08 September 2004 Wednesday 22 Rajab 1425 Price war feared in quota-free regime: Textile exports KARACHI, Sept 7: Exporters fear outbreak of a price war ahead of the quota-free era beginning January 1, 2005, which could invite immediate safeguard measures from importing countries of the West. ... Micro-finance banking to get a boost KARACHI, Sept 7: Micro-finance banking for the poor will receive a boost in coming weeks when a new micro-finance bank will be launched here. This is the third licence, the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) has granted to the private sector. ... Kapco's 20pc shares offering next month ISLAMABAD, Sept 7: The Privatization Commission will make the Initial Public Offering (IPO) of 20 per cent shares of Kot Addu Power Company (Kapco) to general public through Karachi, Lahore and Islamabad stock exchanges in the third week of October this year. ... ICAC expects 13pc hike in world cotton output KARACHI, Sept 7: World cotton production is set to record a 13 per cent increase to 23.1 million tons during 2004-05, which would outpace its consumption that is expected to grow at a dismal pace of just about 2 per cent to 21.6 million tons ... Margin financing may hit small brokers ISLAMABAD, Sept 7: Pakistan's move to replace 'badla' based equity financing with globally accepted margin financing will bring the country's stock markets in line with international standards ... Belgians asked to invest in Pakistan KARACHI, Sept 7: Belgian Ambassador to Pakistan Patrick X Renault has urged upon the businessmen of his country to invest in Pakistan which offers a lot of incentives to foreign investors. ... Cotton buying centres opened KARACHI, Sept 7: The Trading Corporation of Pakistan (TCP) has activated all its cotton procurement centres in Sindh and Punjab to buy around 100,000 bales of 2004-05 season. ... Investment environment ISLAMABAD, Sep 7: Privatization and Investment Minister Dr Hafeez Shaikh said on Tuesday Pakistan had become safe haven for the investors in the region. ... Bike-makers compete in price race KARACHI, Sept 7: The Japanese bike-makers have begun slashing the prices of their products to attract more buyers. The move is aimed at improving market share and customer base at a place overjoyed over entry of the Chinese bikes (local and imported). ... Amendments proposed in GI law to protect goods ISLAMABAD, Sept 7: Businessmen have proposed amendments in the draft Geographical Indication (GI) law to provide adequate protection to Pakistani goods in other countries. ... Cotton market resists fresh decline KARACHI, Sept 7: After an initial fall, the cotton market on Tuesday resisted a fresh decline followed by strong mill buying at falling prices amid active trading. ... Stocks remain subdued on negative news KARACHI, Sept 7: Stocks on Tuesday failed to hold on to the initial gains as investors were in two minds about the negative impact of margin financing on daily volumes. They continued to shed their extra weight on the falling prices. ...

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