Economy expected to grow by 2 percent next year: Hafeez Shaikh.

ISLAMABAD -- With the current projections of negative 1.5 GDP growth rate owing to COVID-19 pandemic impact, the country's economy would turn around to witness 2 percent growth in upcoming fiscal year (2020-21), Advisor to Prime Minister on Finance and Revenue, Dr. Abdul Hafeez Shaikh said on Thursday.

Participating in a Webinar on 'Pakistan Economy: Post COVID-19', organized by Institute of Chartered Accountant of Pakistan (ICAP), the advisor said that Pakistan was expecting around 3 percent growth during the current fiscal year, however it would end up negative 1 to 1.5 percent due to coronavirus impact.

However, he said the when the situation improves; the GDP was expected to grow by 2 percent next year.

Likewise, the advisor said that the fiscal deficit, which was projected at 9 percent this year compared to the target of 7 percent, would also be brought down next year while, the debt to GDP ratio would also be reduced.

Talking about the post COVID-19 situation, the advisor said that the International Monetary Fund (IMF) had predicted 3 percent global growth.

The contraction in global economy had been affecting the country's exports as had been witnessed in April during which the exports decline by 40 percent as compare to last April.

Likewise, unemployment was going up due to lockdown and low economic activity while the revenue collection also declined so the expenditure side was going to be affected.

He said that the government had taken comprehensive...