Briefs Business-friendly policies Staff Reporter ISLAMABAD—Federal Minister for Planning and Development Ahsan Iqbal has said that the government would make business-friendly policies so that private sector could assume big role in the economic development of the country. Talking to media, he said that overcoming the energy crisis was the top most priority of the government and the Pakistan Muslim LeagueNawaz leadership would use all options for the purpose. Replying to a question, Ahsan Iqbal said Rs 225 billion had been allocated for the energy sector in the budget and its positive impact would start emerging in coming months.
World cereal production set to reach historic high in 2013: FAO ISLAMABAD —Global cereal from satisfying their food needs. cerns remain in conflict areas in
production is expected to increase by 7 per cent in 2013 compared to last year, the United Nations food agency said Sunday, but warned that in spite of a boost in supply, various regions including Central Africa, West Africa and Syria are still affected by food insecurity. In its Crop Prospects and Food Situation report, the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) forecasts that cereal production this year will reach 2,479 million tons, a new record level. Wheat, coarse grains and rice production are all expected to expand, which will help replenish global supplies of cereal and stabilize markets over the next year, the report says. HowConsumer price ever, the report warns that many developing countries are still inflation ABU DHABI—Consumer price affected by food insecurity. In particular, the report focuses on inflation in Abu Dhabi and across the UAE is low and well various countries where conflict is preventing the population under control, Dr Hashem Al Nuaimi, Director of Customer Protection Department at the Ministry of Economy said yesterday. Al Nuaimi spoke to reporters while on a visit to the hypermarket located in Abu Dhabi’s Al Wahda Mall to monitor prices of consumable STAFF REPORTER items during Ramadan. “The prices of consumable items across the UAE are stable and ISLAMABAD—The contract of Kabir & Co has been terminated in line with the government’s expectations. There is sufficient by Pakistan Railways due to the violation of the agreement, hallavailability of all essential items, some of which are being marked by awfully poor performance and security money sold by retailers below their thereto was also forfeited. cost,” said Al Nuaimi. Latest While, one of his recent infigures from Statistics Centre spection visits, Khawaja Saad Abu Dhabi (SCAD) showed the consumer price inflation in Rafique, Federal Minister for Pakistan Railways showed his the emirate.—Agencies extreme discontentment over the of affairs at Jaffer Express PQ shipping activity state regarding the service delivery to KARACHI—One ship arrived at the passengers. the Port to offload phosphoric Taking cognizance of the acid at EVTL on July 13, port dismal conditions depicted by sources said here Sunday. Berth Jaffar Express, he ordered imoccupancy was maintained at mediate enquiry and resultantly 50% at the Port on Saturday the guilty contractor had to be where a total of seven ships deprived of his contract, in adnamely M.V KPS-I Alican Bey- dition to a forfeiture of security Powership, M.V Faith, M.V money amounting to Rs Sofia, M.V MSC Kerry, M.V 250,000. Out Rivaling-2, M.T Al- SalamII, M.T Ginga Tiger are currently occupying berths to load/ offload cement, containers, diesel oil, phosphoric acid. Cargo handling operations were carried out smoothly at the Port where a cargo volume of 87629 tonnes comprising 58254 tonnes STAFF REPORTER import and 29375 tonnes export2160 (TUES) was handled at the ISLAMABAD—Federal Minister Port during the last 24 hours. for Science and Technology M.T Al Salam-II sailed on Zahid Hamid has said the conSaturday afternoon. M.T struction of an internationalAtlantic Glory, M.T Cape level airport as well as access Durango, M.V Maersk Detroit roads in Gwadar will generate arrived.—APP job opportunities to thousands of local people,besides offsetting the rising trend of extremism in the region. Federal Minister while commenting on recent visit of Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif to China There is only one boss. said the port city has the potenThe customer. And he tial to take the country’s can fire everybody in economy to great heights, and the company from the the Pakistan-China economic chairman on down, corridor could bring it in line simply by spending his with developed countries. He said “ Landmark visit of money somewhere Pakistani premier was signifielse. cant in more ways than one as — Sam Walton the two countries signed eight
In Syria, wheat production dropped significantly this year due to the escalating conflict in the country. The livestock sector has also been severely affected, and the report estimates that some 4 million people are facing severe food insecurity. In Egypt, civil unrest and dwindling foreign exchange reserves are also raising serious food security concerns. Conflict has also affected food security in the Central African Republic (CAR) and the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). In the Sahel, which has previously experienced famine, the overall food situation is favourable in most parts of the region, the report said, due to an above-average 2012 cereal harvest. In spite of this, a large number of people are still affected by conflict and the lingering effects of the 2011-2012 food crisis. In East Africa, serious con-
