ISLAMABAD, Aug 13: The State Joint Stock Foreign Trade Company (SJSFTC) of Uzbekistan has offered the lowest prices of an average $125 per ton on import of wheat to Pakistan to be available in the third quarter of the year 2004.

The offer was formally made through a letter of the SJSFTC sent on July 9, 2004, to Islamabad through Pakistan's embassy. The Trading Corporation of Pakistan (TCP), a subsidiary organization of the Ministry of Commerce, had recently accepted import bidding of 484,000 tons wheat from various countries at an average rate of $210 per ton with a minimum gluten requirement of 21 per cent.

When contacted, TCP chairman, Syed Masood Alam Rizvi said that the corporation had not received any proper application from the SJSFTC, Uzbekistan, for participation in the tenders.

"They have not submitted their bidding application with the TCP. It is not possible to participate in the bidding through a letter," he remarked. According to the letter, a copy of which was made available to Dawn, the company offered various prices for different types of wheat.

For seed containing 23 and more per cent gluten, the company has offered $125 per ton, for 22 to 22.99 per cent gluten $120 per ton and for less than 22 per cent of gluten $110 per ton.

According to the letter, the price of first quality wheat flour is $150 per ton under terms of delivery FCA enterprises of State Stock Company "Uzkhlebo product". It says that 100 per cent prepayment will have to be made for goods ready for shipment.

"We request your assistance in finding companies and organizations of Pakistan, which would be interested in buying the above mentioned products. It will also be appreciated if you could send your proposals by the prescribed fax numbers," the letter added.

Answering a question, the TCP chairman said they could not negotiate imports directly with any country and they took decisions following the directives of the commerce ministry.

To a question, he said the TCP had linked the import quality of seed having minimum value of gluten at 21 per cent in wheat besides other requirements. According to him, it will be a sufficient requirement for making a "chapati".

However, officials in the ministry of agriculture, food and livestock (MINFAL) said minimum value of gluten in wheat should be above 23 per cent, without which, they said it would not be possible to make a 'chapati' and could only be used in preparation of biscuits.

They said in case, the wheat was not of that standard, it would be blended with local grown wheat for making bread. The TCP awarded import tender of 150,000 tons of wheat to Agrico Trade and Finance, S A Switzerland; 84,000 tons to Cargil Inc, Switzerland; 100,000 tons to Australian Wheat Board and 150,000 tons to Louis Dreyfus Corporation, USA.