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Saudis open the oil taps
profit.com.pk
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Sunday, 26 February, 2012
Private banks’ profits grow by 27pc in 2011 Fear of losing local and international markets g Recommends government keeps rice in negative list
KARACHI
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KARACHI STAFF REPORT
N a fear to lose the domestic and international markets after trade liberalisation with India, Pakistani exporters have finally said no to imports from India. Recommending the government to include all kinds of rice in the proposed negative list of trade with India, the exporters have shown their serious concerns over the recent developments of importing the commodity from the neighbouring country. the imports of cheaper commodity from outside the border would not only cause us loss of domestic, but also international markets, including Afghanistan, Iran and Central Asian states, taufiq Ahmed Khan, former Vice Chairman Rice Exporters Association of Pakistan (REAP) said. He said the association, as it had earlier suggested, has recommended the Ministry of Commerce to keep rice in negative list until a detailed study about the impacts of trade liberalisation with India on domestic market, growers and traders. Earlier in a statement, Javed Islam Agha, Chairman REAP on Saturday said the decision of managing committee of REAP has unanimously decided that all kinds of rice varieties should remain in the negative list in the larger interest of rice industry and farmers, in general. He further said in this connection, the association had already sent a letter to the Ministry of Commerce. Refrying to the news items appeared in media regarding the import of rice from India, he said the import of rice from New Delhi would badly hit local production, causing huge losses to both exporters/traders and farmers because cheaper import of agri-products from India will ruin agricultural production potential of the country. traditionally, the price of Indian basmati and other rice varieties used to be at least $100-300/Mt higher than Pakistani rice varieties, but after the arrival of new crop in Oct-Nov 2011, India took advantage of its huge stocks, bumper crop and
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devaluation of its rupee by 15-20 per cent and reduced their prices by 20-30 per cent. Now they are selling $100- 300/Mt cheaper than Pakistani basmati and other varieties, such as Kianat (1121). Recently the government of India reduced the MEP on basmati rice from $900 to $700/Mt which is far below the Pakistani basmati rice prices of $900- 1100/Mt. Earlier, the Indian government had lifted the ban on export of non-basmati rice and allowed export of Rs2 million tonnes of non-basmati rice.Consequently, Pakistan has lost its brown rice market of EU of nearly 170,000 tonnes to India and is facing great difficulties for export of its basmati rice to Middle East and other countries of the world. the prices of long grain Pakistan rice had gone down drastically which is hitting the farmers of Sindh who are demanding compensation for their losses. Secondly, the free import of cheap Indian parboiled Pusa/1121 will reach the Afghanistan market by land route and ruin the little export that Pakistan is doing to Afghanistan and bring all the parboiling plants imported from India to a standstill. Once basmati and 1,121 sales are affected, it will indirectly hit the farmers who will not grow basmati rice in future and go for cheaper hybrid varieties threatening to close down the $2 billion rice export of Pakistan. If the government allows the import of Indian rice into Pakistan, then our farmers should also be given the facilities matching with the subsidies being given to the Indian farmers, so that our farmers are able to protect their livelihoods. Indian government is giving about $30 billion in subsidies to its farmers. Whereas, the cost of urea and DAP is less than 50 per cent of the Pakistani prices and Indian farmers are also getting cheaper electricity and fuel. therefore, no transit of rice from East to West borders should be allowed. It is therefore, strongly recommended to Ministry of Commerce to kindly include all varieties of rice in negative list, as requested earlier by REAP to avoid dumping of Indian rice in Pakistani market and losses to our farmers, traders, and exporters.
