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Dubai firm to build hotel in Pakistan

DUBAI (May 01 2007): Istiithmar Hotels, a subsidiary of Dubai-based Istithmar, is planning to build more than 50 budget hotels in the region within the next five to six years. The company is planning to invest 400 million dollars in developing hotels in 17 countries across the Arab region, Pakistan and India.

The new hotels will have a total capacity of 3,800 rooms, Chief Executive Officer of Istithmar Hotels was quoted as saying by Gulf News on Monday.

http://www.brecorder.com/index.php?id=558054&currPageNo=2&query=&search=&term=&supDate=
 
Prime Minister inaugurates IC3 project at Port Qasim

KARACHI (May 01 2007): Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz on Monday inaugurated $8 million international container security project known as IC3 at Port Qasim to facilitate faster clearance and shipment of export cargo at economical rates to USA.

This integrated scanning facility is the first ever project launched by US Customs anywhere in the world which will not only save freight and examination cost but also require no further inspection of goods.

Speaking on the occasion, Prime Minister said that this state of the art facility would ensure the faster flow of Pakistani exports to the United States. He said that USA-Pakistan relations have a close cooperation in a host of areas, diplomatic, political, security, defence, trade, investment, science and technology, etc.

He said the United States and Pakistan have been sharing with many other countries in the world their common value of peace, harmony and helping the world to be a safer place to live. He said the Pakistan was working with USA on many more economic engagements. "Special arrangements for our border zones, IOZs, the bilateral investment treaty are on the table with the USA. We see greater economic cooperation with the US and cooperation in all areas", he added.

Shaukat Aziz noted that IC3 project is a manifestation of the growing and solid and strong ties Pakistan had with the United States over many decades. He said the new facility would allow the shipment of pre-cleared goods from Port Qasim to enter the United States without any further check. This will reduce door-to-door time from Pakistan suppliers to US buyers, he added.

He opined that the USA was the major trading partner of Pakistan and this facility would allow Pakistan companies to supply their products to US companies just in time. The Prime Minister said that Pakistan was developing a trade corridor to improve the logistic chain to move goods speedily and efficiency.

This will cut the travel time between Karachi to Peshawar and major cities by half. This highway will be linked to Afghanistan and Central Asian Republics, he pointed out. He invited Afghanistan and Central Asian Republics to utilise this integrated facility to ship their products to United States.

Referring to Pakistan's economy, Shaukat said that the country was witnessing a higher growth at an average of 6 to 8 percent over the last several years. The per capita income will increase from $846 to $950 by the end of current fiscal and cross $1000 by the June of 2008, he said amid applause.

He pointed out that the leading global bank Goldman Sachs has identified Pakistan as one of the 11 most promising countries in the world in terms of economic growth, potential and future.

He said that Pakistan will have a highest ever foreign investment of more than $6 billion by the end of June this year. This investment is coming from USA, European Union, Middle East and Far East, he added. He said that country's forex reserves have crossed $13.6 billion, the all time high since Independence.

Earlier, US Charge d' Affairs Peter W Bodde said that this facility was a part of the integrated cargo container project which will speed the flow of goods from Pakistan and the Central Asia region to US market which increasing US's own security.

He said Port Qasim is the first of only three locations in the world selected for this testing phase, reflecting the close cooperation between USA and Pakistan. Assistant Commissioner Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Jayson Ahern read out the letter of Secretary DHS Michael Chertoff on the occasion. Earlier, on his arrival, Prime Minister unveiled the plaque to launch the scanning facility.

Sindh Governor Dr Ishratul Ibad Khan, Chief Minister Sindh Dr Arbab Ghulam Rahim, Port and Shipping Minister Babar Khan Ghauri and Information Minister Mohammad Ali Durrani were also present on the occasion.

http://www.brecorder.com/index.php?id=557963&currPageNo=2&query=&search=&term=&supDate=
 
US launches container security project in Pakistan

KARACHI (AFP) - The United States has launched a facility in Pakistan aimed at boosting security and speeding up the flow of goods.

The international container facility has been launched at Port Qasim in the southern port city of Karachi, where US-bound goods from Pakistan and Central Asia will be scanned before being shipped to the United States.

"This facility is both a preventive tool in the global war on terror that will make our borders safer and will also increase the economic efficiency of Pakistani exports," US Charge d'Affaires Peter W. Bodde told a ceremony.

"Port Qasim is one of only three locations in the world selected for this testing phase, reflecting the close cooperation between our two countries," he added.

As a joint effort with the Pakistan government, the facility would test the feasibility of using scanning technology to inspect every container bound for the US, he said.

