NOTES in circulation and those issued decreased in the week ended April 20, 2012. Notes in circulation stood at Rs1766.046bn against earlier week’s figure of Rs1790.743bn, a fall of Rs24.697bn.

When compared to the corresponding week a year ago when it was Rs1597.561bn, the current week’s figure is higher by Rs168.485bn.

Total notes issued also decreased in the current week over preceding week’s level. At Rs1766.194bn it was smaller by Rs24.726bn over the figure of Rs1790.920bn recorded a week earlier. In the corresponding week last year it amounted to Rs1597.670bn, which shows current week’s figure to be higher by Rs168.524bn over last year’s figure.

Approved foreign exchange increased in the week to Rs370.280bn, higher by Rs9.323bn over preceding week’s figure of Rs360.957bn. When compared to the corresponding week a year ago, when the figure was Rs452.225bn, the current week’s figure is lower by Rs81.945bn.

Balances held outside Pakistan in approved foreign exchange declined in the week under review. It stood at Rs718.006bn over preceding week’s figure of Rs730.761bn, a fall of Rs12.755bn. Compared to last year’s corresponding figure of Rs674.806bn, the current week’s figure is larger by Rs43.2bn.

Loans and advances of scheduled banks to the three sectors — agricultural, industrial and export showed a declining trend in the week under review. The agricultural sector received Rs51.874bn against preceding week’s figure of Rs51.880bn, a fall of Rs0.0061bn. The current week’s figure is smaller by Rs1.733bn over last year’s corresponding figure of Rs53.607bn.

The industrial sector received Rs43.411bn against preceding week’s Rs43.584bn, lower by Rs0.173bn. Current week’s figure is higher by Rs1.908bn, over last year’s comparable figure of Rs41.503 billion.

Loan and advances to export sector were Rs174.506bn, lower by Rs2.44bn, over previous week’s figure of Rs176.946bn. Current week’s figure was lower by Rs24.867bn, compared to last year’s corresponding figure of Rs199.373bn.

Special Drawing Rights held with the International Monetary Fund stood at Rs85.524bn in the week under review against Rs85.561bn a week earlier, showing a fall of Rs0.037bn. Compared to the corresponding figure of Rs98.000bn a year earlier, the current figure is smaller by Rs12.476bn.

Total assets decreased to Rs2216.848bn against preceding week’s figure of Rs2228.674bn, showing a decline of Rs11.826bn. Current week’s figure was higher by Rs140.052bn compared to last year’s corresponding figure of Rs2076.796bn.