Pakistan registered 3,444 new companies in February, pushing the total number of registered firms in the country to 287,049, according to the Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan (SECP).
Most of the new registrations were private limited companies, which made up 59 percent of the total. Single member companies followed with a share of 38 percent.
The remaining 3 percent included public unlisted companies, not for profit organisations, limited liability partnerships and foreign companies, the SECP said in a statement issued on Friday.
Foreign investment remains active
Foreign investment also remained active during the month. A total of 82 newly incorporated companies received international shareholding.
China emerged as the largest source of foreign investment. Investors from China took part in 44 companies.
The United States ranked second with investments in seven companies. Investors from Palau and Germany each participated in three companies.
Other countries also showed interest in the Pakistani market. Egypt, the UK, Australia, Afghanistan, Yemen and Indonesia invested in two companies each.
Additional investments came from Azerbaijan, Nigeria, Jordan, Canada, Sweden, Denmark, the Philippines, Turkey, Portugal and Belgium, among others.
According to the SECP, most of the foreign investment went into mining and quarrying, trading and the information technology sector. The trend reflects continued global interest in Pakistan’s natural resources, growing commercial activity and expanding digital sector.
Punjab leads new company registrations
Punjab recorded the highest number of new company registrations in February with 1,696 firms.
The Islamabad Capital Territory followed with 656 new companies. Sindh recorded 555 registrations, while Khyber Pakhtunkhwa added 317 companies.
Gilgit Baltistan registered 174 new firms, while Balochistan recorded 46 new company registrations.
In terms of sectors, information technology and e commerce led the growth with 723 new companies. The trading sector followed with 531 registrations, while services added 434 companies.
Real estate development and construction also saw notable activity with 323 new companies set up during the month.
Several other sectors also recorded new incorporations, including tourism and transport, food and beverages, education, mining, textiles, healthcare and engineering.
Another 266 companies were registered in various sectors such as cables and electric goods, sports and paper and board, showing that business activity continues to expand across a wide range of industries in Pakistan.
Read next: SBP expected to keep interest rate unchanged in March 9 meeting
