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Fighting to keep the bread-basket filled
KARACHI: Agriculture is a mainstay of the Pakistan economy, although it has been declining as a percentage of gross domestic product (GDP) as the country’s industrial and service sectors have grown....
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Islamic financial system shows inherent resistance to global crises
KARACHI: Islamic finance is one of the fastest growing segments of the global financial industry. In 2008 the size of the global Islamic banking industry was estimated about $820 billion. Now it is...
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The unparalleled growth of the services sector
KARACHI: The title of this report is ‘The Billion-dollar Club. It could just as easily have been ‘The Pakistani services sector’ and still been a fairly adequate moniker. The most unique factor about...
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Falling off the pace: Mismanagement of energy crisis derailing the economy
KARACHI: About ten years ago, Pakistan had about 30% stand-by electricity. But ever since then, the country has been facing a power crisis that has – or has the potential – to cripple the economy....
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Trading with India: Fools rush in, where wise men fear to tread
KARACHI: It is a million dollar question. For a long time the political will to grant Most Favoured Nation (MFN) status to India was not there. At that time, industrialists, traders and civil society...
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Who will make the right calls for 2013?
KARACHI: This year, technology will be king, connectivity will rule the roost and the internet will be the catalyst for growth. The focus on alternative energy and cheaper power will gain prominence,...
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Corporate social responsibility: The invisible costs of doing business
KARACHI: The cellular industry has seen a great decade of progress in Pakistan. Growth has been stellar, new players have been coming in regularly and this industry has had the distinction of posting...
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Global clusters: What it takes for a regional trade bloc to work
Middle-income countries have pursued regional trade agreements since the 1960s and these ties are becoming more important as the global economic crisis curtails demand from the United States and other...
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The debt trap: Used wisely, debt can be a catalyst for growth
KARACHI: Debt is not really as bad a thing as it is made out to be. Pakistan has run a budget deficit since its inception, and loans were taken as early as the 1950s and 1960s. Loans taken for the...
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Is there an effective economic argument for democracy?
KARACHI: Democracy and economic growth don’t go hand in hand. At least not in Pakistan. Throughout the more than 60 years that Pakistan has been in existence, the best growth years that we have seen,...
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Smartphone wars: Nokia refuses to throw in the towel
KARACHI: Nokia, once the world’s leading handset manufacturer has refused to throw in the towel and is keeping the faith that there is still room for a third challenger to the throne. In fact Nokia...
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What’s in a name?: Job seekers prefer not to tarnish their own ‘brand’
KARACHI: Visibility is the key. Image is of primary importance now. Perception drives reality. It is not just about who you are, but more about what people see you as. Sounds like a lot of clichéd...
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Life after Jobs: For Apple, the real test is yet to come
KARACHI: It has been well over a year since the passing of the man who was and perhaps always will be synonymous with not just Apple but with bringing about a technological revolution that has...
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Why the Pakistan textile industry cannot die
KARACHI: The textile sector enjoys a pivotal position in the exports of Pakistan. The contribution of this industry to total gross domestic product (GDP) is 8.5%. It provides employment to about 15...
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Five years on, stock market leaves much to be desired
KARACHI: Democracy is the best revenge. The current government has effectively completed five years, a first for any civilian administration in Pakistan. Now all eyes are on the next step which is...
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Media and telecom industry meet on neutral ground
KARACHI: Traditionally, the telecom sector and the media – or more accurately, journalists – have not got along very well. For the most part journalists feel that they are not free to report on the...
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Going kaput: Bankruptcy – what are the options for the shareholder?
KARACHI: Bankruptcy is never a good thing, and it is very unlikely that anything good ever comes out of it, for a common shareholder or anyone else. Having said that, there have been many examples of...
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The only way is up: Inheriting an opportunity, not a lemon
KARACHI: Traditionally, incoming governments have always started off by saying that they have been handed an economy that is in tatters, on its last legs and that the country is on the verge of...
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Tech advice: Stuff that pushes our buttons
Men never grow up, or at least that is the common gripe. We are also accused of playing with toys. Actually, we do not play with toys. We collect action figures. We use gadgets and we install apps on...
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Light at the end of the tunnel: We are not yet at the point of no return
KARACHI: According to a recent report issued by the Asian Development Bank (ADB), the Pakistani economy is not doing great, and it is expected to do worse. The ADB has based the analysis on a number...
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