Pakistan Economy - News & Updates - Archive

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Holland keen to support 'Energy for All' initiative: ADB ​

FAISALABAD (February 29 2008): The Government of the Netherlands has expressed strong interest in supporting an Energy for All initiative with the remaining funds of the Dutch Co-operation Fund for Promotion of Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency in Asian countries including Pakistan.

According to ADB sources, this initiative will also add to the commitment made by the Dutch government to provide 10 million people with access to modern forms of energy by 2015. The ADB will also serve as a "multiplier" and co-ordinate with the Government of the Netherlands to help achieve that target as well as assist ADB's participating DMCs achieve their MDGs.

According to ADB project report, the potential projects and countries for Energy for All include but are not limited to (i) promotion of community-managed decentralised energy systems (micro hydro, solar, biomass) in Indonesia, Lao People's Democratic Republic (Lao PDR), Pakistan, and the Philippines (where feasible, private entrepreneurs, instead of the community, can also operate the energy system); and (ii) new financing mechanisms using credit enhancement, promoting local financing for individual household-level technologies (eg solar home systems, solar powered white-light-emitting diode lamps) through local financial institutions in Nepal.

These approaches and methodologies will focus on (i) private sector participation, (ii) new and innovative financing mechanisms, and (iii) use of community-based models (eg co-operatives, etc) to improve access to energy. The demonstration projects and modalities will be based on pre-feasibility and feasibility studies undertaken under TA 5972-REG: Promotion of Renewable Energy, Energy Efficiency and Greenhouse Gas Abatement (Prega), as well as other best practices in the region, in consultation with the host developing member countries.

Prega was financed by the Dutch Co-operation Fund for Promotion of Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency, funded by the Government of the Netherlands. A total of 18 DMCs (Azerbaijan, Bangladesh, Cambodia, People's Republic of China, India, Indonesia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyz Republic, Lao PDR, Mongolia, Nepal, Pakistan, the Philippines, Samoa, Sri Lanka, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan and Vietnam) participated in Prega, which was completed on December 31, 2006.

The ADB study revealed that Energy Services, in the broadest terms, refer to the benefits of an energy delivery system that meet the needs of the users (eg lighting, cooking, heating, etc). Access to efficient, affordable, and reliable modern energy services is recognised as essential for sustainable development. Yet almost half of the world's population does not have access to modern forms of energy. Some 2.4 billion people are still dependent on traditional biomass fuels to meet their cooking and heating needs, with all the health problems that the practice entails. Almost 70 percent people from developing countries relying on biomass for cooking and heating are in Asia and the Pacific. Similarly, around 27 percent of the world's population (ie, 1.6 billion people) still does not have access to electricity. More than 99 percent of those without electricity live in developing countries. Of that number, around 1 billion people are in developing countries of Asia and the Pacific; and four out of five live in rural areas.

For lack of electricity is not only a rural issue. More than 13 percent of the urban population still do not have electricity in developing countries in Asia and this figure rises to almost 30 percent for South Asia. Fast population growth and rapid urbanisation over the next three decades will intensify the challenge of providing access to electricity in cities of most developing countries, and urban electrification programs will need to accommodate the swelling mass of the urban poor especially those in slums.

Even though no millennium development goals (MDGs) refer to energy explicitly, various studies have shown clear linkages between energy and all of the MDGs and have argued that much greater quality and quantity of energy services will be required to meet the MDGs. One common finding of the 10 task forces of the United Nations Millennium Project is the urgent need to improve energy access so as to attain the MDGs. Without scaling up the availability of affordable and sustainable energy services, not only will the MDGs not be achieved; 1.4 billion people globally will still have no access to electricity in 2030.

Business Recorder [Pakistan's First Financial Daily]

 

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New Nokia 6210 with GPS device launched ​

KARACHI (February 27 2008): World leaders in telecommunication industry, Nokia, has introduced a new Nokia 6210 Navigator around the globe including Pakistan. The latest of Navigational Series is the company's first GPS-enabled mobile device with a comprehensive integrated compass for pedestrian guidance.

The Nokia 6210 Navigator is estimated to start shipping in the third quarter of 2008 in selected markets with an estimated retail price of euro 300, before taxes and subsidies. The Nokia 6210 Navigator comes with Nokia Maps 2.0, and includes full voice and visual turn by turn guidance at no extra cost.

