Service sector trade deficit clocks in at $172m

June 17, 2025 (MLN): The service sector of Pakistan posed a trade deficit of $172 million in May, reflecting a decline of 8.02% MoM, as compared to a deficit of $187m recorded in the previous month, the latest data released by the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) showed.

Comparison on a yearly basis shows that the country reported a deficit of $231 m in trade of services in the Same Period Last Year (SPLY).

Details made available by SBP further revealed that the exports of services in May went up by 1.56% YoY to $716m compared to $705m in May 2024.

Similarly, on a month wise basis, exports rose by 0.14% MoM compared to the figures for April 2025.

Cumulatively in 11MFY25, services exports up by 8.54% YoY to $7.648bn compared to exports of $7.04bn in 11MFY24.

Amongst the total exports in the review month, Telecommunications, Computer, and Information Services made the largest contribution with an amount of $329m in May, witnessing a decrease of 0.9% YoY compared to exports in SPLY.

Meanwhile, Other Business Services held the second position, bringing $150m in May into the country.

In terms of growth, receipts from the exports of this section went up by 20.97% YoY compared to $124m in the same period last year.

On a sequential basis, other business services dropped by 1.32% MoM compared to exports of $152m in April 2025.

Furthermore, the export of transport and travel services contributed an amount of $77m and $49m, respectively in the review period.

The imports of services during the year amounted to $888m, which rose by 5.13% YoY compared to imports worth $936m in SPLY.

On a monthly basis, imports have decreased compared to $902m recorded in the previous month.

Going forward, the imports during 11MFY25, stood at $10.31bn, up by 6.58% YoY compared with the number during 11MFY24.

Amongst the total imports, the largest expenditure was incurred on Transport for an amount of $385m, witnessing an increase of 6.94% YoY and 1.32% MoM.

The travel services cost the country around $185m, recording a decline of 24.62% YoY and 30.99% MoM.