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Asian Bank mulling to invest $100 million in Pak Agri
Asian Development Bank has planned to finance $100 million on agriculture and agri-business and agricultural exports.

Soil, water quality degradation in Punjab hits productivity
Overall output growth in the agriculture sector of over 3 percent annually for nearly three decades (1971-94), and total factor productivity (TFP) growth of 1.26 percent per year suggest a fairly dynamic sector backed by significant technical change.

Expired pesticides need proper disposal
Presence of 2,000 tonnes of obsolete pesticides in the country needed proper disposal on emergent basis as this toxic substance poses serious threat to local population living close to the areas where it has been stored. Informed Director of Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), NWFP Dr Bashir Ahmed while talking to APP here on Wednesday.

Fisheries Research Training Institute extending facilities
Fisheries Research Training Institute (FRTI), Manawan is providing free of cost research facilities to the students of Zoology Department, Punjab University, Government College Lahore and other educational institutions for their M.Sc. M.Phil and Ph.D. programmes.

Modern facility to replace Khanki Barrage
The Punjab Irrigation and Power Department would construct a modern barrage to replace 110-year old Khanki Barrage, besides carrying out remodelling/rehabilitation work at Lower Chenab Canal System.

Over Rs 102 million earmarked for livestock uplift
The Punjab Livestock Department will spend Rs 102.154 million on livestock improvement project to be completed within five years.
The Director, Breed Improvement, Dr M. Mushtaq Aziz, while talking to PPI disclosed this on Monday.

Trace-back system can help fetch $6 per kilogram
Pakistan may fetch US$6 for 1 KG of beef as compare to 1.6 US$ per KG of the current export price by implementing livestock identification and trace-back system.

Agri. Bank's profitability to be ensured as limited company
Finance Minister Shaukat Aziz has assured a three-member visiting ADB delegation that the Agriculture Development Bank of Pakistan's (ADBP's) profitability would be ensured as a limited company. He extended this assurance during a wrap-up meeting here on Tuesday.

Southern Punjab sugar mills to start crushing from November 22
Sugar mills of southern Punjab will start crushing operation from November 22 and procurement of sugarcane will commence three days before the crushing starts, said Muhammad Khan Saddozai, president of Multan Chamber of Commerce and Industry (MCCI) and managing director of Layyah Sugar Mills, while briefing about the meeting of regional sugar mills held at Lahore on October 28.

Sugar mills considering setting up of joint venture corporation
Sugar mill owners in lower Sindh are understood to be considering a proposal to establish a joint venture corporation (JVC) to purchase sugarcane from growers at a uniform rate.

Growers voice reservations over plan to set up Sindh Irrigation
President Sindh Abadgar Board (SAB) Abdul Majeed Nizamani has expressed his reservations over the promulgation of Sindh Management Ordinance to facilitate establishment of Sindh Irrigation and Drainage Authority (Sida) under duress in Sindh.

Pakistan rice exports thin due to high prices
Pakistani rice exports were thin in the past week due to high domestic prices but dealers said they should pick up next month thanks to fresh supply.

Punjab Livestock and Dairy Development, launches Rs100 million project
Punjab Livestock and Dairy Development Department has launched a new project costing Rs 100 million for increasing production of meat and milk to the optimal level in the Punjab province.

Case in Accountability Bureau against issuance of deep sea fishing
Pakistan People's Party (PPP) has demanded the immediate arrest of Federal Agriculture Minister Khair Muhammad Junejo, Agriculture Secretary Randhawa, Marine Fisheries Department Director-General M. Q. Raza and the owners and directors of the companies involved in gross corruption and irregularity in allocation of deep-sea fishing licences.

Pakistan advised to target world agri export market
Pakistan must target world agriculture export market to ensure profitability of its agriculture sector and to face the challenges of the Free Market Economy, said Dr Belal A. Khan, Vice Chancellor, University of Faisalabad.

Agriculture dept., judiciary eradicate menace of spurious pesticides
Close co-ordination of Agriculture Department, police and judiciary could alone help eradicate the menace of spurious pesticides and fertiliser on sale in the province.

Performance of agriculture sector disappointing
The State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) has termed the performance of agriculture sector during 2002 as disappointing, describing the irrigation water shortage as the main culprit.

Wapda planning to float Rs 5 billion bonds for Ghazi Barotha
The Water and Power Development Authority (Wapda) is planning to float bonds worth Rs 5 billion, with 40 percent green-shoe option, to raise funds from financial institutions and general public to partly finance the country's biggest project, Ghazi Barotha hydropower project.

Seawater intrusion causes over Rs 100 billion loss to Sindh
The Sindh Secretary, Irrigation and Power, Muhammad Hashim Leghari, has said that due to intrusion of seawater on cultivated land and ceasing of river water flow to the sea, about 2 million acres of land in two districts near the delta have been submerged in water which has caused a loss of Rs 100 billion to the province".

Sindh growers resent Water Management Ordinance
The promulgation of Sindh Water Management Ordinance to facilitate the establishment of the Sindh Irrigation and Drainage Authority (Sida) in the province has brought sharp reaction by the Sindh farmers community.

