The foreign direct investment (FDI) in different sectors of the economyposted a 6 percent growth and increased to $1.257 billion in the firsteight months of the current financial year 2021-22, compared to $1.185billion in the same period of the last financial year.

According to data released by the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP), the foreigndirect investment dropped by 17.5 percent month-on-month in February 2022to $90.8 million against the inflows of $110 million recorded in January2022 due to the prevailing political uncertainty in the country.Year-on-year, the FDI in February 2022 fell 34 percent to $91 million from$137 million recorded in the same month of the last financial year.

China remained the largest investor with a net direct investment of $385million in July-February FY22. It is followed by the US and Hong Kong with$175 million and $130 million respectively.

During July-February FY22, the major investments were poured into the powersector ($430 million), followed by the financial business sector ($275million) and communications sector ($185 million).