KARACHI: Shah Nawaz walks Karachi’s dusty streets, one of thousands in the financial hub who are being fed by charities as Pakistan’s economy picks up pace — but, some say, not fast enough for its poverty-stricken millions.
Confidence in Pakistan is growing, with the International Monetary Fund claiming in October that the country has emerged from crisis and stabilized its economy after completing a bailout program.
Its credit rating has improved, while there are encouraging signs of foreign investment, such as a massive Chinese infrastructure project officials routinely call a “gamechanger.”
But all this glittering promise has yet to feed millions like Nawaz.
The 14-year-old stands waiting with more than 100 others outside the Saylani Welfare building to receive free meals twice a day for his family.
He dropped out of school four years ago, when Pakistan’s GDP still hovered around a weak three percent, as his family struggled to survive on his father’s meagre part-time wage of 250 rupees ($2.30) a day.
“I have immense passion for my studies and want to become a prosperous man, but I can’t,” he tells AFP.
His despair resonates throughout Pakistan, where a new central bank report says 60.6 percent of the population do not have access to cooking fuel, half of all children are deprived of a basic education, and a third of Pakistanis have no access to a primary medical facility.
“The number of people coming to our centers is growing, and they are not beggars but poor people who are not able to make ends meet,” Aamir Saylani, one of the charity’s officials, told AFP.
Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif vowed to boost the long-depressed economy after winning a third term in 2013.
The key challenge Sharif faced was a chronic energy crisis, as power outages shut down factories and bring businesses to a virtual standstill daily.
He approved more than a dozen coal, hydro, gas and combined cycle power generation plants, most due to begin generating electricity by mid-2017.
Meanwhile his advisers negotiated a three-year extended fund facility with the IMF to raise $6.4 billion. That, coupled with remittances from Pakistanis overseas, have taken foreign exchange reserves to an estimated $22 billion, from $3 billion in 2008.
In the 2015/2016 fiscal year the economy grew 4.7 percent, while inflation was at a low of 3.8 percent and interest rates down at 5.75 percent.
Encouraged — and undeterred by domestic debt of $182 billion — Islamabad set an ambitious yearly growth target of 5.7 percent for 2016/2017. The World Bank predicted 5.4 percent growth by 2018.
'Artificial support'
But independent economists doubt the growth is sustainable.
“You were on artificial support, and it will be a real litmus test for the government once the IMF facility is over,” said Abid Suleri, who heads the Sustainable Development Policy Institute in Islamabad.
It would take sustained growth of around six percent for five successive years to make a real dent in poverty, said Mohammad Sabir, a senior economist at the Social Policy and Development Center (SPDC) in Karachi.
Hopes are pinned on the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), a $46 billion initiative by Beijing that aims to link the Asian superpower’s Xinjiang region with the Arabian Sea through Pakistan.
The plan encompasses a series of infrastructure, power and transport upgrades that Islamabad hopes will kickstart the economy.
But experts say the deal is opaque, and much more transparency is needed before they can assess any impact for Pakistan — including, for example, whether the $46 billion is an investment or a loan.
“If it is a loan, it would severely hamper the future foreign payment capability of the country,” warned Sabir. Foreign debt remains around $73 million, just over a quarter of GDP, the central bank says.
Werner Liepach, Pakistan country director for the Asian Development Bank, told AFP it was “much too early to tell” what effect CPEC would have.
However given the challenging global context, “contrary to what many believe, Pakistan is actually doing quite well,” he said.
“The benefits of growth in Pakistan are actually more widespread... as compared to many other developing countries that may show higher levels of growth, but with greater inequality.”
Nevertheless there is room to improve, he added.
Meanwhile, Pakistanis like Shah Nawaz still struggle. Days after speaking to AFP, the building housing the charity providing food for his family was flattened in an operation targeting illegal settlements on government land.
Pakistan economy growing... but is it enough?
Pakistan economy growing... but is it enough?
