Connect with us

Business

Pakistan’s central bank amends foreign exchange rules to facilitate IT entities, freelancers

To facilitate exporters of software, IT and IT enabled services, State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) has amended its foreign exchange regulations, advising the banks to mandatorily allow, till March 31, 2023, retention of 35 percent of their export proceeds in special foreign currency accounts.

However, such exporters need to be registered either with Pakistan Software Export Board (PSEB) or with Pakistan Software Houses Association (P@SHA). These instructions will be reviewed in light of the incremental export performance by IT sector and realization of export proceeds thereof during this period.

Exporters would be allowed to use their retained funds for legitimate business payments or expenses abroad, as per the revised list of purposes issued by SBP.

SBP has advised banks to provide digital channels for opening and operation of these accounts. Banks can now provide facilitation of outward remittances from the retained proceeds through issuance of corporate debit cards after conducting necessary due diligence.

Furthermore, SBP has advised banks to institute a mechanism for facilitation and speedy resolution of the customers’ complaints. Banks are required to nominate focal persons at Head Office level, and designate an appropriate officer at each branch dealing in foreign exchange business. Exporters can also approach SBP at facilitation.itexporters@sbp.org.pk to share their suggestions and concerns.

The amendments will incentivize new entrants in this field to focus on exports and enable existing exporters to boost their business that in turn will create employment opportunities and increase foreign exchange earnings of the country.

Published

on

To facilitate exporters of software, IT and IT enabled services, State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) has amended its foreign exchange regulations, advising the banks to mandatorily allow, till March 31, 2023, retention of 35 percent of their export proceeds in special foreign currency accounts. However, such exporters need to be registered either with Pakistan Software Export Board (PSEB) or with Pakistan Software Houses Association (P@SHA). These instructions will be reviewed in light of the incremental export performance by IT sector and realization of export proceeds thereof during this period. Exporters would be allowed to use their retained funds for legitimate business payments or expenses abroad, as per the revised list of purposes issued by SBP. SBP has advised banks to provide digital channels for opening and operation of these accounts. Banks can now provide facilitation of outward remittances from the retained proceeds through issuance of corporate debit cards after conducting necessary due diligence. Furthermore, SBP has advised banks to institute a mechanism for facilitation and speedy resolution of the customers’ complaints. Banks are required to nominate focal persons at Head Office level, and designate an appropriate officer at each branch dealing in foreign exchange business. Exporters can also approach SBP at facilitation.itexporters@sbp.org.pk to share their suggestions and concerns. The amendments will incentivize new entrants in this field to focus on exports and enable existing exporters to boost their business that in turn will create employment opportunities and increase foreign exchange earnings of the country.

To facilitate exporters of software, IT and IT enabled services, State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) has amended its foreign exchange regulations, advising the banks to mandatorily allow, till March 31, 2023, retention of 35 percent of their export proceeds in special foreign currency accounts.

However, such exporters need to be registered either with Pakistan Software Export Board (PSEB) or with Pakistan Software Houses Association (P@SHA). These instructions will be reviewed in light of the incremental export performance by IT sector and realization of export proceeds thereof during this period.

Exporters would be allowed to use their retained funds for legitimate business payments or expenses abroad, as per the revised list of purposes issued by SBP.

SBP has advised banks to provide digital channels for opening and operation of these accounts. Banks can now provide facilitation of outward remittances from the retained proceeds through issuance of corporate debit cards after conducting necessary due diligence.

Furthermore, SBP has advised banks to institute a mechanism for facilitation and speedy resolution of the customers’ complaints. Banks are required to nominate focal persons at Head Office level, and designate an appropriate officer at each branch dealing in foreign exchange business. Exporters can also approach SBP at facilitation.itexporters@sbp.org.pk to share their suggestions and concerns.

Advertisement

The amendments will incentivize new entrants in this field to focus on exports and enable existing exporters to boost their business that in turn will create employment opportunities and increase foreign exchange earnings of the country.

Business

Dollar treads water as Trump tariff clarity, central banks awaited

Published

on

By

Dollar treads water as Trump tariff clarity, central banks awaited

The dollar steadied against major peers on Thursday, continuing its near paralysis of the past two days before more concrete announcements on tariffs from U.S. President Donald Trump.

A spate of central bank policy decisions are also due over the next week, with the Bank of Japan widely expected to raise interest rates at the end of a two-day meeting on Friday.

