March 2014 – Page 2 – AsiaNet-Pakistan

March 31, 2014

Lahore Chamber of Commerce and Industry delegation leaves for 12-day visit to Turkey, Belgium and United Kingdom

Lahore, March 31, 2014 (PPI-OT): A 22-member LCCI delegation, led by the former Executive Committee Member Khamis Saeed Butt, has left for 12-day visit to Turkey, Belgium and United Kingdom.

During the visit, the delegation will have meetings with Independent Industralists and Businessmen’s Association (MUSAID) and Confederation of Businessmen and Industrialists of Turkey. The delegates would conduct B2B meetings with Paper Manufacturers and Traders in Brussels and also visit BURGO factory in Virton.

The delegation would attend a dinner hosted by the Embassy of Pakistan in Brussels. The delegation would visit London Book Fair 2014 and would attend a dinner by Pak-UK Chamber of Commerce and Industry. The delegates have also planned to conduct market surveys.

The members of delegation includes: Khamis Saeed Butt (head of the delegation), Nadeem Saeed Wain, Qayyum Raza, Amir Saghir Sheikh, Iftikhar Ahmad, Ali Asif Bokhari, Zahid Maqsood Butt, Shabbir Bhatti, Abdul Wajid Butt, Mansoor Ali, Fayyaz Ahmad Qadri, Safeer Hayat Butt, Kashif Hussain Gohar, Zahoor Ahmed, Muhammad Rafiq, Khawaja Muhammad Ilyas, Sheikh Zahid Raza, Zeeshan Sohail Malik, Mian Abdul Razzaq, Noor Imran Fazal, Muhammad Afzal and Athar Naseer Johry.

For more information, contact:
Shahid Khalil
Information Department
Lahore Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI)
11-Shahrah-e-Aiwan-e-Tijarat,
Lahore -54000, Pakistan
Tel: +9242 111 222 499
Fax: +92 42 636 8854

March 31, 2014

Lahore Chamber of Commerce and Industry urges government to give priority to Industrial sector in supply of gas

Lahore, March 31, 2014 (PPI-OT): The Lahore Chamber of Commerce and Industry on Monday urged the government to give priority to the Industrial sector in the supply of gas.

In a statement issued here, the LCCI President Engineer Sohail Lashari said that it is a welcome sign that the government has decided to restore gas to the CNG sector but it would have been wiser if the priority is attached to the sector that not only generates revenues for the government but also provides jobs to the millions of workers.

The LCCI President said that the government needs to review its decision regarding the provision of gas as all over the world the priority is given to the industry that earns revenues and creates jobs but unfortunately the situation in Pakistan was the other way round.

Engineer Sohail Lashari said that the industry should be facilitated as it would not only be making it competitive but also enabling it to bring in much needed foreign exchange. He said that the Lahore Chamber of Commerce and Industry understands well that if the cost of doing business would come down it would not only expedite economic activities in the country but would help bring down fast going up graph of unemployment that is alarmingly high.

He said that if the government wanted to facilitate the poor segments of the society, it should allocate gas to the public transport and small vehicles while this facility should not be given to the big vehicles. He said that the industry had already suffered immensely because of high cost of doing business therefore this relief should be passed on to the industrial sector first.

The LCCI President said that the country’s economy at the moment was in dire need of some kind of stimulus and if the priority is given to it in the provision of gas it would only strengthen the economic indicators but would also help avail GSP plus status in a winsome manner.

Engineer Sohail Lashari said that a number of manufacturing units had already shifted their operations to the neighbouring countries losing trust in the will of the government to provide facilitation to the industry and because of comparatively lower cost of doing business therefore it is the high time to bring them back by providing gas to the domestic industry.

March 31, 2014

Capital Development Authority asked to constitute task force for resolving traders’ problems

Islamabad, March 31, 2014 (PPI-OT): A delegation of Traders Welfare Association, Melody Market, Islamabad visited Islamabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry led by its President Syed Adil Anis and called upon the CDA to constitute a task force to address business community problems on priority.

Addressing the delegation, Khalid Chaudhry, Acting President, Islamabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry lauded the approach of CDA for developing consensus with traders on advertisement board tax rate and trade license issue, which averted the threat of a confrontation between business community and the civic body.

He said a hotel in G-6 Markaz has been under construction for the last 30 years but due to excessive delay in its completion, traders and residents of the area are facing great problems as the construction company has closed the pedestrians track between G-6/1 and G-6/4 sectors. Despite lodging many complaints with CDA, the problem has not been resolved as yet. He said constituting a task force by CDA would greatly help in addressing all issues of business community on priority.

