UK-US investment stands at $2.683 billion

Investments by USA and UK in Pakistan have gone up by 107 percent and 690 percent, respectively, together touching the high level of $2.683 billion during July-May period of current fiscal year, making 42 percent of overall investment in the country against 21 percent of the same period of last fiscal year.
SBP statistics show that USA and UK investment is gradually increasing here, as Pakistan is a strategic partner of USA and UK in the war against terrorism for about last six years.
Statistics show that after 9/11, during current year Pakistan's economy for the first time has benefited in real manner by USA and United Kingdom through their investments.
Among foreign investor countries USA is on top with $1.544 billion investment, while UK with $1.139 billion, is the second and Netherlands is the third with $765.8 million this year.
UK and USA share in total foreign investment (foreign direct investment and portfolio investment) this year has increased by $1.795 billion to $2.683 billion as compared to $888 million of the same period of last fiscal year.
According to central bank statistics, during the period under review USA investment stood at $1.544 billion against $744.6 million of last year, depicting a raise of $800 million or 107 percent.
USA investors' share was $750.4 million in portfolio investment and $794.4 million as foreign direct investment (FDI). UK foreign investment grew by $995 million, or 690 percent, to $1.139 billion against $144.2 million.
FDI by UK witnessed a growth of 369 percent to $780.9 million during current fiscal.
Economic experts expect more investment from both countries in future but believe that it would depend on the relations of both countries and demand of USA in war against terrorism. Other leading countries in foreign investment were Netherlands, China, United Arab Emirate, Australia, Japan, Saudi Arabia, Singapore and Switzerland.
China invested $711.1 million, United Arab Emirate $429 million, Singapore $139.5 million, Saudi Arabia $105.3 million, and Switzerland $66.6 million.
In addition, India's investment stood at 0.1 million with 77 percent decline' Canada invested $10.8 million, Australia $59.8 million, Japan $57.4 million and Kuwait $83.9 million.
It may be mentioned here that country's total foreign investment witnessed a growth of 50 percent at 6.282 billion dollars 11 months of current fiscal year against $4.177 billion of last year.