KARACHI - The State Bank of Bank of Pakistan (SBP) has announced to keep unchanged the policy rate at 5.75 per cent for next two months.
According to the central bank, "manufacturing activity is expected to benefit from higher development spending, growing investments in CPEC-related projects, improvement in security condition, and the continued trend of stable and low cost of borrowing."
"Based on current projections of agriculture sector growth, GDP growth is likely to reach the annual target of 6.0 percent for FY18 leading to an improved capacity to accommodate rising domestic demand," the SBP added.
The current account deficit stood at $2.6 billion in the previous two months "primarily driven by higher imports of productive goods, especially of machinery, metal and petroleum products," the statement said, adding that the improvement in these three sectors will "offset the combined impact of healthy growth in exports and workers’ remittances during Jul-Aug FY18".
The inflow of foreign direct investments (FDI) projected at $456 million, "which is more than double the level of inflows in the corresponding period last year".
The SBP predicts exports will increases but imports are also expected to rise due to ongoing CPEC related investments and domestic economic activities, although at a slower pace than in FY17.
Pakistani currency continues to gain against US Dollar and other currencies on April 18, 2024. US dollar was being quoted at 277.2 for buying and 280.3 for selling.
Euro comes down to 293 for buying and 296 for selling while British Pound stands at 342.25 for buying, and 345.65 for selling.
UAE Dirham AED was at 75.25 and Saudi Riyal's new rates was at 73.30.
Currency | Symbol | Buying | Selling |
---|---|---|---|
US Dollar | USD | 277.2 | 280.3 |
Euro | EUR | 293 | 296 |
UK Pound Sterling | GBP | 342.25 | 345.65 |
U.A.E Dirham | AED | 75.25 | 75.95 |
Saudi Riyal | SAR | 73.3 | 74.05 |
Australian Dollar | AUD | 181 | 182.8 |
Bahrain Dinar | BHD | 739.63 | 747.63 |
Canadian Dollar | CAD | 201 | 203 |
China Yuan | CNY | 38.45 | 38.85 |
Danish Krone | DKK | 40.45 | 40.85 |
Hong Kong Dollar | HKD | 35.57 | 35.92 |
Indian Rupee | INR | 3.32 | 3.43 |
Japanese Yen | JPY | 1.86 | 1.94 |
Kuwaiti Dinar | KWD | 902.26 | 912.91 |
Malaysian Ringgit | MYR | 58.24 | 59.52 |
New Zealand Dollar | NZD | 164.75 | 169.63 |
Norwegians Krone | NOK | 25.42 | 25.68 |
Omani Riyal | OMR | 722.1 | 730.1 |
Qatari Riyal | QAR | 76.37 | 77.05 |
Singapore Dollar | SGD | 206 | 208 |
Swedish Korona | SEK | 25.72 | 26.02 |
Swiss Franc | CHF | 307.11 | 309.61 |
Thai Bhat | THB | 7.56 | 7.76 |
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