Australia fines bulker A court in Australia sided with its maritime authorities and ordered the owners of a bulker to pay a fine as well as court costs for failing to follow safety directions. The fine comes after the Australian Maritime Authority (AMSA) last year banned the vessel from sailing to Australia also related to safety issues in 2023. KMAX Leader, a Liberia-flagged bulk carrier, arrived at the Port of Gladstone in October 2023 reporting propulsion issues. Through the port agency, Universal Shipping Alliance, AMSA was advised the vessel would require eight to 10 days to complete repairs. Instead, the…
Author: S. Kamal Hayder Kazmi
OPEC+ is supporting a potentially disastrous rise in oil production? Oil prices have fallen fast since the 3 March announcement from OPEC+ that it will go ahead with a planned rise in its collective oil production. The prospect of increased supply from the group has added to the bearish tone created by rising supply from other key producers and from uncertain demand projections from the world’s biggest importer of oil, China. Lower oil and gas prices is precisely what Donald Trump wants to see in his second term as U.S. president, but with budget breakeven oil prices much higher than…
Andrew Carnegie, a Scottish-American industrialist and the greatest philanthropist in this speech, is known to be the most influential person whose greatest contribution in expanding the American steel industry in 19th century makes him immortal. He donated his most fortune to establishing schools, Libraries and universities across the United States and Europe. He was a self-made man for his economic, cultural as well as intellectual developments. He is often considered to be the second richest man in the history after John D. Rockefeller. From his young age he would love to listen about famous Scottish heroes such as Rob Roy,…
Pakistan’s Islamic microfinance industry reached Rs 27.1 billion in assets, aiding economic growth and poverty alleviation Murabaha, Mudarabah, Musharakah, and Qard Hasan offer ethical financing, promoting financial stability in underserved communities In the developing world international industry experts examined that lacking of access to financial services is considered as one of the major constraints on inclusive economic growth. It is the main constraint on the growth of micro, small and medium businesses – often the single source of income for poor households, which hampered employment opportunities, economic growth and shared prosperity. It is said that Islamic microfinance shows the confluence…
Islamic Fintech sector surges to $180 billion by 2026, driven by innovation, regulation, and investment trends worldwide In accordance with Shariah principles, international experts revealed that Islamic Fintech is a rapidly growing sector that leverages technology to deliver financial services. This innovative method is reshaping the way Islamic finance is conducted, providing greater accessibility, efficiency, and inclusivity. Islamic Fintech solutions encompass a broad range of services, counting digital payments, crowdfunding, peer-to-peer lending, wealth management, and insurance. By combining traditional Islamic financial rules with cutting-edge technology, Islamic Fintech aims to meet the evolving needs of Muslim consumers and businesses while upholding…
Pakistan: Industry Progress And Market Share (Amount in Rs billion) Particulars Islamic Banking IndustryProgress Growth (YoY) Share in Overall Banking Industry (%) Sep-23 Jun-24 Sep-24 Sep-23 Jun-24 Sep-24 Sep-23 Jun-24 Sep-24 Assets 8,416 9,689 9,881 21.9 19.4 17.4 19.6 18.8 19.0 Deposits 6,160 7,363 7,596 22.7 25.4 23.3 22.5 22.7 23.2 Investments (net) 3,928 4,489 4,803 39.2 29.3 22.3 16.9 14.5 15.2 Financing (net) 3,026 3,449 3,252 1.4 3.8 7.5 26.1 28.6 27.3 Number of Islamic Banking Institutions 22 22 22 – – – – – – Number of Branches 4,666 5,196 5,333 11.3 14.6 14.3 – – – Number…
Market indicators are a series of technical indicators used by traders to predict the direction of the major financial indexes. Most market indicators are created by analyzing the number of companies that have reached new highs relative to the number that created new lows, also known as market breadth. FINANCIAL MARKET IN PAKISTAN Pakistan: Currency Rate As Per Open Market( Mar 06, 2025) Currency Symbol Buying Selling Australian Dollar AUD 174.35 176.6 Bahrain Dinar BHD 738.95 746.95 Canadian Dollar CAD 193.95 196.35 China Yuan CNY 37.55 37.95 Danish Krone DKK 38.45 38.85 Euro EUR 292.85 295.6 Hong Kong Dollar HKD…
Banks, energy stocks pull down Australian shares Australian shares fell on Thursday, dragged down by energy and bank stock, while investors assessed the economic implications of the country’s top trading partner China unlocking more fiscal stimulus. The S&P/ASX 200 index dropped 0.6percent to hit 8,096, as of 1205 GMT. The benchmark fell 0.7percent on Wednesday. Australia’s top trading partner China unleashed more stimulus on Wednesday, as it looks to defend its economy from the ramifications of a tariff face-off with the US Energy stocks slumped about 2.5percent, after crude oil prices settled down to their lowest in months as the…
Stock Market Indexes Details Date Level Ch. This Week ch. Mon. ch. Ann. ch. YTD ASE Amman [+] 03/04/2025 2,582.17 -0.19% -0.40% -1.44% 4.59% 3.75% KASE [+] 03/04/2025 5,638.97 0.01% 0.33% 1.21% 16.49% 1.09% KSW Kuwait [+] 03/03/2025 8,767.04 0.40% 0.40% 4.31% 7.50% 11.84% KSE Kyrgyz [+] 03/03/2025 4,636.08 0 0 -0.72% 66.09% 13.80% LSX Index [+] 03/04/2025 1,131.76 -1.63% -1.61% -0.05% -4.25% -1.59% OMX Riga [+] 03/04/2025 876.73 -0.74% -0.44% 1.29% -34.24% 0.85% OMX Vilnius [+] 03/04/2025 1,120.08 -3.26% -3.37% -1.71% 17.04% 5.12% LuxX [+] 03/03/2025 1,520.40 1.61% 1.61% 12.67% 2.80% 16.60% FBMKLCI [+] 03/04/2025 1,555.66 -1.00% -1.21% -0.57%…
CPI Countries Countries Date CPI Interannual Accum. since January United States [+] January 2025 3.0% 0.7% United Kingdom [+] January 2025 3.0% -0.2% Germany [+] January 2025 2.3% -0.2% France [+] February 2025 0.8% 0.1% Japan [+] January 2025 4.0% 0.5% Spain [+] February 2025 3.0% 0.6% Italy [+] February 2025 1.7% 0.8% Portugal [+] January 2025 2.5% -0.5% Greece [+] January 2025 2.7% -0.7% Ireland [+] January 2025 1.9% -0.7% Andorra [+] January 2025 2.7% -0.3% Armenia [+] January 2025 1.7% 1.4% Angola [+] January 2025 26.5% 1.7% Argentina [+] January 2025 84.5% 2.2% Austria [+] January 2025 3.2%…
China targets 5pc growth China has set an economic growth target for this year of “around 5 percent” and pledged to pump billions of dollars into its ailing economy, which is now facing a trade war with the US. Its leaders unveiled the plan as thousands of delegates attend the National People’s Congress, a rubber-stamp parliament, which passes decisions already made behind closed doors. But the week-long gathering is closely watched for clues on Beijing’s policy changes – and this year is more significant than most. President Xi Jinping had already been battling persistently low consumption, a property crisis and…