Sindh Water Management Ordinance promulgated
The Sindh Governor or Saturday promulgated the Sindh Water Management Ordinance 2002- an ordinance to provide for the establishment of water management in the province.

Wheat of good quality being exported: Agri Research Council
Pakistan Agriculture Research Council (Parc) Chairman Dr Badaruddin Soomro has said Pakistan has become an important wheat exporting country of the good quality wheat.

Trading Corporation pays Rs 5.6 million as demurrage to Port Qasim Authority
The Trading Corporation of Pakistan (TCP) has paid Rs 5.6 million as demurrage to the Port Qasim Authority (PQA) against a total dues of Rs 6.1 million, pending since the corporation started wheat export in June, 2001.

New wheat varieties evaluated
The Variety Evaluation Committee (VEC) of Pakistan Agricultural Research Council has evaluated a number of wheat varieties developed by the wheat breeders at various research institutes of the country.

Using explosive materials for fishing declared an offence
Using explosives material including dynamites for killing fish is an offence in Punjab, punishable up to three month imprisonment with rupees 5000 fine.

Agricultural research must to obtain increased, sustained production
Agricultural research is essentially and continuously required to obtain increased and sustained agricultural production to meet the food needs of the growing population, as well as to provide raw material for agro based industries in the country.

Subsidies in farm sector yield negative result, seminar told
Subsidies in the agriculture sector have been yielding negative impact without benefiting the farmers not improving the yield or increasing agri exports of the country.

Punjab government to spend Rs 656 million on agriculture schemes
Punjab government is spending Rs 656 million during the current fiscal year on 40 different development schemes pertaining to agriculture in the province.

Sugar output up by 7.855 percent
Pakistan Sugar Mills Association, on Saturday announced that the production of sugar in the country over the year has gone up by 7.855 percent while 83.50 percent sugar produced, has been lifted from the mills by October 15.

Sunflower support price increased to Rs 650 per 40 kg
The government has increased sunflower support price to Rs 650 per 40 kg for 2002-03 season, against Rs 560 of last year.

Plan chalked out to promote oil-seed crops in Punjab
An integrated programme has been chalked out for the promotion of sunflower and other oilseed crops in Punjab.

WTO aides raise concerns about regional trade pacts
With countries around the globe in a mad dash to negotiate as many trade pacts as they can, top World Trade Organisation officials are urging them to stop and consider the consequences.

Fisheries department to set up 5 labs
Fisheries Department Punjab will establish five modern laboratories for treatment of fish diseases. These laboratories will be established in Islamabad, Gujranwala, Faisalabad, Bahawalpur and Khanewal.

ADBP to get complete autonomy, ADB assured
Asian Development Bank (ADB) has been provided guarantee by the government that the Agriculture Development Bank of Pakistan (ADBP) will be provided with complete autonomy and do exhaustive overhaul management-wise and finance-wise and in turn the ADB would flow major chunk of the $250 million Rural Finance Development Programme being appraised now towards the ADBP's restructuring, sources told Business Recorder.

Pak. Agri. Research Council okays new wheat varieties
The Variety Evaluation Committee (VEC) of Pakistan Agricultural Research Council (Parc) approved six new varieties of wheat for general cultivation in their respective areas of cultivation.

State Bank governor advises encourage loans
Agricultural Development Bank of Pakistan (ADBP) should encourage the loans for silos type godowns and storage so that the farmers can fetch better prices for their produce.

Dealers selling substandard pesticides to lose licence
The licences of the dealers to be found involved in selling substandard pesticides, fertilisers and seeds would be cancelled.

Pakistani, Chinese ginners to co-operate in clean cotton
Pakistani and Chinese ginners and growers will meet in Beijing next week to develop co-operation in producing and processing contamination-free cotton.

Fish produced at Punjab University farm put on sale
The vice-chancellor, Punjab University Lieutenant General Arshad Mahmood (Retd) on Friday inaugurated the sale of fresh fish of different species being produced by the university's fish research farm.

Government to formulate water management strategy
The federal government has decided to formulate a comprehensive 'water management strategy' in consultations with the provincial governments, official sources told Business Recorder here on Friday.

Ministry clarifies finance minister's remarks
The Ministry of Finance (MoF) has clarified that the observations attributed to Shaukat Aziz, in the report on the Agricultural Development Bank Convention (Business Recorder, October 23), pertained to the ADBP performance in the last decade, and that he had appreciated the efforts being made by the present management to achieve a turnaround.

Sialkot farmers call for research for new crops
Progressive farmers and growers have appealed to the Agriculture Department authorities to conduct a detailed survey for cultivation of olive crop in Sialkot district.

FFC Jordan Fertiliser earns Rs 58.231 million
FFC Jordan Fertiliser turned into profit in three months to September 30, 2002, earning Rs 58.231 million while ICI Pakistan's recorded a period of Rs 1.313 billion in the period under review.