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STAFF REPORT
t a time when there were fears of US recession and banking stocks remained under pressure in 2011, large private banks in the country posted above average growth of 27 per cent in 2011, said the analysts. “Our analysis is based on four large private banks (based on bank deposits and branches), including HBL, UBL, MCB and ABL, which contribute to more than 50 per cent share of the listed private banks’ deposits and represent approx. 60 per cent of the total branch network,” said Farhan Mahmood of topline Research. He said cumulative earnings of these four banks reached Rs66bn in 2011, up 27 per cent from 2010. Amongst listed private banks, these four banks contribute to 70 per cent of the market capitalisation. A bank-wise profitability shows UBL posted highest profitability growth (39 per cent), followed by HBL (33 per cent), ABL (23 per cent) and MCB (15 per cent). thanks to higher return on advances and better yield on government papers, the overall Net Interest Income (NII) of these four banks grew by 17 per cent. this shows impressive core banking operations as average 6months KIBOR increased by 70bps in 2011 compared to 2010, while cost of funds remained on the lower side. Similarly, the
analyst said, with overall improvement in trade activities, better opportunities in forex and money market, non interest income of these big banks grew by impressive 21 per cent. Moreover, restrictive lending resulted into lower provisioning in 2011 which stood at Rs21.5bn, down 10 per cent. “though we expect earnings growth to slightly cool down in 2012 amid decline in interest rate, however, gradual recovery in economy and infrastructure spending could create appetite for credit and will impact positively on banks with lower ADR,” he said. Moreover, Farhan said, with decline in interest rates, there is a high probability that NPL accretion would slowdown in 2012 which could limit overall provisioning. the ongoing global recession fear may not impact local banks having no or very little exposure to global bonds and stocks, the market observer concluded.
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Sunday, 26 February, 2012
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A hundred years of coal
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Saudis open the oil taps KUNWAR KHULDUNE SHAHID
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S the Iranian sanctions ensure that the ante is upped on the global crude oil rates – oil prices hitting a nine month high on Friday, with Brent crude soaring up to over $125 per barrel – it seems as if it is going to be Saudi Arabia to the world’s rescue as the nation has raised oil exports. Ever since United Nation’s nuclear watchdog issued its scathing report against Iran’s nuclear programme, touting it to be within the realm of militaristic nature, there have been apprehensions all over the world regarding sanctions on Iranian oil. While any doubting thomases, who might have raised their eyebrows questioning the rationale behind the sanctions, would have duly straightened their eyes fearing Washington’s stick, but those thomases that feared oil price hike citing Iran’s considerable share in the suppliers’ pie chart have been vindicated. With the void of Iranian oil escalating prices, it is Saudi Arabia that has come to the fore to fill that gaping hole with its own black gold. And even though Asia might have evaded the
sanctions mousetrap, as expounded in this space last week, but the impending EU embargo on Iranian oil would have continued to exacerbate the prices. Another potential disastrous façade of this game is that after the UN report ostensibly ‘confirmed’ tehran’s intentions, Israel has also thrown in its preemptive strike threats on Iranian nuclear sites in this tNt that has long been hankering after an excuse to explode. this year has been marred with precipitously escalating oil prices ever since tehran pulled out the Hormuz card and threatened to close the strait – which is the principal supply route of Gulf oil. And this hike is of particular concern for Barack Obama, who is also facing the menace of gas price hike in the US after he ordered the delay of the Keystone XL pipeline from Canada. US citizens have been particularly harsh on presidents who have presided over gas and oil crises as Richard Nixon found out after the 1973-74 embargo and Jimmy
Carter found out in 1980’s elections; and hence, Obama wouldn’t want to follow suit and has been vying to stabilise the prices ahead of November. this is where he has found an ally in the shape of the Saudi Kingdom. the Saudi manoeuvre comes amidst the US quest of tapping crude from the Strategic Petroleum Reserve, among other options, to cover for the Iranian supply disruptions. Saudi Arabia has increased oil exports over the past week and has even offered additional crude oil to the biggest customers in a bid to control the prices. According to the numbers being flaunted, even if Riyadh were to maintain its exports at 9 million bpd it would connote record volumes from OPEC’s record producer – at 11 million bpd – which is a million more than the numbers posted last month. Of the 9.75 million bpd exported by Saudi Arabia in January, 2 million was used domestically, 6 million exported to Asia and US had a 1.5 million share of the pie – a three-year
With Iranian sanctions resulting in oil price hike, Saudia Arabia has vowed to fill the oil void
KBP reacts over price increase, withdrawal of subsidy LAHORE STAFF REPORT
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ISAN Board Pakistan (KBP) strongly reacting to the news of withdrawal of subsidy on imported urea bag and increasing its prices by Rs300 per bag has urged the government to
immediately take back this decision. this demand was raised during a meeting of KBP President Sardar Zafar Hussein with the delegation of growers from Layyah and Bhakkar districts. Growers also expressed their grave concern over the news of further increase in
electricity and diesel prices and alleged that agriculture had reached to the brink of total destruction due to increase in the agricultural input prices. Growers also demanded increasing the prices of cotton and saving the farmers from the exploitation of sugar millers.
