FDI surges by 31% to $1.124bn in first five months of FY25

• November FDI inflow jumps by 27% to $219 million.
• China remains top investor with $469 million FDI.
• UK contributed $113 million from July to November.

Pakistan’s net foreign direct investment (FDI) rose by 31%, reaching $1.124 billion in the first five months of the current fiscal year, The News reported.

Data released by the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) on Tuesday revealed a net FDI inflow of $219 million in November. This marks a 27% increase compared to $172 million during the same month last year and a 65% rise from the $133 million recorded in October of this fiscal year.

The substantial growth in FDI reflects Pakistan’s success in attracting foreign investors, driven by improving macroeconomic indicators.

According to the SBP’s data, the majority of direct investments originated from China, with FDI from Chinese companies rising by 60% to $469 million during the period from July to November FY25. Investments from Hong Kong also increased by 44%, reaching $116 million.

The UK contributed $113 million in FDI from July to November FY25, compared to $100 million during the same period last year.

In terms of sector-specific investments, the power sector saw a significant 51% increase, with FDI amounting to $454 million from July to November FY25. The financial sector received $249 million in FDI during this period, a slight increase from $247 million a year earlier.

FDI in the gas and exploration sector rose by 24%, reaching $125 million during the same period.

Meanwhile, the country recorded a current account surplus of $729 million in November, the highest level since February 2015. This compares to a surplus of $346 million in the previous month and a deficit of $148 million in November 2023, the central bank data showed on Tuesday.

November marked the fourth consecutive month of surplus. Over the first five months of the fiscal year 2025, Pakistan posted a current account surplus of $944 million, in contrast to a deficit of $1.67 billion during the same period last year.

The substantial month-on-month surplus of 111% in November was attributed to a reduction in the trade deficit, which decreased by 14% month-on-month to $1.361 billion, while the services deficit fell by 43% to $152 million.

Additionally, the primary deficit dropped by 7% on a monthly basis to $843 million in November. Goods imports decreased by 10% to $4.136 billion, while services imports fell by 13% to $828 million.

Total goods exports rose by 3% year-on-year to $2.775 billion but fell by 8% month-on-month in November.