European Union waives condition of 100 percent
European Union has waived the condition of 100 percent checking on shrimps consignments from Pakistan to its member countries with effect from October.2 last.

Millers want wheat prices rationalized
The flour millers of Sindh are demanding of the government the rationalisation of wheat prices in the province.

Pakistan bestowed with abundant water resources
Wapda Chairman Lieutenant General Zulfiqar Ali Khan (Retd) has said that Pakistan is bestowed with abundant water resources, and need of the hour is to optimise its harnessing for increased land under plough, agriculture production and economic growth.

WTO trade reform could boost Australia, Latam beef
An end to export and production subsidies for beef would dramatically swing industry growth to the southern hemisphere, the natural home for the industry, a key Australian industry official said on Tuesday.

Ombudsman tells livestock department to pay rent
Ombudsman Punjab has directed Livestock Department to pay rent to owner of the office building in accordance with the terms and conditions of the tenancy agreement.

Need stressed to evolve strategy to face WTO laws
If Pakistan government really wants to get free its economy from the Western clutches then it must evolve a compact and comprehensive strategy to combat the consequences of stiff laws to be imposed by WTO from the year 2004, suggested by Central Chairman, Pakistan Business Forum, Mian Tanweer Ahmed Magoon on Wednesday.

European Union trade chief to press Russia on WTO
The European Union's top trade official is to press Russia over opening up its markets for services such as telecoms and banking during talks on Moscow's entry to the World Trade Organisation, officials said on Wednesday.

Over Rs 43 million being spent on mango
The Punjab Agricultural Department will be spending over Rs43 million on the second phase of pilot project of mango production in 12 districts and citrus production in eight districts of the province, sources said here on Wednesday.

Fisheries sector attains significant progress
The fisheries sector attained significant progress as a result of special attention accorded by the government to enhance its production for earning foreign exchange through its exports.

Pakistan wheat demand outpaces supply
Dr Badar-ud-Din Soomro, Chairman, Pakistan Agriculture Research Council (Parc) has claimed that Pakistan has become an exporting country of the good quality wheat.

Rs 82.94 million consultancy deal signed
Water and Power Development Authority (Wapda) has signed Rs 82.94 million consultancy agreement with the Joint Venture of Pakistan Engineering Services (Pvt.) Ltd, MM Pakistan (Pvt.) Ltd, Progressive Consultants (Pvt.) Ltd, IN Consult (Pvt.) Ltd, Khyber Consulting Engineers in association with M/s Coyne-Et-Bellier of France, for the preparation of feasibility study, detailed Engineering design and Tender Documents for Kurram Tangi Dam multi-purpose project.

Directive to ensure smooth water supply
The Sindh Irrigation Secretary, Muhammad Hashim Leghari, has directed the irrigation engineers to make water available to tail-ends of canals and link canals in Badin and Thatta districts.

Foreign experts to conduct Kotri barrage water
The federal government has decided to carry out study on release of water downstream of Kotri Barrage by a team of foreign experts on terms of reference of Sindh and Punjab following a consensus developed in a meeting held at Islamabad recently.

Rs 1 billion cut in Agricultural Bank loaning portfolio
While the government continues to stress that agriculture is the mainstay of Pakistan's economy, the Agricultural Development Bank of Pakistan (ADBP) has reduced the portfolio of loaning and credit to the tractor industry from Rs 6.57 billion in 2001-02 to Rs 5.49 billion for the fiscal year 2002-03, it is learnt.

ADBP of Pakistan registered under Companies Ordina
Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan (SECP) has registered Agricultural Development Bank of Pakistan (ADBP) under the Companies Ordinance 1984, charging a fee of Rs 10 million as per bank's authorised capital of Rs 25 billion.

Research, training cell proposed to confront hurdles
Leading experts have proposed that a strong research and training cell should be established at country level to overcome the hurdles confronting the textile exporters as well as agriculture export sector for their survival.

Economic Co-ordination Committee approves
The Economic Co-ordination Committee (ECC) on Tuesday approved 'Power Generation Policy 2002' to offset power shortage of around 400-500 megawatts by 2005, and to encourage and promote investment in private power generation. The Policy envisages one-window operation to facilitate the investors.

FM dissatisfied with Agriculture Bank's performance
Finance Minister Shaukat Aziz on Tuesday expressed dissatisfaction over Agriculture Bank of Pakistan's (ADBP) performance and asked the employees, in particular the field staff, to run the bank purely on professional lines to take a turnaround to secure survival of the institution.

Government urged to ensure fair return to cotton growers
Khawaja Muhammad Iqbal, Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FPCCI) member said the government should ensure fair return of cotton produce to the growers when the United States in entering the market as 'desperate seller' because its textile industry has been closed after September 11 tragedy, according to a statement issued on Tuesday.

Cotton output may touch 10.5 million bales
Cotton production may touch 10.5 million bales this year, an official said. Food and Agriculture Ministry had projected 10.07 million bales of raw cotton production in this season.