China to issue $2bn bonds in Saudi Arabia amid deepening bilateral ties
RIYADH: China has announced plans to issue dollar-denominated bonds in Saudi Arabia starting the week of Nov. 11, marking its first debt issuance in US currency since 2021.
The Asian country’s Ministry of Finance disclosed on Nov. 5 that it will sell up to $2 billion in bonds in Riyadh.
This issuance comes as China and the Kingdom are strengthening a multifaceted alliance that extends across multiple spheres.
In recent years, both nations have sought to broaden their economic cooperation, aligning strategic initiatives such as China’s Belt and Road Initiative with Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 plan.
“With the approval of the State Council, the Ministry of Finance will issue US dollar sovereign bonds of no more than $2 billion in Saudi Arabia in the week of November 11, 2024. The specific issuance arrangements will be announced separately before the release,” the ministry’s statement read.
Strengthening Saudi-Chinese relations
In September, the Kingdom’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and Chinese Premier Li Qiang co-chaired a pivotal meeting of the High-Level Saudi-Chinese Committee, where they reviewed aspects of joint cooperation and addressed regional and international developments.
The session in Riyadh emphasized opportunities in energy, trade, and investment, as well as well as technology and security, while laying the groundwork for enhanced coordination across these sectors.
Expanding tourism and education links
Tourism has emerged as a significant focus in Saudi-Chinese relations. In October, Saudi officials, including the Minister of Tourism Ahmed Al-Khateeb, engaged with Chinese counterparts to expand travel and investment ties.
The Kingdom received the designation of “Approved Destination Status” from Beijing earlier this year, following participation in key events in China.
To attract 5 million visitors from the Asian country by 2030, Saudi Arabia has introduced Chinese payment processing options, launched tailored tourism campaigns, and increased direct flights between the two countries.
Growing trade and investment
China has been Saudi Arabia’s largest trade partner since 2014, with bilateral trade reaching $97 billion in 2023. This figure includes $54 billion in Saudi exports and $43 billion in imports from China.
Investments between the two nations have also surged, with Chinese investments in the Kingdom rising from $1.5 billion in 2022 to $16.8 billion in 2023. Saudi investments in China are also substantial, totaling $75 billion.
Saudi Arabia and China are exploring new avenues for collaboration, including joint investments in renewable energy, infrastructure, and technology, with a focus on sustainable development.
The crown prince’s 2019 visit to Beijing set a foundation for this strategic partnership, resulting in 12 agreements and memoranda of understanding that continue to shape bilateral cooperation.
Saudi Arabia awards 11 mining exploration permits under accelerated program
JEDDAH: Saudi Arabia has granted 11 mining exploration permits to local and international companies for six sites under its Accelerated Exploration Program, which aims to unlock the Kingdom’s underutilized mineral resources.
On Nov. 5, the Ministry of Industry and Mineral Resources announced that the permits, covering a total area of 850 sq. kim across Riyadh, Makkah, and Asir, were awarded as part of a competitive licensing round designed to boost the country’s mineral sector. This initiative is aligned with Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 and the National Industry Development and Logistics Program.
The recent competition concluded with one national company and five alliances consisting of 10 local and international firms being awarded the exploration rights. The competition was designed to maximize the value of the country’s mineral resources and expand the mining industry as a key pillar of the economy.
Transforming the mining sector
Saudi Arabia is aiming to transform mining into the third pillar of its industrial base, alongside oil and petrochemicals. The Kingdom is home to more than 5,300 mineral sites, estimated to be worth around SR5 trillion ($1.33 trillion), and the ministry is actively seeking to harness these resources to fuel economic growth.
Among the winners, the alliance of ANS Exploration and Odyssey Metal Ltd. was granted an exploration license for the Umm Qasr site in Riyadh, known for its deposits of gold, silver, lead, and zinc. Gold and Minerals Co. secured a license for the Wadi Doush site in Asir, an area rich in gold, silver, and copper ore deposits, covering 157 square kilometers.
