Foreign direct investment slides 20pc in February

Published March 17, 2021
Pakistan witnessed foreign direct investments (FDI) of $155 million during the month of February 2021. — AFP/File
Pakistan witnessed foreign direct investments (FDI) of $155 million during the month of February 2021. — AFP/File

Pakistan witnessed foreign direct investment (FDI) of $155 million during the month of February 2021, around 20 per cent lower in comparison to net inflows of $192.7 million received in January 2021.

According to data compiled by the State Bank of Pakistan, FDI dropped 30pc year-on-year to $1.30 billion during the first eight months of the current fiscal year versus $1.85 billion reported in the same period last year.

During the month of February, foreign private investment into the country amounted to $135.6 million, wherein $155.1 million was attributed to direct investments. Disinvestment of $19.5 million was attributed to equity securities, a part of portfolio investments.

Within direct investments, there was an inflow of $191.5 million and an outflow of $36.4 million.

Under foreign public investment, $21.3 million worth of investment was witnessed in debt securities during February 2021, down by 47pc month-on-month versus investment in equities of $40.3 million reported in January 2021.

All in all, foreign investments in Pakistan during the month amounted to $156.9 million, showing a decline of 35pc against net inflows of $240.6 million a month ago.

Follow Dawn Business on Twitter, LinkedIn, Instagram and Facebook for insights on business, finance and tech from Pakistan and across the world.

Opinion

One year on

One year on

Governance by the ruling coalition has been underwhelming and marked by growing authoritarianism.

Editorial

Climate funding gap
Updated 17 Feb, 2025

Climate funding gap

Pakistan must boost its institutional capacity to develop bankable climate projects.
UN monitoring report
Updated 17 Feb, 2025

UN monitoring report

Pakistan must press Kabul diplomatically over its tolerance of TTP terrorism.
Tax policy reform
17 Feb, 2025

Tax policy reform

THE cabinet’s decision to create a Tax Policy Office at the finance ministry has raised hopes that tax policy is...
Maintaining balance
Updated 16 Feb, 2025

Maintaining balance

It must take a more proactive approach to establishing Pakistan’s bona fides.
Welcome return
16 Feb, 2025

Welcome return

IT is almost here; the moment Pakistan has long been waiting for — the first International Cricket Council...
Childhood trauma
16 Feb, 2025

Childhood trauma

BEING a child in this society should not be so hard. But recurrent reports of child abuse — from burying girl...