Somalia, the Sudan, and South Sudan, with 1 million, 4.3 million and 1.2 million food insecure people, respectively, a press release issued by the UN Information Center (UNIC) said Sunday. In Madagascar, damage caused by locusts and a cyclone is expected to reduce crop production in 2013, causing increased hunger, especially in the southern and western regions of the country. In the Democratic Peoples Republic of Korea (DPRK), despite an improved cereal harvest in the 2012 season, chronic food insecurity continues, with an estimated 2.8 million vulnerable people requiring food assistance until the next harvest in Octo- LAHORE: Federal Minister for Railways, Khawaja Saad Rafique visiting Lahore Railways Station. ber. In total, there are 34 countries requiring external food assistance, of which 27 countries are in Africa, the report stated.—NNI
Tanners demand special govt attention
Contract of Kabir & Co terminated by PR The Minister was of the view that the ‘customer promise’ was part of the inherent agenda of governance for the public sector and set out the standard of service that his government was required to provide to the people at large. During the inspection, the Minister checked the dining car personally and was extremely displeased to note the quality of food and edibles available to the passengers, during their journey. Moreover, the Minister showed his sheer disapproval over the level of cleanliness, maintained by the administration. He was informed by the train manager that the contractor was performing the contract through subletting it, earning as much as up to 30 million out of which Railways was getting a peanut share of 2.2 million per
annum as findings of the inquiry report. Rafique said, “The public sector being, collectively, the world’s largest service provider enjoys the pivotal position in any nation’s economy. Any incremental improvement in public services positively impacts millions of people.” As a result of the enquiry, the contract with Kabir & Company was cancelled without more ado on its being found guilty in expressed violation of the Clause No. 24 of the agreement between the two parties. Under the said clause, Pakistan Railways is empowered not only to terminate the contract straight away but to forfeit the security money as well. The company, Kabir & Co was looking after the all four rakes of Jaffer Express under the said agreement.
Construction of airport at Gwadar to generate jobs Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) and agreements following the meeting between Muhammad Nawaz Sharif and Premier Li Keqiang including Pakistan-China Economic Corridor accord”. Zahid Hamid said traders and decision makers of both countries are optimistic that trade between the two countries will take it to USD 15 billion in next three years. “ Pakistan got a new lease of life as all weather friend China promised to pull Pakistan out of its economic woes and horrendous energy crisis that has slowed down economic growth to a mere 2.4 percent of GDP”, he stated. The Federal Minister was of the view that the MoU and agreements signed between the two countries are expected to
start inflow of dollars in the country and boost economic prospects for the country. Pakistan and China signed eight cooperation agreements as Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif successfully concluded multi pronged wide ranging talks with his Chinese counterpart Li Keqiang, paving the way for inflow of multibillion dollar Chinese investment in Pakistan and further strengthening the mutually-cherished bilateral strategic relationship. As a result of agreements, the net investment in Pakistan is expected to swell to a staggering USD 6 billion. Zahid Hamid also hailed the prospect of cross-country motorway and said the feasibility of the project is expected to be completed in mere three months period followed by concrete steps to start the project.
STAFF REPORTER LAHORE—Pakistan, a country rich in livestock has just 0.76% global market share in export of leather products against global share of 37.50%, 13%, 6%, and 3.50% for China, Italy, Vietnam and India, respectively. Chairman Pakistan Tanners Association Agha Saiddain told media here on Sunday. He said that total exports of Leather Sector of Pakistan were US$ 1.220 billion during 2007-08, which reduced to US$ 1.048 billion during 2011-12. “The global share of Pakistan was 1.25% during 2007-08 in total global market size of US$ 98 billion. The global market has grown to US$ 137.96 billion during 2011-12 whereas Pakistan exports reduced by 14% during this period”, he said. Energy crisis, export of Wet Blue Leather and absence of subsidies and incentives are the reasons behind poor share of exports of the leather sector of the country, he said.