Issue of false flags continues to grow The issue of false flags continues to grow and promises to take center stage in an upcoming meeting of the IMO Legal Committee scheduled for the last week of April. Citing the dangers and the required steps, France and the Netherlands submitted proposals which are drawing attention as they highlighted two previously unheard-of registries. France’s note to the IMO Secretariat calls out the “Maritime Administration of Matthew Island” citing it as the latest example of fraudulent registries. It has sent everyone scurrying to the Internet and reference sources to answer the question: where…
Coal production from captive, commercial mines rises 32.5 pc Commercial mining was introduced as part of the economic reforms process to attract more investment and better technology in the mining sector. The Ministry of Coal has now launched roadshows for the 12th round of commercial coal mine auctions, expected to commence in the second week of March. The latest roadshow was launched in which the Ministry of Coal engaged with stakeholders. The event follows the successful roadshows held earlier in Kolkata and Mumbai for further reinforcing the government’s commitment to enhancing domestic coal production and ensuring energy security. Last month…
Richard Branson’S five crucial tips for a successful business Richard Branson, who founded the Virgin Group in the 1970s and controls more than 400 companies today, says there is no shortcut to success in business. Or maybe he just hasn’t found one yet. Sir Richard Branson has given his five “rough guidelines for creating a successful business”. “After five decades in business, I’m often asked if there is a shortcut to success. Unfortunately there isn’t — or if there is, I haven’t found it yet. Creating a successful and profitable business takes time, since you build your reputation as customers…
Companies with strong CSR attract foreign investment, improve governance, and ensure long-term sustainability. The companies in today’s globally competitive market must present themselves as socially responsible. In socially beneficial programmes, active involvement is one strategy companies employ to achieve competitive advantage in pursuing their goals. Multinational companies often have no choice but to play significant roles in the social issues of their respective nations. If they do not, various government regulations on environmental security and labor laws can pose as great costs to them. No doubt, corporate social responsibility (CSR) has come to be an integral element of planning to…
Pakistan has 38 million beggars, receiving Rs 32 billion daily, creating a $42 billion economic drain yearly Since the existence of human society, begging has been initiated as social practice. For human society, it is viewed as one of the oldest challenges. Though, there is no any evidence is revealed that begging is existed in primitive societies because of close social ties and strong family system and the weaker social structure and family support system had the foundation of begging as a social problem. Begging remains a glaring reminder of poverty in Pakistan. For many, offering a few rupees to…
Human Development Index In Pakistan Country/ Region HDI Rank (HDI) Value (2022) Average Annual HDI Growth (%) [1990-2022] Life Expectancy at Birth (years) Expected Years of Schooling (years) Mean Years of Schooling (years) (GNI) per capita (2017 PPP $) Inequality-adjusted HDI (2010-2022) SDG-3 SDG-4.3 SDG-4.4 SDG-8.5 Gini-coefficient World – 0.739 0.65 72.0 13.0 8.7 17,254 – South Asia – 0.641 1.15 68.4 11.9 6.6 6,972 – Sri Lanka 78 0.780 0.62 76.6 13.6 11.2 11,899 37.7 Iran 78 0.780 0.76 74.6 14.1 10.7 14,770 40.9 China 75 0.788 1.55 78.6 15.2 8.1 18,025 37.1 India 134 0.644 1.24 67.7 12.6…
Market indicators are a series of technical indicators used by traders to predict the direction of the major financial indexes. Most market indicators are created by analyzing the number of companies that have reached new highs relative to the number that created new lows, also known as market breadth. FINANCIAL MARKET IN PAKISTAN Pakistan: Currency Rate As Per Open Market (Feb 25, 2025) Currency Symbol Buying Selling Australian Dollar AUD 179 181.25 Bahrain Dinar BHD 738.35 746.35 Canadian Dollar CAD 197.6 200 China Yuan CNY 37.59 37.99 Danish Krone DKK 38.48 38.88 Euro EUR 292.75 295.5 Hong Kong Dollar HKD…
Most Gulf stocks ease on weak earnings Most stock markets in the Gulf fell in early trade on Tuesday due to lacklustre earnings and concerns about U.S. investment curbs on China. U.S. President Donald Trump ordered to restrict Chinese investments in strategic areas such as chips, artificial intelligence and aerospace. Also weighing on sentiment was Trump’s indication that proposed tariffs on Mexico and Canada were still set to start next week, although investors had hoped negotiations would forestall the threat. Saudi Arabia’s benchmark stock index dropped 0.5 percent, with ACWA Power Company retreating 3.2 percent. ACWA Power reported annual profit…
Stock Market Indexes Details Date Level Ch. This Week ch. Mon. ch. Ann. ch. YTD HANG SENG [+] 02/25/2025 23,015.75 -1.40% -1.97% 14.70% 37.61% 14.73% BUX [+] 02/24/2025 86,635.86 -1.57% -1.57% 1.72% 30.75% 9.21% ICEX [+] 02/24/2025 2,365.80 -1.45% -1.45% -3.96% 4.15% -0.96% NIFTY [+] 02/24/2025 22,553.35 -1.06% -1.06% -2.33% 1.53% -4.72% JCI Jakarta [+] 02/25/2025 6,585.94 -2.42% -3.19% -8.10% -9.72% -6.98% TA-35 [+] 02/24/2025 2,463.64 -2.03% -2.03% -2.15% 28.68% 2.87% ASE Amman [+] 02/24/2025 2,592.38 -0.21% -0.21% -1.73% 5.16% 4.16% KASE [+] 02/25/2025 5,593.94 -0.24% -0.26% -2.30% 18.61% 0.28% KSW Kuwait [+] 02/24/2025 8,693.06 0.03% 0.03% 6.47% 6.95% 10.90%…
CPI Countries Countries Date CPI Interannual Accum. since January United States [+] January 2025 3.0% 0.7% United Kingdom [+] January 2025 3.0% -0.2% Germany [+] January 2025 2.3% -0.2% France [+] January 2025 1.4% -0.1% Japan [+] January 2025 4.0% 0.5% Spain [+] January 2025 2.9% 0.2% Italy [+] January 2025 1.5% 0.6% Portugal [+] January 2025 2.5% -0.5% Greece [+] January 2025 2.7% -0.7% Ireland [+] January 2025 1.9% -0.7% Andorra [+] January 2025 2.7% -0.3% Armenia [+] January 2025 1.7% 1.4% Angola [+] January 2025 26.5% 1.7% Argentina [+] January 2025 84.5% 2.2% Austria [+] December 2024 2.0%…
Bangladesh’s economy stabilising on exports and remittances Bangladesh’s economy has gradually been recovering from political instability and a banking loan scam, according to a review by the Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce and Industry (MCCI). “Exports posted robust growth during the period as did the earnings from remittance inflows. The slide experienced by the foreign exchange reserves was halted, and the exchange rate of Bangladeshi Taka (BDT) against US dollars stabilised, although some volatility in the reserve position continues to persist,” said the review. Improved trade and current account balance, along with the overall balance of payments situation, have allowed for…
