Pakistan Economy : Updates and Discussions

[Shajida Khan]

To be honest, CPEC has brought real infrastructure to Pakistan. Chinese for all their faults still prefer to deliver infra-projects on time and in real compared to usual "on paper" projects done in India and Pakistan. So that part is not bad at all.

The issue is, at what cost. Chinese locked in Pakistan's strategic assets like an important port, stock exchange etc. These are way more important than roads etc. Plus they made Pakistan to commit on a particular rate of return on the money invested. It is very expensive, certainity of return from a sovereign is an expensive thing.

 

[Neo]

20,000 Pakistan students to get Chinese scholarships every year

APP
February 11, 2019

SLAMABAD: Stressing for enhanced people-to-people contacts to take Pak-China strategic partnership to new heights, China’s Ambassador in Islamabad Yao Jing Monday said his country had increased the number of its scholarships for study of Pakistani students in China up to 20,000 per annum - highest for any country in the world.

Speaking at a “China-Photo Exhibition” held at the National University of Science and Technology (NUST), the China Ambassador said with enhanced people-to-people contacts and communication Pak-China relations would continue to gain strength from generations to generations.

“It is the people who matter in relationship,” he remarked.

The event was organized by the Chinese Study Center of the School of Social Sciences and Humanities in collaboration with the Chinese Embassy in Islamabad as part of Chinese Lunar Year celebrations.

Ambassador Yao said the China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) was a long-term project, adding with five years of work on CPEC, it was just the start of achieving the goals of socio-economic development in the region.

He said that China, in consultation with the Government of Pakistan, had decided to enter the next phase of CPEC which would focus on Investment, Joint Ventures, establishment of Special Economic Zones (SEZs), engagement in the power sector as well as export-oriented cooperation.

The Chinese Ambassador said the second area of focus for cooperation in the next phase of CPEC was social sector and the areas identified were education, health, agriculture, poverty reduction and human resources.

“We have to have a holistic and futuristic approach,” he said and added that in future the cooperation between Pakistan and China would encompass all areas including military, economic, development etc.

Ambassador Yao lauded the efforts of NUST in various disciplines of education including the science and technology and said the Chinese government and Embassy would continue to support the institution, considered as one of Pakistan’s leading educational institutions.

Earlier in his welcome remarks Rector NUST Lt. Gen. ® Naweed Zaman, HI (M), observed that commitment of the leadership of two countries to preparing the future generation for “knowledge economy” through closer educational collaboration.

He also highlighted various initiatives of NUST to have enhanced cooperation and collaboration with China and its educational institutions and thanked the Chinese side for their support.

Later, the Chinese Ambassador opened the exhibition by cutting a ribbon.

On this occasion he was also presented a souvenir by the Rector of NUST.

The event was participated by the NUST leadership, Faculty and China educated Graduates Alumni of NUST and other Universities in Islamabad.

The photos placed at the exhibition depicted China’s great progress over the past four decades of Reforms and Open Door Policy to the outside world.

https://www.thenews.com.pk/latest/4...udents-to-get-chinese-scholarships-every-year

 

[STEPHEN COHEN]

@Neo @safriz

Good news

Moody's downgrades Pakistan's banking system from stable to negative - Business - DAWN.COM

 

[_Anonymous_]

20,000 Pakistan students to get Chinese scholarships every year

APP
February 11, 2019

SLAMABAD: Stressing for enhanced people-to-people contacts to take Pak-China strategic partnership to new heights, China’s Ambassador in Islamabad Yao Jing Monday said his country had increased the number of its scholarships for study of Pakistani students in China up to 20,000 per annum - highest for any country in the world.

Speaking at a “China-Photo Exhibition” held at the National University of Science and Technology (NUST), the China Ambassador said with enhanced people-to-people contacts and communication Pak-China relations would continue to gain strength from generations to generations.

“It is the people who matter in relationship,” he remarked.

The event was organized by the Chinese Study Center of the School of Social Sciences and Humanities in collaboration with the Chinese Embassy in Islamabad as part of Chinese Lunar Year celebrations.

Ambassador Yao said the China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) was a long-term project, adding with five years of work on CPEC, it was just the start of achieving the goals of socio-economic development in the region.

He said that China, in consultation with the Government of Pakistan, had decided to enter the next phase of CPEC which would focus on Investment, Joint Ventures, establishment of Special Economic Zones (SEZs), engagement in the power sector as well as export-oriented cooperation.

The Chinese Ambassador said the second area of focus for cooperation in the next phase of CPEC was social sector and the areas identified were education, health, agriculture, poverty reduction and human resources.

“We have to have a holistic and futuristic approach,” he said and added that in future the cooperation between Pakistan and China would encompass all areas including military, economic, development etc.

Ambassador Yao lauded the efforts of NUST in various disciplines of education including the science and technology and said the Chinese government and Embassy would continue to support the institution, considered as one of Pakistan’s leading educational institutions.

