Both notes in circulation and those issued declined in the week, according to the Statement of Affairs of the State Bank of Pakistan, for the week ended December 16.Notes in circulation stood at Rs1,777.130bn against earlier week’s figure of Rs1,781.328bn, a fall of Rs4.198bn. When compared to the corresponding week a year ago when it was Rs1,653.065bn, the current week’s figure is higher by Rs124.065bn.

Total notes issued also decreased in the current week over preceding week’s level. At Rs1,777.319bn it was smaller by Rs4.205bn over the figure of Rs1,781.524bn recorded a week earlier.

In the corresponding week last year it amounted to Rs1,653.189bn, which shows current week’s figure to be higher by Rs124.13bn over last year’s corresponding figure.

Approved foreign exchange increased in the week to Rs478.236bn, higher by Rs4.935bn over preceding week’s figure of Rs473.301bn. When compared to the corresponding week a year ago, when the figure was Rs517.923bn, the current week’s figure is lower by Rs39.687bn.

Balances held outside Pakistan in approved foreign exchange declined in the week under review. It stood at Rs656.192bn over preceding week’s figure of Rs658.110bn, a fall of Rs1.918bn. Compared to last year’s corresponding figure of Rs538.271bn, the current week’s figure is larger by Rs117.921bn.

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 Rs51.863bn against preceding week’s figure of Rs52.137bn, a decline of Rs0.274bn. The current week’s figure is smaller by Rs1.707bn over last year’s corresponding figure of Rs53.844bn.

The industrial sector received Rs41.560bn against preceding week’s Rs41.381bn, higher by Rs0.179bn. Current week’s figure was lower by Rs1.302bn, over last year’s comparable figure of Rs42.862 bn.

Loan and advances to export sector were Rs186.474bn, higher by Rs1.198bn, over previous week’s figure of Rs185.276bn.Current week’s figure was lower by Rs16.69bn, compared to last year’s corresponding figure of Rs203.164bn.