high. And these numbers are all set to inflate for the months of February, March and the months to follow with July’s EU embargo instigation still very much in sights. India’s Bharat Petroleum has also taken its emptying bowls and barrels to the Saudi taps, and has been eying higher supplies for 2012 and 2013 from Riyadh’s oilworks. Saudi Arabia is already the biggest oil supplier to India, and even though New Delhi has as yet paid no palpable heed to the US policy against Iran, it’s the security over Saudi oil and the lack of it for the Iranian counterparts that seems to be luring India and other countries in the region as well. the US-Saudi collaboration to increase oil supply has thrown a spanner into the works of the oil and game, and a dagger into tehran’s wallet. With Saudi Arabia having the key to open up the locked door of nuclear programme resolve from tehran, and not being afraid to pull it out, it is a sorry picture for the Muslim world; as economic ramifications continue to expose and aggravate the divide between the countries in the Islamic domain. The writer is Sub-Editor, Pakistan Today. He can be reached at khulduneshahid@gmail.com
Later, Sardar Zafar administered oath to the newly elected officebearers of KBP Bhakkar. He also addressed various growers’ gatherings in different cities and urged the government to arrest unjustified increase in the prices of electricity and petroleum products and requested to decrease prices of agricultural inputs, including pesticides and fertilisers to save the agricultural economy and grower from destruction and food crisis. Speakers at the occasion warned the government of staging sit-in in front of the assemblies if their demands are not met.
ELL, if Pakistan’s coal reserves are really capable of generating 60,000MW electricity, enough to meet a hundred years’ demand, then Islamabad’s top energy boys have their work pretty much taken care of. Just ensure the coal is exploited in manners that meet its productive potential and you have a full century of uninterrupted energy, peakperforming industry, value-added exports, improved national revenue and subsequently GDP. Yet despite the series of political crises visiting the capital, it is the energy question that has the ruling party paralysed. Coming at the heels of the regional slowdown from reduced exports to recession-struck western importers, power shortage has debilitated manufacturing and industry, jacking up unemployment. And with the general election looming, this is one problem PPP stalwarts cannot possibly wriggle out of by playing the political martyr card. People have genuine problems that the leadership has failed to address – its every promise dishonoured, every claim false. And they are expected to turn fury to vote very soon, and rightly so. Ironically, increased provincial powers in the wake of the 18th amendment failed to draw a reciprocal show of responsibility from provincial governments, exposing indiscipline as well as incompetence. And so far as this crucial issue is not settled, both tax earnings and energy exploration will remain compromised. For the time being, it behooves the government to follow forcefully what avenues are open to it. Since our coal card is a sure winner, those in charge must expedite whatever work remains to begin generating energy as soon as technically possible. there’s a political angle to it too. Any government that can bring a hundred years of electricity is sure to have a pretty long tenure in office.
Gulfood fair 2012 concludes in Dubai KARACHI STAFF REPORT
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LOBAL food industry descended on Dubai for world’s largest hospitality trade show (Gulfood) which was held from 19th to 22nd February, 2012 at Dubai, UAE. According to tDAP, in this event thousands of international trade visitors thronged the halls on its first day at the Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Centre (DICEC), where 3,800 companies from over 88 countries began brisk trading from the moment the show opened. tDAP has been participating successfully in this event for the last three years. this year, 23 leading Pakistani companies participated in the exhibition by showcasing their full range of products under Pakistan Pavilion, covering an area of 184 sqm in “Shaikh Saeed Hall” of the exhibition centre.