Rs 6 billion being spent to develop remote areas
The NWFP Governor, Syed Iftikhar Hussain Shah, has said that the provincial government is spending Rs 6 billion on the development of remote and backward areas of the province under Barrani area development projects with special focus on development of water reservoirs and resources to improve agricultural production, which would bring a revolutionary change in the life of the people.

Agri. minister calls for enhanced credit supply to farmers
Minister for Food and Agriculture, Khair Muhammad Junejo has urged the need of an increased credit supply to the country's farmers for achieving the objective of export orientation in agriculture sector. He was addressing a working session of the three-day ADBP's Regional Managers Convention which started here on Tuesday.

Punjab governor expresses regret over conflict
Punjab Governor Lieutenant General Khalid Maqbool (Retd) has said that the present government under the leadership of President General Pervez Musharraf has fulfilled all the promises made with the public.

Plan chalked out for promotion of sunflower, others
An integrated program has been chalked out for the promotion of sunflower and other oilseed crops in the Punjab. Sources on Monday told APP that the programe has been designed for minimizing the import of edible oil and bring maximum land under oilseed crops in various parts of the province.

Preventive measures stressed to protect cotton crop
Punjab Minister for Agriculture Khurshid Zaman Qureshi has stressed the need for adopting preventive measures to protect cotton crop from armyworm, which not only damages the late sown cotton crop, but also affects other crops like Burseem and vegetables.

Ghee mill-owners raise carriage fare rates by 5 percent
After day-long negotiations here, ghee mill-owners agreed with vegetable oil carriage owners to increase fare rates across the country by 5 percent from November 1, 2002.

Engro Chemical signs Mou to develop fertilizer complex
Engro Chemical Pakistan Limited has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Oman Oil Company to develop a world scale Ammonia Urea fertiliser complex in the Sultanate of Oman. According to company sources here Monday the project will he set up as a joint venture.

Quetta Command and Staff College team visits Karachi
A delegation from Command and Staff College, Quetta comprising 43 officers headed by Colonel Sajjad Rizvi, Chief Instructors, visited the Karachi Fish Harbour (KFH) on a study tour on Monday. Commander Muhammad Aslam (Retd) Manager Audit gave detailed briefing on the Karachi Fish Harbour Authority (KFHA) and Fishermen's Co-operative Society (FCS).

Call for setting up dates processing plant in Balochistan, Sindh
The dates growers have demanded of the government to set up dates processing plant to improve prospects of dates export which remained stagnant.

Pakistan eyes Egyptian wheat market
Trading Corporation of Pakistan (TCP), which is visiting Cairo, believes it can sell its competitively priced wheat to Egypt as it hunts for new export markets, officials and traders said on Monday.

Three sites for Rice Export Processing Zone under consideration
To find out a suitable place for setting up of a Rice Export Processing Zone (REPZ) near New Sabzi Mandi or at Nooriabad Industrial Area at Super Highway the members of the Rice Export Association of Pakistan (Reap) will visit the sites on October 28, it was learnt on Monday.

Acute water shortage hits standing crops in Badin
More than 50 canals and branches of Badin district are facing acute shortage of water for irrigation which has caused heavy damage to crops of paddy, sugar cane, chilly, onion and melons standing on more than 100,000 acres of land in the area called tail end of the canals.

Agri Bank convention opens on October 22
The Federal Minister for Finance and Economic Affairs, Shaukat Aziz, will inaugurate a three-day convention of Agricultural Development Bank of Pakistan Regional Managers on Tuesday. Dr Ishrat Hussain, the Governor, State Bank of Pakistan, will preside over the concluding session on Thursday.

IRC develops processing plant to preserve fresh fruits
Pakistan Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (PCSIR), Lahore Chapter has developed a pilot processing plant to preserve fresh fruits in the country.

Govt. urged to cut Sales Tax on flavored milk
Nutritionists, while suggesting flavored milk for children who avoid taking ordinary milk, have urged the government to reduce sales tax on flavored milk.

Pakistan-World Food Program wheat supply deal
Pakistan's deal with the World Food Programme for 217,479 tonnes wheat supply seems in the doldrums as the WFP is yet to lift 189,234 tonnes wheat.

Rice exporters seek Karachi Chamber support
A delegation of Rice Exporters Association of Pakistan (Reap) under the leadership of Abdul Rahim Janoo met newly-elected President Shaukat Iqbal, Senior Vice President, Salim Kapadia and Vice President Nasir Chandna as well as other officials of Karachi Chamber of Commerce & Industry (KCCI) on Thursday to congratulate them on their recent election and also discussed about future planning/co-operation for the betterment of trade.

Central Board of Revenue denies deferment of sales
The Central Board of Revenue (CBR) has categorically denied deferment of sales tax for the sugar industry, saying it was not in a position to accede to the demand. A document made available to Business Recorder, however, did not give any reason for the regret.

Livestock and dairy board constituted to promote
The government on Thursday constituted a livestock and dairy board on Thursday to promote production of this industry and enhance export of its products.

