April 18, 2021 (MLN): The weekly economic roundup summarizes the country's key economic and financial data for the week from various sectors to keep an eye on next week's trends. 

• Pakistan's trade deficit for 9 months (July-March) FY21 was $20.83 billion, up by 20% YoY compared to a deficit of $17.34 billion in the corresponding period of FY20.
• The Weekly Sensitive Price Indicator (SPI) for the Combined Group increased by 0.54% during the week ended Apr 15, 2021 while the SPI increased by 18.89% compared to the corresponding period from last year.
• Pakistan's Forex Reserves increased by USD 2,540.90 Million or 12.29% and the total liquid foreign reserves held by the country stood at USD 23,220.30 Million on Apr 09, 2021.
• In the latest development, the Economic Coordination Committee of the Cabinet (ECC) on Wednesday, has withdrawn customs duty on import of cotton yarns to facilitate the Value-Added exporters.
• The total money supply circulating within the economy in February 2021 has been recorded at around Rs25.94 trillion, according to provisional accounts on Monetary Aggregates for the month, maintained by the State Bank of Pakistan.
• The non-government sector has borrowed another net sum of Rs331.13 million during the week ended April 02, 2021, which brings the cumulative net borrowing for ongoing fiscal year FY2021 to Rs425.55 billion. The net borrowing as of the prior week was recorded at Rs425.22 billion.
• The government of Pakistan has retired Rs30.96 billion during the week ended April 02, 2021, which brings its total net borrowing for the ongoing fiscal year 2021 to Rs638.87 billion. As of the prior week, the government had borrowed a net sum of Rs669.83 billion.
• The overall output of LSMI increased by 7.45% for July-February 2020-21 compared to July – February 2019-20.
• The sale of passenger cars during the month of March 2021 was recorded at 17,105 units against a total production of 17,442 units, showing an increase of 26.05% as compared to the 13,570 units sold in February 2021.
• The total Deposits held by Commercial Banks have grown by 18% YoY to Rs.17.9 trillion in 1QCY21, which is the highest growth in the March quarter in the last 14 years.
• Remittances by overseas Pakistani extended their unprecedented streak of above $2 billion for the 10th consecutive month in March'21 as it rose to $2.7 billion, up by 20% compared to the last month and 43% compared to March 2020.

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