"It will also increase the security of the international supply chain for shippers utilising Port Qasim," he added.

Pakistan's ports and shipping minister Babar Ghauri said the new system would boost trade and security between Pakistan and the United States and another system would be installed at Karachi port.

Pakistan, a key US ally in the global fight against terrorism, has arrested more than 700 Al-Qaeda fugitives who fled to the country after the fall of hardline Taliban regime in neighbouring Afghanistan.

The South Asian country provided the US forces with its airbases and intelligence to oust the Taliban regime after the September 2001 terrorist attacks in the United States.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20070501/wl_sthasia_afp/pakistanustradeshipping_070501064433
 
Dubai firm to build hotel in Pakistan

DUBAI (May 01 2007): Istiithmar Hotels, a subsidiary of Dubai-based Istithmar, is planning to build more than 50 budget hotels in the region within the next five to six years. The company is planning to invest 400 million dollars in developing hotels in 17 countries across the Arab region, Pakistan and India.

The new hotels will have a total capacity of 3,800 rooms, Chief Executive Officer of Istithmar Hotels was quoted as saying by Gulf News on Monday.

http://www.brecorder.com/index.php?id=558054&currPageNo=2&query=&search=&term=&supDate=

Hmm Good news:yahoo:
In which city will this hotel build?
 
Probably Karachi, Lahore and Islamabad, no locations have been released yet.
 
Thursday, May 03, 2007

Pakistan’s air traffic control system most ill-equipped, NA told :tdown:

ISLAMABAD: The country's air traffic control system is working without even a single calibration aircraft that controls the entire air traffic, while the radar system installed at airports has long outlived its utility, Parliamentary Secretary for Defence Major (Retd) Tanveer Hussain told the National Assembly on Wednesday.

In response to a calling attention notice, Hussain told the house that the country had only one 'Beach King Air 200' aircraft to control air traffic which met an accident in November last year and was still under repair in Dubai.

He said the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) had temporarily hired a PAF plane but it was not fully equipped with the technology required for landing and take-off of aircraft, and radar systems.

Tanveer also revealed that an Indian passenger aircraft hovered over a Pakistani airport and went back but the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) system could not detect it.

He told the house that an F-27 aircraft that crashed in Multan last year had missed its direction and was heading towards India when a lady officer at the control room diverted the plane to Multan before its crash. Hussain said that an inquiry report on the incident was complete but he and the defence minister could not access it.

To a question, he said that DG CAA did not have even the basic knowledge about civil aviation, as he had the oil industry background.

He told a questioner that some CAA officers were going on foreign tours without permission of the defence ministry and the minister had ordered an inquiry into the mater. He further told the house that the French radar system purchased decades ago had completed its life, needing immediate replacement.

The speaker took cognizance to the issue and directed the defence ministry to give a detailed briefing to the parliamentary secretary on the CAA affairs. The parliamentary secretary will report to the house by May 15.

http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=2007\05\03\story_3-5-2007_pg7_27
 
'No response to Turkish open sky policy'

KARACHI (May 05 2007): Turkish government's offer of open sky policy to Pakistan, whereby the national airlines of the two countries would be free to operate any number of flights between the two countries, has not been responded to by Pakistan.

This information was given by the representative of Turkish Airlines during the meeting of the Ambassador of Turkey with the Federation of Pakistan Chamber of Commerce and Industries (FPCCI) President and members, held at Federation House here recently.

Turkish Airline was ready to operate daily flights from Istanbul to Karachi, Lahore and Islamabad, which will help the businessmen of the two countries to meet frequently, and in turn would promote trade and economic cooperation between them.

Another impediment in the promotion of trade between Pakistan and Turkey was the reluctance of Pakistan's commercial banks to accept guarantees given by Turkish banks and insisted on their provision through international banks, said Turkey-Pakistan Business Council Co- Chairman Ali Irvali, who also attended the meeting.

http://www.brecorder.com/index.php?id=560144&currPageNo=2&query=&search=&term=&supDate=
 
Wide scope exists for private sector in Railways: Rashid

RAWALPINDI (May 05 2007): Private sector has a lot of investment scope in Pakistan Railways as this is the fast growing communication sector, which offers high profit to the investors. Sheikh Rasheed Ahmed, Federal Minister for Railways said this while addressing the launching ceremony of non-stop "Rawalpindi Express" at Rawalpindi Railway Station here on Thursday.