Business Recorder [Pakistan's First Financial Daily]

 

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15,000 tons of sugar to be exported to Bangladesh ​

ISLAMABAD (February 29 2008): Pakistan will export 15,000 tonnes of sugar to Bangladesh from the surplus stock. The sugar mills across the country have abundant stocks of surplus sugar and, therefore, it has been decided to export some amount out of the same stock, told sugar industry sources to a private TV channel.

Five sugar mills of Sindh have decided to export surplus amount sugar to make payments to the farmers for sugarcane. The first shipment of sugar export at the rate of between $280 to $386 per tone will be transported from Karachi Port to Chittagong.

Business Recorder [Pakistan's First Financial Daily]

 

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Nespak terms Bara, Jabba dams feasible ​

PESHAWAR (February 29 2008): NWFP Governor Owais Ahmad Ghani Thursday said that feasibility studies of two dams in Bara and Jamrud sub-divisions of Khyber Agency has almost been completed and both of them have been found feasible for construction. He expressed these views during a presentation on the construction of Bara and Jabba Dams in Khyber Agency here in Governor's House on Thursday.

The Governor was given a detailed presentation on the findings of the feasibility report, prepared by the Nespak, which has recommended the construction of both the dams. Chief Executives Fata Development Authority Muhammad Shahzad Arbab, Secretary to Governor Arbab Muhammad Arif, Secretary Law and Order Fata Ghulam Qadir, Secretary P&D Zafar Hasan and officials of Nespak, Fata secretariat and FDA attended the presentation.

In his presentation the representative of Nespak explained the details of the findings and feasibility, saying that Bara Dam would irrigate about 50,000 acres command area in both Fata and Peshawar valley.

The dam, he added would also become a source of provision of drinking water to the nearby localities adding that 2 cusecs potable water could be provided to Bara Bazar and 8 cusec to Hayatabad township in Peshawar.

He said that 92-meter high Bara Dam will have a total water storage capacity of 88,000 acres ft and would also have the capacity to produce 2 MW, electricity power.

The life of the water reservoir of Bara Dam has been envisaged to be 80 to 100 years. As regard long-term benefits of the dam, the study mentioned that with construction of the dam the Bara River Canal System would become functional again besides greatly reducing flood damages from Bara River.

Business Recorder [Pakistan's First Financial Daily]

 

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Khalid for exploiting livestock potential ​

LAHORE (February 29 2008): Governor Khalid Maqbool has called for exploiting the agriculture and livestock potential, saying the government is focusing on developing the livestock sector. "Pakistan is lucky to have the best breeds of cows and buffaloes and the number of livestock has increased from 15 to 30 percent during the last seven years."

Governor was speaking at a certificate distribution ceremony of a Leadership Development Programme organised by the Faculty of Livestock Business Management of the University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences.

He said Pakistan was the seventh top milk-producer in 2002 and today it was the third among the top milk producers in the world. He said vaccination coverage of livestock had increased to 40 percent and mortality rate of animals had decreased from 14 to 9 percent. He lauded the role of the UVAS in the development of livestock sector through its academic, training and extension programmes. He also appreciated the new initiatives of the UVAS including the BS (Hons) programmes in fisheries, poultry, dairy technology and microbiology.

He said that Leadership Development Programme of the UVAS was an initiative towards right direction and asked the university to continue this programme. He also called for focusing on the wildlife sector.

Vice Chancellor Professor Dr Muhammad Nawaz said "We have expanded our graduate and postgraduate programmes and are in the process of initiating a new Department of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology".

This department will enhance our capabilities in almost all disciplines," he said. "The bottom line in all our programmes remained the quality of professionalism, ethics and personality development." He said the Leadership Development Programme had been organised by the UVAS in collaboration with Livestock and Dairy Development Department Punjab with focus on developing leadership skills and project management according to future needs of livestock sector.

He said, "The university is also planning to establish a private limited company. Our Ravi Campus (New Campus) at Bhuneki will be the main centre of commercial produce. We plan to develop and run all training facilities as commercial concerns to generate capital for sustenance and development programmes of the university."

