Canada overtakes China as top source of FDI into Pakistan in September

Mettis Link News reported that Canada overtook China as the leading origin of foreign direct investment into Pakistan in September, based on provisional State Bank of Pakistan figures. Canada recorded $85.3m in gross inflows with no outflows, leaving its net FDI at that level, a rise of 70.60% month-on-month from $50m in August. The country accounted for 38.86% of the overall net figure for September, and its July to September cumulative net FDI reached $229.2m, up 1.91% year-on-year from $224.9m in FY26.

China ranked second on gross inflows at $77.4m, but $33.6m in outflows cut its net FDI to $43.8m, a 61.24% monthly fall from $113.0m in August. The United Kingdom, second by net FDI at $48.7m, posted a 255.47% rise from $13.7m, as its inflows grew and outflows dropped sharply. Switzerland, the UAE and Hong Kong also recorded lower net figures than in August, while the Netherlands had a net outflow of $3.4m.

Canada and the United Kingdom offset much of the weakness seen in China, the UAE and Hong Kong during September. Total net FDI eased from August's high, yet cumulative net FDI for the first quarter reached $719.7m, up 19.87% year-on-year from $600.4m.