PRO 06-11-2012_Layout 1 11/5/2012 11:43 PM Page 1
Tuesday, 6 November, 2012
Raja extols EU trade concessions Concessions to help strengthen Pakistan’s economy: PM VIENTIANE
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APP
RIME Minister Raja Pervez Ashraf on Monday said Pakistan attaches great importance to its relations with European Union which would be further strengthened with passage of time. He was talking to President of European Council, Van Rompuy, who called on the Prime Minister here at his Villa on the sidelines of Asia Europe Meeting Summit (ASEM-9) and discussed matters of mutual interests. President of European Council congratulated Raja Pervez Ashraf on his election to the office of Prime Minister. The President of EC briefed the Prime Minister about the efforts made by EU to grant trade concessions to Pakistan which was appreciated by Prime Minister Ashraf which, he added, would strengthen economy of Pakistan. The Prime Minister informed the President EC about efforts made by Pakistan for improvement of relations with India and Afghanistan. He said both Pakistan and India have taken initiatives to improve ties and resumed the composite dialogue process which entails negotiations on all outstanding issues with India. Highlighting efforts made by government to improve
human rights situation, the Prime Minister said that human rights constitutes an important part of Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) manifesto. “We have taken several measures to improve human rights situation in the country including improvement of women’s lot and protection of rights of minorities,” he said. Prime Minister Ashraf said Pakistan is a frontline state in the war against terror and has suffered both in men and material. He expressed his resolve that Pakistan would continue its fight till this menace is rooted out.Talking about Afghanistan, the PM said “We share long border with it and desire
peace in Afghanistan”. He said people of Pakistan generally and PPP particularly have rendered great sacrifices for democracy in the country. Late Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto and Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto sacrificed their lives for upholding democratic rights of people and thousands went to jails for this cause. The Prime Minister said, “Today all the democratic forces in Pakistan realize that the transition is going to be important”. He also briefed the President EC on the steps taken by the government to ensure free, fair and impartial elections in the country and hoped that EU would send its observers to monitor the forthcoming general elections in Pakistan. Prime Minister Ashraf said appointment of Chief Election Commissioner by consensus would go a long way in ensuring free and impartial general elections in Pakistan Recalling the visit of Lady Austin to Pakistan in June this year, Van Rompuy said that European Union would continue its strategic dialogue with Pakistan. Presdient EC said that the EU and Pakistan are like-minded and both desire better relations and added that European Union admires the sacrifices made by Pakistan in fighting terrorism. He said, “We admire you and your party for the sacrifices made for democracy in the country. We share values which make our relations lasting.
FTA helps increase trade between Pakistan, Malaysia: Pervez Ashraf VIENTIANE NNI
Prime Minister, Raja Pervez Ashraf on Monday said Pakistan and Malaysia enjoy close brotherly and cordial relations which are rooted in faith, culture and traditions. He was talking to Malaysian Prime Minister, Dato Sri Mohammad Najib Bin Tun Abdul Razak, who called him on the sidelines of 9th AsiaEurope Meeting Summit being held here in Laos Capital. Prime Minister Ashraf thanked the Malaysian government for their generous assistance to Pakistan in the aftermath of natural disaster. He said Free Trade Agreement (FTA) between the two countries has resulted in increase of trade, however, there still exists more scope of improvement. He appreciated Malaysian support to Pakistan for Full Dialogue Partner Status with ASEAN. He said Pakistan is in a position to meet the manpower requirement of Malaysia. Prime Minister Ashraf said Pakistan is gearing up for general elections in the country as the government of Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) will be the first ever democratically elected government to complete its tenure. He also briefed his Malaysian counterpart about the steps being taken by his government to ensure free, fair and impartial elections in the country. The appointment of Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) through consensus by all political parties augurs well for democracy in the country, observed the Prime Minister. Prime Minister Najib said he had fond memories of his visit to Pakistan as Minister for Defence and that he looks forward to visit Pakistan. He appreciated the efforts made by government of Pakistan for promoting stability in the country.
Gold imports fall 22.73 percent ISLAMABAD APP
The gold imports into the country fell in first quarter of current fiscal year by 22.73 per cent against the same period of last year. The imports of gold during the period under review remained US $28.421 million against the imports of US $36.782 million during the same period of previous year. According the data of Pakistan Bureau of Statistics, the overall imports of metal group increased by 0.57 per cent during July September (2012-13) against the same period of last year. The metal imports during the period under review remained $687.087 million against imports of $683.194
million during same period of last year. Imports of iron and steel scrap registered a growth of 23.30 percent during July-September (2012-13). Iron and steel scrap imports into the country were recorded at $166.551 million during first quarter of current fiscal year against imports of $135.082 million during July-Sept e m b e r (2011-12). Imports of iron and steel shrank by 3.84 percent by falling from $331.788 million to
$319.048 million whereas the imports of aluminum wrought and worked decreased by 9.30 percent by going down from $30.741 million to $27.881 million. The imports of all other metal and articles were recorded at $145.186 million during the period under review against the imports of $148.801 million in last year posting a negative growth of 5.95 percent. Meanwhile, during the month of September 2012-13,
Cement in quagmire the gold imports into the country witnessed decrease of 41.56 percent when compared to the imports of September 2011 whereas the gold imports during September 2012 over August 2012 increased by 24.66 percent. Gold imports in September 2012 stood at $9.621 million against the imports of $16.462 million and $7.738 million in September 2011 and August, 2012 respectively. It is pertinent to mention here that overall imports into the country during the period under review witnessed decrease of 2.37 percent. The imports into the country were recorded at US$10.852 billion in 2012-13 against the imports of US$11.116 billion, the PBS data revealed.
