Pakistan PM forms committee to manage energy security plan

[UmarJustice]

All Pakistan Textile Mills Association (APTMA) top leadership met the Prime Minister Raja Pervez Ashraf at the Governor House Lahore. Chairman APTMA Ahsan Bashir led the delegation, comprising of Group Leader APTMA Gohar Ejaz, Chairman APTMA Punjab Shahzad Ali Khan, Central Vice Chairman APTMA Wisal A. Monnoo and other senior members of the Central Executive Committee.
Chairman APTMA exchanged the issues and problems faced by the textile industry in running smooth operations due to energy constraints. The APTMA delegation made a detailed presentation on the way forward with regard to industrialization in country.

The Prime Minister took three important decisions to materialize the dream of industrialization in the country. It included the decision to finalize the energy supply management to the textile industry during winter season. The Prime Minister constituted a high-powered committee with himself in the chair and taking APTMA, Ministry of Water & Power, Ministry of Finance and Ministry of Petroleum & Natural Resources on board.

The committee will devise and streamline the energy security plan for the industry in order to keep production capacities operational during the winter season in country.

The Prime Minister also took APTMA on board on strategizing the way forward on market access to the European Union from 2014 onward with a view of expediting the necessary preparatory steps in this regard. In addition, the Prime Minister also assured the APTMA leadership of measures for encouraging further investment under the textile policy for creating jobs and production of exportable surplus in country.

It may be noted that the textile industry is mainstay of Pakistan economy, leading employer with 15 million workers across Pakistan and the highest foreign exchange earner of $14 billion. Undue interruptions in energy supply is hampering growth of textile industry, having faced gas curtailment for 184 days in 2011-12 and losing over 30% production capacities. The uninterrupted electricity and gas supply to the textile industry will go a long way for sustaining the industry and its growth in the larger economic interest of Pakistan.

Speaking on the occasion, Chairman APTMA told the Prime Minister that the industry is prepared to undertake further investment to double production, exports and employment provided that it is assured of conducive investment climate, uninterrupted supply of gas and electricity, regionally competitive interest rate and a secure free market access.


Pakistan : Pakistan PM forms committee to manage energy security plan - Textile News Pakistan

 

[UmarJustice]

Pakistan seeks Russian help in energy sector

KARACHI: Pakistan Steel Mills was a good example of past cooperation between Pakistan and Russia; similar cooperation can be extended in many areas, particularly in energy as Russian is number one in energy sector.

Andrey V. Demidov, Consul General of Russian Federation endorsed these views during his visit to Karachi Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

He said good prospects for Pak-Russia Preferential Trade Agreement do exist and Russian mission can prepare feasibility study on PTA as deliberations are required on certain legalities. He informed about the huge demand of textiles and leather garments in Russia and added that Pakistan can also export potato, rice, vegetables and fruits.

Andrey said Russia is manufacturing helicopters and commercial jets which can be provided to Pakistan. Pakistani natural pharmaceutical products have immense demand in Russia he said and added that multilateral cooperation in several areas among Pakistan, Russia and Central Asia Republics is also workable.

He stated that unavailability of direct shipping-lines, airlines and banking channel are major obstacles impeding bilateral trade. He was of the view that to execute transit trade from Gwadar port, adequate infrastructure, railways, highways and bridges are essential. Cooperation in education is continued and Pakistani students can also avail Russian scholarships programmes.

He said that in early 90's PIA operated to Moscow and restoration of such direct air-connectivity is important. In past, PIA also used to stopover to Moscow while going to UK, while Russian Airline may stopover Islamabad or Karachi while going to UAE which can provide opportunity to visitors of both countries for interaction, he observed.

President KCCI Muhammad Haroon Agar while exchanging views with Consul General, emphasised to replicate cooperation on the lines of Pakistan Steel Mills in the areas of heavy machinery, engineering, automobiles, revamping railways, energy from coal, corporate farming, mining, health, education and other areas of national interest.

He also voiced to expedite arrangements of Preferential Trade Agreement between Pakistan and Russian Federation. He apprised about the vital role of KCCI in the socio-economic development of Pakistan and to promote trade and industry in Karachi and elsewhere.

Former President KCCI Majyd Aziz was of the view that visit of Russian President Putin to Pakistan will open new chapters of bilateral relations. He said that Russian investors can invest in Special Economic Zones and construct their own enclaves as President of Pakistan has signed Special Economic Zones Bill. Pakistan should avail the Russian expertise for producing energy from coal, he stated.

Pakistan seeks Russian help in energy sector Pakistan Business

 

[Cherokee]

When you don't wanna do anything in your Term . Form a Committee for the Issue . That will pacify people , Media and other stakeholders and also delay it to the next term . We in Sub continent need to Get out of this committee Shyt . Any Idea about timeline ??