth is attributed to recent shifts in the regional political landscape, though trade relations with these nations have been strained in recent years due to restrictive government policies. According to data compiled by the State Bank of Pakistan, exports to Afghanistan, China, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, India, Iran, Nepal, Bhutan, and the Maldives totalled $357.01 million in July, up from $339.68m in the corresponding month last year. For the FY25, exports to regional countries rose modestly by 1.49pc to $4.401bn, up from $4.336bn in FY24.