March 27, 2006	Monday	Safar 26, 1427

According to the Statement of Affairs of the State Bank of Pakistan, for the week ended July 2- March 18, 2006, both notes in circulation and those issued decreased during the week. Notes in circulation stood at Rs801,713.280 million against earlier week’s figure of Rs806,454.691 million, a fall of Rs4,741.411 million. When compared to the corresponding week a year ago when it was Rs715,431.791 million, the current week’s figure is higher by Rs86,281.489 million.

Total notes issued also declined in the current week over preceding week’s level. At Rs801,902.992 million it was smaller by Rs4,703.223 million over the figure of Rs806,606.215 million recorded a week earlier. In the corresponding week last year it amounted to Rs715,652.933 million, which shows current week’s figure to be higher by Rs86,250.059 million over last year’s corresponding figure.

Approved foreign exchange declined in the week to Rs430,888.806 million or by Rs5,276.330 million over preceding week’s figure of Rs436,165.136 million. When compared to the corresponding week a year ago, when the figure was Rs490,482.754 million, the current week’s figure is smaller by Rs59,593.948 million.

Balances held outside Pakistan in approved foreign exchange increased in the week under review. It stood at Rs143,534.721 million over preceding week’s figure of Rs142,639.690 million, showing a rise of Rs895.031 million. Compared to last year’s corresponding figure of Rs131,315.523 million, the current week’s figure higher is by Rs12,219.198 million.

Loans and advances of scheduled banks to the three sectors – agricultural, industrial and export showed a mixed trend in the week under review. The agricultural sector received Rs61,700.923 million, against preceding week’s figure of Rs61,707.864 million, showing a decline of Rs6.941 million. The current week’s figure is larger by Rs2,691.486 million over last year’s corresponding figure of Rs59,009.437 million.

There was an inflow of Rs5,404.230 million to the industrial sector during the week under review, a rise of Rs53.016 million against preceding week’s figure of Rs5,351.214 million. When compared to last year’s corresponding figure of Rs1,258.577 million, the current week’s figure is higher by Rs4,145.653 million.

The export sector received Rs105,639.971 million against previous week’s figure of Rs104,371.293 million, a rise of Rs1,268.678 million. Current week’s figure was smaller by Rs456.495 million over last year’s corresponding figure of Rs106,096.466 million.