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Current Economic Situation of Pakistan
Current Economic Situation of Pakistan
Name: Class: Subject: Topic: DATE: NAUROZ KHAN B.B.A 4th BUSINESS FINANCE CURRENT ECONOMIC SITUATION OF PAKISTAN 17, AUGUST, 2009
Introduction
Pakistan economic environment is affected by intensification of war on terror and deepening of the global financial crisis which penetrated into domestic economy through the route of substantial decline in Pakistans exports and a visible slowdown in foreign direct inflows. Pakistan economy continues to remain exposed to the vagaries of international developments as well as internal security environment. The intensity of the global financial crisis has further added to Pakistan predicament. Despite support from the IMF and other bilateral and multilateral donors, Pakistan external account remains exposed to a host of uncertainties.
Agriculture
In spite of structural shift towards industrialization, agriculture sector is still the largest sector of the economy with deep impact on socio-economic set up. It is the source of the livelihood of almost 44.7 percent of the total employed labor force in the country. With the present contribution to GDP at 21.8 percent, agriculture sector is the mainstay of the rural economy around which socio-economic privileges and deprivations resolve.
Manufacturing
The manufacturing being the second largest sector of the economy bears significant importance 18.4 percent contribution to GDP. Overall manufacturing sector posted a negative growth rate of 3.3 percent during the current fiscal year against the target of 6.1 percent and 4.8 percent of last year. However, production in large scale manufacturing during July-Mar 2008-09 witnessed a broad-based decline of 7.7 percent against the revised growth target of negative 5.0 percent.
Fiscal Development
The main objective of Pakistan fiscal policy is sustained economic growth in unison with decline debt services, poverty alleviation, the creation of job opportunities and investment in physical and human infrastructure. It is unfortunate that fiscal space available during the last seven years (2000-2007) was not used to provide support to structural reform; instead, painful structural reforms were delayed. The current government decrease the 20 percent governmental expenses.
Capital Markets
Financial markets perform a key function in the form of intermediation by mobilizing savings from a large pool of small savers and channelizing these funds into productive investments by a generally much smaller number of borrowers. Trading in securities enables a match between the differing maturity preferences of lenders and borrowers. Stock markets also potentially endorse broad-basing of ownership of financial assets and the reallocation of funds among corporations and sectors. Moreover, a developed bond market helps in providing liquidity to domestic growth and credit expansion. (In 30 Jun 2008 the index rate of KSE was 12,289.03 and on 15 May 2009 it was 7,177.64).
Inflation
The rate of inflation is an important macroeconomic indicator and one of the key variables most central banks around the world scrutinize when setting their main policy rate. Pakistan is one of only a handful of countries that is still experiencing double-digit inflation. The surge in food and commodity prices witnessed during the start of fiscal year 2008-09 pushed the Consumer Prices Index (CPI) in Pakistan to a record level of 25.3 percent in August 2008, remaining above the 20 percent level up until February 2009. Now a days its roundabout 18 percent.
Education
Education is extensively regarded as a route to economic prosperity being the key to scientific and technological advancement. Hence, it plays a pivotal role in human capital formation and a necessary tool for sustainable socio-economic growth. Education also combats unemployment, confirms sound foundation of social equity, awareness, tolerance, self esteem, and spread of political socialization and culture vitality. It raises the productivity and efficiency of individuals and thus produces skilled manpower capable for leading the economy towards the path of economic development. Education also originates confidence which empowers people to defend their rights, improve health status and good governance in implementation of socio-economic policies.
Poverty
The inadequacy of income to meet basic needs, low quality of life, denial of opportunities and choices basic to human development are different facets of poverty. The main objectives of government policies are to raise the standard of living and improve the socio-economic conditions of the people and thus reduce the incidence of poverty in the country.
Energy
The world energy scenario during 2008-09 has been very eventful, same as Pakistan. International oil prices fluctuated widely, leaving all vulnerable oil import countries like Pakistan under great stress. The volatile energy picture not only made major dents in the macroeconomic variables such as budget deficit, current account balance, inflation, exchange rates and foreign exchange reserves, but also eroded the purchasing power of poor on the back of rising prices of petroleum products. So the major impact has been experienced in the industrial and agriculture sector, because of energy shortfall. Energy consumption being an integral part of all the economic activities has also declined as a result of the economic slow down.
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