Ukraine’s dry bulk exports surge Three years after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, a dramatic shift in Black Sea shipping patterns has emerged, with Ukraine’s dry bulk shipments surging 87 percent year-over-year despite ongoing regional tensions, according to shipping industry association BIMCO. The remarkable recovery stems from Ukraine’s successful implementation of a coastal corridor initiative launched in August 2023, follow Russia’s withdrawal from the UN-brokered Black Sea Grain Initiative. Despite Russian attacks on vessels in September and October 2023, this alternative route has proven effective, though overall volumes remain 36 percent below pre-war levels, BIMCO says. “Three years after Russia’s invasion…
Ukraine’s natural resources are at centre stage in the ongoing war Three years after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, the world now knows the exact price for American military support of Ukraine. During a recent interview with Fox News, United States President Donald Trump put a $500 billion price tag on American aid to the war-torn country. But there was a catch: the exchange should be made in the form of Ukraine’s valuable natural resources, including rare earth minerals. “We have to get something. We can’t continue to pay this money,” Trump said in the interview. OGDCL boosts daily oil production…
Elon greatest motivational speeches and powerful lessons on life Elon Musk is one of the greatest minds alive on our planet and here is one of his greatest motivational speeches ever. His name is probably going to be remembered along Einstein, Tesla, and the likes. The amazing thing is that he’s just not a great engineer, but also an equally great entrepreneur. He has disrupted multiple industries at once – the automotive industry, the oil industry, the aerospace industry, the military-industrial complex the energy utilities – and he’s actually succeeding at all of them. This Elon Musk motivational speech teaches…
Raast and mobile banking systems processed record transactions, driving Pakistan’s digital payment growth The economists recorded that Pakistan stands at a promising crossroads to target growth 2.0. The year 2025, marking the second quarter of the incumbent International Monetary Fund (IMF) programme, begins on a stronger footing. Even the exchange rate shows newfound stability, steady at Rs 278 to the dollar. Presently as per the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP), Pakistan has a well-developed digital payments ecosystem comprising of a well-functioning real Time Gross Settlement (RTGS) system, a state of the art instant payment system, Raast, 24/7 online digital payment…
Country’s IT sector thrives, generating billions in exports and attracting international investment for future growth According to the Ministry of Finance, the 2023 Global Services Location Index by Kearney ranks Pakistan as the world’s most financially attractive IT outsourcing destination. Additionally, the International Labour Organisation (ILO) has identified Pakistan as the second most significant supplier of digital labour in software development and technology services. The third most significant digital labour supplier includes clerical and data entry services, creative and multimedia services, professional services, sales and marketing support services, software development and technology services, and writing and translation services. In addition,…
Pakistan: Advances Classified By Securities/ Borrowers Details Outstanding Amount in Billion Rs. Security/ Borrower December-2024P Foreign Banks Private Sector Banks Public Sector Banks Specialized Banks All Banks 1. Foreign Constituents – 8.2 0.2 – 8.4 2. Domestic Constituents 414.6 12,354.1 2,688.4 140.9 15,598.1 I. Government 362.1 1,077.1 255.2 – 1,694.4 II. Non-Financial Public Sector Enterprises (NFPSE) – 1,041.7 540.4 – 1,582.2 III. Non-Bank Financial Institutions (NBFIs) – 1,615.1 215.0 0.1 1,830.3 IV. Private Sector (Business) 52.1 7,672.5 1,380.2 138.0 9,242.8 i. Gold Bullion, Gold, And Silver Ornaments, Precious Metals – 2.6 91.0 – 93.6 ii. Securities, Shares And Other…
Market indicators are a series of technical indicators used by traders to predict the direction of the major financial indexes. Most market indicators are created by analyzing the number of companies that have reached new highs relative to the number that created new lows, also known as market breadth. FINANCIAL MARKET IN PAKISTAN Pakistan: Currency Rate As Per Open Market (Feb 06, 2025) Currency Symbol Buying Selling Australian Dollar AUD 175.75 178 Bahrain Dinar BHD 738.6 746.6 Canadian Dollar CAD 195.6 198 China Yuan CNY 37.59 37.99 Danish Krone DKK 38.06 38.46 Euro EUR 290 292.75 Hong Kong Dollar HKD…
Saudi Arabia stocks higher at close of trade Saudi Arabia stock were higher after the close on Thursday, as gains in the Real Estate Development, Cement and Energy & Utilities sectors led shares higher. At the close in Saudi Arabia, the Tadawul All Share gained 0.15 percent. The best performers of the session on the Tadawul All Share were Al Masane Al Kobra Mining Company CJSC, which rose 7.49 percent or 4.80 points to trade at 68.90 at the close. Meanwhile, Thimar Development Holding Co added 5.76 percent or 3.10 points to end at 56.90 and Makkah Construction&Development Co was…
Stock Market Indexes Details Date Level Ch. This Week ch. Mon. ch. Ann. ch. YTD BUX [+] 02/05/2025 84,192.98 -0.88% -1.52% 5.54% 29.87% 6.13% ICEX [+] 02/05/2025 2,436.12 -0.42% -1.23% 0.89% 5.79% 1.98% NIFTY [+] 02/05/2025 23,696.30 -0.18% 0.91% -1.28% 8.84% 0.11% JCI Jakarta [+] 02/06/2025 6,864.32 -2.28% -3.44% -3.05% -5.29% -3.05% TA-35 [+] 02/05/2025 2,508.99 1.34% 2.46% 3.91% 37.92% 4.76% ASE Amman [+] 02/06/2025 2,603.66 -0.23% -0.47% 1.67% 5.91% 4.62% KASE [+] 02/06/2025 5,541.71 -0.21% -1.82% -2.41% 27.64% -0.65% KSW Kuwait [+] 02/05/2025 8,442.90 -0.11% 1.10% 7.05% 6.43% 7.71% KSE Kyrgyz [+] 02/05/2025 4,615.69 -1.16% -0.08% 13.30% 71.24% 13.30%…
CPI Countries Countries Date CPI Interannual Accum. since January United States [+] December 2024 2.9% 2.9% United Kingdom [+] December 2024 2.5% 2.6% Germany [+] December 2024 2.6% 2.6% France [+] January 2025 1.4% -0.1% Japan [+] December 2024 3.7% 3.7% Spain [+] January 2025 3.0% 0.2% Italy [+] January 2025 1.5% 0.6% Portugal [+] December 2024 3.0% 3.0% Greece [+] December 2024 2.6% 2.6% Ireland [+] December 2024 1.4% 1.4% Andorra [+] December 2024 2.6% 2.6% Armenia [+] December 2024 0.3% 1.5% Angola [+] December 2024 27.5% 27.5% Argentina [+] December 2024 117.8% 117.8% Austria [+] December 2024 2.0%…
Asia-pacific office market faces headwinds The Asia-Pacific office market experienced a challenging year in 2024, with prime rents resuming their decline after a brief period of stability. Global consultancy Knight Frank’s Asia-Pacific Prime Office Rental Index for Q4 2024 shows a 1.6 percent drop in prime office rents over the full year, an improvement from the 2.4 percent decrease observed in 2023. Despite the overall trend of declining prime rents in Asia-Pacific, 16 out of 23 monitored cities reported stable or increasing rents year-on-year, with Australian cities and Japan showing particular resilience. Australian markets are projected to see some of…
Ships for America In early February, for the past 30 years, New York’s shipping elite have gathered at what is known as the “HACC NACC” event, a one-day conference arranged jointly by the Hellenic American and Norwegian American Chambers of Commerce. Not surprisingly, matters related to National Security and Economic Protectionism dominated the 202 program- titled “Staying Afloat in a Dangerous World”. The tone for the day was set by the Keynote Address Senator Mark Kelly (Democrat – Arizona), delivered virtually due to “a lot of things going on in Washington DC”, in the words of Dan Tadros, Chief Operating…
