May 20, 2003	Tuesday	Rabi-ul-Awwal 17, 1424

KARACHI, May 19: The Port Qasim has recorded a growth of 24 per cent in cargo handling during the first 10 months of the current fiscal, over the corresponding period last year.

The port handled a total of 13.81 million tons during July- April, as against 11.16 million tons of cargo handled in the same period last year.

Similarly, there was higher tariff of calling ships at the port as it registered over 26 per cent growth during the period under review.

These performances were put up before the 50th board meeting of the Port Qasim Authority (PQA) held at the liaison office of PNSC building on Saturday.

The board lauded the role of PQA management for its contribution towards setting new records for an unprecedented growth in cargo handling as well as ship callings during the first 10 months of the current fiscal.

Bearing witness to its establishment, the PQA has been one of the largest revenue generation source. During July-March it contributed Rs33 billion in the form of duties and taxes to the national exchequer. Conforming to present trend, Rs44 billion are expected in this account during next fiscal.

The Port Qasim has also been a venue for strengthening national exports to earn valuable foreign exchange. The major exports at the port comprise wheat, crude oil and urea, while in containerized form it consists of garments, carpets, rice, waste cotton, sports goods, surgical items and fabrics.

The PQA expects to handled exports worth $2.5 billion during the financial year 2002-03.