Habib Bank Ltd (HBL) and S&P Global, a financial information and analytics leader, have introduced the first Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI) dedicated to monitoring Pakistan’s manufacturing sector, as announced on Friday.
The new index arrives at a crucial moment for Pakistan’s $350 billion economy, which is currently facing challenges such as rising taxes and power tariffs that have led to social unrest and adversely affected various industries. These difficulties coincide with the country’s efforts for economic stabilization under a $7 billion International Monetary Fund program that began in September.
HBL, S&P Global launch Pakistan's first manufacturing PMI https://t.co/n9BIUBu7U6 pic.twitter.com/GXhNh0MOlK
— Reuters (@Reuters) February 14, 2025This inaugural comprehensive manufacturing index promises to be an invaluable tool for investors. It will provide much-needed economic data in a landscape where such information is often limited.
Luke Thompson, Managing Director of S&P Global Market Intelligence, highlighted the significance of this launch, stating, “The introduction of Pakistan’s first-ever PMI marks a crucial step in enhancing the availability of timely and frequent data, aiding economic tracking and bolstering decision-making among financial institutions, investors, and businesses.”
