Tag: Pakistan Bureau of Statistics

  • Mobile phones worth Rs51.24 billion imported in July – August

    Mobile phones worth Rs51.24 billion imported in July – August

    KARACHI: The country has imported mobile phones worth Rs51.24 billion during first two months of current fiscal year due to rising digital services in the wake of coronavirus pandemic.

    The import of mobile phone grew by 98 percent to Rs51.24 billion during July – August 2020 as compared with Rs25.9 billion in the same period of the last year.

    Industry sources said that demand of mobile phones grew significantly during the lockdown for various purposes including financial services.

    The import of mobile phones was Rs32.45 billion August 2020 as compared with Rs13.47 billion in the same month of the last year, showing 97 percent growth.

    The import of mobile phone in terms of US dollar also registered 87.37 percent increase to $306.38 million during first two months of current fiscal year as compared with $163.52 million in the corresponding months of the last fiscal year.

  • Textile exports fall to $2.28bn in July-August

    Textile exports fall to $2.28bn in July-August

    KARACHI: Textile exports have fallen by one percent to $2.28 billion during first two months of current fiscal year as compared with $2.3 billion in the corresponding period of the last fiscal year, according to data released by Pakistan Bureau of Statistics (PBS).

    Major component of textile exports have witnessed growth during the period.

    The export of knitwear grew by 4.43 percent to $564.29 million during July – August 2020 of the current fiscal year as compared with $540 million in the corresponding period of the last fiscal year.

    The export of bed wear increased by 6 percent to $424.18 million during first two months of the current fiscal year as compared with $400.44 million in the same month of the last year.

    The export of readymade garments grew by 2 percent to $477 million during July – August 2020 as compared with $467 million in the same period of the last fiscal year.

  • Trade deficit narrows by 8.32 percent in July – August

    Trade deficit narrows by 8.32 percent in July – August

    ISLAMABAD: The trade deficit of the country has narrowed by 8.32 percent in the first two months of the current fiscal year owing to decline in import bill during the period under review.

    According to the data released by Pakistan Bureau of Statistics (PBS) on Friday, the trade deficit narrowed to $3.38 billion during July – August of 2020 as compared with $3.69 billion in the same period of the last year.

    The import bill of the country has declined by 6.28 percent to $6.96 billion during the first two months of the current fiscal year as compared with $7.43 billion in the same months of the last fiscal year.

    However, exports have also declined by 4.27 percent to $3.58 billion during the period under review as compared with $3.74 billion in July – August of 2019.

    The torrential rains and urban flooding during the last few days of August 2020 has adversely affected the supply chain, which affected the exports of the country.

    Due to this reason the exports fell by 21 percent to $1.58 billion in August 2020 when compared with $2 billion in previous month.

    In the month under review the imports have also fell by 11 percent to $3.28 billion as against $3.68 billion in July 2020.

    Meanwhile, the exports fell by 15 percent to $1.58 billion in August 2020 when compared with $1.85 billion in August 2019. On the other hand the imports fell by 12 percent to $3.28 billion as compared with $3.72 billion in August 2019.

  • Headline inflation increases by 8.2pc in August

    Headline inflation increases by 8.2pc in August

    ISLAMABAD: The headline inflation based on Consumer Price Index (CPI) increased by 8.2 percent on Year on Year (YoY) basis in August 2020 as compared to an increase in 9.3 percent in the previous month, Pakistan Bureau of Statistics (PBS) said on Tuesday.

    The inflation was also lower than 10.5 percent recorded in August 2019.

    On month-on-month (MoM) basis, it increased by 0.6 percent in August 2020 as compared to an increase of 2.5 percent in the previous month and an increase of 1.6 percent in August 2019.

    CPI inflation Urban, increased by 7.1 percent on year-on-year basis in August 2020 as compared to an increase of 7.8 percent in the previous month and 10.6 percent in August 2019.

    On month-on-month basis, it increased by 0.8 percent in August 2020 as compared to an increase of 2.2 percent in the previous month and an increase of 1.5 percent in August 2019.

    CPI inflation Rural, increased by 9.9 percent on year-on-year basis in August 2020 as compared to an increase of 11.6 percent in the previous month and 10.3 percent in August 2019. On month-on-month basis, it increased by 0.4  percent in August 2020 as compared to an increase of 3.0 percent in the previous month and an increase of 1.9 percent in August 2019.

    The inflation based on Sensitive Price Indicator (SPI) on YoY increased by 11.7 percent in August 2020 as compared to an increase of 13.7 percent a month earlier and an increase of 12.1 percent in August 2019. On MoM basis, it increased by 0.9 percent in August 2020 as compared to an increase of 3.0 percent a month earlier and an increase of 2.7 percent in August 2019.

