SECP registers record number of new companies in November

ISLAMABAD: The Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan (SECP) has reached a major achievement by registering 3,024 new companies in November 2024. This brings the total number of registered companies in the country to 236,611, reflecting the increasing trust in Pakistan’s corporate sector and its ongoing development.

Approximately 99% of the new company registrations are now processed digitally, marking another important step in the SECP’s efforts to create a seamless, technology-driven regulatory framework that enhances transparency and facilitates business operations in Pakistan. Private Limited Companies made up 58% of the new registrations, while single-member companies accounted for 39%. The remaining 3% consisted of public unlisted companies, non-profit organizations, trade bodies, and limited liability partnerships (LLPs).SECP Holds Inaugural Meeting of Islamic Capital Market Development Committee

A deeper analysis of sectoral growth shows significant activity across various industries. The Information Technology (IT) and E-commerce sectors experienced the highest growth, with 641 new companies added. The Services sector followed closely with 599 new registrations, while the Trading sector registered 510 new companies. Real Estate Development & Construction saw 315 new companies, and other sectors contributing to the growth included Food, Healthcare, and Pharmaceuticals with 345 new companies, Tourism and Transport with 213, and the Energy, Power & Fuel sector with 247. Additionally, 154 companies were registered in other sectors.

Foreign investment in the corporate sector also demonstrated promising growth, with 79 new companies receiving funds from international investors. These investors came from a wide range of countries, including Austria, China, Germany, Indonesia, Malaysia, Norway, Oman, Russia, Spain, Syria, Afghanistan, and Turkey. China was the largest investor, contributing to the formation of 56 new companies, followed by Afghanistan with 7 and Norway with 3.

The steady rise in foreign investment highlights the growing global confidence in Pakistan’s market potential and underscores the SECP’s role in creating a more open, competitive, and business-friendly environment. Looking forward, the SECP remains focused on improving its digital infrastructure and further streamlining business processes to encourage entrepreneurship, attract investment, reduce processing times, and promote sustainable economic growth.