Forex reserves slip to $16.66 bln

KARACHI: Pakistan's foreign exchange reserves fell marginally to $16.66 billion in the weekending Dec. 16, compared with $16.69 billion in the previous week, the central bank said on Thursday.

Reserves held by the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) fell to$12.76 billion, compared with $12.81 billion the previous week, while those held by commercial banks rose to $3.90 billion, compared with $3.88 billion from the previous week.

Foreign exchange reserves hit a record $18.31 billion in the week ending July 30, but have since eased due to debt repayments.

Reserves were boosted in June by inflows of $411 million, including a $191.9 million loan from the World Bank, and a$196.8 million loan from the Asian Development Bank. Higher export proceeds and a record inflow of remittances have also helped support Pakistan's foreign exchange reserves.

According to official data, remittances rose 18.33 percent to $5.24 billion in the first five months of the fiscal year(July-June), compared with $4.43 billion in the same period a year earlier.

However, they fell slightly to $923 million in November, compared with $926.89 million received in November last year.

Islamabad must start repaying an $8 billion International Monetary Fund loan in early 2012. Analysts say without additional sources of revenue, that will put further pressure on Pakistan's foreign exchange reserves. (Reuters)