Loans to private sector jump 20.83 percent by end of October

KARACHI: Bank outstanding loans to private sector businesses amounted to Rs3.984 trillion at the end of October, 2017, which was 20.83 percent up from the same period a year ago, the central bank data showed on Friday.

Banks continued to extend credit buoyed by demand from companies and consumers. The increased bank lending was reflective of favourable supply as well as demand conditions in the economy.

Though, a major impetus came from falling interest rates, improvement in liquidity conditions and perceived credit risks compelled banks to increase their exposure towards private sector advances.

October loan data revealed that a larger part of the loans to private businesses were availed by the manufacturing sector, within which the most active borrowers were the producers of textiles, food and beverages, and rubber and plastics.

Bank outstanding loans to the manufacturing sector rose to Rs2.298 trillion at end October from Rs1.845 trillion in the corresponding period of last year. Commerce and trade sector obtained Rs313.7 billion from financial institutions, compared with Rs265.1 billion a year earlier.

The SBP’s data indicates that banks continued to give significant credit support to the economy by leveraging energy and infrastructure projects under China-Pakistan Economic Corridor and higher development related expenditure.

Analysts said banks look set to extend private sector advances in months to come, owing to growing demand for working capital requirement from cement, infrastructure and energy-related entities, and food and sugar manufacturers.

SBP’s cheaper refinancing schemes are also expected to receive appeal from textiles, sugar, and fertiliser sectors for long-term loans. The SBP’s figures showed that consumer loans stood at Rs413.8 billion in October against Rs341.9 billion last year.