22 August 2004 Sunday 05 Rajab 1425 Pakistan, Iran to cut duty on 647 items: Preferential trade ISLAMABAD, Aug 21: Pakistan and Iran have agreed to reduce customs duty on 647 tradable items under the preferential trade agreement (PTA). Official sources told Dawn on Saturday that the senior officials of the two countries finalized the lists of duty concessions ... National consultancy body soon: ISO certification ISLAMABAD, Aug 21: Federal Minister for Industries and Production Liaqat Ali Jatoi has said the first consultancy body for ISO certification - National Quality Consultants (NQC) - is being formally launched shortly to meet the quality and environmental standards under WTO regime. ... Rupee gains 12 paisa in two weeks KARACHI, Aug 21: The rupee gained three paisa per US dollar in the inter-bank market during the week ending on August 21 rising to 58.76 a dollar from 58.79. ... Local entrepreneur comes of age KARACHI, Aug 21: Has Pakistan's entrepreneur come of age?" We have now trained businessmen," says Dr Mubashir Hasan, the finance minister of the former socialist government of late Zulfiquar Ali Bhutto. ... Car prices go up by Rs6,000 to 20,000 KARACHI, Aug 21: Various models of Toyota Corolla and Daihatsu Cuore have become costlier by Rs6,000-20,000 from August 21. ... Kabul asked to raise tariffs ISLAMABAD, Aug 21: Pakistan has asked the Afghan government to raise custom duty on those items for reducing the element of their smuggling back to Pakistan. ... Commodities export to Sri Lanka on decline ISLAMABAD, Aug 21: Pakistan's exports of three commodities to Sri Lanka have been on decline for the last four years. Official statistics available with Dawn showed the export of fish and fish preparation to Sri Lanka declined by 43 per cent ... GCC to sign trade pacts with India, Pakistan RIYADH, Aug 21: The Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) will next week sign framework economic cooperation agreements with India and Pakistan, the head of the oil-rich Gulf bloc said on Saturday. ... Where to invest? In this report Dawn's team of economic journalists attempts to explore different investment options for the middle class. Each individual must make his own decision depending on circumstances, age and needs. ... Small investors' route to equity investment: Mutual funds KARACHI: For all its recent remarkable growth, the mutual fund industry in Pakistan is still in its infancy. One open-end Mutual Fund in the public sector (NIT) and just about two dozen open and close-end mutual funds sit on the Pakistan's capital market. ... Low returns may shake savers' trust KARACHI: Trust is central not only to relationships based on love. Trust is the byword for banking as well! Most people keep money with the banks of their choice because they have trust in them. ... 'Govt trying to open up new avenues' ISLAMABAD: The government is trying to provide good alternative and new investment opportunities to the middle class people in an environment of globally declining interest rates, says Investment and Privatisation Minister Dr Abdul Hafeez Sheikh. ... Agriculture yields high returns MULTAN: Options to embark upon small and medium entrepreneurial ventures in the agriculture sector are innumerable, despite the fact that low public sector investment has left the rural areas with poor socio-economic infrastructure. ... NWFP has little to offer PESHAWAR: In the backdrop of decreasing rates of return on saving schemes, small savers in NWFP are left with limited investment options to supplement their hard-earned money. ... Balochistan barren for investors QUETTA: Balochistan offers very limited investment options to small money holders that could ensure a handsome return with minimum risk. The focus seems to be on real estate after the rates of return on National Saving Schemes and fixed bank deposits have been drastically reduced. ... Stock market lures investors KARACHI: The reforms introduced by the Security and Exchange Commission of Pakistan during the last two years have not only restored transparency in share trading but also improved investor confidence. ... Rising inflation eroding the real value of savings LAHORE: "If you see a bandwagon now, it is already too late for most of us to jump on it," smiles a senior citizen who was asked as to where would he like to put his money for safe and reasonable returns - in land and property or in stocks. ... Savers in quest of more options KARACHI: People have been virtually in a fix for the last few years as rising cost of living does not allow them to think for making investment in lucrative options. ... Rate of return in small trades KARACHI: The investment prospects in small scale businesses in Pakistan are at best uncertain. Still for those, with Rs0.5-2 million in their kitty, who are ready to take a plunge there are several avenues. ... Future plans of a professor KARACHI: It is sensible for working men and women to invest their retirement benefits so that they don't become a liability on society." ... Real estate prices too high KARACHI: With Rs0.5-2 million purchasing houses and plots for investment purpose, not only in posh areas but also in other parts of the city, looks extremely difficult because of phenomenal increase in real estate prices. ... Illegal finance companies swindling people MULTAN: Falling interest rates against savings at scheduled commercial banks and saving centres have given birth to the mushroom growth of illegal finance companies that are swindling the people by offering mind-boggling gains. ... Firm outlook on cotton market KARACHI, Aug 21: Cotton market finished the weekend session on a firm note as ginners again raised their asking prices followed by bullish signals from the New York Cotton Exchange. ... Export of mangoes to China from next month LAHORE, Aug 21: Exporters are all set to send three containers of mangoes of late Chaunsa variety to China next month. ...

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