Economic Review articles from April 1998

Economic Review archives from April 1998

Controversy over LB polls and IPPs. (Local Bodies; independent power producers)
April 1, 1998... Holding LB Polls without revising electoral lists in light of recently conducted population census carries little sense. The row over power tariff between government and IPPs may scare away foreign investors. MQM is unlikely to part ways with...

Power tariff: imbroglio or hara kiri? (Pakistan)
April 1, 1998... The battle line between government and independent power projects has been drawn. The tussle has taken a new turn. A hastily drafted Eradication of Corrupt Business Practices Ordinance under which notices have been issued to 21 power projects...

And now the incentives for shipping industry. (Pakistan)
April 1, 1998... It has been reported in the local press that now the shipping industry, dormant over the last twenty five years is being offered incentives in a bid to revive it. There is no denying the fact that merchant shipping is an important sector of the...

Contaminated water is the major cause of poor health.
April 1, 1998... It is observed that in cities drinking water from supply lines may look clear and taste normal is not safe for human consumption. This tap water is unfortunately polluted due to defective pipe joints, seepage and leakage from damaged sewerage...

Global warming and El-Nino.
April 1, 1998... The battle line between government and independent power projects has been drawn. The tussle has taken a new turn. A hastily drafted Eradication of Corrupt Business Practices Ordinance under which notices have been issued to 21 power projects...

SBP and its nexus with banking system. (State Bank of Pakistan)
April 1, 1998... Perhaps the single biggest reform in the banking industry is the historic act passed by the National Assembly to provide complete autonomy in administrative matters to the State Bank Pakistan. This measure was long overdue, and will provide SBP...

Recovery of non-performing loans - an issue of national significance.
April 1, 1998... The issue of the mounting nonperforming loans of banks and DFIs first gained momentum at the national level in 1994 when a list of 6,792 defaulters involving stuck-up loans of Rs.80.28 billion prepared during Mr. Moeen Qureshi's caretaker...

Performance of private banks. (Pakistan)
April 1, 1998... The impending privatization of banks poses an imminent threat to their hitherto rapid growth and profitability. Most of these banks are pursuing various strategies to confront the emerging challenges by creating special market niches for...

Foreign banks 1997. (Pakistan)
April 1, 1998... Table on top foreign banks according to pretax profit shows that ANZ Grindlays again took the top slot in 1997 with pretax profit at Rs.1.439 billion showing 23.6 per cent growth from Rs.1.164 billion in 1996. Citibank posted 26.5 per cent...

Modaraba sector passing through a critical phase. (Pakistan)
April 1, 1998... The Modaraba sector of Pakistan is passing through a phase which is more than critical. During the last four years, the sector has lost Rs.14 billion in the market. The present market capitalization of the Modaraba sector is Rs.3 billion while in...

Far East currency turmoil. (Southeast Asia)
April 1, 1998... Though a number of factors have been identified to understand the Far Eastern crisis, it has come out that it was a targeted currency turmoil and the main target was Malaysia. This was the inference drawn by Professor Dr. Khawaja Amjad Saeed who...

Currency watch & currency talk. (currency market in Pakistan)
April 1, 1998... Local Scenario During the second half of the month of March, 1998 the rupee displayed a firm attitude against the dollar and if this is taken as a barometer. It can be consoled that the monetary conditions are getting improved to some extent....

Emirates Bank International. (business performance)
April 1, 1998... In the last three years the deposits of EBI increased from Rs.7.350 billion in 1995 to Rs.12.976 billion in 1997 showing a rise of 76.54%. Advances have also showed a rise of 41.06% up from Rs.4.432 billion in 1995 to Rs.6.252 billion. Profit...

Deutsche Bank. (company profile)(Company Profile)
April 1, 1998... Deutsche Bank Group in the Asia Pacific Region has more than 80 offices in 17 countries will more than 6000 staff Total group assets: US$101,885 million, total group deposits: US$23,823 million as at June 30, 1997 (1US$ = DEM 1,7441). Founded...

Standard Chartered - another good year. (business performance for 1997)
April 1, 1998... 1997 has been another excellent year for Standard Chartered. Although there has been considerable upheaval in the bank's key Asian and African markets, trading profits have increased by 11% from GBP 818 million to GBP 904 million at current...

MCB MasterCard - the future of money. (Muslim Commercial Bank Ltd)
April 1, 1998... Although plastic money has been around in Pakistan for almost three decades, there was very little activity uptill the eighties, with the card industry servicing only foreigners visiting Pakistan. The nineties however, saw a favourable trend for...

United Bank Limited - a brief introduction.
April 1, 1998... United Bank was established on November 7, 1959 when Pakistan's economy was growing rapidly and regarded as a model for developing countries. In a period of rapid growth the demand for more effective and modern banking services increased sharply....

Pizza Hut to open 30 outlets by year 2000. (Pakistan)
April 1, 1998... I feel that from time immemorial, whenever the societies and economies are depressed, people need an outlet. In the western world people resort night clubs and bars and drown their sorrows in liquor. In Pakistan the only source of entertainment...

Equities on the rocks. (stock market in Pakistan)
April 1, 1998... The stock market has witnessed a sharp decline in equity fund raising and for the last eight months not a single Initial Public Offering (IPO) had been made. There was no major IPO throughout 1997 as only two public offerings relating to energy...