Pakistan economy recovering but Vaccine rollout and stabilization measures remain Key — ADB

April 28, 2021: Pakistan’s economic growth is expected to rebound this year before gaining pace in 2022 as business activity gradually resumes after the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic, the Asian Development Bank (ADB) said in a report today.

According to the Asian Development Outlook (ADO) 2021, ADB’s annual flagship economic publication, Pakistan’s economy will grow by 2% in 2021 as COVID-19 restrictions ease. Assuming the COVID-19 vaccine rollout is successful and economic stabilization measures are implemented, growth is expected to accelerate to 4% in 2022 with improved consumption and investor confidence.
It is vital for Pakistan to continue to combat the pandemic by rapidly deploying vaccines and continuing with reforms to support economic recovery, including strengthening social protection and supporting the private sector,” said ADB Acting Country Director for Pakistan F. Cleo Kawawaki. “Improving access to finance for small and medium-sized enterprises is essential to unlocking business opportunities and stimulating new jobs. Continued macro-economic stability and increasing competitiveness are also key pillars under ADB’s Pakistan Country Partnership Strategy 2021–2025 that will support an inclusive and sustainable recovery.”

For FY2021, the industry appears poised for robust growth led by manufacturing and construction. Services are expected to rebound as retail and trade pick up. Agriculture is projected to see slower growth mainly due to a sharply lower cotton harvest following heavy rains, pest attacks, and continued contractions in cultivated areas of land.

Inflation is projected to come down to 8.7% in FY2021, partly reflecting an expected improvement in the food supply, subsidies for wheat and sugar, and closer price monitoring of essential commodities.

The State Bank of Pakistan, the central bank, maintained its policy rate at 7% to support the economic recovery. Investment is expected to strengthen as global sentiment improves and the stabilization program supported by the International Monetary Fund progresses.

The report noted that strong support for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) is needed to stimulate growth and ensure jobs for young people entering the labor market. Licensing and registration processes need to be simplified to facilitate the movement of informal SMEs into the formal sector. Digitalization could also expand their access to financial services and export markets.

ADB is committed to achieving a prosperous, inclusive, resilient, and sustainable Asia and the Pacific while sustaining its efforts to eradicate extreme poverty. Established in 1966, it is owned by 68 members—49 from the region.

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