Islamabad, January 24 (NIA): China has emerged as the single largest donor to Pakistan in the first half of the 2016-2017 financial year, namely from July to December 2016.
Out of total disbursement of US$ 3.935 billion from all multilateral and bilateral donors received, China is the largest bilateral donor, providing US$ 847.96 million,says The News International.
The government is also borrowing from a consortium of commercial banks during the first six months of the current fiscal year. The Finance Ministry raised US$ 900 million in July-December.
In recent years, consequent to the U$US 51 billion China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), Beijing has become the largest bilateral donor executing energy related projects. Several energy related projects have become operational.
According to official data released by the Economic Affairs Division (EAD) on Monday, Pakistan received a total of US $4.107 billion including US$ 3.935 billion in the shape of loans and US$ 172.12 million as grants in the first six months of the ongoing financial year (FY 2016-17).
Pakistan received a total of US$929 million during December 2016, and in that month, China remained the largest loan disbursing US$ 363.61 million alone in one month.
In first half of the current fiscal year, Asian Development Bank (ADB) disbursed US $ 676.32 million. The Manila based financial institution provided $474.35 million in December 2016 alone.
China has disbursed $847 million in the first six months of the ongoing fiscal year. It provided US$ 363 million in December 2016. In first five months, China had disbursed loan of US$ 484.36 million in first five months (July-Nov) of FY 2016-17.
Japan has disbursed US$ 42.80, Germany US$ 1.72 million, Italy US$ 11.32 million and million during the first six months of the current fiscal year.
The World Bank disbursed US$ 127.49 million and US$ 72.27 million under International Development Association (IDA) in the first half of the ongoing financial year. The Islamic Development Bank (IDB) disbursed US$ 30.15 million and another short term loan of US$ 212.40 million from the IDB. Kuwait disbursed US$ 5.85 million in the current fiscal year.
Through bonds the government raised US$ 1 billion during the first six months of the current fiscal year. The government generated $900 million through commercial banks in the ongoing fiscal year.
The European Union and France disbursed zero loans during the current fiscal year
Grants
As regards grants, the UK tops the list with a disbursement of US$ 125 million. The Medium Term Development Framework (MTDF) gave US$ 2.20 million and the US US$ 42 million during the first six months of the current fiscal year.
(The featured picture at the top shows Chinese President Xi Jinping riding in state with Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif)