The university was in the process of developing a veterinary services centre at the Ravi Campus, Professor Nawaz said, adding that the UVAS had initiated enrolment of commercial farmers to develop an organisation where they could sit together to listen and solve problems for improved livestock production and practices. With changing global dynamics in agricultural and livestock production, we have to prudentially organise our production systems with a shift from subsistence to modernised economy-based efficient and market-oriented livestock production, he added.

Business Recorder [Pakistan's First Financial Daily]

 

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World Bank to provide $25 million for Balochistan irrigation project ​

ISLAMABAD (February 28 2008): The World Bank (WB) would provide 25 million dollar for Balochistan Small-Scale Irrigation Project (BSSIP), which will support efforts by the Government of Balochistan (GoB) to improve the management of scarce water resources in the Pishin Lora Basin (PLB) by reducing the overall impact of the present water crisis.

The project's objectives include increasing surface water availability and reducing groundwater depletion, increasing water productivity through a combination of engineering, management and agricultural measures and expanding local capacity and participation of farmers to implement similar schemes and formulate plans for sustainable water resources development and watershed management.

The project will focus on the PLB in the northern part of Balochistan. The project will follow three components that include partial restoration of the water storage capacity, developing small-scale irrigation schemes in the PLB and strengthening and building the capacity of the Irrigation and Power Department, water management institutions, and farmer and community organisations, and implementing studies.

The project can contribute to strengthening provincial water management capabilities. The World Bank's Board of Executive Directors approved the credit with maturity of 35 years and 10 years grace period.

Business Recorder [Pakistan's First Financial Daily]

 

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NWFP and Balochistan to get bulldozers: around 219,375 hectares cultivable wasteland to be reclaimed ​

FAISALABAD (February 28 2008): Federal government will provide 200 bulldozers for Balochistan and 100 for NWFP, which would be hired out to the farmers at no profit no loss basis to facilitate them in reclaiming the cultivable wasteland.

According to the sources in Ministry of Food, Agriculture and Livestock (Minfal), around 219,375 hectares of cultivable wasteland (NWFP 73,125 and Balochistan 146,250 hectares) would be reclaimed through the use of 300 bulldozers. This will enhance agricultural production in the NWFP and Balochistan provinces, sources said.

According to an update Minfal study, about 8.12 million hectares of land falls in the category of cultivable wasteland out of which 1.22 and 4.0 million hectares are in NWFP and Balochistan respectively. Provincial Agriculture Engineering Departments need additional machinery and 900 bulldozers to reclaim the cultivable wasteland.

Minfal sources mentioned that agricultural growth is key to curtailing poverty since poor heavily rely on agricultural goods and services for their livelihood. In line with the objectives of PRSP, Minfal has approved a number of projects for crop maximisation to reduce poverty and food insecurity in Pakistan in PSDP 2006-07. A number of projects assisted by ADB, FAO and UN/WFP for crop maximisation, increasing food security and promoting poverty alleviation are also under implementation.

Sources said that government has given top priority to the development of water resources to maximise crop production. This has been done through progressively increasing surface water supplies and conserving water using the latest technologies and protecting land and infrastructure from water logging, salinity, floods and soil erosion. The main objectives are overcoming the scarcity of water through augmentation and conservation means ie by construction of medium and large dams and by efficient utilisation of irrigation water and restoring the productivity of agricultural land through control of water logging, salinity and floods, sources added.

They said that an integrated programme approach for water management has been adopted. On-farm Water Management (OFWM) projects have been implemented on community participation basis in the provinces, AJ&K and Federal Agencies. Water conservation is being ensured under the President's programme for the improvement and lining of watercourses.

This programme envisaged lining improvement of 87,000 watercourses at a cost of Rs 66 billion within 3-4 years. This initiative will significantly improve water supply at the farm-gate through reduction in the seepage losses. During the year 2006-07, 18,390 watercourses have been lined and renovated against the target of 18,000 watercourses.

Minfal sources stated that the government has fulfilled most of the commitments related to different WTO-specific agreements. Pakistan has already started improving quality and standards of agricultural export commodity markets. Imposition of strict Sanitary and Phyto-Sanitary (SPS) measures and adoption of other significant regulatory steps through the Department of Plant Protection helped increase agricultural exports to the developed countries. Different development projects for the strengthening of laboratories for quality control have been initiated. For grading of agriculture and livestock commodities, grade standards of about 50 commodities, under Grading and Marketing Act, were developed.

