Saturday, January 16, 2021

Overseas Pakistanis Rescuing Pakistan Economy Yet Again

Pakistani diaspora sent home $14.2 billion in remittances in July-December 2020, up 25% from the same period in 2019. Pakistanis settled in the United Kingdom and the United States increased their remittances by 52% and 47% respectively in this period, helping Pakistan achieve a record $1.8 billion current account surplus in the first 6 months of the ongoing fiscal year 2020-21. 

Remittances From Pakistani Diaspora. Source: Arif Habib


While Pakistan's exports increased a modest 5.1%, the remittances from overseas Pakistanis jumped a hefty 25% in response to an appeal by Prime Minister Imran Khan who remains very popular among them. He drew nearly 30,000 Pakistani-Americans to a rally during his Washington D.C. visit in 2019. 

Pakistan Trade 1H of FY 2020-21. Source: Arif Habib


Pakistan's imports increased 5.5%, more than the 5.1% increase in exports, during the first half of the current fiscal year 2020-21. This resulted in $12.4 billion trade deficit, a 5.9% increase. Without the 25% jump in remittances, Pakistan would most likely have a current account deficit rather than a surplus in this period. 

The modest 5.1% increase in Pakistan's exports is still commendable in the midst of the global economic devastation caused by COVID19 pandemic. What is even more commendable is the 19% jump in exports in December 2020 over the same month in 2019, indicating a strong upward trend. 

Emigrants From Pakistan 1990-2019. Source: Pakistan Bureau of Emigration


Pakistani diaspora is the world's 5th largest with more than half a million Pakistanis migrating every year to work overseas. Over 11 million Pakistanis have left home for employment in Europe, America, Middle East and elsewhere since 1971, according to Pakistan Bureau of Emigration. The pace has particularly picked up over the last 10 years.  This phenomenon has helped reduce unemployment in a country where about 2 million young people are entering the job market each year.  It has also helped remittances soar nearly 28X since the year 2000.

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12 comments:

Citizen said...

Welcome news but economies of the sources of remittances have either slowed down or gone into recession causing unemployment. Explanation !

Riaz Haq said...

Citizen: "Welcome news but economies of the sources of remittances have either slowed down or gone into recession causing unemployment. Explanation !"

Two possible reasons why #remittances to Pakistan are defying gravity & WorldBank's gloomy predictions: 1. Number of Pakistanis overseas increasing by over 500,00 each year. 2. More money coming in through formal channels due to FATF pressure.

https://www.riazhaq.com/2019/12/over-half-million-pakistanis-migrating.html

Mayraj F. said...

I think Pakistan should develop places where Pakistanis who are from Boomer generation can settle. The 401 K generation has skimpy savings and cost of living and healthcare will be too expensive for them. They will look to return to Pakistan

These places would be areas that are very walkable with retail and services conveniently located.

Riaz Haq said...

#Pakistan knitted #garment lead as #textile #exports jump 7.7% to $7.4 billion in Jul-Dec (2020-21), up from $6.9 billion in Jul-Dec (2019-20). #Knitwear exports soared 16.5% from $1.5 billion to $1.8 billion in this period amid #COVID19 #pandemic. https://nation.com.pk/18-Jan-2021/knitwear-exports-take-lead-jump-over-7-per-cent

The Pakistan exports of textiles have witnessed an increase of 7.7 per cent in the lead of knitted garments and hosiery during the first half of the current fiscal year of 2021 as compared to the corresponding period of last year.

Pakistan Hosiery Manufacturers Association (PHMA) zonal chairman Faisal Mehboob Sheikh and chief coordinator Adil Butt on Sunday said that the textile exports were recorded at $7.4 billion in Jul-Dec (2020-21) against the exports of $6.9 billion in Jul-Dec (2019-20), showing a growth of 7.7 per cent.
Faisal Mehboob Sheikh said that the textile commodities that contributed in positive trade growth included knitwear, exports of which increased from $1.5 billion last year to $1.8 billion during the current year, showing the growth of 16.5 per cent. He said that it is good news that country’s exports have shown positive growth for the fourth consecutive month in December 2020, which is a vindication of the government’s policy to keep the wheels of economy running during the Covid-19 pandemic. “PHMA extends congratulations to the commerce ministry and the whole nation for achieving record exports in December 2020. “Greetings also to all the hosiery exporters on achieving record exports in December 2020 with a growth of 18 per cent over the previous year, hoping the trend will continue with government full support to promote export culture.”