The alliance of AuKing Mining Ltd. and Barg Al-Saman Mining Co. received a license for the Shuaib Marqan site in Riyadh, spanning 92 square kilometers and noted for its copper, silver, and gold resources. Meanwhile, Metal Bank Ltd. and the Mining Holding Co. were awarded the Wadi Al-Jouna site in Asir, which covers 425 square kilometers and contains copper, zinc, silver, and gold.
Other awarded licenses include the Hazm Shubat site in Asir, granted to the Rawkad and Masharef alliance, which is known for its gold deposits. The Midad Al-Muna for Mining and Tinka Resources alliance was given the license for the Huwaimdhan exploration site in Makkah, which also holds significant gold resources.
Commitment to local development
A total of 44 bids were received from 22 companies — many of them new to the Saudi market—during the competition. Bids were evaluated based on technical expertise, proposed work programs, and social and environmental considerations. As part of their commitment, the winning companies have pledged to invest SR75 million ($20 million) in exploration activities and SR5 million toward community development, aiming to create jobs and opportunities for citizens in underserved areas.
This licensing round marks a significant milestone for Saudi Arabia’s mining sector, with four companies receiving exploration licenses for the first time, further cementing the Kingdom’s appeal as a leading investment destination for mining.
Aligning with Vision 2030
The ministry highlighted that this initiative reflects investors' confidence in Saudi Arabia’s mining investment framework, which adheres to the highest standards of transparency and environmental responsibility. It also underscores the country’s commitment to diversifying its economy in line with Vision 2030, which aims to develop the mining sector as a key economic driver.
In a related development, the ministry recently announced another competition for seven mining exploration licenses, covering regions in Makkah and Riyadh and targeting a range of precious and base metals, including gold, copper, zinc, lead, and silver. The deadline for submitting technical proposals for this new licensing round is at the end of November.
Private sector drives 6.1% rise in Saudi capital investment for Q2
RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s gross fixed capital formation reached SR296 billion ($79 billion) in the second quarter of 2024, marking a 6.1 percent year-on-year increase, according to recent data.
The Ministry of Investment attributed this growth primarily to the non-government sector, which holds an 86.45 percent share of total GFCF.
This sector saw an 8.2 percent increase, reaching SR255.9 billion, reflecting robust private-sector activity aligned with Vision 2030’s targets to boost private investment. Conversely, GFCF in the government sector declined by 5.2 percent to SR40.1 billion.
GFCF, which measures net investments in assets like infrastructure, machinery, and construction, is a key indicator of long-term economic potential, as it reflects capacity-building investments that drive productivity and growth.
Saudi Arabia’s appeal as a top investment destination continues to grow, with the Ministry of Investment issuing 3,810 licenses in the third quarter — a 73.7 percent annual rise, excluding permits from the Tasattur anti-concealment initiative.
This strong performance highlights the Kingdom’s successful positioning as a competitive market, driven by an increasingly stable and business-friendly environment, according to the report.
The ministry’s October report, which aligns its data with the latest IMF guidelines, showed that Saudi Arabia’s foreign direct investment stock reached SR897 billion in 2023, a 13.4 percent increase from 2022.
Excluding the one-time SR55 billion Aramco pipeline deal, the data showed that net inflows — representing the total new foreign capital coming into the country after accounting for outflows — also surged by 91 percent during this period, reaching SR86 billion.
As Saudi Arabia pushes toward its goal of making FDI 5.7 percent of its gross domestic product by 2030, this upswing in foreign capital not only strengthens the Kingdom’s position as a global investment hub but also reinforces the ongoing expansion in GFCF, contributing to sustainable economic growth.
Saudi Arabia has been advancing a range of initiatives to attract and deepen foreign investment, positioning itself as a hub for international business in the Middle East.
One such measure, announced in 2021, requires foreign companies bidding for government contracts to establish regional headquarters within the Kingdom by 2024.
This mandate has already encouraged major firms to set up shops in Riyadh, underscoring the Saudi government’s commitment to drawing long-term investment.
The Public Investment Fund has also played a critical role in bolstering the investment landscape.
