In addition to the trade surplus with Italy, Pakistan has performed admirably despite the COVID-19 lockdown and supply chain disruptions, exhibiting noticeable growth in the Italian market during FY20, according to Ambassador Jauhar Saleem, Pakistan’s envoy to Italy.
Pakistan’s Trade Surplus
Pakistan has witnessed a trade surplus with Italy of 3.13 pc during the fiscal year 2019-2020. The stated surplus is measured against the previous fiscal year.
In addition, a trade surplus of $228.848 million is recorded against $221.898 million in the previous year, as per the State Bank of Pakistan.
Export to Italy
Also, during the FY20, Pakistan recorded engagement of $750.917 million in exports. As for the FY19, exports reached $805.399 million. This reflects a dip of 6.76pc.
Taking the exports on a year-on-year basis, a decline of 14.07 pc appears for June 2020. Exports went down from $70.468 million in June 2019 to $60.552 million in June 2020. On a month-to-month basis, exports to Italy picked up by 24.20 pc in June 2020. If measured against $48.752 million in May 2020.
Imports from Italy
Goods worth $522.069 were imported from Italy in FY2020. For FY19, the imports stood at $583.501 million. This reflects a decrease of 10.52pc.
Taking imports on a year-to-year basis, imports have picked up by 22.13 pc. Imports worth $37.291 million are recorded against $45.544 million in June 2020. On a month-to-month basis, imports got a leg-up by 123.29pc for June 2020. Similarly, Pakistan’s overall imports to all countries have declined by 18.22 percent for the fiscal year 2020. Presently the exports stand at $42.418 million against $51.869 billion last year.
Pakistan’s overall exports to all countries declined by 7.22pc for the fiscal year 2020. Last year exports stood at $24.256 in net worth. However presently, the count stands at $22.504 billion.
Pakistan’s Trade Surplus Despite the Pandemic
Pakistan Ambassador to Italy, Jauhar Saleem said that Pakistan has been able to score well in the Italian market despite the contemporary fallout due to the pandemic.
The ambassador laid out the trade surplus to be $210 million against a deficit of $164 million with Italy in FY2019. “So, the balance of trade is in Pakistan’s favour now. In FY20, Pakistan’s exports to Italy were $731 million and imports stood at $521 million. “he added.
Additionally, Pakistan’s main exports to Italy include textiles, leather, rice, and ethanol. Mr Saleem said, “Pakistan is a market leader in rice and it holds a 38% share in the Italian market as the country exports rice worth $62 million.”
Italian Investment in Pakistan
Moreover, the envoy briefed that the Italian investment in Pakistan picked up by 45% in FY20 against FY19. A jump to $56.4 million for FY20 is recorded. FDI In energy, pharma, chemical, and IT sectors are being made with the energy sector getting the most of it.
“Italy has planned to invest in renewable energy in Pakistan. Pakistan’s embassy in Rome is facilitating these new investment projects. “he said., Home remittances from Italy grew by 25% in FY20. As of June 2020, work remittances have witnessed 77% growth. Presently, Italy is undertaking initiatives to regularize the Pakistani labour force. Pakistan’s undocumented labour force would be the main beneficiary under this scheme.