Faisal Mehboob Sheikh said that Pakistan’s exports of knitwear and other knitted garments and hosiery always play the leading role in exports growth, as the industry continued to show its resilience to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. Meanwhile, on a year-on-year basis, the textile exports increased 22.7 per cent during December 2020 as compared to the same month of last year. Exports during December 2020 were recorded at $1.4 billion against the exports of $1.1 billion. On a month-on-month basis, the exports from the country witnessed an increase of 9.2 per cent during December 2020 when compared to the exports of $1.2 billion in November 2020.

Based on the figures, the country’s trade deficit also increased by 6.4 per cent during the first half compared to the corresponding period of last year. The trade deficit during the first six months of the current fiscal year was recorded at $12.4 billion against the deficit of $11.6 billion last year, which needs to be controlled through further improvement in exports.

Pakistan Hosiery Manufacturers Association chief coordinator Adil Butt observed that by showing comparatively well performance the value-added textile category has proved that it has been the main driver of growth in the country’s overall exports. He said the value-added sector achieved growth because of preferential access to the 28-nation European Union under the GSP+ scheme which can further be enhanced with the government’s support. He said that Pakistan direly needed to establish an Aggressive Marketing Plan for garment export to get maximum benefits of GSP-Plus status. Adil Butt said that apparel sector can play a leading role in earning foreign exchange and boosting exports. He suggested the government to establish a task force, especially at a time when the Chinese garment industry, which has more than 30 per cent share of the world apparel market, is relocating.

Riaz Haq said...

Pakistan Prosperity Index (PPI) is a monthly review of Pakistan's macro-economy based on the analysis of four periodic data sets- industrial production, trade volume, price levels, and private sector lending. On a 12-month rolling basis, this issue of the report covers the period December 2019 to November 2020, with June 2019 as the base period.
1. Consumer Price Index (CPI)State Bank of PakistanDecember 2019 – November 2020Base month: June 2019 
2. Long-term Financing Facility (LTFF) 
3. Quantum Index of Large-scale Manufacturing (QIM)Pakistan Bureau of Statistics 
4. Trade Volume

Purchasing power has seen acontinuous decline followingthe first peak of COVID-19.o Y-o-Y inflation for Nov 2020hovered at 8.3%.

Despite inflationary pressure and the second wave of COVID-19, over a 12-month period improvements in trade volume andoutput of large-scale manufacturing coupled with a modest increase in private sector lending has resulted in an uptick in economic prosperity.

Following a dip in Aug 2020, PakistanProsperity Index continued to show anupward trend reaching an all-time high of116.3 in Nov 2020.

Improving prosperity index signals not just economic recovery but also provides a reason for optimism.

https://mcusercontent.com/5b3c95d47219ff69ab89a27c3/files/1f0573b5-3f2a-49a9-855f-fc3a00a0ca02/Pakistan_Prosperity_Index_January_2021.pdf

Riaz Haq said...

Why are #Chinese #car makers setting up shop in #Pakistan? Master Chang'an Motors, a Pakistan-Chinese #automotive joint venture recently sold out 6 months’ production of its first compact sedan car Alsvin within five days of market launch. https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/economics/article/3118875/why-are-chinese-car-makers-setting-shop-pakistan?utm_source=Twitter&utm_medium=share_widget&utm_campaign=3118875 via @scmpnews

The sell-out success of the Chang’an Alsvin sedan is the latest Pakistani-Chinese joint venture to have raised eyebrows in the automotive world
Chinese car firms seeking new avenues for growth, while hampered in India, see Pakistan as an entry point to the right-hand-drive markets of South Asia

