SBP announces more investment opportunities for overseas Pakistanis

KARACHI: The State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) announced on Monday more investment and financing opportunities for overseas Pakistanis.

The central bank allowed non-resident Pakistanis (NRPs) to make direct investment through the rupee based Roshan Digital Accounts (RDA) in shares of companies in Pakistan and units of funds established and operated by private fund management companies licensed by the Security and Exchange Commission of Pakistan (SECP).

To facilitate investment in real estate in Pakistan, a financing facility has been allowed to RDA holders through their PKR account using digital channels. In addition, inflow of funds into rupee denominated RDA has been allowed through Money Transfer Operators (MTOs).

Earlier, investment through rupee denominated RDA was allowed in registered government securities, listed securities on the stock exchange, mutual funds, real estate with self-financing and term deposits of the banks.

“The above changes will not only provide more investment opportunities to non-resident Pakistanis but also facilitate them to purchase property in Pakistan through bank financing,” a statement issued by the SBP said.

Likewise, it said earlier the flow of funds into RDA was allowed only through banking channels. However, it added, based on the feedback received from NRPs, inflows from abroad into RDA have been allowed through MTOs.

“This would provide another convenient and economical avenue for sending remittances, particularly to the NRPs who might not have a bank account abroad,” the SBP said.

The central bank pointed out that the remittances received through RDA have already crossed US$2 billion. “SBP greatly values the contribution and trust of overseas Pakistanis in this initiative and assures them that it would continue to enhance the feature-set of the RDAs, so that the accounts can seamlessly cater to their complete banking needs,” the statement further said.