Earlier in his welcome remarks Rector NUST Lt. Gen. ® Naweed Zaman, HI (M), observed that commitment of the leadership of two countries to preparing the future generation for “knowledge economy” through closer educational collaboration.

He also highlighted various initiatives of NUST to have enhanced cooperation and collaboration with China and its educational institutions and thanked the Chinese side for their support.

Later, the Chinese Ambassador opened the exhibition by cutting a ribbon.

On this occasion he was also presented a souvenir by the Rector of NUST.

The event was participated by the NUST leadership, Faculty and China educated Graduates Alumni of NUST and other Universities in Islamabad.

The photos placed at the exhibition depicted China’s great progress over the past four decades of Reforms and Open Door Policy to the outside world.

https://www.thenews.com.pk/latest/4...udents-to-get-chinese-scholarships-every-year

So the neo East India Company - the CCP is creating their own version of the ICS by co opting the natives and preparing them to govern the unwashed - as Joe Shearer would put it & serve as the intermediary between the colonizer & the colonised .

Hats off to the CCP & congratulations to the lucky Pakistanis who'd comprise the core of the future arrangement. At least the latter's future is secure in Naya Pakistan, now that the Gulf jobs have dried up & Europe, US, etc are fast during into no go areas unless one's prepared to slum it out as an illegal immigrant.

 

[Ashwin]

https://twitter.com/x/status/1095545928726003712

 

[safriz]

@Neo @safriz

Good news

Moody's downgrades Pakistan's banking system from stable to negative - Business - DAWN.COM

yes very good newd . India earned 2.5 billion usd annually from trade with Pakistan. That money wil remain with us now.
India's loss not Pakistan's

 

[Arvind]

yes very good newd . India earned 2.5 billion usd annually from trade with Pakistan. That money wil remain with us now.
India's loss not Pakistan's

Rather would go for more expensive resource.

I am sure you were not importing unnecessary goods at higher prices than somewhere else.

 

[STEPHEN COHEN]

yes very good newd . India earned 2.5 billion usd annually from trade with Pakistan. That money wil remain with us now.
India's loss not Pakistan's

Do you know one thing

That people buy goods based on the lowest costs to them

If your people were importing something
It was because of lower costs

It is your loss , you will pay more

Our GOODS will go to other countries

 

[Neo]

Rather would go for more expensive resource.

I am sure you were not importing unnecessary goods at higher prices than somewhere else.

Sir there's nothing we import from India that cannot be acquired at competitive rates from alternative markets in the region. China, Turkey, Malaysia, Indonesia and Sri Lanka can replace Indian exports easily.
Pakistan will be leas hurt as the trade balance is in your favor. We export raw materials to India and get proceased goods in return so you have more to loose.

 

[Arvind]

Sir there's nothing we import from India that cannot be acquired at competitive rates from alternative markets in the region. China, Turkey, Malaysia, Indonesia and Sri Lanka can replace Indian exports easily.
Pakistan will be leas hurt as the trade balance is in your favor. We export raw materials to India and get proceased goods in return so you have more to loose.

And that trade imbalance is out of sheer love for India, right?

However the economy says, acquire from someone which cost you lowest for acceptable quality. Any insinuation of anyone doing anybody favor is stupid. And that goes both ways, the only difference is India may feel in a position to hurt Pakistan even if it hurt India a bit.

 

[Neo]

And that trade imbalance is out of sheer love for India, right?

However the economy says, acquire from someone which cost you lowest for acceptable quality. Any insinuation of anyone doing anybody favor is stupid. And that goes both ways, the only difference is India may feel in a position to hurt Pakistan even if it hurt India a bit.

No no no, no loved involved here, it's simple sum of economics and mild trade policies we have. Unlike India we do not politicize everything.
But it doesn't mean that we cannot get the stuff from other markets at competitive rates. India's main exports to Pakistan in 2017 were: cotton 18%, organic chemicals 15%, edible oils and veggies 9%, plastic 7%, tanning and dying extracts 6%, small boats 6%, machinery 4%. oil seeds 4%, rubber 4%. steel 2%. Other items include tea, pharmaceuticals, gems and parfumes etc. None of these catagories has high end products that are irreplaceable. China alone would be happy to fill in the gap.

 

[Arvind]

No no no, no loved involved here, it's simple sum of economics and mild trade policies we have. Unlike India we do not politicize everything.
But it doesn't mean that we cannot get the stuff from other markets at competitive rates. India's main exports to Pakistan in 2017 were: cotton 18%, organic chemicals 15%, edible oils and veggies 9%, plastic 7%, tanning and dying extracts 6%, small boats 6%, machinery 4%. oil seeds 4%, rubber 4%. steel 2%. Other items include tea, pharmaceuticals, gems and parfumes etc. None of these catagories has high end products that are irreplaceable. China alone would be happy to fill in the gap.

Atleast now you know that you dont import processed goods from India as you claim in your earlier post.

Still I am wondering why Pakistan is doing India a favor and not to their all weather friend China.

 

[Neo]

Atleast now you know that you dont import processed goods from India as you claim in your earlier post.

