Economy expected to grow by 2pc next year: Hafeez Shaikh

• The fiscal deficit, which was projected at 9 percent this year compared to the target of 7 percent, would also be brought down next year while, the debt to GDP ratio would also be reduced.
• The contraction in global economy had been affecting the country’s exports as had been witnessed in April during which the exports decline by 40 percent as compare to last April.
• Unemployment was going up due to lockdown and low economic activity while the revenue collection also declined so the expenditure side was going to be affected.

ISLAMABAD: With the current projections of negative 1.5 GDP growth rate owing to COVID-19 pandemic impact, the country’s economy would turn around to witness 2 percent growth in upcoming fiscal year (2020-21), Advisor to Prime Minister on Finance and Revenue, Dr. Abdul Hafeez Shaikh said on Thursday.

Participating in a Webinar on “Pakistan Economy: Post COVID-19”, organized by Institute of Chartered Accountant of Pakistan (ICAP), the advisor said that Pakistan was expecting around 3 percent growth during  the current fiscal year, however it would end up negative 1 to 1.5 percent due to coronavirus impact.

However, he said the when the situation improves; the GDP was expected to grow by 2 percent next year.

Likewise, the advisor said that the fiscal deficit, which was projected at 9 percent this year compared to the target of 7 percent, would also be brought down next year while, the debt to GDP ratio would also be reduced.

Talking about the post COVID-19 situation, the advisor said that the International Monetary Fund (IMF) had predicted 3 percent global growth.

The contraction in global economy had been affecting the country’s exports as had been witnessed in April during which the exports decline by 40 percent as compare to last April.

Likewise, unemployment was going up due to lockdown and low economic activity while the revenue collection also declined so the expenditure side was going to be affected.

He said that the government had taken comprehensive measures and announced Rs 1.2 trillion economic stimulus package to help businesses and vulnerable segments of the society deal with the challenges of coronavirus.

He said that IMF had been supportive of government’s stimulus package, which was introduced by the government to check contraction of economy, while the package given to construction industry would also help keep the economy activities on.

He said that when the government came to power, the country was facing severe economic crisis, however efforts were made to get the country out of these crisis while certain tough decisions were made which ultimately produced results.

Due to those policies, he added, the current account deficit was reduced from $20 billion to just $3 billion. Likewise, stagnant exports started witnessing growth whereas rupee was allowed to find correct value in market,

In addition, confidence was restored in global players and financial institutions after the country entered into IMF program which provided $ 6 billion whereas as Asian Development Bank (ADB) and World Bank (WB) were also backing the country.