"Private Sector should come forward with open mind and run trains to provide better travelling facilities to the people", the minister said. He said the government was ready to give private companies prime time facility for running trains with modern facilities. A scheme was also on the cards to return some percentage of fares to passengers in case trains arrive late at the destination adding that this would improve railways' image and make it trustworthy organisation, he added.

He said that the Rawalpindi Express was being launched between Lahore and Rawalpindi on experimental basis adding that the service would be extended to Karachi in near future.

He said that President Musharraf, during his recent visit to Spain, had asked the Spanish president to provide feasibility of bullet train service between Lahore and Rawalpindi and added that the ultimate goal of Railways would be to provide cheap, safe and faster travel service to the masses.

He said that Pakistan Railway would now work on priority basis to launch mass transit services in four big cities of Pakistan, including Rawalpindi, Islamabad, Lahore and Karachi, adding that the service would help reduce traffic problems to a great extent.

Later, the mass transit service would be extended to other cities, the minister said. He said that there had been increase of 2.5 million passengers in the past few months, adding that the number would be raised up to 10 million next year. He said that the freight would also be increased from 4 percent to 10 percent.

Rashid said that the double track between Karachi and Lahore would be completed by December this year adding that feasibility study of doubling tracking the other railway tracks would be started soon. He said that Railway would enhance salary of its employees gradually adding that they would listen to good news in the upcoming budget.

It is worth mentioning here that the Rawalpindi Express would leave Rawalpindi for Lahore at 20:00 hours and reach the destination at 23:30 hrs. The train would leave Lahore at 09:00 am and would reach Rawalpindi at 12:00 noon.

http://www.brecorder.com/index.php?id=560163&currPageNo=2&query=&search=&term=&supDate=
 
May 06, 2007
Rs30bn needed for road maintenance

RAWALPINDI, May 5: The government needs at least Rs30 billion a year for at least five years for maintenance of roads at national and provincial levels, according to a new Asian Development Bank study.

The Punjab government alone needs Rs8 billion for its current upkeep. In Sindh, the only province with an operating computer-based road asset-management system, the maintenance backlog for the 8,700 kilometres of provincial roads is estimated to be Rs3.8 billion while the province’s total backlog is estimated to exceed Rs8 billion.

The NWFP needs Rs500 million a year for five years to eliminate the maintenance at district level, says the study.

It is significant that district road network has increased by around 70,000 kilometres over the past two decades.

There is, however, no consolidated data about how much funds are needed for road and bridge maintenance. But, judging from the current road conditions, it is apparent that funding for maintenance was not always a priority.

According to the study, insufficiency of funds for road repairs can be overcome through good maintenance planning and prioritising expenditure.

Tools for such planning exist, but require regular measurement of physical parameters and traffic volumes and the use of computer-based systems for data processing. The study pointed out that apart from the Sindh government, no road agency appeared to be enthusiastic about adopting modern data processing methods.

Currently, routine maintenance is undertaken on the basis of traditional ‘yardstick’ approach while funds are allocated on the basis of a set amount per kilometre multiplied by road length.

Highlighting unreliability of data, the report said that safety audits were not normally part of road work planning. For transport operations, spheres of responsibility are blurred and uncoordinated.

Highlighting corruption at all levels, the study said that it was prevalent in most tiers of road maintenance that led to increase in costs and sub-optimal selection of road alignment or improvement level.

The study suggested that corruption might eat up about 20 per cent of the total funds. The problem is exacerbated because of low wages, widening disparity between the rich and poor, bureaucratic hurdles and centralised and/or hierarchical decision making.

http://dawn.com/2007/05/06/top15.htm
 
Tuesday, May 08, 2007

PC receives 7 EOIs for 5-star hotel project

ISLAMABAD: The Privatisation Commission has received seven Expression of Interest (EOIs) from interested parties, consortium of investors with commitment to build, own and run a five star hotel on a prime piece of land at Shahrah-e-Quaid-e-Azam, Lahore.

The project is titled “Services International Hotel (SIH)” with an area of fifteen 15 Kanals, 3 Marlas and 113 square feet.

The parties include Associated Group, Lahore; The City Group, Lahore; Hashwani Hotels Limited, Islamabad; Rupali Polyester Limited Lahore; Abraaj Capital Limited, Dubai, United Arab Emirates; Al-Sabaiea National General Trading and Constructing Company, Kuwait; Marwat Enterprises, Lahore.