Tea production falls amid bad weather After a record high output in 2023, the country’s tea production declined last year because of unfavourable weather conditions and tea estates opting for quality improvement to secure better rates. Tea production stood at 9.30 crore kilogrammes in 2024, down from 10.2 crore kilogrammes the previous year, according to the Bangladesh Tea Board (BTB). Pijush Dutta, a member of research and development at the BTB, said the decline was mainly due to erratic rainfall last year, which made weather conditions unsuitable for tea cultivation. The tea industry in Bangladesh dates back 184 years. Most…
Matthew Boulton; a success story of entrepreneur Matthew Boulton was a pioneer in manufacturing, he was far from wealthy; his father was a toy maker at the time of his birth. Matthew attended a local school and upon leaving; he joined his father’s business. At the age of 21yrs Matthew married Mary Robinson the daughter of a wealthy Mercer (Mercer; a silk, linen and fustian textile merchant). Eventually he took charge of his father’s business (1757) When his father died, he later gained interest in precious metals; leaving behind the toy trade altogether. With a new trade under his belt…
Govt’s measures, initiatives to combat hazardous pollution levels in Lahore, other districts Government officials in Pakistan acknowledge that the country faces a severe air pollution crisis, with some urban areas enduring hazardous pollution levels year-round. Children are particularly vulnerable to air and water pollution, which can lead to lifelong health issues, including diseases, disabilities, cognitive impairments, and even death. In highly urbanized cities like Lahore, Karachi, and Peshawar, over a million people face an elevated risk of premature mortality due to air pollution. The United Nations has warned that highly polluted air in Pakistan’s most populous province, Punjab, is posing…
OECD and FAO predict 13% rise in global cereal production by 2027 to meet population demand No doubt, agriculture can help reduce poverty, raise incomes and improve food security for 80 per cent of the world’s poor, who live in rural areas and work mainly in farming. The World Bank Group is a leading financier of agriculture. Agricultural development is one of the most powerful tools to end extreme poverty, boost shared prosperity, and feed a projected 10 billion people by 2050. An increase in the population creates more demand for food. According to the Agricultural Outlook by the Organization…
World Hunger By The Numbers 1. The world produces enough food to feed all of its 8 billion people, yet 733 million people (1 in 11) go hungry every day. 2. Hunger rates in Africa are especially high, with 1 out of 5 people going hungry each day. 3. 2.8 billion people around the world cannot afford a healthy diet — 35% of the global population. 4. In low-income countries, 71.5% of people cannot afford a healthy diet. In high-income countries, that figure drops to 6.3%. 5. According to the 2024 Global Hunger Index, hunger levels are ranked Serious in…
Market indicators are a series of technical indicators used by traders to predict the direction of the major financial indexes. Most market indicators are created by analyzing the number of companies that have reached new highs relative to the number that created new lows, also known as market breadth. FINANCIAL MARKET IN PAKISTAN Pakistan: Currency Rate As Per Open Market (Jan 17, 2025) Currency Symbol Buying Selling Australian Dollar AUD 173.75 176 Bahrain Dinar BHD 739.1 747.1 Canadian Dollar CAD 195.6 198 China Yuan CNY 37.59 37.99 Danish Krone DKK 37.97 38.37 Euro EUR 287.75 290.5 Hong Kong Dollar HKD…
Most Gulf markets gain on hopes of fed rate cut Most stock markets in the Gulf rose in early trade on Thursday, as softer US core inflation data maintained the possibility of future interest rate reductions by the Federal Reserve. Data showed on Wednesday the US consumer price index (CPI) rose 2.9 percent year on year in December, meeting expectations, while core inflation increased by 3.2 percent, marginally below the predicted 3.3 percent. Investors drew encouragement from the inflation data, which was further bolstered by Tuesday’s release of US producer price data showing moderate growth in December. Monetary policy in…
Stock Market Indexes Details Date Level Ch. This Week ch. Mon. ch. Ann. ch. YTD HANG SENG [+] 01/16/2025 19,522.89 1.23% 2.41% -1.38% 23.05% -2.68% BUX [+] 01/16/2025 84,091.42 0.19% 2.85% 5.48% 32.86% 6.01% ICEX [+] 01/16/2025 2,457.13 1.04% 0.19% 4.59% 12.12% 2.86% NIFTY [+] 01/16/2025 23,350.50 0.53% -0.35% -5.27% 5.98% -1.35% JCI Jakarta [+] 01/16/2025 7,107.52 0.39% 0.26% -2.08% -1.87% 0.39% TA-35 [+] 01/16/2025 2,525.39 0.41% 3.07% 7.72% 38.40% 5.45% ASE Amman [+] 01/16/2025 2,625.13 0.47% 1.51% 8.06% 6.20% 5.48% KASE [+] 01/16/2025 5,759.54 -0.22% -0.30% 3.69% 32.28% 3.25% KSW Kuwait [+] 01/15/2025 8,009.66 0.07% 0.46% 2.22% 0.28% 2.18%…
CPI Countries Countries Date CPI Interannual Accum. since January United States [+] December 2024 2.9% 2.9% United Kingdom [+] December 2024 2.5% 2.6% Germany [+] December 2024 2.6% 2.6% France [+] December 2024 1.4% 1.4% Japan [+] November 2024 2.9% 3.0% Spain [+] December 2024 2.8% 2.8% Italy [+] December 2024 1.3% 1.3% Portugal [+] December 2024 3.0% 3.0% Greece [+] December 2024 2.6% 2.6% Ireland [+] November 2024 1.0% 0.5% Andorra [+] December 2024 2.6% 2.6% Armenia [+] December 2024 0.3% 1.5% Angola [+] December 2024 27.5% 27.5% Argentina [+] December 2024 117.8% 117.8% Austria [+] November 2024 1.9%…
In some economies, international studies analyzed, such as Australia and Japan, what spending growth there was in 2024 was almost entirely due to inflation. In 2025, battered consumers will be more likely to open their wallets as inflation continues to come down in response to the recent interest rate hike cycle. The rebound will only be moderate, however: The high level of prices will still register strongly in consumer psyches, even if the rate of inflation drops. Inflation will notably ease in the Philippines and India, as long as the good harvests that are expected materialize. This will have the…
In Venezuela false flag shadow tanker detained The Maritime Authority in Guyana is confirming media reports that a tanker being detained in Venezuela was flying a false flag and not legitimately linked to Guyana. The Venezuelan military authorities reportedly detained the vessel over the weekend for sailing in the country’s waters without permission. According to the Venezuelan newspaper Ultimas Noticias, the incident occurred on January 12 at the port of Guamache on Margarita Island, which sits about 25 miles off the coast of Venezuela. The authorities inspected the vessel and ordered the detention claiming the vessel was “not authorized to…