Govt efforts to boost economy soon STAFF REPORTER SIALKOT—Federal Minister for Science and Technology Zahid Hamid has said PML-N government’s effective policies will soon boost the national economy. Addressing party workers at the Dera of MPA Rana Muhammad Afzal in Pasrur here today, he said the successful visit of PM Nawaz Sharif to China had encouraged the business community of Pakistan, as they were anxiously waiting for Chinese investors to come Pakistan to invest in different trade fields especially in the energy sector. Later, talking to the newsmen at Pasrur here, Zahid Hamid said the PML-N government was committed to resolving all issues, adding that only the PML-N had the capability to end the energy crisis. He said the former rulers had ruined the national economy by creating the energy crisis in the country through massive corruption and plundering the national exchequer.
Weak Indian rupee hits imports from Pakistan from Pakistan,” Singh said. Traders mainly import cement, gypsum, chemicals, including soda ash, liquid and dry fruits from Pakistan, valuing over Rs 1,000 crore per annum, importers said. Financial transactions between traders of Pakistan and India at Attari-Wagah route is carried out in US dollar currency. He said sharp fluctuations in rupee against US dollar has made costlier to import from Pakistan, thus making it unviable. The rupee got depreciated by over 10 per cent against the dollar since this fiscal and it even touched a lifetime low of 61.21 on July 8. Traders import cement in bulk form from Pakistan as it is 30-35 cheaper per bag against the cement available in India. Besides, gypsum is another commodity which is imported in a huge quantity. Importers further said the appreciating dollar against rupee will also take a toll on the new
season of import of dry fruits, including dry dates, which will start in next 15-20 days. “There has been almost 40 per cent less booking of dry fruits this season against last year’s orders as traders fear losses because of weakening rupee against dollar,” dry fruit importer Anil Mehra said. He said on an average, 17 lakh bags (70 kg bag) of dry fruits are imported ever year from neighbouring country as there is a huge demand for dry fruits across India. Blaming the Centre for its “poor” policies, traders sought early and effective action from the government to stem the weakening of rupee against dollar. “There is a huge volatility in the currency and traders are not sure of which rate they will pay after booking orders as rupee is not stabilising yet. The government needs to step its efforts to bring stabilisation in rupee against dollar,” said trader Rajdeep Uppal.—INP
Economic recovery has begun: Francois
Electricity attracts investors
C HANDIGARH —Weakening Indian rupee against US dollar has cast its shadow on imports from Pakistan through the Attari-Wagah land route as importers claimed downfall of 3035 per cent in volume of import of commodities from neighbouring country because of sharp currency fluctuations. Adopting a cautious approach, Indian traders have now either cut down their new import orders or held them back completely until the rupee gets stabilised against American greenback. “There is a downfall of 3035 per cent in volume of import from Pakistan because of sharp weakening of Indian rupee against US dollar,” Amritsarbased trader Jaspal Singh said on Sunday. “Against the average daily arrival of 125-130 truckloads crossing over to India, we are now receiving just 70 trucks a day carrying commodities like cement, gypsum, chemicals
STAFF REPORTER
P ARIS , France—President ally as little as possible,” he said. ISLAMABAD—Improvement in Francois Hollande said on Sunday that recovery had started in France’s struggling economy, which entered a recession this year and has record-high unemployment. “The economic recovery is here,” he said during a Bastille Day interview with top television channels, adding that industrial production had picked up and there had been a slight recovery in consumption. He vowed to fight his nation’s “pessimism”, which he said was worse in France than in neighbouring countries and even “countries at war”. But with France struggling to get its deficit under control, Hollande could not rule out tax increases to help balance the budget. “We will make — we have made — savings (in spending) and I will increase taxes only if absolutely necessary, ide-
France’s economy entered a recession in the first quarter of this year but is forecast to return to growth in the second quarter, with a 0.2 per cent expansion. “There is a recovery in industrial production,” Hollande said, after it increased by one percent in March-April. Hollande also repeated his promise to reverse the rise in unemployment by the end of the year, after the number of jobless in France hit a record 3.26 million. “I am fighting” for jobs, Hollande said. “There is the will, there is a strategy, there is consistency,” he said, promising that 100,000 jobs for youth would be created by the end of the year. He also said France would push ahead with controversial pension reforms expected in the autumn, which have already led to calls from unions for general strikes.—Agencies
Energy sector would give boost to the industry of the country and help bring more investment to overcome the financial crisis. Talking to media here on Sunday Secretary, Ministry of Health Services, Regulation and Coordination, Imtiaz Inayat Ellahi giving his remarks on the recent visit of Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif to China said the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed between both countries to resolve Energy crisis in Pakistan is a positive sign. He said Pakistan has huge market of pharmaceutical industry and a great potential for China to invest in this sector. “Nearby 550 pharmaceutical companies are running in the country and if our time tested friend China invest in this sector, it would benefit both the countries”, he stated.