Speaking at the occasion, Syed Adil Anis, President, Traders Welfare Association, Melody Market, Islamabad highlighted the various issues of his business area. He said Melody market is one of the oldest markets of Islamabad and it needs urgent attention of CDA to improve its infrastructure and address issues.

He said there is no flowers market in Melody area and CDA should allow such market to cater to the demand of consumers. He called upon the CDA to restore the Civic Center status of Melody market and also allow the construction of a Masjid as due to its non-availability, people are facing problems in performing religious obligations.

For more information, contact:
Khalid Chaudhry
Islamabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry
Chamber House, Aiwan-e-Sanat-o-Tijarat Road,
Mauve Area, G-8/1,
Islamabad, Pakistan
Tel: +9251 225 0526 and 225 3145
Fax: +9251 225 2950
Email: kchicci@gmail.com
Website: www.icci.com.pk

March 31, 2014

Excessive military equipment can be made available through worldwide excess defence articles program

Islamabad, March 31, 2014 (PPI-OT): Military equipment that has been determined to be excess can be made available through the worldwide excess defence articles (EDA) program, which is open to all eligible countries, including Afghanistan and Pakistan. This equipment will not be brought back with U.S. forces from Afghanistan as they redeploy elsewhere.

The U.S. assists Pakistan through many security cooperation programs to build partnership capacity. Pakistan has requested a variety of Excess Defence Articles (EDA). The U.S. is currently reviewing Pakistan’s request for EDA. If approved, this EDA is likely to be sourced from U.S. stock outside Afghanistan.

The Department of Defense manages the process for identifying recipients for excess defense articles with State Department approval.

The decisions of who receives EDA are made on a case-by-case basis taking into consideration a range of factors including the need of potential recipients, regional security dynamics, how the recipient nations intend to use the equipment and the ability of an EDA recipient to sustain the equipment. Final determinations of EDA are still being made.

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

March 31, 2014

Ministry of Commerce confirms no mandatory membership of Rice Exporters Association of Pakistan for Rice Exporters

Karachi, March 31, 2014 (PPI-OT): The Union of Small and medium Enterprises (UNISAME) has received clarification from the ministry of commerce (M0C) that the condition of mandatory membership of the Rice Exporters Association of Pakistan (REAP) has been removed with effect from 23rd April 2012 and rice exporters do not have to be members of REAP for exporting rice to global destinations.

President UNISAME Zulfikar Thaver said we are grateful to the Small and Medium Enterprises Development Authority (SMEDA) for seeking the clarification from the MOC.

He said the clarification became necessary due to the behavior of the Quality Review Committee (QRC) which created the confusion by demanding REAP membership number from rice exporters. Even REAP did not inform its members that the mandatory condition was removed and kept silent on the issue.

Ahmad Nawaz Sukhera the chief executive officer (CEO) of the Small and Medium Enterprises Development Authority (SMEDA) in response to his clarification request to MOC at the behest of UNISAME, received clarification from Altaf Hussain Maitlo Assistant Chief (Export) MOC stating that the MOC had already removed the condition of mandatory membership of REAP vide notification dated 23rd April 2012 and attached a copy of the notification for ready reference.

UNISAME has now invited the attention of S. M. Munir chief of the Trade Development Authority of Pakistan (TDAP) and urged him to direct the QRC to obey the notification order and not demand REAP membership number from rice exporters and also new entrants in rice export business and not misguide the rice exporters to obtain membership or renew membership.

It is pertinent to note that those rice exporters who wish to become members or continue to remain members may do so out of their own free will but cannot be compelled to become members.

However UNISAME wishes to see REAP flourish and has requested REAP to reduce its membership fees to make it affordable for the small exporters and the new entrants. Secondly UNISAME wishes to see REAP as a strong representative body of all rice exporters big and small.

For more information, Contact:
Union of Small and Medium Enterprises (UNISAME)
75/1 3rd Commercial Street,
Phase IV, D.H.A., Karachi, Pakistan
Phones: + 92 35884225 and 6
Cell: + 92 300 8245307 and + 92 321 8245307
Fax: + 92 35380642
Email: unisame@gmail.com

March 31, 2014

Karachi Cotton Association Official Spot Rate for Local Dealings in Pak Rupees of 31-03-2014

Karachi, March 31, 2014 (PPI-OT):



                                                      CROP 2013-2014

                                                         PART – I

                                                       SPOT RATES

                                        KCA Official Spot Rate for Local Dealings in Pak Rupees

                                        FOR BASE GRADE 3 (THREE) STAPLE LENGTH 1-1/16″

                                        MICRONAIRE VALUE BETWEEN 3.8 To 4.9 NCL

Rate                   Ex-Gin Price      Up-country      Spot Rate          Spot Rate          Difference

for                                      Expenses        Ex-Karachi         Ex. KHI. As on       In Rs.