From Russia, with steel g
Russian PM signs decree approving expansion, modernisation of Pakistan Steel Mills
VIENTIANE: Russian Federation has agreed to the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) approved by the Government of Pakistan regarding the expansion and modernisation of Pakistan Steel Mills. This was disclosed by Prime Minister of Russian Federation, Dmitry Medvedev when he met Prime Minister, Raja Pervez Ashraf on the sidelines of 9th Asia-Europe Meeting Summit (ASEM-9) here on Monday evening. In this connection, the Prime Minister of Russian Federation signed a decree, signaling the approval of the MoU proposed by Pakistan. Hailing this as good news for Pakistan and its relationship with the Russian Federation, Prime Minister Raja Pervez Ashraf said that Pakistan Steel Mills was a symbol of Pak-Russia friendship and had special significance for Pakistan Peoples Party led government as it was initiated during the government of Shaheed Zulfikar Ali Bhutto. Prime Minister Raja Pervez Ashraf said that Russian Federation is an important country, with which Pakistan has good relations,and it has an important role in the world. Russia being both a European and an Asian country can serve as a link between the two continents, he added. The prime minister said that there
was a convergence between Pakistan and Russia on various regional and international issues. Referring to the recent visit of Russian Foreign Minister to Pakistan, he termed it as successful, where both the countries were able to make a good progress in their relations. The inter-governmental group established for enhancing ties between the two countries would further strengthen the relations, he added. The prime minister extended an invitation to Russian Prime Minister to visit Pakistan and expressed the hope that frequent exchanges of delegations and government functionaries will further enhance the ties. Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev said that relations between the two countries have shown marked improvement in the last few years and they are in the right direction. The Russian Federation is keen to expand these ties and is ready to make investment in projects that are mutually beneficial, he added. Prime Minister Dmitry Anatolyevich Medvedev said that President Asif Ali Zardari had very useful meetings with the leadership of Russian Federation, which laid the foundation of good relations between the two countries. He expressed the confidence that in the near future both the countries would be able to identify
projects which would serve as engine of progress and symbol of good relations. Prime Mnister, Raja Pervez Ashraf appreciated the keenness of Russian Federation and its leadership to make investments in Pakistan and assured that the government of Pakistan will extend all
possible cooperation. The prime minister said that time has come that we should identify a few specific projects after ascertaining their feasibility and examining them in all respects and start work on them, so that we can translate this relationship into a meaningful partnership. APP
Cement exports dip 20.59%, local dispatches up marginally g Exports to India decline by 37.5 percent g
KARACHI STAFF REPORT
Cement despatches for the month of October decreased by 5.87 percent primarily because of a drastic decline of 20.59 percent in cement export, said the manufacturers on Monday. They said local despatches, however, showed a marginal growth of 0.19 percent. A spokesman of All Pakistan Cement Manufacturers Association (APCMA) said during the month in review the industry despatched 2.767 million tons of cement that was 5.87 percent less than the despatches achieved in the corresponding month of last year. Despaches in the same month of 2011 stood at 2.939 million tons, the spokesman said. He said the local cement dispatches were 2.086 million tons, marking an increase of 0.19 percent compared to cement despatched in October 2011 that were recorded at 2.082 million tons. He said during the first four months of FY13 the total cement despatches stood at 10.474 million tons which was slightly higher than the total despatches of 10.436 million tons achieved during corresponding period of last year. He said overall gain in despatches was only 0.37 percent. The capacity utilization of the industry during July-October 2012 period stood at 70.19 percent. The spokesman said cement exports continued their downward trend in October 2012 as well declining by massive 20.59 percent from the exports achieved in October 2011. Pakistan exports cement to Afghanistan, India and other destinations through sea. During the period from July-October 2012, exports to Afghanistan declined by 9.46 percent to 1.634 million tons. The exports to India contracted by 37.51 percent to 0.158 million tons and exports to other destinations through sea were increased by 2.34 percent to 1.161 million tons. Chairman APCMA Aizaz Mansoor Sheikh said the hype created on trade with India had so far not been materialized and export in that market was well below the expectation of the cement sector. He said after opening of land route it was expected that industry should be able to export more than five million tons cement to India.