According to the Minfal study agriculture sector in Pakistan is facing many serious challenges and constraints for future growth. These challenges are embedded in (i) the rising demand for agricultural products with the growth of population and incomes; (ii) the expanding role of free and competitive markets in agriculture trade at the national and international levels. Increased farm productivity, achieved by sustainable use of natural resources and other inputs, and diversification of production from the low value to high value products in response to market demand have to be the key ingredients of future agriculture strategy to make agriculture both productive and profitable; (iii) wide yield gaps in major and minor crops, inefficient use of water at farms, poor quality and availability of agricultural inputs, frequent insect and pest attacks and high incidence of crop and livestock diseases require effective resolution; and (iv) strengthening of agriculture research system is needed to focus more on emerging areas such as biotechnology, genetic engineering, hybrid seeds etc.

Improving agricultural knowledge system for effective crop forecasting, and undertaking market reforms in preparation of expanding trade regimes of WTO and Safta are other areas in which Minfal is currently focusing on.

Business Recorder [Pakistan's First Financial Daily]

 

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‘$50bn global trade prospects for Pakistan’​

KARACHI: A $50 billion industry with 30% per annum growth rate linked with $700 billion E-commerce trade world wide is available for Pakistan, said Abdullah Butt, President, Association of Call Centre Operators (ACCO) Pakistan.

Currently there are 70 call centres operating in the country and still there is so much business available internationally, that even if 100 call centres each of 100 seats are working in Pakistan, still there will be more business coming in, he said while talking to Daily Times here on Friday.

Butt said, despite supporting this industry the government has never taken serious steps to promote this industry, which can bring huge investment in the country and could help to an instinct control unemployment, which is rapidly increasing every year.

For any international call centre operations, the nerve is telecom link and in Pakistan the weakest support one has is the telecom link and the cost of the utility is so high that the more you use the more you pay. The process of import is very cumbersome and expensive, he added.

Visa constraints on international employees and investors; security issues; a very heavy bureaucratic approach towards the industry; lack of mass awareness of this industry by government and private media; no training subsidisation by government; lack of IT- enabled infrastructure are some of the problems.

Daily Times - Leading News Resource of Pakistan

 

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UK to extend 480m pounds for skill development ​

ISLAMABAD: British High Commissioner in Pakistan Robert Brinkley on Friday said the UK government would extend 480 million pounds to Pakistan for promotion of skill development and technical education.

The British High Commissioner expressed these views during a meeting with President Islamabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry Muhammad Ijaz Abbasi.

Skilled manpower is playing an important role in the economic development of any country; therefore, the UK would provide assistance for establishment of technical training institutes in Pakistan, he said. In 2006 Pakistan and Britain singed a ten-year partnership, which includes doubling of UK aid to Pakistan. Under this programme in the period of 2008-11, the UK would provide financial aid of 480 million pounds for promotion of technical education in Pakistan for skill development.

Robert Brinkley said the British government was glad on holding of peaceful general election in Pakistan and expressed the hope that a stable government would be established in next few days. A consortium of countries had assisted Pakistan for successful completion of the election process in Pakistan, he added.

The British High Commissioner said that about 100 British companies are operating in Pakistan and a plenty of others are interested in more investment. He said that Bestway Cement was making a further investment of $140 million at its cement manufacturing plant at Ckakwal. Major British players in Pakistan include Unilever, Shell, BP, GlaxoSmithKline, Standard Chartered Bank, International Power and many others.

Daily Times - Leading News Resource of Pakistan

 

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Gem exporters to attend Indian fair​

KARACHI: Feb 29: Pakistan Gems and Jewellery Development Company (PGJDC) has arranged Pakistani gems and jewellery exporters’ participation in IIJS Signature fair, Goa, from February 29 to March 3.

A statement issued by the company on Friday said the delegation comprising of 36 Pakistani gems and jewellery exporters is being led by one of the directors of the company.

The PGJDC has assisted the participants by arranging business visas, hospitality and accommodation for them.

The IIJS Signature has invited a select 250 exhibitors, comprising the most reputed jewellery companies in the Indian industry.

The objective of Pakistani delegation to attend this exhibition is to have the continuity of presence in the Indian jewellery market and to build on contacts developed in 2006 and 2007.