The stock-clearing sale of 15,000 Chang’an Alsvin passenger vehicles is the latest in a series of headlines about joint ventures between privately held Pakistani conglomerates and Chinese state-owned automotive enterprises.
The Alsvin is assembled at a US$136 million plant near the port city of Karachi owned by Master Chang’an Motors (MCM), established in 2017 as a 70:30 joint venture between the local Master Group and leading Chinese carmaker Chang’an Automobile. In addition to the 30,000 units a year of the Alsvin, it began producing two pick-ups and a multi-purpose vehicle in 2018.
Shanghai-based SAIC Motor, owner of the British car brand MG, this month broke ground at the site of a US$100 million plant near Karachi which is expected to begin production of three small-engined sports utility vehicles, or SUVs, next year.

KA Hanteng Motor, a joint venture with China’s Hanteng Automobile, is building a US$50 million plant in Pakistan and is expected to start making 15,000 SUVs and passenger cars this year.

Al-Hajj FAW, a Karachi-based joint venture formed in 2012, ramped up production of hatchbacks last year to 20,000 vehicles.
When the Master Group proposed the joint venture to Chang’an Automobile in 2016, it did so with the ambition of leveraging the estimated US$60 billion China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) to gain access to other Asian markets targeted for investment under the Belt and Road Initiative, MCM’s chief executive Danial Malik said.

Riaz Haq said...

#Pakistan #remittances hit $18.7B in first 8 months (July-Feb) of fiscal 20-21, on course for all-time high. Overseas #Pakistanis sent home $2.266 billion in Feb, reflecting a year-on-year growth of 24.2%. Pak could reach record $28 billion in remittances. https://www.khaleejtimes.com/business/economy/pakistan-remittances-hit-187b-on-course-for-all-time-high

Pakistan is on track to receive record remittances this year as the overseas Pakistanis continued to send above the $2 billion inflow mark for the ninth consecutive month in February, says a latest report.

State Bank of Pakistan’s latest data shows that workers’ remittances amounted to $2.266 billion in February, reflecting a year-on-year growth of 24.2 per cent. They sent 24.1 per cent more money in February during the July-February period as remittances reached $18.7 billion.

“A large part of workers remittance inflow during July-February was sourced from Saudi Arabia [$5 billion], the UAE [$3.9 billion], the United Kingdom [$2.5 billion] and the United States [$1.6 billion],” the SBP said in a statement on Thursday.

The central bank attributed the rise in remitrances to policy measures undertaken by the government and the SBP to encourage inflows through formal channels, limited cross-border travel due to Covid-19, medical expenses and altruistic transfers to Pakistan amidst the pandemic, and orderly exchange market conditions.

Analysts said the country may receive record remittances of up to $28 billion if the similar upward growth trend continues in the second half of the fiscal year ending on June 30.


Pakistan received $23 billion in remittances during financial year 2019-20.

“Overseas Pakistanis residing in the UAE and Saudi Arabia remitted four per cent more money back home in February compared to the same month last year,” according to a research note by Arif Habib Limited.

Ratings agency Moody’s said increased remittances are credit-positive for banks and expects remittance inflows into Pakistan will increase in the coming years.

“We do not expect such high remittance growth levels to persist, but believe remittances have the potential to increase in coming years, supported by the Pakistan Remittances Initiative and technical advances that materially reduce transaction costs, particularly for remittances through electronic and official channels,” Moody’s said in a latest report.

“The increase is credit-positive for Pakistan’s banks. The increase is also contrary to our expectation that the pandemic would keep remittances flat and the World Bank’s forecast of a sharp decline in global remittances,” the ratings agency added.


Riaz Haq said...

Overseas #Pakistanis' bailing out #Pakistan #economy yet again. #Remittances in July20-Mar21 reach $21.5 billion, up 26% over the same period in prior fiscal year. At $2.7billion in March 2021, they're up 20% compared to Feb 21 & 43% compared to Mar 20.

https://www.sbp.org.pk/ecodata/Homeremit.pdf

https://twitter.com/haqsmusings/status/1381471314280517635?s=20

Riaz Haq said...