SBP BSC, bank branches to remain open KARACHI STAFF REPORT
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HE State Bank of Pakistan has announced that the SBP Banking Services Corporation and all its field offices will remain open on February 29, 2012 (Wednesday) till 10 p.m. to facilitate tax collection. NIFt will also remain open on the same date for both first and second clearing for facilitating tax collection by FBR. ‘In order to facilitate collection of taxes, banks are advised to open such branches and other offices on February 29, 2012 (Wednesday) till 10 p.m. that are necessary to facilitate aforesaid NIFt clearings on the same date,’ says BPRD Circular Letter No.3 of February 24, 2012.
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Steel manufacturers show serious concern over MFN status toIndia ISLAMABAD NNI
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f o s ie it n u t r o p p o ‘Vast ’ b ja n u P in t n e investm
LAHORE
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STAFF REPORT
UNJAB Chief Minister Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif has said there are vast opportunities of investment in the province and government is providing all facilities to the investors under one-roof. He said foreign investors should benefit from the attractive incentives being offered for investment in energy, livestock, agriculture, industries and information technology sectors. He was talking to a representative delegation of Canadian investors.
Chief Minister said Punjab which is the largest province of the country with regard to population has a share of 62 per cent in the GDP. He said there are 48 thousand industrial units in the province and maximum facilities are being extended to investors in five different export processing zones. Due to favourable conditions, investment is completely safe in the province and Punjab Board of Investment and trade is serving as the platform for facilitating foreign entrepreneurs, he added. He said that modern infrastructure and communication facilities for trade
and economic activities are available in the province and the Punjab government has evolved liberal economic policies for encouraging investment. Investment opportunities have increased in the recent years in industries, information technology, power generation, livestock and other sectors in the province and investors should fully benefit from it, he underscored. Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif further said Punjab has an excellent workforce and the government is extending encouragement and cooperation for business and trade activities. He
said the present government believes in trade rather than aid and wants to provide job opportunities to the people at basic level through promotion of economic activities. And special incentives have been offered to foreign investors in Sundar Industrial State. Similarly, all provincial departments are working in a consolidated manner for the encouragement of foreign trade. UtM’s Sohaib Hassan Murad, Abid Sherani, Chairman Punjab Information technology Board, Secretary Higher Education and Secretary Health were also present on the occasion.
OCAL steel manufacturers showed concern over giving status of Most Favoured Nation (MFN) to India, saying it would pose threats to the steel industry of the country. Our country has weak infrastructure and industrial units are suffering due to dismal situation of power and fuel. Government should shield local steel industry before giving such a status to its economically strong neighbour. these remarks were made by local steel manufactures during a meeting with Atizaz A Niazi, Chairman Engineering Development Board (EDB) at Islamabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ICCI). Speaking on the occasion, Yassar Sakhi Butt, President ICCI said government should adopt a go-slow policy as far as trade liberalisation with India is concerned. He said steel industry would definitely suffer which is one of the fastest growing industries in Pakistan. the industry is already facing many challenges due to the deplorable economic conditions. President ICCI was of the view that government should import iron ore and other scrape material, specialised machinery and equipment, including testing equipment from India rather than allowing import of intermediate and final steel products, as under MFN scenario it would significantly affect our local steel industry. Yassar Sakhi Butt said India should also give market access to Pakistan for its quality products. He demanded the Indian government to remove Non-tariff Barriers to give easy access to Pakistani products in Indian market. the industrialist said there should be no further reduction in proposed sensitive list as any further reduction would be detrimental to the local industry. they said granting MFN status and opening up of the steel finished goods market for India would cause irreparable damage to domestic steel industry. Atizaz A Niazi assured EDB would highlight the problems of business community at all the relevant forums and informed the meeting that EDB was in the process of making recommendations regarding tariff rationalisation which would be forwarded to Federal Board of Revenue before March 10, 2012.
