12-10-2005

Pakistan Earthquake Reconstruction May Actually Lift Economy

via www.cbsnews.com

Pakistan’s efforts to recover from the worst natural disaster in its 69-year history is expected to eventually boost its slowing economy and support its currency and stocks. Pakistan’s economic infrastructure of ports, airports, dams, factories, telecommunications, financial system, power plants and refineries has largely been spared, Financial markets were quick to recover from an initial knee jerk response to the disaster. “In the long run we expect the industrial sector to receive a real boost once the reconstruction activities start,” It is up 39 percent this year, but down 14 percent from March’s record high of 10,079 points.