Global oil demand Global oil demand rose seasonally in 4Q24, posting robust annual growth of 1.5 mb/d – the strongest level since 4Q23 and 260 kb/d higher than our previous forecast. Lower fuel prices, colder weather across the Northern Hemisphere and abundant petrochemical feedstocks all combined to boost consumption. Annual growth is now assessed at 940 kb/d for 2024, accelerating to 1.05 mb/d in 2025 as the economic outlook improves marginally. China makes major breakthroughs in minerals related The Ministry of Natural Resources announced on Tuesday that driven by a new round of strategic initiatives aimed at breakthroughs in mineral…
Powerful emotional speech by bill gates Truly speaking, success is everyone’s mission. Life is full of challenges and opportunities, but only for those who actually struggle to grab the opportunities and overcome the challenges. Hard work and dedication are required in the journey to success. Without being passionate and the willingness to work hard, no one can achieve success. There can be several occasions when you may have to deliver Speech on Success in your life such as School, College and University levels. Title: ‘There Is More To Life Than Work’: Bill Gates Delivers Emotional Message To Graduates About Learning…
IEA projects solar PV to become the world’s largest electricity source, reaching 4.7 terawatts by 2050 Women represent 40% of the solar PV workforce, significantly higher than other renewable and energy sectors According to the International Energy Agency (IEA), renewable capacity will meet 35 per cent of global power generation by 2025. The IEA foresees solar PV to reach 4.7 terawatts (4,674 GW) by 2050 in its high-renewable scenario, of which greater than half will be deployed in China and India, making solar power the world’s largest source of electricity. This growth is expected to continue, with IEA projecting that…
Global FDI rebounded to $802 billion in early 2024 but fell 36% in the second quarter For both the developing and developed countries, the significance of foreign direct investment (FDI) flows is well documented in literature. Over the last decade foreign direct investment grew at least twice as rapidly as trade. As there is shortage of capital in the developing countries, which need capital for their development process, the marginal productivity of capital is higher in these countries. On the other hand investors in the developed world seek high returns for their capital. Hence there is a mutual benefit in…
Pakistan: Net FDI ($ Million) Country 2017-18 2018-19 2019-20 2020-21 2021-22 2022-23 2023-24 2024-25 (Jul-Nov) China 1,311.90 130.8 846.6 751.6 531.6 432.2 568.2 468.9 UK 304.6 185 119.1 141 31.8 65 268.2 113 USA 161.7 88.1 99.2 166.4 249.6 89.3 137.3 42.9 Hong Kong 183.6 171 190.7 157.2 137.7 101 358.5 115.7 Switzerland 78.5 21.2 62.8 61.7 146.2 134 28.7 66.6 U.A.E. -4.4 103.7 -44 115.7 143.9 180.1 87.3 47.7 Italy 56.6 51.9 57.4 36.3 34.8 8.6 1.9 -0.8 Netherlands 100.3 69 133.2 96.9 104.1 71.9 71 40.4 Austria 27.4 7.6 3.8 1 0 -0.3 -1.7 -0.5 Japan 59.8 117.3…
Market indicators are a series of technical indicators used by traders to predict the direction of the major financial indexes. Most market indicators are created by analyzing the number of companies that have reached new highs relative to the number that created new lows, also known as market breadth. FINANCIAL MARKET IN PAKISTAN Pakistan: Currency Rate As Per Open Market (Jan 08 2025) Currency Symbol Buying Selling Australian Dollar AUD 174.25 176.5 Bahrain Dinar BHD 736.85 744.85 Canadian Dollar CAD 195.1 197.5 China Yuan CNY 37.97 38.37 Danish Krone DKK 38.08 38.48 Euro EUR 289.5 292.25 Hong Kong Dollar HKD…
Most Gulf bourses ease on US rate viewpoint Most Gulf stock markets were subdued in early trade on Wednesday, in line with Asian shares, as traders wagered the US Federal Reserve will likely be slow in cutting interest rates after data showed the US economy remained stable. Investor focus in 2025 will likely be on shifting US rate expectations, the growing divergence in policy path between US and other economies and the threat of tariffs once President-elect Donald Trump steps into the White House on Jan. 20. The Fed in December projected just two rate cuts for 2025, lower than…
Stock Market Indexes Details Date Level Ch. This Week ch. Mon. ch. Ann. ch. YTD CSE [+] 12/31/2025 215.37 -0.52% -0.52% -0.52% 0.62% 0.62% PX [+] 12/30/2025 1,760.17 -0.87% -0.87% -0.87% 0 0 OMXC20 [+] 12/30/2025 2,102.38 1.50% 1.50% 1.50% 0 0 EGX30 [+] 12/31/2025 29,740.58 -0.63% -0.63% -0.63% 0 0 OMX Tallinn [+] 12/30/2025 1,733.00 -2.27% -2.27% -2.27% 0 0 SPX Fiji [+] 01/08/2025 9,182.11 0 -0.65% 2.29% 6.55% -0.73% OMX25 [+] 12/30/2025 4,315.87 -2.48% -2.48% -2.48% 0 0 GSE Ghana [+] 01/02/2025 4,888.53 0 0 4.14% 56.17% 0 HANG SENG [+] 12/31/2025 20,059.95 4.18% 4.18% 4.18% 0 0…
CPI Countries Countries Date CPI Interannual Accum. since January United States [+] November 2024 2.8% 2.9% United Kingdom [+] November 2024 2.6% 2.2% Germany [+] November 2024 2.2% 2.1% France [+] November 2024 1.3% 1.2% Japan [+] November 2024 2.9% 3.0% Spain [+] December 2024 2.8% 2.8% Italy [+] November 2024 1.4% 1.3% Portugal [+] November 2024 2.5% 2.9% Greece [+] November 2024 2.4% 2.5% Ireland [+] November 2024 1.0% 0.5% Andorra [+] November 2024 2.3% 2.4% Armenia [+] November 2024 0.2% 0.4% Angola [+] November 2024 28.4% 25.4% Argentina [+] November 2024 166.0% 112.0% Austria [+] November 2024 1.9%…
Asia-Pacific exports to rise up to 3.5pc Merchandise exports in the Asia-Pacific region are expected to grow by up to 3.5percent in 2025 despite a slower recovery in major economies and potential trade tensions, the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP) reported. “Significant uncertainties, including slower-than-expected recovery in major economies and potential trade tensions, dampen growth prospects in 2025 compared to 2024 levels,” ESCAP said on Monday. “Given these risks, ESCAP projects real merchandise exports in the region to grow between 2.7percent and 3.5percent in 2025, with developing economies experiencing more modest growth than…
Seafarer lost overboard in the Philippines A seafarer working aboard a bulker that was bound for Australia is missing overboard from his ship. Mining giant Rio Tinto confirmed the reports before its vessel the RTM Zheng He (205,400 dwt) arrived in Australia. The company issued a statement detailing the efforts while reporting its thoughts were with the family, friends, and colleagues. The Philippine Coast Guard received a report of a missing seafarer on December 26 from the Singapore-registered bulker which is managed for Rio Tinto by Anglo Eastern. The vessel departed China on December 18 and is due to arrive…
FAO food price index dips in December The benchmark for world food commodity prices declined in December compared to the previous month, led down by a drop in international sugar quotations, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) reported Friday. The FAO Food Price Index, which tracks monthly changes in the international prices of a set of globally-traded food commodities, averaged 127.0 points in December, down 0.5 percent from November and up 6.7 percent from December 2023. For 2024 as a whole, the index recorded 122.0 points, 2.1 percent lower than the average value in 2023, offsetting…
