14 March 2004 Sunday 22 Muharram 1425 Another two-year extension sought: Deletion plan ISLAMABAD, March 13: Pakistan has sought an extension for yet another two years for the implementation of trade related investment measures (TRIMs) in the country on the plea that auto industry needed ... Trade surplus with US up to $1.69bn KARACHI, March 13: Pakistan booked a trade surplus of $1.692 billion with the United States in 2003 up from $1.611 billion in 2002 but it is difficult to predict if the country would book equally large trade surplus this year. ... Pakistan to challenge dumping duty ISLAMABAD, March 13: Pakistan has finally decided to challenge the levy of 13.1 per cent anti-dumping duty by EU on Pakistan's bedlinen in the dispute settlement body of WTO. ... Holiday hits industrial production KARACHI, March 13: Production activities in the industrial areas hit the bottom rock on Saturday because of the closed holiday in connection with cricket match. ... Pakistan, China trade grows by 35 per cent BEIJING, March 13: China will further strengthen economic ties with Pakistan and other neighbouring countries, said Chinese Minister of Commerce Bo Xilai. Talking to Ambassador Riaz Mohammad Khan in Beijing ... Cement makers not to increase prices ISLAMABAD, March 13: The All Pakistan Cement Manufacturers Association (APCMA) on Saturday informed the government that cement manufacturers had neither made any increase in cement prices nor had any plan to increase in future. ... Indian trade minister visits Pakistan KARACHI, March 13: Indian Trade and Industry Minister Arun Jitley arrived for an exclusively private stay for a day in Karachi and left quietly back home on Saturday evening ... SPI moves up by 0.65 per cent ISLAMABAD, Mar 13: Sensitive Price Indicator moved up further by 0.65 per cent during the week ending March 11, over the previous week, according to the weekly review of prices issued by the Federal Bureau of Statistics here on Saturday. ... Belgium keen to invest in various sectors ISLAMABAD, March 13: The visiting Belgian trade delegation has shown its interest in investing in various fields, including telecom, pharmaceutical, container terminal and insurance sectors, to enhance cooperation and trade between two countries. ... Iran to set up customs training centre ISLAMABAD, March 13: The Iranian customs administration will establish a customs training centre for ECO-member countries in Tehran to equip officials with the latest technology and update their skills. ... 139 taxpayers blacklisted ISLAMABAD, March 13: The Central Board of Revenue has blacklisted 139 registered taxpayers in textile sectors for issuing fake invoices and committing tax frauds. ... Rebate, refund decline by 5.02pc ISLAMABAD, March 13: The tax authorities paid out Rs42.22 billion refund/rebate to exporters during the July-February period of the current financial year against Rs44.45 billion ... NTC hearing on detergent powders ISLAMABAD, March 13: The National Tariff Commission (NTC) will hold a public hearing in its office on March 27 on a request from the industry producing detergent powders for tariff protection against imported intermediate materials. ... Cotton market lacks normal trading KARACHI, March 13: The cotton market on Saturday lacked normal trading interest as local buyers and sellers were more inclined to watch the one-day cricket match between Pakistan and Indian ball-by-ball on TVs rather than indulging in physical trading. ...

© The DAWN Group of Newspapers, 2004