Pakistan's overseas remittances exceed $2 billion for 10th straight month

https://finance.yahoo.com/news/pakistans-overseas-remittances-exceed-2-060953865.html

KARACHI, Pakistan (Reuters) - Remittances of $2.7 billion in March from Pakistani workers employed abroad exceeded $2 billion for the 10th consecutive month, and were up 43% from a year earlier, the central bank said on Monday.

Proactive policy steps by the government and State Bank to spur inflows through formal channels, combined with limited cross-border travel, medical expenses and altruistic transfers amid the pandemic to fuel the rise, it said in a statement.

"The love and commitment of overseas Pakistanis to Pakistan is unparalleled," Prime Minister Imran Khan said on Twitter.

"You sent over $2 billion for 10 straight months despite COVID, breaking all records. We thank you."

The inflows came mainly from the nations of Saudi Arabia, standing at $5.7 billion; the United Arab Emirates, at $4.5 billion; with $2.9 billion from Britain and $1.9 billion from the United States, the central bank said.

Riaz Haq said...

#Pakistan PM #ImranKhan lauds the country's 9 million strong diaspora for keeping afloat national economy. He calls overseas #Pakistan the country’s “biggest asset” whose #remittances have kept afloat the national #economy. Pakistan Today https://www.pakistantoday.com.pk/2021/04/29/pm-lauds-overseas-pakistanis-for-keeping-afloat-national-economy/#.YIq_J8aBamM.twitter

Prime Minister Imran Khan on Thursday terming the nine million overseas Pakistanis the country’s “biggest asset” said their remittances had kept afloat the national economy.

“By the time we achieve the required volume of exports, the remittances by overseas Pakistanis is the only way to keep our economy moving,” he said in his address at the launch of digital incentives for expatriates, including Roshan Apni Car (car finance) and Roshan Samaji Khidmat (charity).

Imran Khan said to tap the potential of overseas Pakistanis, the government was keen to maximum facilitate them through simplified online procedures of investments.

He mentioned that the country’s foreign remittances witnessed a record high level during last year, crossing the $1 billion mark.

“However, this is just the tip of the iceberg as immense possibilities lie ahead if more overseas Pakistanis divert resources towards the promising projects including the construction sector,” he said.

The prime minister lauded the efforts of the State Bank of Pakistan and the private banks for supporting the government’s initiatives aimed at facilitating the overseas Pakistanis.

He regretted that the poor economic strategies of previous governments led to difficulties in the boom and bust cycle, which directly affected the life of the common man.

He said the current account deficit devalued the rupee that put a negative impact on foreign investment.

Imran Khan in particular acknowledged the services of labour class Pakistani nationals working abroad in tough conditions and sending their hard-earned money to their families back home.

He said these workers deserved utmost respect, however expressed displeasure that the embassies of the country were not facilitating them in difficult situations. It is the duty of foreign missions to extend the best possible services to Pakistani labourers and workers, he added.

The prime minister said he had ordered a full-scale inquiry of Pakistan’s ambassador in Saudi Arabia on multiple complaints of maltreatment with Pakistani nationals. Also, the maximum staff of the embassy has been recalled.

Following a high-powered investigation, he said, strict action would be taken against those held responsible for negligence.

President State Bank of Pakistan Dr Reza Baqir said under the newly launched Roshan Apni Car scheme, the overseas Pakistanis would be one click away to digitally purchase a car for their families and friends in Pakistan on reduced mark up and delivery time.

He said Roshan Samaji Khidmat would offer a simplified model for expatriates to send charity and donations to Pakistan, including to its flagship Ehsaas socio-welfare project.

He said the government was pursuing the goal of transforming the financial system of the country to facilitate the common man.

He said the focus will be laid on the training of bank staff to amicably deal with new digital projects, resolution of land title issues and promotion of Small and Medium Term Entreprises.