    Wholesale Price Index (WPI) inflation on YoY basis increased by 3.3 percent in August 2020 as compared to an increase of 3.2 percent a month earlier and an increase of 14.1 percent in August 2019.

    WPI inflation on MoM basis increased by 1.3 percent in August 2020 as compared to a decrease of 5.4 percent a month earlier and an increase of 1.2 percent in corresponding month of last year i.e. August 2019.

  • Inflation increases more for persons with lower buying power

    Inflation increases more for persons with lower buying power

    ISLAMABAD: Persons with lower buying power have witnessed sharp increase in inflation for week ended August 20, 2020 as compared with the same week a year ago.

    According to data of Sensitive Price Indicator (SPI) issued by Pakistan Bureau of Statistics (PBS), the inflation increased more for persons having less buying powers and the inflation is lower for those persons have sufficient money to buy essential items.

    The PBS categorized five expenditure groups to assess the price movement of essential items on weekly basis.

    The data shows the trend of inflation amongst the expenditure groups as:

    For expenditure group up to Rs17,732: inflation increased by 11.49 percent by the week ended August 20, 2020 when compared with week ended August 22, 2019.

    For expenditure group between Rs17,733 and Rs22,888: inflation increased by 11.22 percent by the week ended August 20, 2020 when compared with week ended August 22, 2019.

    For expenditure group between Rs22,889 and Rs29,517: inflation increased by 10.05 percent by the week ended August 20, 2020 when compared with week ended August 22, 2019.

    For expenditure group between Rs29,518 and Rs44,175: inflation increased by 9.20 percent by the week ended August 20, 2020 when compared with week ended August 22, 2019.

    For expenditure group above Rs44,175: inflation increased by 6.98 percent by the week ended August 20, 2020 when compared with week ended August 22, 2019.

  • Mobile phones worth Rs24.7 billion imported in July 2020

    Mobile phones worth Rs24.7 billion imported in July 2020

    KARACHI: The country has imported mobile phones worth Rs24.7 billion in the month of July 2020, which is almost double than the import value in the same month of the last year, official data revealed.

    According to data released by Pakistan Bureau of Statistics (PBS) on Wednesday the import of mobile phone increased by 98 percent as the country imported mobile phone worth Rs12.42 billion in the same month of the last year.

    The import value in US dollar term was $148 million in July 2020 as compared with $78.29 million in the corresponding month of the last year, showing an increase of 89 percent.

    Market sources attributed the rise in import of mobile phones to huge demand during lockdown and after ease in lockdown due to rising financial transactions through mobile phones.

    They also attributed the significant growth in rupee term due to depreciation of local currency. The average exchange rate in July 2020 was at Rs166.76 to the dollar as compared with Rs158.82 to the dollar in July 2019.

    Further, the market sources said that the government has provided relief through duty and taxes on import of mobile phones to promote financial inclusion.

  • Exports surge by 25 percent: PBS

    Exports surge by 25 percent: PBS

    ISLAMABAD: The exports of the country increased by 25 percent in July 2020 as compared with the previous month owing to enhance in economic activities after ease in lockdown, according to data released by Pakistan Bureau of Statistics (PBS) on Wednesday.

    The country’s exports were at $2 billion in July 2020 as compared with $1.59 billion in June 2020.

    The rise in exports may be attributed to ease in lockdown and resumption of economic activities during July 2020. The lockdown was imposed since March 2020 to prevent the spread of coronavirus.

    The import bill during July 2020 fell by 2 percent to $3.64 billion as compared with $3.72 billion in June 2020.

    The trade deficit shrank by 22.64 percent to $1.64 billion in July 2020 as compared with deficit of $2.12 billion in June 2020.

    The exports in July 2020 registered an increase of 6.04 percent when compared with $1.88 billion in July 2019.

    The import bill in July 2020 fell by 2 percent when compared with $3.7 billion in July 2019.

    The trade deficit reduced by 10.24 percent in July 2020 when compared with deficit of $1.82 billion in July 2019.

  • Headline inflation grows by 9.3pc in July

    Headline inflation grows by 9.3pc in July

    ISLAMABAD: The headline inflation based on Consumer Price Index (CPI) has increased by 9.3 percent on Year-on-Year (YoY) basis in July 2020, according to data released by Pakistan Bureau of Statistics (PBS) on Monday.

    The latest increase was compared to an increase of 8.6 percent in the previous month and 8.4 percent in July 2019.

    On month-on-month (MoM) basis, it increased by 2.5 percent in July 2020 as compared to an increase of 0.8 percent in the previous month and an increase of 1.8 percent in July 2019.

    CPI inflation Urban, increased by 7.8 percent on year-on-year basis in July 2020 as compared to an increase of 7.6 percent in the previous month and 8.7 percent in July 2019.

    On month-on-month basis, it increased by 2.2 percent in July 2020 as compared to an increase of 0.7 percent in the previous month and an increase of 2.0 percent in July 2019.