Call for raising food output by ensuring less use of water
The agriculturists, soil scientists and sociologists must pool their energies to increase food production by ensuring judicious use of the available water resources, said Professor Dr Riaz Hussain Qureshi, vice-chancellor, University of Agriculture, Faisalabad (UAF).

Scientists introduce better wheat production technology
The agri-scientists have developed a technology whereby fertiliser requirement of wheat crop can be reduced by one half of the currently applied fertiliser dose. According to a research report, the effective fertiliser placement (banding along wheat rows) is extremely effective in reducing fertiliser need of the crop without any yield reduction.

Project signed with UNDP to phase out hazardous Persistent
The government has signed a project with United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) to prepare a National Implementation Plan for phasing out Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs).

Vision 2025 projects will mitigate water shortages
Foundation has been laid to overcome water scarcity and hydroelectric power development problems in the motherland through advancement in implementation of invaluable projects envisaged in the National Water Resource and Hydropower Development Programme.

Food, Agriculture Organization calls for new policy
The World Food Day was celebrated by all the member countries of the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) of the United Nations, including Pakistan on Wednesday with renewed pledge that efforts for ensuring food security for the poor and vulnerable segments of the society would continue.

60 percent more food needed for rapidly population
Federal Minister for Food and Agriculture Khair Mohammad Junejo Wednesday said there is a need to grow about 60 percent of more food than today during next 30 years to meet the requirements of rapidly burgeoning population.

Govt. to encourage mountain farming in Northern Areas
The Federal government is devising a comprehensive plan to encourage mountain farming in Northern Areas.

Cabinet approves amendments in Drugs Act
The Cabinet on Wednesday was informed that the elected representatives would take oath under the 1973 Constitution. The Minister for Law clarified that, as there has been no amendment in the oaths for different offices prescribed in the Constitution of 1973, there was thus no room for any speculation or controversy on the subject.

EPB working out mechanism for freight subsidy
A spokesman of Export Promotion Board (EPB) has clarified a news item, published in daily Business Recorder that "35 percent freight subsidy on fruits, vegetables export under study."

Power projects to be initiated during next two months
Satpara Dam and other water development and hydropower projects would be initiated during the next two months.

Trade prospect for Pak rice very bright
Federal Commerce Minister Abdul Razak Dawood has said the future of Pakistani rice business at world level is `very bright'.

Sindh governor promises land for Rice Export
The Sindh government will provide land for setting up a Rice Export Processing Zone in the province. This was stated by Sindh Governor Mohammadmian Soomro, while addressing members of the Rice Ex porters Association of Pakistan (REAP) on Tuesday night.

Asian Dev. Bank to give $550 million for farm uplift
The Federal government will receive a soft loan to the tune of 550 million dollars from Asian Development Bank (ADB) for the uplift of agriculture sector during the next five years.

Kissan Board Pakistan calls for agri sector uplift
Kissan Board Pakistan (KBP) has approached the representatives of different political parties and asked them to take immediate steps for the promotion of agriculture sector.

35% freight subsidy on fruit, veg. exports considered
The Export Promotion Bureau (EPB) is considering to provide 35 percent freight subsidy on export of fruits and vegetable and has asked exporters to submit formats containing procedure for the grant of subsidy.

Government accused of neglecting sugar industry
Pakistan Sugar Mills Association (PSMA), Punjab Zone, Chairman Javed Kayani has clarified that the government is, unfortunately, having a misconception about sugar industry and has always been bracketing it as an inefficient sector.

Ordinance for prohibition of smoking in public places
President General Pervez Musharraf on Tuesday promulgated an ordinance for prohibition of smoking and other tobacco uses in places of public work and public service vehicles to protect health of non-smokers.

PAE Commission accepts challenge to attain autarky in food
Pakistan Atomic Energy Commission (PAEC) has now courageously accepted the challenge to make Pakistan a food-sufficient country after playing a commendable role for the security of homeland, said Dr Manzoor Ahmed Qureshi, Vice Chancellor, Veterinary and Animal Sciences University, Lahore.

Government committed to giving more incentives to farmers
The government is committed to give more incentives to the farmers for tubewells, especially in Balochistan area of low rains.

Farmers to get rebate in taxes, Abiana: minister
The government is committed to give more incentives to the farmers for tubewells especially in Balochistan area of low rains, said federal minister for Food and Agriculture and Live Stock, Khair Mohammad Junejo.

Council of Rice Trade Co-operation ensure return to growers
Five countries have formed a Council of Rice Trade Co-operation (CRTC), with its secretariat in Bangkok. A formal memorandum to this effect was signed at a 'rice conference' held in Thailand recently.

Pak. Agri. Supplies, Storage Corporation barred from exporting
The government has barred the Pakistan Agriculture Supplies and Storage Corporation (Passco) from exporting wheat, and all stocks available with it would be sold to the interested parties through open tenders for local consumption, said Commerce Minister Abdul Razak Dawood at a press conference here on Monday.

Wheat export prospects bleak
Pakistan by the end of wheat year 2002-03 will be devoid of wheat export prospects keeping in view the area and production targets and impact of El Nino in Barani or rain fed areas.