The Pakistani businessmen would also learn about the developments taking place in the Indian gems and jewellery sector through the years.

Pakistani delegates would interact with the representative bodies of the jewellery sector to explore the avenues for the uplift of gems and jewellery sector in Pakistan.--APP

Gem exporters to attend Indian fair -DAWN - Business; March 01, 2008

 

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Current account deficit may be 6.5 percent of GDP in fiscal year 2008: Merrill Lynch ​

KARACHI (March 01 2008): Merrill Lynch has estimated that Pakistan would miss its current account deficit target and it may be 6.5 percent of GDP as against the target of 5 percent during the current fiscal year 2008 due to slow export growth and rising imports.

Despite several attempted to control the increasing imports, the trade gap may not ease in the future due to the slow export growth and commodity imports, and prices are unlikely to slow. Therefore, Merrill Lynch has revised full-year current account deficit estimates.

"Pakistan's current account deficit has widened on account of higher domestic economy and the global price shock," explained Muzamil Aslam, Merrill Lynch economist.

He said that rising imports of commodities at a time when most commodities are at all-time highs has brought tremendous growth in imports, while growth in exports is already slow. Besides crude and edible oil imports, a few one-off imports of wheat, cotton, and military equipment have also resulted in higher imports bill, he added.

He said that due to the rising prices and imports of commodity, revising the previous estimates, it has projected that during the current fiscal year country's current account deficit would be 1.5 percent higher than the target of 5 percent of GDP set by the government.

The country has to face a deficit of 10.5-11 billion dollars during the current fiscal year 2008, while earlier it was projected at 9 billion dollars, he said in the recently issued report on current account deficit.

Higher import bills for commodities and transport services (freight), and a slowdown in export services drove this deficit. Slowdown in services is another chief reason for the higher deficit in the past seven months. Muzamil said that supply deficits should keep commodity prices robust at the global level, which could hit Pakistan's import bill significantly.

This, coupled with rising international sea freight, soaring iron ore and agricultural commodity prices, point at huge upside risks to the import bill, he said, and added that Pakistan does not export any of the commodities, except some agriculture commodities. "Hence, we do not see any upside to export growth."

"Despite political instability, Pakistan has financed its C/A deficit with ease through a mixture of foreign investments, debt accumulation and reserves withdrawal," he said.

He said that new government would be inheriting a strong balance sheet and should be in a solid position to absorb this shock, too, while the recent peaceful conclusion of general elections bodes well for Pakistan and should help attract foreign investments, make foreign loans available on better terms and improve the country's credit rating. "The new foreign investment would also help to fill the gap of current account deficit and bring the deficit under control," he concluded.

Business Recorder [Pakistan's First Financial Daily]

 

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SPI-based inflation surges to 12.16 percent ​

ISLAMABAD (March 01 2008): The SPI-based inflation surged by 12.16 percent on week ending February 28 over the same period of last year, conveying a clear message that a bumpy economic path awaits the would-be-government.

The inflation will pose one of the major challenges to the next government forcing it to take some bitter decisions that were held back by their predecessor to get benefit in the polls. The huge increase in prices of vegetable ghee and cooking oil has pushed the weekly inflation to 12.16 percent during the week under review against 11.60 percent last week.

The increase was also seen in the prices of fruits, pulses, wheat, milk fresh, rice, mutton and even bread and bath soap during the week, said the data released by Federal Bureau of Statistic on Friday.

The data showed that more items were becoming expensive from the list of 53 essential commodities used to measure inflation with prices of 24 commodities going up as compared to last week.

The increase in prices affected all income groups but households grouped in Rs 3,000 were affected more as inflation was 15.26 percent, followed by 14.73 percent for Rs 3,000 to Rs 5,000 and 13.29 percent for Rs 5,000 to Rs 12,000 income groups. The inflation was 10.08 percent for above Rs 12,000 income group.

There is no let up for the poor as increase in prices of essential commodities has made their life miserable that also forced the government to revive three decades old ration cards scheme to provide at least some relief to low income groups.

The SPI bulletin, based on data of 53 items collected from 17 urban centres, showed increase in prices of 24 essential commodities, decline in 8 while prices of 21 commodities remained stable, yet higher as compared to last year.