Reservation of Authority There must be a kind of “supremacy clause” reserving to central management the decisions that affect the business as a whole and its long-range future welfare. Top management in a decentralized company must think through carefully what decisions it reserves for itself. For there are decisions that have to do with the entire company, its integrity, and its future. These decisions can be made only by somebody who sees the whole and is responsible for the whole. Specifically, there must be three reserved areas if the business is to remain a whole rather than splinter into fragments.…
Asia Pacific leads global seafood market growth as Pakistan eyes GCC expansion through digitisation International experts analysed that in the world seafood consumption has consistently increased over the past years. The improvement of living standards in developing countries like China, India, Brazil, and South Africa, and the health consciousness of some developed countries have contributed to this increase in consumption. The progress of globalisation and the increased interest in health consciousness in recent years can cause drastic changes in fish consumption. Various consumers worldwide following pescatarian lifestyle, where they consume fish along with a vegetarian diet owing to health-related factors.…
Government injects Rs20 billion into livestock to boost economy and food security Sources recorded that the Government of Pakistan is investing Rs20 billion in livestock development projects. These include the launch of a ‘Livestock Farmer Card’ and a broad strategy to control and prevent livestock diseases. A main goal of this initiative is to ensure the export of disease-free meat, with a target of breeding 400,000 calves to strengthen not just the livestock sector as its growth will help boost economy and food security. Pakistan: Estimated Livestock Population (million numbers) Species 2021-221 2022-231 2023-241 Cattle 53.4 55.5 57.5 Buffalo 43.7…
GDP of Pakistan (at constant basic prices of 2015-16) (Rs. Million) Sector/Industry 2020-21 2021-22 2022-23 2023-24 GDP Growth Rate (%) 5.77 6.18 -0.22 2.52 A. Agriculture, Forestry and Fishing (1 to 4 ) 8,424,041 8,778,647 8,973,643 9,544,428 1. Crops ( i+ii+iii) 2,849,148 3,083,439 3,047,425 3,360,648 i) Important Crops 1,593,985 1,681,708 1,689,304 1,976,769 ii) Other Crops 1,152,009 1,289,069 1,271,187 1,255,888 iii) Cotton Ginning 103,154 112,662 86,934 127,991 2. Livestock 5,269,009 5,387,611 5,587,106 5,837,086 3. Forestry 183,877 185,162 215,946 222,532 4. Fishing 122,007 122,435 123,166 124,162 B. Industrial Activities ( 1 to 4 ) 6,935,438 7,421,583 7,146,648 7,064,694 1. Mining and Quarrying…
Market indicators are a series of technical indicators used by traders to predict the direction of the major financial indexes. Most market indicators are created by analyzing the number of companies that have reached new highs relative to the number that created new lows, also known as market breadth. FINANCIAL MARKET IN PAKISTAN Pakistan: Currency Rate As Per Open Market (Dec 20, 2024) Currency Symbol Buying Selling Australian Dollar AUD 173.75 176 Bahrain Dinar BHD 734.95 742.95 Canadian Dollar CAD 194.42 196.82 China Yuan CNY 37.99 38.39 Danish Krone DKK 39.15 39.55 Euro EUR 286.45 289.2 Hong Kong Dollar HKD…
Most Gulf shares join worldwide fall Most stock markets in the Gulf tracked global equities lower on Thursday after the U.S. Federal Reserve signaled a slower pace of rate cuts in the coming year. Barring Kuwait, all central banks of the Gulf Cooperation Council cut key interest rates on Wednesday, following the Federal Reserve’s decision to reduce U.S. rates by a quarter of a percentage point. The Fed cut interest rates as expected, but Powell’s explicit references to the need for caution from here on sent markets into a tailspin. Saudi Arabia’s benchmark stock index slipped 0.6 percent, pressured by…
Stock Market Indexes Details Date Level Ch. This Week ch. Mon. ch. Ann. ch. YTD KASE [+] 12/19/2024 5,508.25 -0.69% -0.83% 1.45% 32.68% 31.54% KSW Kuwait [+] 12/18/2024 7,802.42 0.07% -0.42% -0.63% 5.00% 4.35% KSE Kyrgyz [+] 12/19/2024 4,013.14 -0.99% 0.04% 3.72% 51.17% 49.57% LSX Index [+] 12/19/2024 1,136.16 0.20% -0.16% 3.48% 5.60% 5.26% OMX Riga [+] 12/19/2024 863.88 -0.19% -0.84% -1.51% -33.88% -25.06% OMX Vilnius [+] 12/19/2024 1,063.81 -0.46% 0.48% 1.89% 12.61% 12.32% LuxX [+] 12/18/2024 1,309.58 -0.10% -2.07% -2.57% -11.94% -14.10% FBMKLCI [+] 12/19/2024 1,600.09 0.03% -0.54% -0.14% 9.17% 6.99% MSE Malta [+] 12/18/2024 3,781.55 0.18% 0.89% -0.33%…
CPI Countries Countries Date CPI Interannual Accum. since January United States [+] November 2024 2.8% 2.9% United Kingdom [+] November 2024 2.6% 2.2% Germany [+] November 2024 2.2% 2.1% France [+] November 2024 1.3% 1.2% Japan [+] October 2024 2.2% 2.5% Spain [+] November 2024 2.4% 2.4% Italy [+] November 2024 1.4% 1.3% Portugal [+] November 2024 2.5% 2.9% Greece [+] November 2024 2.4% 2.5% Ireland [+] November 2024 1.0% 0.5% Andorra [+] November 2024 2.3% 2.4% Armenia [+] November 2024 0.2% 0.4% Angola [+] November 2024 28.4% 25.4% Argentina [+] November 2024 166.0% 112.0% Austria [+] October 2024 1.8%…
Sri Lanka’s economy grew 5.5pc in 3q Sri Lanka’s economy grew 5.5 percent year-on-year in the third quarter, official data showed on Tuesday as the country posted a strong rebound from its worst financial crisis in decades. Sri Lanka’s agriculture sector grew 3 percent in July-September from a year earlier, industrial output expanded by 10.8 percent and services grew by 2.6 percent, Sri Lanka’s Census and Statistics Department said in a statement. Struck by a severe dollar shortfall, the economy went into freefall in 2022, contracting 7.3 percent as it grappled with soaring inflation, a sharply weaker currency and a…
Shandong port intriducing direct South East Africa service Running on a weekly basis, the new route adds a “safe and fast” maritime shipping alternative between China and Africa, said COSCO Shipping Specialized Carriers. Departing from Qingdao, the maiden voyage will arrive at Dar es Salaam port in Tanzania in about 20 days. Africa is a major partner in China’s Belt and Road Initiatives. COSCO Shipping Specialized Carriers has transported around 14m revenue tons cargos for Belt and Road Initiatives in 2024. The opening of the new service will make Qingdao a hub port for COSCO Shipping Specialized Carriers’ business development…
Major report joins dots between world’s nature issues Climate change, nature loss and food insecurity are all inextricably linked and dealing with them as separate issues won’t work, a major report has warned. The review of scientific evidence by the Intergovernmental Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES) found governments are underestimating or ignoring the links between five key areas – biodiversity, water, food, health and climate change. This “siloed” approach has unintended consequences, such as damaging biodiversity through tree-planting schemes, or polluting rivers while ramping up food production, the report said. The latest assessment was approved by almost 150…
