The State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) has demonstrated resilience as its foreign exchange reserves experienced a slight increase following a sequence of consecutive declines. The recent data from the SBP offers insights into this measured revival, hinting at potential stabilization in the country’s economic outlook.
SBP Reserves Display Incremental Growth
After a series of successive declines, the foreign exchange reserves held by the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) have depicted a cautious resurgence; as of 11th August, the recorded foreign currency reserves stood at $8.055 billion. This signifies a minor upswing of $12 million compared to the previous week’s tally of $8.043 billion, recorded on 4th August. This nuanced rise in reserves suggests a trajectory of subtle recovery amidst an evolving economic landscape.
Arif Habib Limited’s insight highlights the import cover—a critical metric revealing the nation’s economic robustness. With an import cover of just under two months (precisely 1.88 months), it emphasizes the importance of strategic planning and vigilant management to ensure stability and enhance the country’s capacity to navigate financial challenges.
Holistic Perspective on Reserves
A comprehensive evaluation of the nation’s foreign currency reserves, encompassing both SBP and non-SBP bank holdings, offers a comprehensive picture of the economic scenario. Combining the liquid foreign currency reserves, including net reserves held by banks other than the SBP, the total reached $13.379 billion. This marked an augmentation of $40 million from the previous week. Notably, the net reserves held by banks contributed significantly to this growth, reporting a value of $5.324 billion, reflecting an increase of $28 million during the same period.
Notably, a pivotal event on 14th July significantly impacted the reserves; substantial inflows from Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), and the International Monetary Fund (IMF) bolstered the SBP’s foreign currency reserves to $8.727 billion. Subsequent weeks, however, witnessed a trend of declines, culminating in reserves totaling $8.043 billion on 4th August. The current subtle increase signals a cautious resurgence, indicating the country’s ongoing efforts to stabilize and adapt to an ever-changing economic landscape.
Also read: SBP Reserves Cross $8.7 Billion with $4.2 Billion Surge