Mangla Dam raising to improve water situation
The Mangla Dam raising project will augment supply of irrigation water at a time of its dire need and generate additional power.

Invoicing malpractice hits tractor exports to Bangladesh
The 'unholy' alliance between the exporters of Pakistan and importers of Bangladesh has created a big setback to Pakistan's exports, particularly tractors.

Performance requirement for hosiery, knitwear, rice export
The State Bank of Pakistan on Monday provided relaxation to the hosiery, knitwear, rice and carpets exporters in the wake of September 11 impact reducing their performance requirement for export financing.

Pakistan has made tremendous progress in IT sector: minister
Federal Education, Science and Technology, Minister Professor Dr Ata-ur-Rehman on Sunday said that Pakistan has made tremendous progress in the field of information technology (IT) in last 16 months.

Rs 86 million allocated for mini-dams in Punjab barani areas
Provincial government has allocated Rs 86 million for the construction of mini dams in different barani areas of the Punjab.

Coastal areas lack basic amenities
Despite being a major source of revenue generation from fisheries and by developing entertainment and sporting facilities at coastal areas of Karachi, authorities have constantly ignored these areas which are without basic facilities like provision of potable water, electricity, health and education.

'Agriculture Bank working may increase manifold'
The overall performance of Agriculture Development Bank of Pakistan (ADBP) will increase manifold while its role for development of rural and agriculture sector will be enhanced after becoming a public limited company.

World trade can still expand by on percent: WTO
World trade could still expand by one percent this year as long as major economies continue to recover, the World Trade Organisation (WTO) said on Thursday.

Tariq elected PPMA chairman
At the meeting of Pakistan Pharmaceutical Manufacturers' Association (PPMA), held recently, Dr Mohammad Tariq Siddiqi, Managing Director & CEO of Epla Laboratories (Private) Limited was unanimously elected by the members from Southern Region as Chairman of Pakistan Pharmaceutical Manufacturer Association (Southern Region) for a term of 2002-2003.

Mills demand rationalisation of sugar, cane prices
Pakistan Sugar Mills Association (PSMA) has called upon the government to rationalise the sugar and sugarcane prices besides fixing the minimum sugar price in the domestic market and allow the Industry export its surplus sugar.

KU agrees on establishing Sugar Technology Res. Institute
The University of Karachi has consented on establishment of Sugar Technology Research Institute (STRI) at the Department of Food Science and Technology. The proposal was forwarded by the Pakistan Society of Sugar Technologists (PSST).

Market mechanism takes its course in pharmaceutical industry
Zafar Mooraj, Executive Director of Pharmaceutical Bureau, in a statement the other day revealed that several member-companies of the Bureau had announced downward revision in the prices of some of their pharmaceutical products. He attributed this development to the impact of the new Drug Policy, which was earlier approved in a meeting of the Economic Co-ordination Committee of the Cabinet (ECC).

Radical departure from regulatory system for pharma industry
The Economic Co-ordination Committee of the Cabinet (ECC) at its meeting on Monday with finance minister Shaukat Aziz in the chair made a crucial decision relating to the registration and pricing of drugs. As the approved draft of the Industrial Policy for Pharmaceutical Sector indicates, for the first time in Pakistan's history the hitherto all-powerful ministry of health is to be divested of some regulatory powers over the operations of the pharmaceutical trade and industry.

Punjab asks Federal Committee on Agri. to bring wheat target
Punjab has rejected the ambitious target of wheat production, proposed by the Food and Agriculture Ministry. At the recent meeting of the Federal Committee on Agriculture, the Food and Agriculture Ministry placed 16.159 million tonnes wheat production target for Punjab province during 2002-03. But the Punjab Agriculture officials did not accept this target terming it ambitious and asked the FCA to lower it to a realistic level, sources told ENN.

Seminars on WTO regime from October 21
A series of one-day seminars in nine cities of Pakistan on World Trade Organisation and its sector-wise implications for Pakistan.

Rice export up by 14.8 percent during Q1 of 2002-03
Rice export has registered increase by 14.8 percent during first quarter of the current financial year, said Chairman Rice Exporters Association of Pakistan (Reap), Abdul Rahim Janoo.

TCP loses demurrage-free wheat export facility at Port Qasim
The Port Qasim Authority (PQA) has withdrawn 10 days demurrage-free facility extended to the Trading Corporation of Pakistan (TCP) for wheat export due to non-payment of storage dues amounting to Rs 7 million.

Plan prepared to strengthen Veterinary Research Institute
In order to control epidemics and prevent diseases of animals and poultry, Punjab Livestock Department has prepared a project of Rs 65 million for strengthening Veterinary Research Institute (VRI) so that quality control and vaccine production capacity could be improved.

Pakistan Oilseed Devl. Board sets up 'help line' for canola growers
The Pakistan Oilseed Development Board (PODB) has set up a "Help Line" service to facilitate the canola growers for better crops production.