    CPI inflation Rural, increased by 11.5 percent on year-on-year basis in July 2020 as compared to an increase of 10.0 percent in the previous month and 7.9 percent in July 2019.

    On month-on-month basis, it increased by 2.9 percent in July 2020 as compared to an increase of 1.0 percent in the previous month and an increase of 1.6 percent in July 2019.

    Sensitive Price Indicator (SPI) inflation on YoY increased by 13.5 percent in July 2020 as compared to an increase of 11.5 percent a month earlier and an increase of 8.9 percent in July 2019.

    On MoM basis, it increased by 2.8 percent in July 2020 as compared to an increase of 1.4 percent a month earlier and an increase of 1.0 percent in July 2019.

    Wholesale Price Indicator (WPI) inflation on YoY basis increased by 3.2 percent in July 2020 as compared to an increase of 0.9 percent a month earlier and an increase of 13.3 percent in July 2019.

    WPI inflation on MoM basis increased by 5.4 percent in July 2020 as compared to a decrease of 0.3 percent a month earlier and an increase of 3.1 percent in corresponding month of last year i.e. July 2019.

  • Pakistan’s oil, gas import bill plunges by 28 percent in FY20

    Pakistan’s oil, gas import bill plunges by 28 percent in FY20

    ISLAMABAD: Country’s import of oil and gas fell sharply by 28 percent during fiscal year 2019/2020 owing to significant decline in international prices.

    The import of petroleum group has decline to $10.42 billion during fiscal year 2019/2020 as compared with $14.44 billion in the preceding fiscal year, according to data released by Pakistan Bureau of Statistics (PBS).

    Industry sources explained that the slump had been observed in terms of value due to significant decline in international oil prices.

    During the year the international oil prices were remained lower due to conflict between Russia and Saudi Arabia.

    The Russia–Saudi Arabia oil price war of 2020 is an economic war triggered in March 2020 by Saudi Arabia in response to Russia’s refusal to reduce oil production in order to keep prices for oil at moderate level. This economic conflict resulted in a sheer drop of oil price over the spring of 2020.

    Reportedly, on March 08, 2020, Saudi Arabia initiated a price war with Russia, facilitating a 65 percent quarterly fall in the price of oil.

    Unofficial reports suggested that in the first few weeks of March, US oil prices fell by 34 percent, crude oil fell by 26 percent, and Brent oil fell by 24 percent.

    The price war was triggered by a break-up in dialogue between the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) and Russia over proposed oil-production cuts in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic. Russia walked out of the agreement, leading to the fall of the OPEC+ alliance.

    Oil prices had already fallen 30 percent since the start of the year due to a drop in demand. The price war is one of the major causes and effects of the currently ongoing global stock-market crash.

    Pakistan’s import of retail petroleum products fell by 24.54 percent to $4.74 billion during fiscal year 2019/2020 as compared with $6.28 billion in the preceding fiscal year.

    The imported quantity of the retail petroleum products, however, increased by 3.7 percent during the year under review. The quantity increased to 10.8 million metric tons during fiscal year 2019/2020 as compared with 10.42 million metric tons in the preceding year.

    The import of petroleum crude even fell more sharply by 40.44 percent to $2.72 billion during fiscal year 2019/2020 as compared with $4.57 billion in the preceding fiscal year.

    The import of Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) has declined by 20.21 percent to $2.66 billion during fiscal year 2019/2020 as compared with $3.33 billion in the preceding fiscal year.

    However, import of Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) registered 17.63 percent growth to $294 million during fiscal year 2019/2020 as compared with $250 million in the preceding fiscal year.

  • Pakistan spends Rs217 billion on import of mobile phones in FY20

    Pakistan spends Rs217 billion on import of mobile phones in FY20

    ISLAMABAD: Pakistan has spent Rs217 billion on import of mobile phones during fiscal year 2019/2020 amid slow economy and outbreak of coronavirus pandemic.

    The import of mobile phones was Rs217 billion during fiscal year 2019/2020 as compared with Rs102.75 billion in the preceding fiscal year, showing 81 percent growth, according to data released by Pakistan Bureau of Statistics (PBS).

    Market sources said that reduction in duty and taxes and restriction of registration with the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) has increased the import of mobile phones through legal channels.

    The import of mobile phones in terms of US Dollars also increased to $1.4 billion during the fiscal year under review as compared with $755.55 million in the preceding fiscal year.

    Despite imposition of lockdown in the country to prevent coronavirus, the country imported mobile phones worth Rs38.2 billion in June 2020, which is 115 percent higher when compared with Rs17.78 billion in May 2020.

    The market sources said that due to lockdown the importance of digital economy had increased. They said that financial transactions were being done through mobile phones, which were the easiest way.