The 24 essential commodities which registered increase in their prices included vegetable ghee being sold at Rs 123.03 per kg after an increase of about Rs 5.75 in a week, cooking oil 2.5 kg being sold at Rs 332.88 after an increase of about Rs 13, vegetable ghee 2.5 kg being sold at Rs 326.76 after an increase of Rs 10 while per kg moong pulse washed during the week under review increased to Rs 53.61 from Rs 52.11, bath soap Rs 18.8 from Rs 18.41, masoor pulse washed to Rs 87 from Rs 76.23, mustard oil to Rs 135.52 from Rs 132.60, milk fresh to Rs 30.26 from Rs 29.79, rice basmati broken to Rs 37.25 from Rs 36.74, mutton to Rs 238.70 from Rs 236.34.

The prices of bread plain, tea, kerosene, gram pulse washed, rice irri, wheat flour average quality, red chillies and mash pulse washed and firewood also registered an increase during the week.

Business Recorder [Pakistan's First Financial Daily]

 

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FDI during 2006 up by 136.5 percent over 2005: ADB ​

ISLAMABAD (March 01 2008): The net inflow of foreign direct investment (FDI) into Pakistan increased by 136.5 percent in 2006 as compared to 2005, which placed Pakistan ahead of India where FDI grew by 79.9 percent in the same period. The FDI in Sri Lanka grew by 92.7 percent, said ADB's South Asia Economic Report.

The Bank said that South Asia could become one of the most attractive foreign direct investment (FDI) destinations in developing Asia, but the region will have to improve its business climate and build investor confidence to its full potential.

Liberalised policies, increasing private sector participation, and regional trade agreements have resulted in improved FDI inflows to South Asia. However, the level of FDI in South Asia is still low compared to other Asian sub-regions, the reason being poor infrastructure, restrictive labour policies, weak regulatory framework and rampant corruption.

"Increased foreign investments in South Asia would promote further regional integration and globalisation further," said Kunio Senga, Director-General, ADB South Asia Department. "FDI has the potential to provide great business opportunities to foreign companies while helping develop domestic economies."

At the country level, macro-economic and political stability, appropriate regulatory policies, and infrastructure development are needed to increase FDI, according to the report, the third in a series of biannual reports on economic and development issues in South Asia.

Regionally, harmonised cross-border regulations, including a unified customs system, would facilitate the flow of people and goods and make investing in the region more attractive, it said.

In developing Asia, inflows of FDI, or the foreign acquisition of at least 10 percent of a firm's assets, have risen tremendously, largely due to the liberalisation of investment policies and the lowering or removal of capital controls and other investment barriers.

In South Asia, FDI has been increasing rapidly since 2004. In fiscal 2006 alone, FDI inflow touched $24.3 billion, a 132.9 percent increase than 2005 and the highest FDI growth rate in recent years. This is in sharp contrast to the dismal FDI performance in the region during the early 2000s.

India is by far the leading host country for FDI in South Asia. It received around $19.4 billion in fiscal year 2006, or about 79.9 percent of total regional FDI. India's dominance is, in large part, due to the size of its economy, the largest in the region. However, India's policy reforms geared toward liberalisation also played an important part.

Other countries in the region that also fared well in attracting more FDI in fiscal 2006 were Pakistan and Sri Lanka, with FDI growth of 136.5 percent and 92.7 percent, respectively. Nepal, however, suffered net FDI outflows.

"Pakistan, the second largest economy in the region, has great potential to further improve FDI inflows, and FDI will play an important role in Afghanistan's economic growth," said Juan Miranda, Director General, ADB Central and West Asia Department.

The major source countries of FDI in South Asia are predominantly in developed regions - North America and Western Europe. But other important FDI sources are East Asia and the Middle East.

Business Recorder [Pakistan's First Financial Daily]

 

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German seed firm to help boost sugarbeet yield: MoU with Parc signed ​

ISLAMABAD (March 01 2008): A memorandum of understanding (MOU) was signed between Pakistan Agricultural Research Council (Parc) and German-based seed company, Strube-Dieckmann, here on Friday to promote sugarbeet production. Sugarcane is high delta crop and consumes a large quantity of irrigation water.

