KARACHI: Pakistan has one of the lowest rates of female entrepreneurship in the world. According to the World Bank and the Women Entrepreneurs Finance Initiative (We-Fi), only around 1% of entrepreneurs in Pakistan are women. The Asian Development Bank further reports that women own less than 8% of the country’s small and medium-sized enterprises, with…
ISLAMABAD: Few industries contribute more to international trade, economic growth, skilled employment, and technological innovation than the automobile industry. Countries proudly showcase their automotive achievements at major international motor shows. Yet Pakistan has never enjoyed that distinction, despite assembling cars since the 1950s and devoting substantial national resources to the sector. In stark contrast, Pakistan’s…
Pakistan can no longer afford to treat export growth as administrative luxury; it is macroeconomic necessity ISLAMABAD: Let us monetise the total export subsidies and incentives, foregone taxes on exporters, expenses on the Trade Development Authority of Pakistan (TDAP), commercial diplomacy, and the overseas exhibitions and trade fairs organised; the net exports of Pakistan will…
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s taxation debate returns every year pre- and post-budget with the same predictable outcome: higher taxes, harsher enforcement, and deeper pressure on an already shrinking formal economy. Yet despite repeated fiscal tightening, the country continues to face low compliance, weak documentation, capital flight, and slowing economic activity. Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb in his budget…
Climate-resilient crops, efficient irrigation methods, mechanisation essential for future of agriculture KARACHI: Pakistan’s agriculture sector is facing one of the most complex challenges in its history. On the one side, a rapidly growing population, rising food demand, and changing consumption patterns require higher agricultural production. On the other, climate change, water scarcity, declining soil fertility,…
KARACHI: Pakistan and Bangladesh have agreed at the government level to facilitate trade activities in food items between the two countries, with a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) expected to be signed soon. The decision was made during a meeting at Bangladesh’s Ministry of Industries on the occasion of a visit by a Pakistani delegation led…
KARACHI: The KSE-100 index of the Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX) snapped its winning streak during the outgoing week, closing at 182,242 after shedding 3,130 points, or 1.69% week-on-week, as US-Iran tensions and the announcement of ending the ceasefire triggered a sharp sell-off. On a day-on-day basis, the PSX commenced the week with a positive session…
NEWYORK/ LONDON: Russia’s decision to ban diesel exports this week has roiled global energy markets, exacerbating shortages of the industrial fuel and sending prices soaring, even in countries that no longer buy the fuel from Moscow. Diesel accounts for the largest share of global oil consumption, Russia is the world’s second-largest diesel exporter after the…
A delegation of local retailers visited the Islamabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry. PHOTO: FILE KARACHI: Acting Islamabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ICCI) President Tahir Ayub on Saturday called for a comprehensive national strategy to transform Pakistan’s rapidly growing population into a productive economic force through sustained investments in education, healthcare, skills development, entrepreneurship…
KARACHI: Karachi’s industrial property market is showing signs of a slowdown, with brokers across the city’s major industrial estates reporting weakening demand for factory rentals from SME manufacturers grappling with rising costs. While inquiries for industrial sheds and small factory units continue, fewer prospective tenants are willing to finalise rental agreements after calculating the cost…