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Document Type

Conference Paper

Publication Date

4-17-2007

Conference Name

IPRI-RUSI Conference on “Pakistan: Strategic Challenges & Prospects”

Conference Location

London

Conference Dates

April, 17 2007

Series

Faculty Research - Book Chapters and Conference Papers

First Page

1

Last Page

16

Keywords

Economic developments, Future growth, Pakistan

Abstract / Description

Most of the news emanating about Pakistan in the Western media relate to terrorism, bomb blasts, Islamic fundamentalism, nuclear non proliferation, military rule etc. Seldom does one see a positive story appearing about Pakistan’s remarkable economic turnaround. But the fact of the matter is that despite such negative image Pakistan is one of the favored destinations for foreign direct investment. Foreign direct investment flows have surged by 95 percent during July – February 2007 and are expected to touch $ 5 billion or 3.5 percent of GDP – several times higher than FDI flows to our large neighbor in relative terms. Pakistan’s international bond issues and equity floatations through GDRs have been consistently oversubscribed and are priced at fine margins. Standard Chartered Bank has made acquisition of a domestic private bank for around half a billion dollars. China Mobile – the largest mobile company in terms of subscriber base – has bought out majority shareholding in one of the local cellular phone companies for over $ 400 millions. Philip and Morris has entered into an agreement to purchase 50.2 percent shares of the second largest Cigarettes Manufacturing Company of Pakistan for US 339 million. A number of other similar mergers and acquisitions are in the pipeline.

Included in

Economics Commons

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