The interested parties, consortium of investors were asked to provide bank statement for the last three years to demonstrate net worth. The successful bidder shall have to construct a five-star hotel including basements in accordance with the Building Regulations of Lahore Development Authority (LDA). The permissible height of the hotel building shall be 400 feet.

http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=2007\05\08\story_8-5-2007_pg5_9
 
Tuesday, May 08, 2007

Power shortage: FPCCI calls for construction of dams

LAHORE: Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FPCCI) Monday stressed the need of the construction of dams on top priority to overcome power shortage.

President FPCCI Tanvir Ahmad Sheikh told APP the country was currently facing the shortage of 1200 MW, while uninterrupted supply of power was pre-requisite for economic growth and development of the country.

He said private sector had to timely ship their consignments to fulfill its commitment.

He said industry and agriculture are most important sectors, which required smooth power supply for industrial development and meeting the food needs of the country. Keeping in view the power supply situation confronting the country, water reservoirs and dams should be constructed on top priority with consensus, he added.

He said, “we can only get rid of load management if new dams are built on war footings.” Chairman Businessmen Panel, the largest alliance of traders and associations and ruling group in FPCCI, Tariq Sayeed said the construction of dams would help meet ever increasing demand of cheaper resource of energy which would bring down the cost of all products including eatables. Panel co-chairman and former president FPCCI, Iftikhar Ali Malik said Kalabagh dam project was technically feasible and economically essential which, he added, should be constructed without further delay.

http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=2007\05\08\story_8-5-2007_pg5_11
 
May 09, 2007
Pakistan needs to improve infrastructure

ISLAMABAD, May 8: Infrastructure development is crucial for improving the global competitiveness ranking of Pakistan, said Chief Executive of the Competitiveness Support Fund (CSF) Arthur Bayhan here on Tuesday.

He was making presentation to the Ministry of Housing and Works on the indicators relevant to the housing sector.

The presentation was part of the CSF’s initiative to bring all the line ministries on board to improve Pakistan’s ranking on the global competitiveness index of the World Economic Forum.

CSF is a joint initiative of ministry of finance and USAID. Support for Competitiveness Support Fund is part of the $1.5 billion in aid that the US government is providing to Pakistan over five years to improve economic growth, education, health and governance.

Pakistan has to adopt innovative housing solutions for its growing middle class.

This will not only create value for the growing number of hardworking population but will also address growing demand for appropriate infrastructure for a viable economy, Mr Bayhan added.

Secretary Housing and Works Abdul Rauf Chaudhary informed the CSF delegation that his ministry had launched the national housing policy in 2001 and it was now coordinating with Central Board of Revenue and the provincial governments on various issues concerning the housing sector.

He also said the ministry was undertaking initiatives to provide appropriate housing for the low income groups.

We will be launching projects of up to 15,000 flats for the government employees soon in Islamabad. Similar projects in Lahore, Karachi and other cities are in the pipeline, he added.

The CEO of Competitiveness Support Fund elaborated the rational behind the indicators and pointed out that the data used for these indicators was not up-to-date.

He said housing ministry had a crucial role in setting standards for the infrastructure development.

Pakistan scores well overall in terms of infrastructure quality and notable progress in building infrastructure will continue. However, recent problems in supply and reliability of electricity need to be addressed.

http://www.dawn.com/2007/05/09/ebr11.htm
 
Wednesday, May 09, 2007

Infrastructure development crucial for competitiveness

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan must capitalize on its strengths and eliminate its weaknesses in the area of infrastructure in order to move up on the Global Competitiveness Index of the World Economic Forum, said Arthur Bayhan, CEO of the Competitiveness Support Fund (CSF) here Tuesday.

He was making a presentation to the Ministry of Housing and Works on the indicators relevant to the housing sector in Pakistan.

The CSF presentation was a part of CSF’s initiative to bring all the line-ministries on board to improve Pakistan’s ranking on the Global Competitiveness Index (GCI) of the World Economic Forum. Pakistan was ranked 91 on the GCI in 2006. Pakistan had showed improvement of 3 rankings from 94 to 91 in 2005.

“The State of Pakistan’s Competitiveness,” a report of the Competitiveness Support Fund (CSF) and the World Economic Forum’s annual Global Competitiveness Report (GCR) identified low cost housing as an important aspect of improving Pakistan’s overall competitiveness. “Pakistan has to adopt innovative housing solutions for its growing middle class; this will not only create value for the growing number of hardworking population but will also address the growing demand for appropriate infrastructure for a viable economy,” said Bayhan.

Speaking on the occasion, Abdur Rauf Chaudhary, Secretary of the Housing and Works Ministry, informed the CSF delegation that his ministry launched the National Housing Policy in 2001 and it is now coordinating with CBR and the provincial governments on various issues concerning the housing sector.

