China's growing investments in Pakistan have the potential to lift the cash-strapped economy's potential output but the repayment obligations that come with it will be serious, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) has warned Islamabad in its study of Beijing-funded $46 billion (over Rs 3 lakh crore) economic corridor.
In a short evaluation of the impact of China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CEPC) related investments on Pakistan, the IMF said, “During the investment phase, as the 'early harvest' projects proceed, Pakistan will experience a surge in FDI and other external funding inflows."
However, the import requirements of these projects "will likely offset a significant share of these inflows, such that the current account deficit would widen" within manageable levels during these years, the international lender was quoted as saying by the Dawn newspaper.
The report estimates that CPEC related imports could reach 11 per cent of total projected imports by 2020, equal to just over $5.7 billion, while inflows under the corridor will touch 2.2 per cent of projected GDP in that year.
Gross external financing needs of the country will jump almost 60 per cent by then, from a projected $11 billion for the current financial year, to $17.5 billion in 2020.
Pakistan will see $27.8 billion in "early harvest" projects under CPEC in the next few years, with the remaining $16 billion coming over a longer timeline stretching out to 2030.
"Pakistan will need to manage increasing CPEC-related outflows," warns the IMF, once the Chinese investors begin repatriating profits, adding that the amounts involved "could add up to a significant level given the magnitude of the FDI".
Outflows will also come in the form of repayment obligations on the loans taken from Chinese banks for these projects, which are expected to rise after 2021. Both of these, repayments and profit repatriation, "could reach about 0.4 per cent of GDP per year over the longer run".
The IMF acknowledges that CPEC related growth could cover these payments over the longer term, but warns that this is not guaranteed.
"Reaping the full potential benefits of CPEC will require forceful pro-growth and export-supporting reforms" the report says, citing improved business climate, governance and security as necessary preconditions to enable CPEC investments to generate the resources required to cover their own associated outflows. In addition, "allowing greater downward exchange rate flexibility" will also be necessary.
The 3,000-km-long CEPC, which is part of China's Silk Road project, officially called Belt and Road is aimed at connecting the two countries with rail, road, pipelines and optical cable fiber network.
It connects China's Xinjiang province with Pakistan Gwadar port, providing access to China to the Arabian Sea.
The project, when it is completed, would enable China to pump its oil supplies from the Middle East through pipelines to Xinjiang cutting considerable distance for Chinese ships to travel to China.
India has already protested to China over the project as it passes through Pakistan-occupied Kashmir.
The matter of rising CPEC related outflows was discussed between the Fund staff and the government during the discussions prior to the review, the report said.
The Pakistan government told the IMF that "additional Chinese investment over the longer term, building on CPEC as a platform, could also help cover the projected CPEC related outflows," according to the report.
For the IMF, CPEC outflows are one of the medium to long term risks facing Pakistan's economy. It calls for "sound project evaluation and prioritisation mechanisms based on effective cost-benefit analysis and realistic forecasts of macroeconomic and financing conditions" to help mitigate the risk.
It points out "a need to ensure transparency and accountability in project management and monitoring", pointing specifically at the power purchase agreements being signed with Chinese IPPs, calling on the government to ensure that the cost of power purchase "remains favourable" for the distribution companies and consumers.
(With PTI inputs)
