Rice crop 2008/09 seen over 6m tonnes
ISLAMABAD ( 2008-07-24 13:47:27 ) :Pakistan's rice output should rise at least 10 percent to over 6 million tonnes in the 2008/09 fiscal year on a larger planted area, officials and growers said on Thursday, and exports could top 4 million tonnes.
A large rice harvest would add to the picture of growing supplies that has seen Asian benchmark prices come off 30 percent from a record high reached in March.
Pakistan, the world fifth-largest rice exporter, produced 5.5...


Barclays Bank commences operation in Pakistan
By Arshad Hussain
KARACHI: Barclays Bank Plc., a prominent bank of the United Kingdom, has become a scheduled bank in Pakistan from July 23 by opening its four branches, said Shazi Ashraf, head of corporate affairs of the Bank.
“The Bank has commenced its two-branches in Karachi, one in Lahore and one in Islamabad from Wednesday (July 23) and the people are joining bank by opening their accounts,” she said. “These branches are absolutely new and we have hired staff in...


Govt eyeing $12.4 billion investment in power sector
By Zafar Bhutta
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan is eying $12.4 billion investment in the power sector to generate 13,335MW power by 2016, it is learnt.
Sources said that government is encouraging the private sector to make investment in the power sector and is hoping that the private sector would invest $12.4 billion by 2016 on the 51 power projects that are under process by Private Power Infrastructure Board (PPIB).
According to the document available with...


Extra-long grain rice hybrid evolved
LAHORE: The private sector, after two years successful trial based on seven years field research, evolved a new variety of extra long grain hybrid rice with better yield.
Dr Ghulam Mustafa Avesi told APP Saturday after successful trial, Pakistan Agriculture Research Council has cleared the latest variety named ‘Guard LP3 Rice Hybrid’ for commercial cultivation, which was most suitable for better yield in Sindh, Balochistan and some parts of the Punjab. He said first time in history,...


Aviation Policy 2008 to attract private sector
By Sajid Chaudhry
ISLAMABAD: National Aviation Policy 2008 aims at allowing private sector to construct and operate new and existing airports, to start private air taxi service through aircrafts, helicopters on chartered or non-chartered basis, 10-year tax holiday will also be offered to the companies intending manufacturing aircrafts in Pakistan.
National Aviation Policy 2008 is likely to be presented before the federal cabinet in its next meeting for formal approval to...


India involved in terrorist activities: Malik
Daily Times Monitor
LAHORE: Pakistan is not involved in terrorist activities in Afghanistan, Adviser to Prime Minister on Interior Rehman Malik said on Friday, adding that these were all allegations by India which was itself involved in terrorism, reported a private TV channel.
According to ARY One World, Malik told an American TV channel that Pakistan was fully co-operating with Afghanistan, and that it was India that was involved in terrorist activities. He said Pakistan...


Japanese firm to invest $100 million in IT sector
KARACHI (July 19 2008): Sindh Minister for Industries and Commerce Rauf Siddiqui has said that a Japanese company is going to invest 100 million dollars in IT sector in Pakistan that would create job opportunities for over 3,000 IT experts.
The company would also set up schools to teach Japanese language to thousands of people, he said adding that it would establish a most modern data storage center for its clients the world over besides a call center with a capacity of one thousand...


WLL subscribers’ base grew by 22 percent in 2007-08
By Muhammad Yasir
KARACHI: Wireless Local Loop (WLL) subscribers’ base has widened by 22 percent in the country amid modest growth and healthy competition among its operators during 2007-08.
Data compiled by Pakistan Telecom Authority (PTA) reported that the number of WLL subscribers has increased to 2.26 million during outgoing fiscal year 2007-08, against the subscriber base of 1.85 million during 2006-08, adding around 410,524 subscribers in a year.
In...


Govt announces Trade Policy 2008-09: Export target up by 15 percent
* New policy sets export target at $22.1 billion, import target $30 billion and trade deficit at $7.9 billion
By Sajid Chaudhry
ISLAMABAD: The federal cabinet, in a special meeting chaired by Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani on Friday, approved the Trade Policy 2008-09, which seeks to increase the country’s exports to $22.1 billion while maintaining its imports at $30 billion.
Presenting the policy on state-run media, Commerce Minister...


PM to inaugurate first modern quarry of country
By Razi Syed
KARACHI: Prime Minister, Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani will inaugurate first modern quarry of the country in Khuzdar this month, All Pakistan Marble Mining, Processing, Industry and Exporters Association (APMMPIEA) said Wednesday.
Khuzdar quarry has been developed with the joint collaboration of PASDEC and an Italian firm with the cost of Rs 100 million.
Senior member and former chairman, APMMPIEA, Sanaullah Khan said almost 85 percent of marble in...

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