He also said that the ministry is undertaking initiatives to provide appropriate housing to the low-income groups. “We will be launching projects of up to 15,000 flats for the government employees soon in Islamabad; similar projects in Lahore, Karachi and other cities are in pipeline,” he said.

Secretary housing also asked the CSF to make a special presentation to the Housing Advisory Board, which is chaired by the Minister for Housing. The board comprises of all relevant provincial and district government authorities and representatives from the private sector organizations. He urged the CSF to brief the board members on the competitiveness aspects of the housing sectors in Pakistan and provide policy guideline to improve the sectors’ competitiveness. Chaudhary proposed that CSF make the presentation in the next meeting of the board in July 2007.

Bayhan said that the Ministry of Housing and Works has a crucial role in setting the standards for infrastructure development in the country. “Pakistan scores well overall in terms of infrastructure quality and notable progress in building infrastructure will continue. However, recent problems in supply and reliability of electricity need to be addressed. In some cases, innovative private-public partnerships can help expand infrastructure more rapidly than might otherwise be the case,” he said.

Abdul Basit, Joint Secretary, Prime Minister’s Special Programme Wing, Ministry of Finance informed the meeting that the Prime Minister’s Special Programme Wing (PMSP) has been tasked to coordinate with all the ministries to work with the CSF for improving Pakistan’s competitiveness ranking. He also pointed out that other countries in the region are improving their competitiveness by investing in their infrastructure and Pakistan should not lag behind.

http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=2007\05\09\story_9-5-2007_pg5_2
 
Mideast to fund $1.5b hydropower project

8 May 2007

ISLAMABAD — Qatar and some other Middle Eastern countries have expressed their willingness to fund the $1.5 billion Neelum-Jhelum Hydropower project in Pakistani held Kashmir (Azad Kashmir).

Informed sources said that Pakistan government is currently facing problems to undertake the mighty project as the officials of Water and Power Development Authority (WAPDA) have so failed to award contract for the construction o the dam due to which Pakistan could loose its priority rights over Jhelum waters.

A project of WAPDA the 969MW project has been hanging in balance for six years although it is considered crucial to secure Pakistan's priority rights over Neelum waters — a tributary of the river Jhelum — threatened by the Indian move to use its waters for power generation and diversion.

These sources said Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz had taken up the project with Chinese leadership during his recent visit because of complexities relating to Chinese bidders but the outcome was not so encouraging. The Prime Minister later told reporters that Neelum-Jhelum project was not discussed with China.

Adviser to the Prime Minister on Finance Dr Salman Shah, however, said that financing for the project was available in the form of offers from Qatar and the Middle East but the Wapda had been asked to take a decision on the bidder and the project structure.

He confirmed that the lowest bidder had not been able to arrange buyer's credit for the project. He, however, declined to comment on $500 million higher bid from the second bidder saying the government would arrange financing when Wapda takes a decision on technical issues.

The Prime Minister had given a deadline of six weeks in January this year to finalize financing arrangements for the project so that the project could be launched without wasting time. The bidding for the project was held about a year ago. The contract could not be signed with the lowest bidder that quoted $1.3 billion price for the project because it failed to arrange required buyer's credit a pre condition under the bidding.

As a result, discussions were started with the second bidder that offered $1.8 billion along with buyer s credit of about $700 million.

http://www.khaleejtimes.com/Display...May/business_May244.xml&section=business&col=
 
May 10, 2007
Airline’s operations suspended for safety

KARACHI, May 9: The Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) has, with immediate effect, suspended operations of the Aero Asia Airlines due to issues relating to safety and passenger convenience.

The Aero Asia operates on three domestic and three international routes.

According to a CAA press release issued here on Wednesday, the problems were brought into notice of the airline’s management time and again but the situation, instead of improving, went from bad to worse and the company failed to comply with CAA’s safety and regularity requirements.

The CAA said the Aero Asia might restart their operations

as and when they so desired, provided they satisfied the authority on all safety-related issues, in addition to exercising better operational control over aircraft.

“The authority has no issue with the Aero Asia as far as payment of its current dues is concerned,” said the CAA.

The airline said it had temporarily suspended operations.

“We are in search of newer aircraft and modern-day technology in order to improve our product,” Haider Jalal, managing-director of the airline, told a news conference.

“We have decided to suspend our operations temporarily with effect from May 19, till further notice.”

In March, the European Union banned all but seven of state-run Pakistan International Airlines’ aging fleet of 42 planes based on safety concerns.

http://www.dawn.com/2007/05/10/top15.htm
 
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