15 January 2004 Thursday 22 Ziqa'ad 1424 Supply position in Sindh uncertain: Wheat stocks depleted KARACHI, Jan 14: Wheat supply position in Sindh has become more uncertain after a decision of the Sindh High Court on January 9 that asked the provincial food department to release 69,000 tons of wheat stock ... Minister for revision of 11 items' rate: Sindh projects KARACHI, Jan 14: The Sindh Planning and Development Minister Shoib Bokhari wants a revision "on urgent basis" of schedule of rates for 11 finished items used in construction. ... QSC recommends ban on quota transfer KARACHI, Jan 14: The Quota Supervisory Council (QSC) has asked the Ministry of Commerce (MoC) not to allow the transfer of quota obtained by exporters through auction during quota year 2004. ... Banks offer Rs29bn personal loans KARACHI, Jan 14: All banks combined made Rs29 billion personal loans in July-November 2003, more than three times the personal loans of Rs9 billion they had offered in July-November 2002, according to figures obtained from the SBP Economic Policy Department. ... ADB assures Pakistan of financial support ISLAMABAD, Jan 14: The Asian Development Bank is fully cognizant of the development challenges facing Pakistan and remains committed to providing all necessary financial and technical assistance for sustainable economic growth and reduction of poverty in the country. ... SBP to keep contact with banks, DFIs KARACHI, Jan 14: The State Bank will hold regular meetings with the board of directors, senior management and external auditors of banks and DFIs to know in advance if there is a crisis in the making. ... Pakistan to re-enter fuel oil export market KARACHI, Jan 14: Pakistan is all set to re-enter the export business of furnace oil after a well over two decades following the issuance of a tender by Pakistan Refinery Limited (PRL) on Wednesday for export of 40,000 tons of fuel oil. ... EC likely to finalize duty on bedlinen today ISLAMABAD, Jan 14: The European Commission (EC) is likely to finalize the proposed 14.1 per cent anti-dumping duty on Pakistan's bed linen on Thursday. ... SSGC shares go public on 26-28th ISLAMABAD, Jan 14: The Privatization Commission on Wednesday obtained clearance from the Security and Exchange Commission of Pakistan to float 5-10 per cent shares of Sui Southern Gas Company through stock market on January 26-28. ... OGDCL listing at ISE ISLAMABAD, Jan 14: Privatization and Investment Minister Dr Abdul Hafeez Shaikh will inaugurate the formal trading of OGDCL shares after formal listing at the Islamabad Stock Exchange on January 19. ... Govt to review diesel import ban on India NEW DELHI, Jan 14: Pakistan, which bans imports of diesel fuel from neighbouring India, plans to review policy to try and reduce a heavy dependence on Kuwaiti supplies, Petroleum Secretary M. Abdullah Yusuf told Reuters on Wednesday. ... 10pc imports allowed under DTRE KARACHI, Jan 14: Exporters are allowed to import accessories under the Duty and Tax Remission Rules for Export (DTRE) up to 10 per cent of the total value of the export contract. The ceiling can, however, be enhanced on EPB's recommendation. ... Trade project worth $2m launched ISLAMABAD, Jan 14: The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) on Wednesday launched a trade project of $2 million in Pakistan to advance national progress in human development and poverty eradication. ... Profit rates KARACHI, Jan 14: Allied Bank Limited on Wednesday announced the profit rates on all categories of PLS deposits for the half year ending December 31, 2003. ... Active trading on cotton market KARACHI, Jan 14: Active trading was witnessed on the cotton market on Wednesday as spinners resumed their buying operations after ginners refused to lower their asking prices. ... Stock market maintains upward drive KARACHI, Jan 14: Stocks on Wednesday maintained their upward drive as investors were not inclined to take even a technical breather aided by positive developments both on the corporate and financial fronts. ...

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