lahore - The Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan (SECP) registered 270 companies during the month of April 2009 compared to 230 companies registered during March 2009. The total corporate portfolio as on April 30, 2009 comprises of 53,364 registered companies. Of these 270 companies, 264 companies were limited by shares, comprising of two public unlisted companies, 254 private companies and seven single member companies. In addition, four associations-not-for-profit, one company limited by guarantee and one trade organisation were also registered. Total authorised capital and paid up capital of 270 companies registered amounted to Rs 1,263m and Rs 483m respectively. Number of new incorporation was highest at Lahore, whereby 86 companies have been registered, followed by Karachi registering 84 companies, Islamabad with 70 cos. Peshawar, Multan, Quetta, and Faisalabad registered 13, 7, 6 and 4 cos, respectively. The highest number of company incorporation was witnessed in the services sector comprising of 64 cos, followed by 41 in trading, 35 in tourism, 21 in construction, 11 in food and beverages, 11 in chemical and pharmaceuticals, and 10 in engineering sector. During the month, the Commission has granted licences to 3 associations not for profit under Section 42 of the Ordinance, for promotion of education sector. A total of 16 companies were registered with foreign investment. Foreign investors from USA and France have participation in two companies each. Other foreign investors belong to UK, Australia, China, Germany, Italy, Jordan, NKorea, Lebanon, Malaysia, Qatar, Singapore, Turkey, having participation in one co each.