October 4, 2013

Pakistan Industrial and Traders Associations Front urges Government to promote alternate energy resources

Lahore, October 04, 2013 (PPI-OT): Following is the text of press release issued by Pakistan Industrial and Traders Associations Front

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Pakistan Industrial and Traders Associations Front (PIAF) on Friday urged the government to announce incentives for the promotion of alternate energy resources as the costly thermal electricity is hitting the manufacturing sector hard.

The demand was raised by the PIAF Chairman Malik Tahir Javaid while talking to a three-member delegation of Atari Industrial State here at PIAF office. The delegation comprising Adnan Butt, Mubashir Tanseer, Khawaja Shahzab Akram remained with the PIAF Chairman and discussed a host of issues including recent hike in the prices of electricity and petroleum products. The PIAF Vice Chairman Amjad Ali Jawa was also present in the meeting.

The PIAF Chairman said that Pakistan is a resourceful country having huge potential to produce electricity from coal, solar and wind means and a little attention by the government could help save precious foreign exchange being spent on import of oil.

Malik Tahir Javaid said that a number of developed countries are producing electricity from alternate resources but the previous governments paid no attention toward this area and caused irreparable loss to the economy.

According to rough estimates, value of coal reserves in Pakistan is around $ 30 trillion that is 187 times more than the GDP of Pakistan. Yes, the worth of our coal reserves is higher than the combined oil reserves of Saudi Arabia and Iran. Only 2% of Pakistani coal reserves could generate 20,000 MW electricity for almost 50 years.

The PIAF Chairman said that the United States was producing 80% electricity through coal, China 70% and India 50% electricity through coal.

“Had the promotion of alternate energy resources been taken into account in the last ten years, Pakistan would have been an energy rich country today.”

The PIAF Chairman said that the things went out of hands when rental power projects came to Pakistan. This was actually the beginning of the storm, the entire nation is caught in today.

The PIAF Chairman said that the government should allow duty free import of solar panels and other equipment so that the people could avail cheaper solar energy that would certainly curtail burden on traditional system.

The leader of the Attari Industrial Area Association delegation Adnan Butt informed the PIAF Chairman of the problems being faced by the business community in Pakistan. He said that they are unable to finalise export orders as the cost of electricity is revised upwards every now and then.

He said that the increase in the prices of major industrial raw materials including electricity and gas had deprived Pakistani businessmen of huge export orders as the neighbouring countries were ready to sell their products at much cheaper rates.

He said that the Prime Minister Mian Nawaz Sharif and Chief Minister Mian Shahbaz Sharif should issue necessary directions for implementation of new economic policies for the sake of progress and prosperity in the country.

He said that consultation with the private sector should be ensured in the process of policy making so that the economic targets could be achieved.

He, however, thanked the PIAF Chairman for giving a patient hearing to their problems and hoped that the policy makers would come up with a solution at the earliest.

For more information, Contact:
Khalil-ur-Rehman
Pakistan Industrial and Traders Associations Front
110/s Kot Lakhpat Industrial Estate
Lahore, Pakistan
Phone: (92) 42 5123522
Fax: (92) 42 5123522
Email: Info@piaf.pk

October 4, 2013

Chairman Businessmen Group Siraj Kassam Teli once again appeals to Minister of Interior to implement the order and commitment of Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif with regards to the blockade of pre-paid Sims

Karachi, October 04, 2013 (PPI-OT): Chairman Businessmen Group and Former President of Karachi Chamber Siraj Kassam Teli after meeting with Additional IG and City Chief of Police Mr. Shahid Hayat at SITE Association with regards to ongoing targeted operation in Karachi against the criminals, once again appeals to the Federal Minister of Interior Chaudhry Nisar to implement the order and commitment of Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif with regards to the blockade of pre-paid sims as over 70% of the crimes take place through these mobile phones having pre-paid sims.

The only method which will bring results is to make sure that all the mobile companies completely shut off these pre-paid sims across the country and immediately reissue them to the postal addresses as per the CNICs through courier service which will automatically get rid of all such sims which have been issued to the people other than the ones whose CNIC has been used and this procedure will hardly take 3-4 days in this era of Information Technology.

Once again note any other way of doing this will not bring the desired results. Siraj Teli cautioned with regards to the operation that although it is at a very early stage and it will take time for the results but both the Provincial and the Federal Governments must make sure that it continuous for as long as required and the Rangers and Police are provided all the support needed and if this operation for any reason is derailed or stopped then Karachi will get worse than ever before and then there will not be any chance of controlling these crimes any more.

Siraj Teli stated that the people of Karachi after watching the statement of Sharjeel Memon, Provincial Minister for Information on media with regards to temporarily shutting off for three months Skype, Tango, Whats up and Viber and counter statements of Chaudhry Nisar, Federal Minister of Interior has erupted a debate in Newspapers and Social Media whether it is the right thing to do or not.