                                                                             29.03.2014         Ex.Karachi

37.324 kg                  6 ,600            155           6,755                6,755             NIL

Equivalent

40 kgs                     7 ,073            155           7,228                7,228             NIL

                                  Valid for the day established by the Rates Committee at 12:00 Noon.

                                             Grade and Staple Margins are notified below:

GRADE AND STAPLE MARGINS
(for the period from March 17, 2014 to March 31, 2014)
STAPLE
GRADE
31/32″ 1″ 1-1/32″ 1-1/16″ 1-3/32″ 1-1/8″
37.32kg 40 kg 37.32kg 40 kg 37.32kg 40 kg 37.32kg 40 kg 37.32kg 40 kg 37.32kg 40 kg
Super- – 500 – 536 – 425 – 455 – 350 – 375 + 150 + 161 + 350 + 375 + 475 + 509
1 – 575 – 616 – 500 – 536 – 400 – 429 + 100 + 107 +275 + 295 + 400 + 429
2 – 650 – 697 – 550 – 589 – 450 – 482 + 50 + 54 + 200 + 214 + 325 + 348
3 – 725 – 777 – 625 – 670 – 525 – 563 BASE + 150 + 161 + 250 + 268
4 – 875 – 938 – 775 – 831 – 675 – 723 – 150 – 161 + 50 + 54 + 150 + 161
5 – 975 – 1045 – 875 – 938 – 775 – 831 – 200 – 214 – 50 ‘- 54 + 50 + 54
All above margins are based on Micronaire value between 3.8 to 4.9 NCL for Grades Super, 1, 2, and 3 and Micronaire value between 3.5 to 4.9 NCL for Grades 4 and 5.

Approval of Government for Grade Super and Micronaire value 3.8 to 4 9 NCL is awaited.

The discount on the basis of low or high Micronaire is stated below which is applicable in addition to the above mentioned margins:
Micronaire below 3.8 in Percentage Micronaire in Percentage
Grades Super,1,2 and 3 Allowance Excess of 4.9 Allowance
and Micronaire below 3.5
in Grades 4 and 5
0.1 0.5 0.1 0.5
0.2 1.0 0.2 1.0
0.3 2.0 0.3 2.0
0.4 3.0 0.4 3.0
0.5 4.0 0.5 4.0

PART – III
(EXPORTS)
Registration:- Shipments:-
PERIOD – (MY 2013-14) CROP BALES PERIOD- (MY 2013-14) CROP Bales
01-08-13 to 23-03-14 2011 – 2012 500
01-08-13 to 23-03-14 2012 – 2013 51,580 01-08-13 to 23-03-14 2012-13 58,370
01-08-13 to 23-03-14 2013 – 2014 545,236 01-08-13 to 23-03-14 2013-14 313,551
Ttal:- 597,316 Total;- 371,921
Source: Trade Development Authority of Pakistan Source: Trade Development Authority of Pakistan

PART -IV PART – V
(IMPORTS) (Mills Consumption of Raw Cotton)
Cotton Season 2013-2014

PERIOD – (MY 2013-14) Qty. in MT Month Bales
Aug.,to Jan.,2014 123,693 Aug,to Nov.,2013 3,945,882
Febuary,2014 47,305
170,998 December,2013 1,000,000
Total:- 4,945,882
Source: Pakistan Bureau of Statistics Source: Textile Commissioner’s Organization

(ARRIVAL CROP 2013-14) (COMPOSITE EXCHANGE RATES)
As on March 15, 2014 Date; March 31, 2014
In Bales
Punjab Sindh Pakistan
Total Arrivals 9,614,295 3 ,755,332 13,369,627 Country Selling Buying Sight
Sales to TCP – – –
“to Exporters 106,517 263,156 369,673 USA 97.90 97.70 97.50
“to Mills 8,941,222 3 ,207,412 12,148,634
Unsold Stocks as on 15-03-2014 851,320 Source: National Bank of Pakistan
Source: PCGA