Major Rabi, Kharif crops target revised upward
The government has revised upward production target of all major Rabi and Kharif crops for 2002-03 by 5 to 7 percent over 2001-02, despite 34 percent less water availability. The judicious use of available water resources has been a ray of hope for the policy makers.

ECC decides to form body to regulate drug prices
The Economic Co-ordination Committee has decided to set up a committee, comprising representatives of the Finance, Health and Industries ministries, to regulate drug prices.

Sindh Cabinet approves Water Management Ordinance, 2002
Sindh Cabinet, which met here Monday under the chairmanship of Governor Mohammadmian Soomro, accorded approval to Water Management Ordinance, 2002.

Pak exporters invited to attend 'BioFach-Tokyo'
Export Promotion Bureau of Pakistan (EPB) has received invitation for participation of Pakistani exporters in the 'BioFach-Tokyo', a fair scheduled to be held in Tokyo (Japan) from December 5 to 7, 2002. The fair is being organised jointly by Nikkei-Nihon Keizai Shimbun Inc., Japanese Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (MAFF), Ministry of the Environment and Japan External Trade Organisation (JETRO).

Agricultural Bank (Reorganization and Conversion) Ordinance 2002
The President of Pakistan on Friday promulgated an ordinance called Agricultural Development Bank of Pakistan (Reorganisation and Conversion Ordinance 2002), to provide for reorganisation and conversion of the Agriculture Development Bank of Pakistan into a public limited company incorporated under the Companies Ordinance 1984.

S H Hashmi elected PAA chairman for 8th time
The Managing Director of Orient Advertising, S. H. Hashmi, has been elected Chairman of Pakistan Advertising Association (PAA) for the eighth time by the PAA Central Executive Committee.

40,000 acres shortfall in cotton cultivation
Cotton cultivation target area in the North-West Frontier Province was missed by 40,000 acres this year. The Provincial Food and Agriculture Ministry fixed the target of cotton plantation on 50,000 acres in the NWFP for the current year.

World Bank negotiating $100 million loan for agri sector
The World Bank (WB) has started negotiating 100 million dollars special loan with provinces to initiate various agricultural projects. This was disclosed by an official while talking to this correspondent. The bank first discussed this loan with the Food and Agriculture Ministry a few months ago, but then decided to negotiate it directly with provinces.

Food ministry proposes 20.277 million tonnes wheat production
The Food Ministry has proposed 20.277 million tonnes wheat production target for 2002-03. This target will be placed before the 77th meeting of the Federal Committee on Agriculture being held on October 7 in Islamabad, officials told ENN.

Plan to develop shrimp farms fizzles out
Plan to attract investment from private sector in coastal belt area for development of shrimps farms has fizzled out as land allotted to the private investors has gone under seas due to non flow of fresh water downstream of Kotri barrage.

Rs 1500 million allocated for water resources in NWFP
The NWFP Governor Lieutenant General E Syed Iftikhar Hussain Shah has disclosed that the present government has allocated 1500 million for the development of water resources in the province which are over and above from the normal development programmes of both the federal and provincial governments.

Indus River System Authority decides to equally use
The Advisory Committee of Indus River System Authority (Irsa), which met here on Saturday with Chairman Noor Mohammad Baloch in the chair, has decided that both main reservoirs ie Tarbela and Mangla, would be depleted proportionately during the Rabi season, sources told Business Recorder.

Finance minister says era of corruption in Pakistan is over
Finance Minister, Shaukat Aziz, on Saturday declared that era of corruption in Pakistan was over as the country has successfully gone through a transitional period during the last three years and things were shaping-up quickly to deliver good to the nation.

Fixation of support prices for Balochistan onions, dates
Balochistan Chamber of Agriculture (BCA) has asked the government for fixing the support prices of onion and dates produced in the province on the same pattern as wheat, rice, cotton and sugarcane produced in the Punjab, Sindh and NWFP.

Setting up of Islamic Trade Organization on WTO
The Director General, Commerce (Asia-Pacific), Ministry of Commerce of the Islamic Republic of Iran, Parvaiz Rezai, has stressed the need for the establishment of an Islamic Trade Organisation (ITO) on the pattern of the World Trade Organisation (WTO) established for the countries of the world.

Punjab governor to inaugurate IT fair
Punjab Governor Lieutenant General Khalid Maqbool (Retd) will be the chief guest at the inaugural ceremony of a two-day 'IT Fair-2002 and Exhibition' being held here on October 5, 2002.

Mian Akram takes over as Islamabad Chamber president
Having elected unopposed in the annual election of the Islamabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ICCI) for 2002-03, Mian M. Akram Farid has taken over the charge of the office of the president ICCI on October 1, 2002.

Chambers Federation secretary general may be named...
The Secretary-General, Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FPCCI), Anwar-ul-Haque, is likely to be appointed Liaison Officer of the newly formed US-Pakistan Business Council in Pakistan.

Government plans to maximise agri production
The federal government has planned to maximise agri production thus bringing 104 villages in 14 districts and 19 union councils under the food security plan for reducing the hunger and poverty alleviation.