Rate decisions from the U.S. Federal Reserve and European Central Bank are scheduled for Wednesday and Thursday of next week, respectively.

The dollar index – which measures the currency versus six top rivals, including the euro and yen – was flat at 108.25, following two days of gains of around 0.1%.

On Monday, it tumbled 1.2%, its steepest one-day slide since November 2023, as Trump’s first day in office brought a barrage of executive orders, but none on tariffs.

So far this week, Trump has mooted levies of around 25% on Canada and Mexico and 10% on China from Feb. 1. He also promised duties on European imports, without giving details.

“President Trump has so far taken a less hostile-than-expected approach to China,” amid overall “softer-than-expected policies and tone on tariffs”, said Carol Kong, a currency strategist at Commonwealth Bank of Australia.

At the same time, “we are cautious (that) risk sentiment remains fragile and can quickly turn sour if President Trump strikes a more aggressive tone.”

The Chinese yuan was little changed at 7.2812 per dollar in offshore trading .

Wall Street’s main indexes rose Wednesday, with the S&P 500 hitting an intraday record high thanks to strong Netflix earnings and a rally in tech shares.

Japan’s yen edged up about 0.1% to 156.40 with markets pricing 95% odds of a quarter-point hike on Friday.

The euro was flat at $1.0411. The ECB is widely expected to cut rates by a quarter point next week.

The Canadian dollar held steady at C$1.4386 against the greenback. The Bank of Canada is seen as likely to reduce rates by a quarter point next Wednesday.

The Mexican peso was little changed at 20.47 versus the U.S. currency.

Continue Reading

Business

Oil prices extend losses amid uncertainty over tariff impact

Published

on

By

Oil prices extend losses amid uncertainty over tariff impact

Oil prices dipped in early trade on Thursday, extending losses amid uncertainty over how proposed tariffs by U.S. President Donald Trump on several countries would impact global economic growth and energy demand.

Brent crude futures fell 23 cents, or 0.3%, to $78.79 a barrel at 0135 GMT, while U.S. West Texas Intermediate crude (WTI) eased 18 cents, or 0.2%, to $75.26.

In its previous session, Brent futures settled at $79.00 in a fifth straight day of losses. WTI futures settled at $75.44 in a fourth consecutive day of declines.

Trump has said he would add new tariffs to his sanctions threat against Russia if the country does not make a deal to end its war in Ukraine. He added these could be applied to “other participating countries” as well.

He also vowed to hit the European Union with tariffs, impose 25% tariffs against Canada and Mexico, and said his administration was discussing a 10% punitive duty on China because fentanyl is being sent to the U.S. from there.

Meanwhile, estimates from an extended Reuters poll showed that on average U.S. crude oil stockpiles were expected to have fallen by 1.6 million barrels in the week to Jan. 17.

Gasoline stockpiles were estimated to have risen by 2.3 million barrels last week, and distillate inventories were likely to have gained 300,000 barrels.

The poll was conducted ahead of the American Petroleum Institute industry group’s report and another from the Energy Information Administration at 12:00 p.m. ET (1700 GMT) on Thursday.

European wind shares fell on Tuesday (January 21).

The reports were delayed by a day due to the Martin Luther King Jr. Day federal holiday on Monday.

Continue Reading

Business

Pakistan, Saudi Arabia reaffirm commitment to boost economic ties

Published

on

By

Pakistan, Saudi Arabia reaffirm commitment to boost economic ties

Pakistan and Saudi Arabia have reaffirmed their commitment to further strengthening the bilateral economic ties for shared prosperity.

The commitment was expressed when Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb met with his Saudi counterpart Mohammad bin Abdullah Al-Jadaan on the sidelines of World Economic Forum Annual Meeting in Davos.

Muhammad Aurangzeb highlighted the key reform measures undertaken by the Government to promote economic stability and sustainable growth.

He briefed him on structural reforms, fiscal discipline and regulatory improvements that have contributed to an improved investment climate in Pakistan.

Earlier, Aurangzeb met Anna Bjerde, Managing Director of Operations at the World Bank.

They discussed cooperation between Pakistan and the World Bank, with a particular focus on Pakistan’s macroeconomic stability.

The finance minister emphasized the government’s strong partnership with the Bank and expressed hope that the World Bank would continue playing a key role in the country’s socio-economic development.

Continue Reading

Trending

Copyright © GLOBAL TIMES PAKISTAN