So, the government has decided to introduce sugarbeet to minimise the area under sugarcane without affecting the sugar production. The main purpose of this collaboration is to study the feasibility of growing sugarbeet to increase sugar yield and supply, bringing down its price, to investigate the potential of sugarbeet cropping pattern of Pakistan, particularly in crop rotations with the local farmers in selected regions of Pakistan, to investigate the opportunity to extend the milling season of sugar mills by processing sugarbeet before and after sugarcane milling; find local and exotic solutions in beet production for agronomy; sowing and harvesting processing and educate farmers and industry with the benefits of growing and processing sugarbeet.

It is to be noted that Pakistan is rapidly becoming the water-deficient and major impact of it is on the production of crops. To mitigate this situation, different options are being considered.

Pakistan programmes for lining the watercourses and a large project of the Ministry of Food, Agriculture and Livestock (Minfal) setting up high efficiency irrigation systems are macro-level steps to promote crops yields.

Under the MoU, Strube-Dieckmánn will provide Pakistan high yielding sugarbeet with more sugar recovery germplam and varieties with a package of technology. Parc will test these varieties in different environments of Pakistan and indigenous package will be developed.

The ceremony was attended by Parc Chairman M.E. Tusneem, member, Plant Sciences Division (PSD) Dr lftikhar Ahmad, member, ASD Shahana Urooj Kazmi, Co-ordinator, Sugar Crops Dr Muhammad Zubair and Deputy Director of PSD Nasir Mahmood Cheema.

Business Recorder [Pakistan's First Financial Daily]

 

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33 projects worth Rs42.8bn approved

By Our Reporter

ISLAMABAD, March 1: The Central Development Working Party (CDWP) of the Planning Commission on Saturday approved 33 projects worth Rs42.8 billion.

The CDWP took the decision at a meeting held with Deputy Chairman Planning Commission Dr Akram Sheikh in the chair.

Briefing reporters after the meeting, Planning Commission spokesman Muhammad Arif Sheikh said that 12 projects worth Rs36.8 billion would be placed before the Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (Ecnec) for approval. These projects included 16 infrastructure development projects, costing Rs37.4 billion and 17 social sector projects worth Rs5.4 billion.

About Rs18.9 billion would be spent on 11 projects in Sindh. The cost of two of the projects worth Rs800 million would be shared by the federal and Sindh governments on the 50:50 basis while one of the projects worth Rs5.1 billion would be financed by the Sindh government.

An amount of Rs15.5 will be spent on two umbrella projects to be financed by the Earthquake Reconstruction and Rehabilitation Authority in the Bagh and Rawalakot areas of Azad Kashmir.

Twenty-seven projects costing Rs20.9 billion will be financed by the federal government. One of the three projects to be initiated in Punjab -- technical assistance loan to the Lahore Rapid Mass Transit System costing Rs500 million -- will be financed by the Punjab government.

The approved infrastructure schemes include six energy-related projects.

About Rs970 million, with a foreign exchange component of Rs179 million, will be spent on 132kv sub-stations in Gwadar while Rs1.108 billion, including Rs126 million in foreign exchange, will be utilised for inter-connection of nine independent power producers with the national grid. An electricity distribution and transmission improvement project in Multan will cost about Rs195.606 million, including Rs122.715 million in foreign exchange.

Sustainable development programme for energy, efficiency, conservation and renewable resources will cost Rs53.710 million with a foreign exchange component of Rs26.770 million.

The development and operation of a test-pit in the leased area comprising Block-II of the Thar Lignite Resource in Sindh will cost Rs1.24 billion, including a foreign exchange component of Rs930 million, while Rs490.48 million will be spent on the national power system expansion plan. Its cost includes Rs318.94 million in foreign exchange.

In the transport and communication sector, over Rs7,834 million has been set aside for the rehabilitation of the railways’ assets damaged during riots after the assassination of PPP chairperson Benazir Bhutto. The conversion of 135km Mirpurkhas-Khokhrapar metre-gauge railway line into broad-gauge up to the Indian border will cost more than Rs1.885 billion. An estimated amount of Rs974 million will be spent on water and power division’s flood protection projects.

In the social sector, over Rs205 million will be spent on restructuring of the Pakistan Institute of Development Economics. Another Rs360 million has been set aside for monitoring projects financed by the Public Sector Development Programme.

33 projects worth Rs42.8bn approved -DAWN - Top Stories; March 02, 2008