Siraj Teli said that before deciding and giving such statements the Provincial and Federal Governments must take action on prepaid sims which is overdue for years and see the results, meanwhile proper research and study through technical and concerned people be held with regards to closure of these Applications and then take action if needed keeping the law and order situation and lives of the citizens of Karachi on priority number one.

For more information, contact:
M. Shafiq Baig
Public Relations Officer
Karachi Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI)
Aiwan-e-Tijarat Road,
Shahrah-e-Liaquat, Karachi-74000
Tel: +9221 9921 8001 -09
Fax: +9221 9921 8010
Email: pro@kcci.com.pk, pro2@kcci.com.pk
Website: http://www.kcci.com.pk/

October 4, 2013

Women Business Development Center has designed services and programmes for Women of Karachi which will take women businesses to next level: Muslim Raza

Lahore, October 04, 2013 (PPI-OT): Women Entrepreneurs (WEs) in Sindh require support of different organization for their promotion and development. With the agenda of creating conducive business environment for WEs, SMEDA has set-up Women Business Development Center (WBDC) Karachi. Under this project women will be given offices, exhibition stalls, training and business support services on regular basis. It’s a center for women by women.

The first three-day event; “Women Business Fair” organized by WBDC opened here the day. In this exhibition 25 WEs are displaying their products ranging from Clothes, shoes and bags, jewellery and handicrafts. For kids face painting, kids corner and food court have also been set-up.

This event has been organised with collaboration of Women Development Department Government of Sindh, and sponsors include Shell Tameer and Solo Cables Network. Mrs. Roubina Qaimkhani, chief guest of the day opened the day exhibition by ribbon cutting.

While taking round of exhibition she appreciated women products and said that women of Karachi make beautiful and unique products which are appreciated by international buyers too, however, due to lack of opportunities and linkages with market they have not been able to progressed much.

Nevertheless, with the establishment of WBDC, we hope constant support required by women to grow their business will be beneficial for their growth and promotion. Speaking on the occasion SMEDA provincial chief Muslim Raza said that WBDC Karachi has designed services and programs for Women of Karachi which will take women businesses to next level.

While Mrs. Aisha Kamran Siddiqui, Manager WBDC/SMEDA, thanked partner organizations and especially the exhibitors for their enthusiasm to make this event a success.

For more information, contact:
Liaqat Ali Gohar
DGM (Admin. and PR)
Small and Medium Enterprise Development Authority (SMEDA)
6th floor, LDA Plaza, Egerton Road, Lahore
Tel: 111-111-456
Fax: (042) 6304926
Email: helpdesk@smeda.org.pk
Website: www.smeda.org.pk

October 4, 2013

Small and Medium Enterprises Development Authority completes 50 fresh pre-feasibility studies for Prime Minister’s Small Business Loan Scheme recently announced for young entrepreneurs with an allocated budget of Rs5 billion

Lahore, October 04, 2013 (PPI-OT): The Small and Medium Enterprises Development Authority (SMEDA) has completed 50 fresh pre-feasibility studies for Prime Minister’s Small Business Loan Scheme recently announced for young entrepreneurs with an allocated budget of Rs.5 billion for the year 2013-14. According to SMEDA all of these pre-feasibility studies have been made available free of cost on SMEDA’s website www.smeda.org.pk from 4th October onward for utilization of the youth desiring to of the scheme

This is first time in history of SMEDA that such a huge number of pre-feasibility studies have been compiled in the record time of 15 days only.

The pre-feasibility studies developed by SMEDA cover 15 major and potential business areas including Agri-Processing, Chemical, Construction, Dairy and Livestock, Energy, Fisheries, Food, Furniture, Gems and Jewelry, Horticulture, Leather, Marble, Mineral, Services and Textile.

The 50 businesses which have been developed transformed into pre-feasibility studies include; Seedoil Extraction Unit (Cotton Seed), Rose Water, Honey Production, Processing, Packing and Marketing, Injection Moulding Plastic Products, Light Weight Roof Tile Manufacturing Unit, Interior Designing and Landscaping, Goat Fattening Farm, Sheep Fattening Farm, Calf Fattening Farm, Camel Farming, Dairy Farm, Layer Farming, Meat Shop, Poultry Farm, Veterinary Clinic, Fodder Production and Trading Company, UPS and Stabilizer Assembling Unit, Inland Fish Farming, Shrimp Farming, Bakery and Confectionery, Wooden Furniture Manufacturing Unit, Gemstone Lapidary, Cut Flower Farm (Gladiolus, Marigold), Cut Flower Farm (Rose), Flower Shop, Off-season Vegetables Farming (High Tunnel), Off-season Vegetables Farming (Low Tunnel), Salt Products ,Pickle Production, Processing, Packaging and Marketing, Spices Processing, Packing and Marketing, Leather Goods Manufacturing Unit (Wallets), Marble and Onyx Products Manufacturing, Marble Mosaic Development Centre, Marble Tiles Manufacturing Unit, Stone Crushing, Day Care Centre, Beauty Clinic, Driving School, Footwear Retail Outlet, Subcontract Workshop Facility, Fast Food Restaurant, Catering and Decorating Services, Direct Marketing, Security Agency, Small to Medium Scale Distribution Agency, Montessori School, Gaming Zone, Medical Store, Boutique and Hand Made Carpet Manufacturing.