Earlier, the prime minister gave away awards to best performing banks for attracting the Roshan Pakistan customers. The Meezan Bank was given the first prize, while HBL, Bank Alfalah and Habib Metro Bank bagged the next three positions, respectively.

Riaz Haq said...

Despite COVID-19, remittance flows remained resilient in 2020, registering a smaller decline than previously projected. Officially recorded remittance flows to low- and middle-income countries reached $540 billion in 2020, just 1.6 percent below the 2019 total of $548 billion, according to the latest Migration and Development Brief.



https://www.worldbank.org/en/news/press-release/2021/05/12/defying-predictions-remittance-flows-remain-strong-during-covid-19-crisis



https://www.knomad.org/publication/migration-and-development-brief-34



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Inward remittance flows to South Asia rose by about 5.2 percent in 2020 to $147 billion, driven by surge in flows to Bangladesh and Pakistan. In India, the region’s largest recipient country by far, remittances fell by just 0.2 percent in 2020, with much of the decline due to a 17 percent drop in remittances from the United Arab Emirates, which offset resilient flows from the United States and other host countries. In Pakistan, remittances rose by about 17 percent, with the biggest growth coming from Saudi Arabia followed by the European Union countries and the United Arab Emirates. In Bangladesh, remittances also showed a brisk uptick in 2020 (18.4 percent), and Sri Lanka witnessed remittance growth of 5.8 percent. In contrast, remittances to Nepal fell by about 2 percent, reflecting a 17 percent decline in the first quarter of 2020. For 2021, it is projected that remittances to the region will slow slightly to 3.5 percent due to a moderation of growth in high-income economies and a further expected drop in migration to the GCC countries. Remittance costs: The average cost of sending $200 to the region stood at 4.9 percent in the fourth quarter of 2020, the lowest among all the regions. Some of the lowest-cost corridors, originating in the GCC countries and Singapore, had costs below the SDG target of 3 percent owing to high volumes, competitive markets, and deployment of technology. But costs are well over 10 percent in the highest-cost corridors.

Riaz Haq said...

Country’s brain drain situation accelerated in 2022
Official documents showed more than 765,000 educated youth leave country for employment overseas


https://tribune.com.pk/story/2390704/countrys-brain-drain-situation-accelerated-in-2022

According to the official documents from the Bureau of Emigrants, this year 765,000 young people went abroad. The documents also showed that the number of emigrants had risen after registering a fall in two consecutive years, following 625,000 emigrations in 2019.

According to the documents, those who left the country in 2022, included more than 92,000 graduates, 350,000 trained workers and the same number of untrained labourers went abroad. The documents also showed that 736,000 people went to the Gulf states.

The emigrating educated youth included 5,534 engineers, 18,000 associate electrical engineers, 2,500 doctors, 2,000 computer experts, 6,500 accountants, 2,600 agricultural experts, over 900 teachers, 12,000 computer operators, 1,600 nurses and 21,517 technicians. The group of unskilled workers comprised 213,000 drivers.

According to the data, over 730,000 youth went to the Gulf States, nearly 40,000 went to European and other Asian countries. The country-wise break down of the data showed 470,000 Pakistanis headed to Saudi Arabia for employment, 119,000 to UAE, 77,000 to Oman, 51,634 to Qatar and 2,000 to Kuwait.

Also, according to the official documents, 2,000 Pakistanis went to Iraq, 5,000 to Malaysia, 602 to China, 815 to Japan, and 136 to Turkey. The documents also revealed that 478 Pakistan went to Sudan in Africa in search of employment.

The highest number of people emigrating to a European country was 3,160 youth, going to Romania. It was followed by 2,500 to Great Britain, 677 to Spain, 566 to Germany, 497 to Greece, and 292 to Italy. The Bureau of Emigrants also registered 700 people going to the United States.

More than half of those leaving the country were from Punjab. The documents said 424,000 emigrants this year were from Punjab, 206,000 from Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa plus 38,000 from newly-merged tribal districts, 54,000 from Sindh, 27,000 from Azad Kashmir, 7,000 from Balochistan and 6,000 from Islamabad.