SUMMARY OF COTTON ARRIVAL IN 2013-14 AND 2012-13 AS ON 15.03.2014
2013-14 2012-13
PUNJAB SINDH TOTAL PUNJAB SINDH TOTAL
Total Arrival: 9,614,295 3 ,755,332 13,369,627 9 ,445,703 3,399,367 12,845,070
Difference in bale
% + 1.78 + 10.47 + 4.08
Flow during this fortnight 39,160 1,800 40,960
Sales to TCP – – –
Sales to Exporters 106,517 263,156 369,673 185,753 143,178 328,931
Sales to Mills 8,941,222 3,207,412 12,148,634 8,609,207 308,826 11,618,033
Unsold stocks 851,320 898,106

For more information, contact:
Karachi Cotton Association
The Cotton Exchange I.I Chundrigar Road,
Karachi, Pakistan.
Phone: +(92)242-5007, +(92)241-2570, +(92)241-6497
Fax: +(92)241-3035, +(92)241-2580
Email: contact@kcapak.org

March 31, 2014

Karachi Stock Exchange Stock Market Position on 31-3-2014

Karachi, March 31, 2014 (PPI-OT):



                                              DAILY STOCK MARKET REPORT

                                    Market Position Printed On MAR-31-2014

COMPANIES            KSE             KSE-30        KSE-100      KSE-ALLSHARES     KMI-30           BATi         OGTi

POSITION             INDICES         INDEX         INDEX         INDEX             INDEX          INDEX         INDEX

Plus          161    Current         19170.92      27159.91     20396.67          44607.78       15231.11      21668.21

MInus         170    Previous        19200.54      27116.13     20379.22          44488.95       15217.95      21920.32

Unchanged      30    High            19270.94      27252.67     20490.34          44741.12       15296.10      22002.47

Total         361    Low             19105.34      27062.96     20332.33          44417.76       15170.15      21565.43

                     Net Change        -29.62         43.78        17.45            118.83          13.16       -252.11

                     Percentage         -0.15          0.16         0.09              0.27           0.09         .1.15

TURNOVER TRADING VALUE MARKET CAPITAL
Current 136,886,760 6,925,348,085 6,579,135,074,003
PrevIous 170,778,040 7,232,112,237 8,573,101,775,606

COMPANIES REFLECTING SIGNIFICANT TURNOVER
Company Name Prv. Rate Opening Rate Closing Rate Highest Rate Low Rate Turnover
Summit Bank 3.08 3.08 3.40 3.51 3.05 16,106,000
Lafarge Pak. 11.18 11.30 11.14 11.49 11.10 12,410,500
SilkBank Limited 2.01 2.02 2.15 2.23 2.00 8,296,000
D.G.K.Cement 91.07 91.56 92.02 92.30 90.85 5,144,500
NIB Bank Limited 2.35 2.38 2.30 2.40 2.28 4,613,500
Fauji Cement XD 17.21 17.38 17.09 17.38 16.95 4,059,500
Pace (Pak) Ltd. 4.32 4.18 4.57 4.63 4.18 3,758,000
Oil & Gas Devel 247.47 247.99 241.13 248.38 239.40 3,365,800
Maple Leaf Cement 29.26 29.50 29.43 29.65 29.20 3,113,000
Bank AL-Habib XDXB 37.30 37.00 37.11 38.00 36.51 3,031,000

COMPANIES REFLECTING HIGHEST INCREASE/DECREASE IN THEIR RATES
Company Name Increased By Closing Rate Company Name Decreased By Closing Rate
Pak Tobacco 56.69 1275.69 Rafhan MaiZe XD 371.50 9110.00
Sanofi-Aventis 36.50 766.50 Bata(Pak) 38.64 2736.75

FUTURE CONTRACT
TURNOVER Plus 77
Current 10,223,190 Minus 62
Previous 64,615,410 Unchanged 0

Company Name Prv. Rate Opening Rate Closing Rate Highest Rate Low Rate Turnover
NML-APR 118.38 118.00 117.63 119.70 117.05 1,014,000
AICL-APR 45.92 45.99 46.37 46.50 45.71 986,500
PSO-APR 384.80 385.00 388.30 389.89 383.90 980,000
DGKC-APR 91.98 92.12 92.79 93.01 91.80 838,500
MLCF-APR 29.58 29.50 20.72 29.94 29.45 786,000

For more information, contact:
S. Munawar Ali
Senior Manager
Public Relations
Karachi Stock Exchange
Tel: (92-21) 111-001122
Fax: (92-21) 3241 0825, (92-21) 3241 5136
Email: info@kse.com.pk
Web: www.kse.com.pk