PM Nawaz Sharif government’s new vision on aviation STAFF REPORTER LAHORE—The Prime Minister of Pakistan, Mr. Muhammad Nawaz Sharif on assuming the office of Prime Minister with missionary zeal has embarked upon a campaign to improve the quality of life of the citizens of Pakistan. While Mr. Nawaz Sharif has moved swiftly to tackle the gigantic challenges of power shortage, a stagnant economy and a deteriorated law and order situation, he has also laid out his vision to improve “Air Travel” facilities in Pakistan. In this regard, he has taken a land mark decision where-in he has separated the “Aviation Division” from the Ministry of Defence and laid the foundations of an independent Aviation Ministry. Mr. Shujaat Azeem has been ap-
pointed the Advisor to Prime changing the attitude of all agen- the host country. It is with much regret, when it comes to Pakistan International Airports, which have been subject of great neglect from all perspectives. No sincere efforts have ever been put into force to make them operationally convenient for the passengers yet secure from national interest. With new government in power, the task, though monumental, yet the dream of making them of par excellence can be achieved through sincere, honest and focused approach, this is what Aviation Ministry plans to do. In the first few days, after being Minister on Aviation. The Prime cies at the airports to make the entrusted with this tedious task, Minister gave a clear vision to life of travelling public comfort- several actions have been initistream line air travel by upgrad- able and hassle free. ated at PCAA and PIAC. ing the CAA infrastructure, imAirports globally are the Shujaat Azeem has moved proving “Passenger Facilita- first picture visiting guests will swiftly to comply with the vition” by streamlining out dated come across and their presenta- sion and directions of the Prime procedures, inducting new tech- tion along-with the facilitation Minister. Starting with a daylong nologies, and importantly, will define their experience of visit to Quetta International Air-
port, he has since visited CAA Headquarters at Karachi and addressed all Senior Directors exhorting them to work hard to comply with the vision of the Prime Minister. He has since visited Karachi, Multan, Lahore and Islamabad airports. He has also visited and been briefed on the latest progress on the Mega Projects of Islamabad and Multan International Airports. The Advisor to PM on Aviation has formed a panel of leading national architects to seek their guidance and inputs on measures to be taken to improve CAA facilities. He has declared the existing Benazir Bhutto International Airport as a “Pilot Project” to launch his drive to upgrade CAA facilities. He has visited the airports at peak rush hours on several occasions in the middle of the night inspecting various facilities, checking dif-
ferent passenger traffic flow patterns and discussing passenger difficulties with passengers present at different levels. To ensure quick clearance of passengers, he held on-site meetings with DG CAA, ASF, ANF, Directors Customs and Immi-
rection to bring about changes where required. A great emphasis has been laid on cleanliness, serviceability of equipment, quality of services being provided at the airports and expressed deep concern on traffic jam at the airport
gration and gave on the spot di- in peak hours. He has demanded
availability of clean drinking water, good lighting, clean bathrooms and quick facilitation of passengers through ASF, ANF, Customs, Immigration and airline desks. He has also directed DG CAA to ensure that porters do not harass the passengers. Mr. Shujaat Azeem has also directed that CAA study the possibility of constructing a multi-storey car parking at airports facing shortage of space and congested parking areas specifically at Benazir Bhutto International Airport. Pursuant to the directive of the Prime Minister on security environment Mr. Shujaat Azeem has directed DG CAA and ASF to initiate the process of acquiring latest scanners to be deployed at all major airports. Taking
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