State Bank receives $1bn from UAE

Published January 25, 2019
Amount received under an agreement signed by SBP Governor Tariq Bajwa and the director general of Abu Dhabi Fund for Development. — PID
Amount received under an agreement signed by SBP Governor Tariq Bajwa and the director general of Abu Dhabi Fund for Development. — PID

KARACHI: The State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) received $1 billion from the UAE on Thursday following an agreement with the Abu Dhabi Fund for Development (ADFD) in Abu Dhabi on Jan 22.

The ADFD has agreed to provide $3bn to Pakistan in three instalments to help bridge the country’s current account deficit.

“The SBP has received $1bn from UAE today,” said Chief Spokesman SBP Abid Qamar.

Prior to this, Pakistan had approached China and Saudi Arabia for funds to avoid a balance of payments crisis. The country’s current account deficit rose to $7.9bn in the first half of the current fiscal year and is likely to reach $16-18bn by June 30.

Finance Minister Asad Umar, while presenting the mini-budget in the parliament on Wednesday, remarked that the government may also enter into an International Monetary Fund led programme. However, he also said that the government is not in a hurry as it is considering other options including bilateral support.

The government signed a similar deal of $3bn with Saudi Arabia earlier and the kingdom has so far placed $2bn in the SBP account whereas the last tranche of $1bn is expected in February. Saudi Arabia also agreed to supply oil worth $3bn on deferred payments.

Moreover, according to media reports following prime minister’s visit to Doha earlier this week, the government has also requested Qatar to supply LNG to Pakistan on a deferred payment mode. However, no official announcement was issued by the government. Pakistan’s annual LNG imports during the last fiscal year clocked in at $2.035bn.

Funds from Saudi Arabia and the UAE have had no impact on the exchange rate; however, a slight change was observed in the open-market following SBP’s agreement with the UAE. “The fluctuation of 20-30 paisa does not matter but the situation has improved and will improve with more inflows from the UAE,” said President Forex Association of Pakistan Malik Bostan.

On the other hand, inward remittances during first half of the ongoing fiscal year recorded 12pc growth and are likely to increase further once Qatar agrees to provide employment opportunities to 100,000 Pakistani labourers.

Reserves decline by $265m

According to the data released by the central bank, SBP’s foreign exchange reserves during the week ending Jan 18 fell by $265 million to $6.36bn.

Holdings of commercial banks jumped by $33m to $6.621bn while the country’s total liquid reserves stood at $13.257bn during the period under review.

The first tranche of $1bn of the promised $3bn from the UAE was received on Thursday, accounting for which the SBP reserves should stand at $7.36bn and total reserves at $14.257bn.

Published in Dawn, January 25th, 2019

Follow Dawn Business on Twitter, LinkedIn, Instagram and Facebook for insights on business, finance and tech from Pakistan and across the world.

Opinion

Editorial

China security ties
Updated 14 Nov, 2024

China security ties

If China's security concerns aren't addressed satisfactorily, it may affect bilateral ties. CT cooperation should be pursued instead of having foreign forces here.
Steep price
14 Nov, 2024

Steep price

THE Hindu Kush-Himalayan region is in big trouble. A new study unveiled at the ongoing COP29 reveals that if high...
A high-cost plan
14 Nov, 2024

A high-cost plan

THE government has approved an expensive plan for FBR in the hope of tackling its deep-seated inefficiencies. The...
United stance
Updated 13 Nov, 2024

United stance

It would've been better if the OIC-Arab League summit had announced practical measures to punish Israel.
Unscheduled visit
13 Nov, 2024

Unscheduled visit

Unusual IMF visit shows the lender will closely watch implementation of programme goals to prevent it from derailing.
Bara’s businesswomen
13 Nov, 2024

Bara’s businesswomen

Bara’s brave women have proven that with the right support, societal barriers can be overcome.