Processed goods as in machinery, automobiles, chemicals are a small part of the trade yet the total value is more than two billion in India's favor right?

Still I am wondering why Pakistan is doing India a favor and not to their all weather friend China.

Because of Modi's stooge Nawaz who's in jail now .
But again, unlike India we donot politicize everything.

 

[Arvind]

Processed goods as in machinery, automobiles, chemicals are a small part of the trade yet the total value is more than two billion in India's favor right?

I am referring to your comment that says Pak export raw but import processed. Not true.

Because of Modi's stooge Nawaz who's in jail now .
But again, unlike India we donot politicize everything.

lol

 

[safriz]

Rather would go for more expensive resource.

I am sure you were not importing unnecessary goods at higher prices than somewhere else.

Yaar to be honest yes...Many Indian products did come cheaper. But that cheap import damaged local industries massively.
With this new situation when Indian imports have stopped, the local industries will have time to flourish.
Win win situation.

 

[Arvind]

Yaar to be honest yes...Many Indian products did come cheaper. But that cheap import damaged local industries massively.
With this new situation when Indian imports have stopped, the local industries will have time to flourish.
Win win situation.

That will add to already high inflation and more cost to public.

 

[_Anonymous_]

That will add to already high inflation and more cost to public.

You naive naive man. When they can eat grass inspite of being gosth khors to possess the bomb for shab e baraat and ammi ki baraat, you think a few extra PNR matters? All ordinary Pakistanis are on their way to becoming billionaires. Just like ordinary Zimbabwaeans.

 

[Nilgiri]

yes very good newd . India earned 2.5 billion usd annually from trade with Pakistan. That money wil remain with us now.
India's loss not Pakistan's

Nope....most of the trade is done through UAE and amounts to far larger than the India-Pak official trade. Some day you should look at what you export to UAE and what you import from them.....and do the same for India. There is a stark conclusion there....not sure if you can understand it though.

Skewed heavily in India's favour too. Nothing about MFN or anything there (I believe both India and Pakistan have trade agreements with UAE).

You are a heavily unproductive and unintelligent people....till you change that (and you dont seem keen on it given your preference to harness non-existent mard-e-momin history and radicalise yourselves rather than actually commit to science and study)...Indian products will just percolate as usual through UAE....whereas Pakistan has nothing to offer to India and these tariffs will put final icing on that cake.

BTW, enjoy the heavy inflation coming up (this year and next) because of your non-productiveness and inability to sell literally anything the world wants to buy (thus your govt can only devalue the PKR in its ham-fistedness to buy time). Bangladesh is kicking your butts (exporting 3 times as much and soon to be 4 times as much as you). Guess they had the last laugh again with you lot. One taka equals two PKR now.....dayum!

 

[T-123456]

Nope....most of the trade is done through UAE and amounts to far larger than the India-Pak official trade. Some day you should look at what you export to UAE and what you import from them.....and do the same for India. There is a stark conclusion there....not sure if you can understand it though.

Skewed heavily in India's favour too. Nothing about MFN or anything there (I believe both India and Pakistan have trade agreements with UAE).

You are a heavily unproductive and unintelligent people....till you change that (and you dont seem keen on it given your preference to harness non-existent mard-e-momin history and radicalise yourselves rather than actually commit to science and study)...Indian products will just percolate as usual through UAE....whereas Pakistan has nothing to offer to India and these tariffs will put final icing on that cake.

BTW, enjoy the heavy inflation coming up (this year and next) because of your non-productiveness and inability to sell literally anything the world wants to buy (thus your govt can only devalue the PKR in its ham-fistedness to buy time). Bangladesh is kicking your butts (exporting 3 times as much and soon to be 4 times as much as you). Guess they had the last laugh again with you lot. One taka equals two PKR now.....dayum!

What about the ''black market'',illegal trade between Pakistan and India which is much higher?
What goods are being traded and in who's favor,balance wise?

 

[Nilgiri]

What about the ''black market'',illegal trade between Pakistan and India which is much higher?
What goods are being traded and in who's favor,balance wise?

The numbers (for unofficial blackmarket/smuggling etc) are overall pretty difficult to come by and depends who you ask etc.

But the broad trends can be seen in the official direct trade level...and also the trade levels (and composition) each country has with UAE which is the main 3rd party.

Basically in 2017:

India exported around 29 billion USD worth to UAE and imported 23 billion worth from UAE

Pakistan exported 0.9 billion USD worth to UAE and imported 7.5 billion worth from UAE.

Download trade data | UN Comtrade: International Trade Statistics

To me it is quite strange that India (huge oil consuming country) has such a surplus trade account with UAE....and I think trade being re-routed to Pakistan (which is unable to export anything really to UAE) is part of this....with some repackaging + extra handling etc to get around "country of origin" rules etc for the trade agreements.

In PDF I actually went into a deep convo (quite long time back) with member there (desert fighter) on some of the karachi cartels that participate in this stuff via UAE...at detriment of what he said was local Pakistani industry etc... But that kind of convo is harder to come by these days for various reasons.