South Asia Investor Review

Data released by Credit Suisse with its  Global Wealth Report 2017  shows that Pakistan is the most egalitarian nation in South Asia. It also confirms that the median wealth of Pakistani households is three times higher than that of households in India. Wealth Inequality: Inequality is measured in terms of Gini index. It ranges from 0% for perfect equality (when everyone has the same wealth)  to 100% for total inequality (when all of the wealth is owned by one person).  On this scale, Pakistan’s Gini index is 52.6%, Bangladesh’s 57.9%, Sri Lanka’s 66.5%, Nepal’s 67.3%, China’s 78.9% and India's 83%. Data Source: Credit Suisse Graph: Counterview Household Wealth: Here is per capita wealth data for India and Pakistan as of mid-2017, according to Credit Suisse Wealth Report 2017 released recently. Pakistan average wealth per adult: $5,174 vs India $5,976 Pakistan median wealth per adult: $3,338 vs India $1,295 Average household wealth in Pakistan is $...

Two  multinational giants  acquired 2 Pakistani companies in just the last week alone as part of their growth strategy to establish presence in Pakistan. Dutch dairy giant FrieslandCampina acquired 51 % of Karachi-based Engro Foods Limited, the second largest dairy producer in Pakistan. In the same week, Turkey's Arcelik announced purchase of Dawlance, Pakistan's market-leading home appliance maker.  Both cited opportunity for double-digit growth in the emerging market as the main reason for their acquisitions. Pakistan's Emerging Market Upgrade: Earlier in June, Morgan Stanley announced its decision that Pakistan's MSCI shares index will be upgraded from frontier to  emerging market status . Pakistan's Karachi Stock Exchange KSE100 Index has rallied 14% in 2016, making it Asia's best performing market so far this year in anticipation of the MSCI announcement. Pakistan Dairy Market: Pakistan is the third largest milk-manufacturing country in the world,...