07 March 2004 Sunday 15 Muharram 1425 Govt fails to check profiteers, hoarders KARACHI, March 6: Is the government hostage to the profiteers, hoarders and big business? Looking at the plight of the consumers in the markets and the helplessness of the governments - federal, provincial and local - in dealing with the profiteers ... EU asked to review levy of duty ISLAMABAD, March 6: The government has asked the European Union to review the 13.1 per cent anti-dumping duty on Pakistani bedlinen. Addressing a new conference here on Saturday, Secretary Commerce, Kamal Afsar said ... Exports to Kabul reach $192m in seven months KARACHI, March 6: Pakistan more than quadrupled its exports to Afghanistan at $192 million in first seven months of this fiscal year from $43 million a year-ago period. ... Pakistan, Iran sign PTA to boost trade ISLAMABAD, March 6: Pakistan and Iran have signed a preferential trade agreement (PTA) to eliminate trade barriers between the two countries and facilitate increase in the volume of bilateral trade. ... Risks to consumer-led economic growth KARACHI: March 6: Prices of steel, cement, automobiles and other building materials are up for different reasons that require varying approaches to price stabilization. ... Auto makers move to get cabinet decision reverted: Used car import KARACHI, March 6: Local assemblers and vending industry representatives are meeting finance minister Shaukat Aziz next week to lobby for their case against the cabinet's approval ... Safta: negative lists by year-end ISLAMABAD, March 6: The Saarc countries have agreed to finalize negative lists and rules of origin by the end of the year 2004 to facilitate the timely development of the South Asian Free Trade Area (Safta) ... Rice exporters to visit India KARACHI, March 6: A rice exporters' delegation will be leaving on Tuesday for India to sign Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for cooperation with their counterpart trade body. ... KCCI calls for direct trade with India KARACHI, March 6: Improved relations between Pakistan and India need to be transformed into increased direct trade, raising economic opportunities of both the people, said chairman, valuation committee of the Karachi Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Muhammad Haroon Aagr. ... Anti-dumping duty termed unjustified KARACHI, March 6: The chairman, All Pakistan Textile Mills Association (Aptma) Waqar Monnoo has termed the EU decision to levy 13.1 per cent anti-dumping duty on Pakistani bedlinen as politically-motivated and unjustified. ... Senate body for making NTC more active ISLAMABAD, March 6: The Senate's Special Committee (SSC) on Challenges of WTO has underlined the need for closer inter ministerial coordination in all areas relating to multilateral trading system ... ICI Pakistan KARACHI, March 6: When it comes to trading in the ICI Pakistan stock, it is possible to spot more bears than bulls. But that possibly is because investors are scrambling for the highest amount of profit from equities in the shortest possible time. ... SPI moves up by 0.79pc ISLAMABAD, March 6: Sensitive Price Indicator spiralled by 0.79 per cent during the week ending March 4, as compared to the previous week, consequent upon further increase in petroleum fuels and foodstuffs. ... Cotton prices suffer fresh setback KARACHI, March 6: Cotton prices on Saturday suffered a fresh setback as spinners kept to the sidelines most of the session apparently having an overview of anti-dumping duty imposed by the European Union on bedlinen. ...

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