Recently, PIF signed a memorandum of understanding with Brookfield Asset Management to become an anchor investor in Brookfield Middle East Partners.
This private equity platform plans to raise $2 billion to invest in various high-growth sectors, such as technology, healthcare, and industrials. Additionally, at least half of BMEP’s capital will be allocated to Saudi-based companies, facilitating FDI inflows directly into the Kingdom.
Another major win came with BlackRock, the world’s largest asset manager, which recently secured approval to establish a regional headquarters in Riyadh.
This move is set to expand BlackRock’s Middle East operations significantly, reinforcing Saudi Arabia’ appeal as an investment destination for global financial firms.
Energy sector drives GCC IPO gains in Q3, positive year-end outlook: PwC
RIYADH: Initial public offerings across the Gulf Cooperation Council region registered a year-on-year increase in proceeds in the third quarter of 2024, despite a decline in the number of listings, according to a new report.
The energy sector spearheaded this quarter’s growth, led by NMDC Energy’s listing, which raised $877 million — the largest IPO in the UAE this year, stated PwC Middle East.
Saudi Arabia’s parallel market, Nomu, also contributed to the quarter’s performance, with three listings.
PwC forecasts strong aftermarket performance for companies completing IPOs in 2024, predicting that most of the top 10 IPOs by deal size will trade above their initial offering prices.
This outlook suggests a favorable market reception for large IPOs in the coming year, with strong investor demand potentially driving post-IPO stock prices higher.
“As has been the case in recent years, Q3 has seen relatively few companies come to market. Since the end of the quarter, we have seen a number of IPOs either completed or announced across the GCC, including OQ Exploration and Production, Oman’s largest ever IPO, supporting the positive outlook for the remainder of 2024,” said Muhammad Hassan, capital markets leader at PwC Middle East.
In the third quarter, bond issuances in the GCC raised $4.4 billion, marking an almost 30 percent increase over the previous year.
Additionally, $5.2 billion was raised through sukuk issuances, with 88 percent of these bonds listed on the Qatar Stock Exchange or Nasdaq Dubai.
Governments in the region accounted for nearly 65 percent of total bond and sukuk issuances.
“Looking forward, the outlook for the GCC IPO market remains positive with a healthy IPO pipeline of companies from a diverse range of sectors busy preparing for their upcoming IPOs across the region,” the report stated.
Saudi-Portuguese Business Council launches investment regulation initiative to boost trade
RIYADH: Saudi Arabia and Portugal are aiming to increase awareness of investment regulations in both countries to boost trade thanks to a first-of-its-kind initiative.
Announced by the Federation of Saudi Chambers, the Saudi-Portuguese Business Council signed a memorandum of understanding with Ibrahim Al Howishel Law Firm to facilitate the entry of Portuguese companies into the Kingdom.
The MoU will also encourage regional companies to invest in Portugal by acting as a legal advisor. It will be the first of its kind among Saudi foreign business councils within the federation.
Its objective is to increase the number of international investors in the Kingdom by informing them about the positive developments, regulatory environment, and investment landscape.
Walid Al-Balhan, chairman of the Saudi-Portuguese Business Council, emphasized that the recently signed MoU aligns with Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030, which aims to attract foreign investment and strengthen international business ties.
He also said the advisor would address investor queries and provide guidance on regulations, building confidence among Portuguese companies looking to enter the Kingdom.
He extended his gratitude to the Federation of Saudi Chambers and relevant government bodies for their support of the council’s initiatives.
Under the agreement, both parties will collaborate with the Kingdom’s authorities to host workshops for Portuguese firms interested in the Saudi market.
These sessions are expected to cover key topics, including the Premium Residency system, foreign investment regulations, and company setup processes, as well as strategic investment opportunities and incentives for firms considering relocating their headquarters to Saudi Arabia.
The agreement also includes cooperative efforts to refine investment procedures for Saudi companies in Portugal, propose incentives for entities from the European country to attract investors within the Kingdom, and provide advisory support for companies in both nations.
