SECP registers 482 firms

ISLAMABAD: The Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan (SECP) registered 482 new limited liability companies in May, a rise of 29 per cent compared to the same month last year, raising the total corporate portfolio to 64,159 firms. The SECP also granted three licences to non-profit associations, said a statement issued on Friday. Around 92pc firms were registered as private limited companies, 4pc as single-member companies, 2pc as public-limited companies and 1.5pc as associations under Section 42 of the 1984 Companies Ordinance. The trading sector took the lead with 55 new registrations, followed by services 53, information and technology 47, tourism 32, construction 26, corporate agricultural farming 25, food and beverages and textile 17 each, communications, education and power generation with 16 each, pharmaceutical 15 and engineering 13. Foreign investment was witnessed in 23 new companies. Published in Dawn, June 7th, 2014