SECP registered 237 companies in Dec 2009

Friday, January 08, 2010
By our correspondent

ISLAMABAD: Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan (SECP) registered 237 companies during December 2009 as compared to 189 companies registered during previous month, reflecting an increase of 25 per cent, said a news statement issued by the commission here on Thursday.

The total corporate portfolio as on December 31, 2009 comprises 54,403 registered companies. Total 237 companies incorporated during Dec 2009, comprised four public unlisted companies, 220 private companies, 12 single member companies and one association not for profit under section 42 of the Companies Ordinance, 1984 (the ‘Ordinance’). Total authorised capital and paid up capital of companies, incorporated during Dec 2009 amounted to Rs4,781.82 million and Rs356.21 million respectively.

This positive trend in new incorporation activity was observed, despite public holidays on account of Quaid-e-Azam day /Christmas and Ashura. During Dec 2009, number of new incorporation was highest at Lahore, whereby 85 companies have been registered, followed by Karachi registering 69 companies, Islamabad with 62 companies. Peshawar and Multan registered 7 companies, each. Faisalabad and Quetta registered 5, and 2 companies respectively. Major share of new incorporation was witnessed in the trading sector comprising 38 companies, followed by 22 in services, 18 in information technology, 17 in communications, 16 in real estate development, 14 in construction, 12 in broadcasting and telecasting and 10 in textile sector.

Of these 237 companies registered during Dec 2009, 15 companies had foreign investments. Foreign investors in these companies belong to a number of countries around the globe including Australia, UK, Germany, China, New Zealand, Iran, Nigeria, South Africa, Sri Lanka, Kuwait and Turkey. Foreign investments were made in 5 companies in trading sector, 2 companies each in power generation and agricultural farming sector, and one company each in food and beverages, construction, textile, consultancy and shipping sector.