Rs 116.2 billion being spent for augmenting water resources
The government has initiated a medium term plan costing Rs 116.2 billion for radically augmenting water resources in the country.

Fruit export through reefer containers increases
The export of fruits through reefer containers to Europe and Middle East has considerably increased and shipping lines are offering more economical shipments through sea eliminating the expensive mode of air transportation.

Nuclear Institute for Agriculture, Biology post-graduate course opens
The Nuclear Institute for Agriculture and Biology (Niab), Faisalabad, will arrange 30th Post-graduate Training Course on Nuclear and other advanced techniques in agriculture and biological research here from October 14 to 25.

Agriculture Bank sets Rs 39 billion recovery target for 2002-03
Agriculture Development Bank of Pakistan (ADBP) has set the recovery target at Rs 39 billion for the year 2002-2003.

Government attaches high priority to agri uplift: minister
Federal Minister for Food and Agriculture Khair Mohammad Junejo on Tuesday said that the government attaches top priority to the development of agriculture so as to attain self-sufficiency in agriculture production.

Human Rights Commission of Pakistan opposes corporate farming
Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) has criticised the proposal of amending the Constitution to allow holding of agricultural land by the foreigners.

Sri Lanka warns Pakistani fruit exporters to improve packaging
The government of Sri Lanka has warned Pakistani exporters to improve the packaging of goods or else they will lose the Sri Lankan market.

Sugar industry proposes two-pronged policy for survival
Sugar industry has proposed a two-pronged policy to the government for survival. It included much-awaited decision on export of 0.5 million tonnes surplus stocks.

Pakistan Chambers Federation team leaves for US
A delegation of Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry on Monday left for Washington on a 6-day visit to explore the avenues of investment and joint ventures to help boost bilateral trade between both the countries.

Agriculture minister calls for improving farm output to meet WTO regime
Federal Food and Agriculture Minister Khair Mohammad Junejo has said the government has attached high priority for the development of the agriculture sector to meet the challenges of WTO regime. He was addressing a meeting of growers at the Agriculture Complex here on late Sunday evening during his brief visit.

World Bank, WTO setting up fund to help fight poverty
The World Bank and World Trade Organization are establishing a new fund called the 'Standards and Trade Development Facility', as part of their efforts to link aid to trade opportunities in the fight against poverty.

Agri. sector recorded negative growth of 2.5 percent in 2000-01
The agriculture sector could not achieve even the low target of 2.6 percent in financial year 2000-01. On the contrary, it recorded a negative growth of 2.5 percent. This situation occurred on account of the shortage of irrigation water that persisted both in Kharif and Rabi seasons. Along with the losses in major crops, the performance of fisheries also remained subdued due to the low water levels in rivers, lakes, reservoirs and dams, reveals a study.

No subsidy on agricultural items except wheat, cotton
The Federal Government has decided not to give any subsidy on any agricultural item, except wheat and cotton. A number of agricultural trade bodies had demanded subsidy and support price on agricultural produce but the government is reported to have turned down this demand on the plea that the system of subsidy and support price has been done away with on the advice of the IMF and World Bank. The government is unable to ignore the advice of these organisations, it is reported.

Punjab announces wheat release policy for flour mills
Punjab government has announced wheat release policy for 2002-03, and fixed a uniform price of Rs 800 per 100 kg bag for the millers throughout the province. The Food Department has been directed to start issuing wheat to the millers, from its centres, at the price fixed from October 1.

Protests in Azad Kashmir as work on Mangla Dam extension starts
As the President of Pakistan, General Pervez Musharraf Monday inaugurated work on Mangla Dam expansion project, the AJK people held protest demonstrations against the plan. Jammu and Kashmir Students Liberation Front (SLF) arranged a procession in Muzaffarabad to protest the government plan of raising the level of Mangla Dam.

Japan installing 22 solar-based plants in Balochistan
Japan, New Zealand and Scandinavia have shown interest in exploring water and power resources through solar and wind energy, available in abundance in Balochistan. An official spokesman said here on Monday Japan has already involved itself in streamlining solar technology in Balochistan coastal areas.

Musharraf approves Rs 800 million Mangla dam royalty
President Pervez Musharraf on Monday announced regular payment of Mangla dam royalty to Azad Jammu and Kashmir government and unveiled a liberal package to compensate those affected by the raising of dam by 30 feet to regain its lost storage capacity.

Private sector to have full-fledged rice board
Commerce Minister Abdul Razak Dawood has said that a well-organised Pakistan Rice Board (PRB) was in the offing to substantially boost rice exports through enhanced productivity and better quality management. He said this while presiding over a meeting of the members of Rice Exporters Association of Pakistan (Reap) here on Monday.

Electioneering to generate Rs 11 billion trade for sugar
Sugar sector is set to witness an extra business of rupees 11 billion this year because of intensifying election campaign throughout the country. Economic experts have estimated the additional consumption of 50,000 tonnes of sugar in the country during mid-September to December 2002, as during this period the process of election and the formation of an elected government would take place.

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