ISLAMABAD - The Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan (SECP) has registered 397 new limited liability companies in January, the first month of the year 2014, bringing the total corporate portfolio to 62,644 companies. 
Relative to corresponding month of last year, 20pc growth has been witnessed in company registrations. In the last two months the SECP registered 812 companies, showing an increasing trend towards corporatization in the country. In addition to registration of companies, the SECP granted licences to 3 non-profit associations. Around 91pc companies registered as private limited companies, while around 5pc companies registered as single-member companies. Two percent of the companies have been registered as non-profit associations under Section 42 of the 1984 Companies Ordinance. About 1% companies have been registered as public limited companies and foreign companies each.  The tourism sector took the lead in new registrations with the incorporation of 40 companies, this month, followed by services and trading with 39 each, information and technology with 28, construction with 26, communications with 24, corporate agricultural farming with 19, and food and beverages with 16 companies.