It is notable that Prime Minister’s ‘Small Business Loans Scheme’, for young entrepreneurs, with an allocated budget of Rs. 5.0 Billion for the year 2013-14, is designed to provide subsidised financing at 8% mark-up per annum for one hundred thousand (100,000) beneficiaries, through designated financial institutions, initially through National Bank of Pakistan (NBP) and First Women Bank Ltd. (FWBL).

Small business loans with tenure up to 7 years, and a debt : equity of 90 : 10 will be disbursed to SME beneficiaries across Pakistan, covering; Punjab, Sind, Khyber Pakhtunkhwah, Baluchistan, Gilgit Baltistan, Azad Jammu and Kashmir and Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA).

October 4, 2013

Prime Minister welcomes Lebanese investment in Pakistan

Islamabad, October 04, 2013 (PPI-OT): Welcoming the Lebanese Business Delegation, Prime Minister Muhammad Nawaz Sharif appreciated the keen interest shown by Lebanese Businessmen to invest in various projects in Pakistan particularly in plastic pipe manufacturing. He assured the visiting delegation that the present Government has embarked upon an investor friendly policy to facilitate foreign investors.

The Prime Minister said this while meeting a Lebanese business delegation led by Mr. Fuaod Makhzoumi, who called on him at PM House this afternoon. Minister Finance Ishaq Dar, Minister Petroleum Shahid Khaqan Abbasi, Chairman Board of Investment Muhammad Zubair and Ms. Rana Rahim Pakistan’s Ambassador in Lebanon attended the meeting.

The Prime Minister further said that Pakistan attaches importance to the traditional relations with Lebanon and is desirous of increasing and fully exploiting the huge potential of bilateral trade.

It may be noted that Pakistan – Lebanon mutual trade amounted to US$ 30.6 million during Financial Year 2011-12. Export from Pakistan to Lebanon includes cotton fabrics, yarn, carpets, rice, leather, surgical equipment, sports goods, furniture, cutlery and ceramics while as Pakistan imports electrical parts, copper and paper products from Lebanon.

For more information, contact:
Haji Ahmed Malik
Principal Information Officer
Press Information Department (PID)
Tel: +9251 925 2323 and +9251 925 2324
Fax: +9251 925 2325 and +9251 925 2326
Email: piopid@gmail.com

October 4, 2013

General Lloyd J. Austin leaves for United States after successful meetings with Pakistani Leaders

Islamabad, October 04, 2013 (PPI-OT): General Lloyd J. Austin III, Commander of U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM), departed Pakistan today after a series of meetings with senior Pakistani leaders. While here, General Austin discussed a wide range of common security issues with Secretary of Defense Lt Gen (Retired) Asif Yasin Malik, Chief of Army Staff General Ashfaq Parvez Kayani, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee General Khalid Shameem Wynne, along with other senior military officials.

General Austin was grateful for the opportunity to meet again with his Pakistani counterparts and reaffirmed the importance of the U.S.-Pakistani security relationship to regional stability. They agreed to continue to meet periodically to further common objectives on cross-border cooperation and regional security.

For more information, contact:
Alberto Rodriguez
Spokesman
Information Office Public Affairs Section
Embassy of the United States of America
U.S. Embassy, Islamabad- Pakistan
Cell: +92300 501 2640
Tel: +9251-208 0000
Fax: +9251-227 8607
E-mail: webmasterisb@state.gov

October 4, 2013

Azad Jammu and Kashmir Minister for Higher Education says economic prosperity cannot be achieved without educating nation

Muzaffarabad, October 04, 2013 (PPI-OT): Minister for Higher Education Muhammad Matloob Inqlabi has said that economic prosperity cannot be achieved without educating the nation. Addressing the ceremony held in connection with inauguration ceremony of Neelum University Camus on Thursday, he said that Neelum was ignored by the successive Governments during past that pushed the area into backwardness.

Giving the credit of setting up of this campus to AJK President Sardar Muhammad Yaqoob Khan, he said that PPP govt. was trying to compensate the people of Neelum by setting up educational institutions, hydro power generation projects and tourism complex and huts in the area.

For more information, Contact:
Azad Jammu and Kashmir
Director General Information Technology Board
Help Line: +92-5822-920176 ,
Fax: +92-5822-920136 ,
Email: pc@ajk.gov.pk
Tel: +92-(0) 5822-920136