01 August 2004	Sunday	14 Jamadi-us-Saani 1425

ISLAMABAD, July 31: Zarai Taraqiati Bank (ZTBL) President Istaqbal Mehdi has directed the bank's regional managers to hold field days in the vicinity of each branch of their region to apprise farmers of the agri package announced by the government recently.

The package includes reduction in the rate of mark-up with effect from next January, if the farmers repay their instalments on or before the due date.

The ZTBL has also notified the Recovery Relief Package-2004 for its borrowers with an outstanding amount up to Rs0.5 million as of April 30, over due from December 31, 2000, (and in loss category now), all over the country.

The eligible borrowers under this package can settle their loans on payment of 50 per cent of outstanding amount or principal amount whichever is higher.

An additional special package has also been announced for the small borrowers of calamity-hit areas of Balochistan with an outstanding amount up to Rs0.2 million as of April 30, over due from December 31, 2000, (and in loss category now).

This is applicable for the borrowers whose development area had been declared calamity hit continuously for the last three years. Such loans are eligible to be settled by repayment of 25 per cent of the outstanding amount.