The right Organization The only things that evolve by themselves in an organization are disorder, friction, mal performance. The pioneers of management a century ago were right: organizational structure is needed. The modern enterprise needs organization. But the pioneers were wrong in their assumption that there is – or should be – one right organization. Instead of searching for the right organization, management needs to learn to look for, to develop, to test, the organization that fits the task. There are some “principles” of organization. One is that organization has to be transparent. People have to know and have to…
International experts emphasise that while economic growth is crucial for development, it alone is not enough to improve prosperity or alleviate poverty. In recent years, social protection has gained significance as a vital tool in poverty reduction, with increased investments in low- and middle-income countries. Pakistan stands out among developing nations by enshrining social security as a fundamental right in its Constitution. Article 38 mandates the state to ensure social security, housing, food, healthcare, clothing, and education for all citizens, without discrimination based on caste, race, creed, or gender. Human Development Index With Components Country/ Region HDI Rank Human Development…
Innovation, stability, and FDI lead regional economic leadership Researchers analysed that UAE has been famous among all comity of the world because of its generous humanitarian assistance, stability, tolerance, innovation, vision for better health and education. As per the Institution of International Finance (IIF) projected that the UAE economy will grow 4.0 per cent in 2024 and 5.1 per cent in 2025, the highest among all GCC countries. In 2023, the Emirates’ GDP grew by 3.6 per cent, the fastest among Gulf countries. The country’s non-oil GDP growth will moderate in 2024 and 2025 following a growth of 6.2 per…
Pakistan: KSE-100 Index Months 2022-23 Months 2023-24 KSE 100 index Total Market Capitalization (Rs billion) Turnover in shares (billion) KSE 100 index Total Market Capitalization (Rs billion) Turnover in shares (billion) Jul-22 40,150.36 6,771.94 2.62 Jul-23 48,034.60 7,231.76 7.68 Aug-22 42,351.15 7,034.96 6.86 Aug-23 45,002.42 6,715.88 6.54 Sep-22 41,128.67 6,782.04 3.84 Sep-23 46,232.59 6,885.57 3.20 Oct-22 41,264.66 6,663.36 5.81 Oct-23 51,920.27 7,551.77 7.93 Nov-22 42,348.63 6,768.15 4.28 Nov-23 60,531.27 8,729.52 13.74 Dec-22 40,420.45 6,500.83 3.99 Dec-23 62,451.04 9,062.90 20.61 Jan-23 40,673.06 6,394.03 3.89 Jan-24 61,979.18 9,073.76 11.29 Feb-23 40,510.37 6,272.51 3.52 Feb-24 64,578.52 9,225.16 6.64 Mar-23 40,000.83 6,108.17 3.67 Mar-24…
Market indicators are a series of technical indicators used by traders to predict the direction of the major financial indexes. Most market indicators are created by analyzing the number of companies that have reached new highs relative to the number that created new lows, also known as market breadth. FINANCIAL MARKET IN PAKISTAN Pakistan: Currency Rate As Per Open Market ( Dec 06 2024) Currency Symbol Buying Selling Australian Dollar AUD 179 181.25 Bahrain Dinar BHD 733.95 741.95 Canadian Dollar CAD 198.1 200.5 China Yuan CNY 37.99 38.39 Danish Krone DKK 39.15 39.55 Euro EUR 291.55 294.3 Hong Kong Dollar…
Most Gulf markets gain Most stock markets in the Gulf ended higher on Thursday, helped by investor confidence in a U.S. interest rate cut and a potential delay in OPEC+’s planned output increase. Markets currently see a 74 percent chance of a 25-basis-point rate cut this month, according to the CME Group’s FedWatch Tool. Market’s attention is likely to shift to the U.S. payrolls report on Friday, followed by inflation data for November expected next week. The Fed’s decisions impact the Gulf region’s monetary policy, as most currencies in the region are pegged to the U.S. dollar. Saudi Arabia’s benchmark…
Stock Market Indexes Details Date Level Ch. This Week ch. Mon. ch. Ann. ch. YTD CROBEX [+] 12/05/2024 3,153.51 0.55% -0.26% 3.32% 27.80% 24.45% CSE [+] 12/04/2024 210.75 0.30% 0.26% 8.70% 57.30% 135.34% PX [+] 12/04/2024 1,700.95 -0.39% 1.12% 2.86% 21.72% 20.29% OMXC20 [+] 12/05/2024 2,411.89 -0.64% 1.09% 1.30% 8.72% 5.62% EGX30 [+] 12/02/2024 30,525.32 0.09% 0.09% -0.43% 23.41% 22.62% OMX Tallinn [+] 12/06/2024 1,716.21 0.07% 1.12% -1.32% -1.62% -2.86% SPX Fiji [+] 12/06/2024 8,976.73 0 -0.35% -1.60% 4.84% 4.24% OMX25 [+] 12/05/2024 4,432.54 0.47% 2.26% -1.49% 1.95% -1.85% GSE Ghana [+] 12/04/2024 4,726.37 0.45% 0.68% 4.06% 50.08% 50.99% HANG…
CPI Countries Countries Date CPI Interannual Accum. since January United States [+] October 2024 2.6% 2.9% United Kingdom [+] October 2024 2.3% 2.1% Germany [+] October 2024 2.0% 2.4% France [+] November 2024 1.3% 1.2% Japan [+] October 2024 2.2% 2.5% Spain [+] November 2024 2.4% 2.4% Italy [+] November 2024 1.4% 1.3% Portugal [+] October 2024 2.3% 3.1% Greece [+] October 2024 2.4% 2.8% Ireland [+] October 2024 0.7% 1.0% Andorra [+] October 2024 1.8% 2.3% Armenia [+] October 2024 0.0% -0.8% Angola [+] October 2024 29.2% 23.4% Argentina [+] October 2024 193.0% 107.0% Austria [+] October 2024 1.8%…
In Bangladesh an anatomy of the current economic situation The economy of Bangladesh is at such a critical juncture, struggling with both long-standing structural problems and newly emerging issues. Though exports and remittances have shown improvement in recent times, continuing macroeconomic instability, high inflation, and political unrest continue to shake the prospects for sustainable growth and recovery. These imperative challenges now require well-coordinated strategies and overall reform initiatives that will stabilise the economy on the pathway of resilient and sustainable growth. Despite the expected recovery, the incidence of macroeconomic instability remains high, denting confidence. Inflation is still at a high…
Spanish police make two cocaine busts Spanish authorities are reporting that they have made a second cocaine seizure as they continue to search the containers coming off a vessel that two weeks ago was found to be transporting cocaine into Spain. The investigation is ongoing into the vessel and its possible role in the smuggling while local government officials called it an “important finding” in the ongoing war on smuggling. The incident started in mid-November when a Turkish-owned and managed containership Izmit Express (37,000 dwt) was inbound into Spain on a run from Colombia and Panama. The vessel which was…
Oil slightly firmer ahead of OPEC+ supply plan Oil prices were mostly stable on Thursday ahead of an OPEC+ meeting later in the day, with investors waiting to see what the producer group would do next on supply cuts while also monitoring geopolitical tension in the Middle East. Brent crude futures rose 5 cents, or 0.07 percent, to $72.36 a barrel by 0730 GMT, while U.S. crude futures were at $68.60 a barrel, up 6 cents, or 0.09 percent. Both benchmarks fell nearly 2 percent on Wednesday. A single bank sold a large volume of U.S. oil futures contracts in…
