KARACHI: The inflows of foreign direct investment (FDI) in May jumped by 63 per cent to $198.3 million compared to $121.4m in the same month last year, the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) said on Friday. The increase of about $77m in FDI could be a harbinger of positive change, given that slow growth was observed over the past few years. According to the latest SBP data, this year April was good compared to the same period in FY20. However, the month of May proved to be even better as the inflows increased by 25.5pc compared to $158min April, highlighting a positive trend. The overall inflows during July-May (11MFY21) witnessed a decline of 27.7pc. The country received total FDI worth $1.752bn during the period against an inflow of $2.423bn. The external front of the economy is presently in a better shape since the current account is in surplus while the SBP reserves are at a four-year high. This gives an attractive picture to the foreign investors. The government is also providing a number of incentives to the foreign investors. Analysts said the outgoing fiscal year was fully dominated by the uncertainties due to the Covid-19 pandemic which discouraged investors from spending. The FDI in 11MFY21 -so far at $1.751bn surpassed total $1.362bn inflows in FY19. China remained the largest investor in Pakistan but the inflows were less than the previous year. The SBP data showed that the FDI in 11MFY21 from China was $728m compared to $843m in11MFY20.
 in May jumped by 63 per cent to $198.3 million compared to $121.4m in the same month last year){kind=link}