CORPORATE CORNER PNRA issues operating licence to Chashma Nuclear Power Plant Unit –2 ISLAMABAD: Chairman Pakistan Nuclear Regulatory Authority (PNRA) granted the Operating License to Chairman Pakistan Atomic Energy Commission (PAEC), for the operation of Chashma Nuclear Power Plant Unit– 2 (C-2), which is a 325 MW Nuclear Power Plant constructed at Chashma in District Mianwali. the license was granted at a simple but impressive ceremony held at PNRA headquarters at Islamabad today. the important prerequisites that preceded the grant of the operating license included provision of a construction license in March 2006, issuance of fuel load permit in December 2010 and provision of grid connection on 15 March last year. the ceremony was presided over by Dr Ishfaq Ahmad, Senior Advisor to Planning Commission of Pakistan, who is also former Chairman PAEC and a pioneer of nuclear power program in Pakistan. Mr Jamshed Azim Hashmi, former Chairman PNRA and Mr Pervez Butt, Former Chairman PAEC, were also present along with other distinguished guests. PRESS RElEASE
PEMRA warns cable operators of illegal channels ISLAMABAD: PEMRA, has served final warning to all cable tV operators of country asking them to immediately stop distributing tV channels which are otherwise illegal or proscribed by the Authority. No channel other than PEMRA licensee would be let distributed on cable tV networks and any operator found defying the orders henceforth would be dealt seriously, said PEMRA. the action would pave way for PEMRA licensed channels on distribution networks
which were hitherto being ignored as most of space is presently occupied by the unauthorized foreign channels thus leaving no space for licensed channels on distribution networks. PEMRA has issued a list of eligible channels containing 89 Pakistani origin channels and 26 foreign channels registered with the Authority. Cable operators have however, the liberty to choose channels amongst the eligible list while putting in front the subscriber’s choice but no channel other than the permissible list of PEMRA would be allowed. Besides, the cable operators are also bound to relay national broadcaster (PtV) channels which are mandatory under PEMRA law. PRESS RElEASE
Sharif Bokhari, Mr Husain Lawai, Mr Abdul Wajid Rana – Federal Finance Secretary, Khawaja Jalaluddin Roomi and Mrs Nargis Sethi – Federal Defence Secretary. Air Marshal (Retd) Khalid Choudhry, Director General CAA and Maj Gen Raja Muhammad Arif Nazir, Additional Secretary-I, Ministry of Defence also attended the Meeting as Special Invitees. PRESS RElEASE
Minister of production visits KTDMC
Levi’s global store launch KARACHI: Levi’s is launching its new global store at Dolmen Mall City Karachi. Based on the new global retail format, the store is a reflection of the brand’s undying commitment to craftsmanship, attention to detail and it’s passion for creating iconic products. the new store will have its official opening on tuesday the 28th of February 2012 with stars and brand ambassadors, Strings and Zoe Viccaji, present for a public shirt signing between 6 pm and 7pm.PRESS RELEASE
PIA holds Board of Director’s meeting
LAHORE: PIA’s 337th Board of Directors’ meeting was held at PIA head office. Board approved the Corporate Budget for the Financial Year 2012 wherein revenue of Rs142.831 billion has been targeted for 2012. It also approved the Marketing Plan for 2012-2014. Board was presented with safety overview. Other matters of strategic and corporate interest were also considered during the meeting. the meeting was chaired by Ahmed Mukhtar, Minister for Defence and Chairman-PIA and attended by Nadeem Khan Yousufzai – Managing Director PIA, Mr Javed Akhtar, Syed Omar
KARACHI: Minister of Production, Anwar Ali Cheema, accompanied by Dr Mehreen Razaque Bhutto, MNA, Parliamentary Secretary for Production and Mr Gul Mohammed Rind, Secretary Production, visited Karachi tools, Dies and Moulds Centre (KtDMC).Mr Munir K Bana, Chairman KtDMC, and Syed Javaid Ashraf, Director KtDMC, welcomed the Honourable Minister and his delegation and briefed them on the performance of the Centre. Mr Bana informed the minister that the centre is self-sustaining and earning cash profit since 2010, and added that KtDMC is a world class centre, which is providing state-of-the-art training, consultancy, design and manufacturing services and facilities in CAD/CAM/CAE, Sheet Metal Dies, Injection Moulds, Die Casting Moulds, Die and Mould Accessories, Reverse Engineering and Heat treatment of Dies and Moulds. PRESS RElEASE
DUBAI:Syed Talib Rizvi, Group Head Retail and Middle Markets North, Bank Alfalah handing over memento and cheque to Umar Gul for ‘Oustanding Performance’ in the First T20 Match between Pakistan and England in Dubai. PRESS RELEASE