The right Organization The only things that evolve by themselves in an organization are disorder, friction, mal performance. The pioneers of management a century ago were right: organizational structure is needed. The modern enterprise needs organization. But the pioneers were wrong in their assumption that there is – or should be – one right organization. Instead of searching for the right organization, management needs to learn to look for, to develop, to test, the organization that fits the task. There are some “principles” of organization. One is that organization has to be transparent. People have to know and have to…
The World Bank noted that remittances surpassed foreign direct investment (FDI) and official development assistance (ODA) last year. Remittances to LMICs are expected to grow at a faster rate of 2.3 percent in 2024, although this growth will be uneven across regions. In 2023, international statistics revealed that the Remittances to East Asia and Pacific, excluding China, increased by 4.8 percent to $85 billion. Remittances are crucial for Pacific Island economies like Palau, Samoa, Tonga, and Vanuatu. Notably, Tonga was the most dependent worldwide, with remittances amounting to 41 percent as a share of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP). Excluding…
In the world, education is undeniably crucial for shaping individuals and societies in contemporary times. It is the cornerstone for social advancement, personal development, and economic prosperity. Education goes beyond mere knowledge acquisition; it focuses on critical thinking abilities and practical skills that are essential for navigating life’s multifaceted issues. In developing countries like Pakistan, the Government of Pakistan is committed to putting concerted attempts and substantial resources into aligning the country’s educational standards with its regional counterparts. Our country faces various challenges in the education system of Pakistan but the main challenge is academic dishonesty. Unluckily it is a…
Pakistan loses 40% of crops post-harvest, needs urgent policy reforms According to the ‘Food Waste Index Report 2024’ issued through the UN Environment Programme, a staggering 1.05 billion tonnes of food were wasted last year. Shockingly, this accounts for approximately 20 per cent of all food available to consumers. Food waste beyond the ethical dilemma, contributes significantly to 8-10 per cent of global greenhouse gas emissions — almost 5.0 times greater than the aviation sector. The environmental toll is further compounded by the biodiversity loss caused by food production that never reaches consumers. Economically, food waste costs the worldwide economy…
In revolutionising the world, sources recorded that Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) have played a key role, making it truly a Global Village within the last decade. In the world the innovation in ICTs is redefining the dimension of socio-economic development, resulting in commercial, economic, cultural, and social opportunities for users of Cyberspace. This unprecedented growth has ushered in a new era, marked by easy and low-cost access to highly interconnected networks in the world. With the developments in the ICTs, and reliance on broadband infrastructure in particular, the Internet has taken a centre stage in today’s modern world. The…
As per the Government of Pakistan officials, energy is inarguably one of the most important inputs for economic growth that can sustain industrial and commercial activities. The energy sector has progressed since 2013 in terms of power generation and reducing power outages. The initiation of China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) power projects has addressed historical gaps in electricity production and enhanced the reliability of the supply chain. However, the reliance on imported and costly fossil fuels for electricity generation underscores the need for a shift in the fuel mix. The government is taking steps towards meeting its energy demand and reducing…
International statistics showed that the global trade growth in the first quarter of 2024 was primarily driven by increased exports from China (9%), India (7 percent) and the US (3 percent). Conversely, Europe’s exports showed no growth and Africa’s exports decreased by 5 percent. Trade in developing countries and South-South trade increased by about 2 percent in both imports and exports during the first quarter. Exports Of Pakistan S.No. Commodities %Change for value in million Rupees in September, 2024 over August, 2024 September, 2023 1 Knitwear -3.25 21.08 2 Readymade garments -6.88 26.19 3 Bed wear -0.18 16.64 4 Cotton…
Cars, trucks, buses, and jeeps see major boost; IMC records 47pc production growth last year According to the car sales statistics announced through the Pakistan Automotive Manufacturers Association (PAMA) presently, sales of trucks and buses surged by 82 per cent to 1,074 units and by 66.4 per cent to 203 units respectively. Sales of jeeps and pick-ups went up by 60 per cent to 10,068 units, while two and three-wheeler sales increased by 23.4 per cent to 457,880 units as usual. However, once again, tractor sales declined prey to a significant fall by 59.9 per cent, to 6,939 units, despite…
The country’s textile secure 54.5pc of exports, as garments, bedwear and knitwear lead an impressive export growth According to a government report, textiles are Pakistan’s most important manufacturing sector. This industry has the longest production chain, with potential for value addition at every stage — from cotton processing to ginning, spinning, fabric production, dyeing and finishing, to the final made-ups and garments. The textile sector contributes nearly a quarter of the country’s industrial value-added and employs about 40 per cent of the industrial labour force. Excluding seasonal and cyclical fluctuations, textile products have maintained an average share of approximately 54.5…
In Pakistan, economic and business exhibitions play an important role in driving economic growth. These events serve as hubs for networking, business expansion, showcasing innovation, and attracting foreign investment, which are all crucial to economic development. In present years, exhibitions in Pakistan have seen increased interest and participation across sectors like technology, International Defence Exhibition and Seminar (IDEAS), agriculture, textiles, energy, and consumer goods, contributing to various growth aspects of the economy. Presently statistics showed that IMF has projected GDP growth rate for Pakistan at 3.2 percent for 2025 against 2.4 percent in 2024. Pakistan’s economy continues to face significant…
International experts noted that effective decision-making is an integral part of our daily lives, affecting business, individuals, and governments. It involves choosing among alternatives to attain specific outcomes and goals. In Pakistan it is crucial for business growth in Pakistan, where businesses face unique problems like economic and regulatory uncertainty, and rapidly changing market situations. Sound decisions not only enable firms to navigate these problems but also position them for sustainable growth, innovation, and competitiveness. By adopting data-driven, innovative, and strategic methods, businesses can position themselves for sustained success in both international and domestic markets. As per the government of…