Pakistan’s corporate sector is exhibiting considerable dynamism, with new company incorporations rising by 29 per cent in the first half of the current financial year, according to new figures released by the Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan (SECP).
According to a report today, the data reveals that 21,668 new enterprises were registered during the six-month period, contributing Rs. 30.7 billion in paid-up capital. This represents a substantial increase from the 16,839 companies registered in the corresponding period of the previous year. The total number of active registered companies in the country has now reached 279,724.
Analysis of sectoral growth shows a diverse spread of entrepreneurial activity, spearheaded by the Information Technology and E-Commerce sector, which saw 4,277 new registrations. Other leading fields included Trading with 2,997, Services with 2,686, and Real Estate with 2,031 new companies.
Foreign investor interest also showed significant strength during this period. A total of 524 newly formed companies attracted foreign investment, with 731 international investors contributing a collective Rs. 1.26 billion in capital.
China was the principal source of this foreign capital, accounting for a commanding 71 per cent of the total inflows. Afghanistan followed with 8 per cent, and the United States contributed 2 per cent. A consortium of nations including the United Kingdom, Germany, South Africa, South Korea, Norway, Vietnam, Nigeria, and Bangladesh each accounted for 1 per cent of the investment, with the remaining 11 per cent originating from various other countries.