Inflation Builds Further Pace 4.

02% Y/Y - Feb16: The official inflation statistics released by

Pakistan Bureau of Statistics (PBS) indicate an inflation reading of 4.02% Y/Y, while on a M/M basis a
marginal downtick of 0.25% was recorded. Inflation reading on a YTD basis continues to gain
momentum dialing in at 2.47% Y/Y
Govt plans to float another $3.5b worth of Eurobonds: Pakistan is planning to raise another $3.5
billion from international debt markets by floating Eurobonds over a period of three years to retire
earlier loans. the government says it has the flexibility in terms of timing and size of the bonds. It also
plans to raise $500 million before June this year.
$6.64 billion extended arrangement: IMF board to consider 10th review on March 25:The International
Monetary Fund (IMF) Executive Board will meet on March 25, to consider staff level report of the 10th review under
$6.64 billion extended arrangement as well as request for modification of performance criteria. The IMF Executive
Board calendar updated on its website showed that its board meeting has been scheduled on March 25, and the
agenda includes "tenth review under the extended arrangement and request for modification of performance
criteria".
IFC commits $5.6bn investment: The International Finance Corporation (IFC) has committed over $5.6 billion of
cumulative investment in Pakistan, including $611 million in mobilisation.Pakistan represents IFCs largest country
exposures in the Middle East and Northern Africa region, Pakistan Country Snapshot by World Bank said here on
Wednesday.IFCs current committed investment exposure in Pakistan amount to $1.2bn in 47 companies. In FY15,
the IFC committed new investments of over $1.2bn including mobilization of $298m.This includes $782m in long
term investment and over $430m in shortterm trade finance. The largest commitments, about $475m, were made
in the power sector.

Threeyear trade policy approved: After a delay of eight months, the government has approved
the Strategic Trade Policy Framework (STPF) 201518 with an ambitious export target of $35 billion by
2018. The government will provide freight subsidy on export of cement to Africa. Other potential
markets for cement are Sri Lanka, India and Afghanistan. The duty structure will be revised on raw
material including coal and shredded tyres. Products including rice, yarn, fabrics and garments will be
supported to promote exports to China.
Current account balance posts $157 million surplus in February: The country's current account
balance posted a $157 million surplus in February 2016 supported by lower import bill and higher
foreign inflows. "The lower current account deficit, definitely, would also help build foreign exchange
reserves, presently stood at $20.7 billion mark," they added. The country's current account posted a
$1.859 billion deficit in JulyFebruary of FY16 compared to $1.947 billion in corresponding period of last
fiscal year (FY15), depicting a decrease of 4.5 percent or $88 million
Dar eyes 5.5pc GDP growth in 2016: Finance Minister Ishaq Dar has stated that the country
achieved 4.24 per cent GDP growth in the year 2015, highest during the last seven years. Chairing a
meeting of the monetary and fiscal policies coordination board on Wednesday, he said the
macroeconomic indicators suggest that the growth was picking up modestly. We have targeted our
growth at 5.5pc for 2016.

Pakistans Liquid Foreign Reserves reaches over US $ 20.718 billion

Pakistan net foreign investment $751mn in July-Feb
MCB eyeing NIB for possible merger
Telenor acquires Tameer Bank
Summit Bank eyeing Burj Bank acquisition
SBP reviews progress on restoration of banking channels with Iran