ISLAMABAD (PPI) - Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan (SECP) registered 237 companies during the month of December 2009 as compared to 189 companies registered during previous month, reflecting an increase of 25pc. This positive trend in new incorporation activity has been observed, despite public holidays on account of Quaid-i-Azam day /Christmas and Ashura. The total corporate portfolio as on December 31, 2009 comprises of 54,403 registered companies. Total 237 companies incorporated during Dec., 2009, comprised of 4 public unlisted companies, 220 private companies, 12 single member companies and 1 association not for profit under section 42 of the Companies Ordinance, 1984 (the 'Ordinance). Total authorized capital and paid up capital of companies, incorporated during Dec., 2009 amounted to Rs. 4,781.82 million and Rs. 356.21 million respectively. During Dec, 2009, number of new incorporation was highest at Lahore, whereby 85 companies have been registered, followed by Karachi registering 69 companies, Islamabad with 62 companies. Peshawar and Multan registered 7 companies, each. Faisalabad and Quetta registered 5, and 2 companies respectively. Major share of new incorporation was witnessed in the trading sector comprising of 38 companies, followed by 22 in services, 18 in information technology, 17 in communications, 16 in real estate development, 14 in construction, 12 in broadcasting and telecasting and 10 in textile sector. Of these 237 companies registered during Dec. 2009, 15 companies have foreign investment. Foreign investors in these companies belong to diversified countries around the globe including Australia, U.K., Germany, China, New Zealand, Iran, Nigeria, South Africa, Sri Lanka, Kuwait and Turkey. Foreign investment has been made in 5 companies in trading sector, 2 companies each in power generation and agricultural farming sector, and one company each in food and beverages, construction, textile, consultancy and shipping sector.