12 December 2004 Sunday 29 Shawwal 1425 15-year plan to focus on LNG import: Energy security KARACHI, Dec 11: The government is preparing a 15-year "National Energy Security Plan" (2004-05 -2018-19), which will focus on imports of liquefied natural gas (LNG) as it is now being considered as a crucial step for the future energy security of the country. ... Fresh drive to get FTAs, tariff concessions: US, European markets KARACHI, Dec 11: Pakistan is making a big diplomatic offensive to get tariff concessions and conclude bilateral free trade agreements with many countries to push up its exports in the markets of Europe, the US, China and many other countries. ... Social compliance must to retain market share: WTO quota-free regime 20 days from now KARACHI, Dec 11: Social compliance is an enigma which all exporters will have to solve to retain their market share in the post-quota era beginning 20 days from now. ... Banks' deposits up by Rs28bn in November KARACHI, Dec 11: All 39 local and foreign banks operating in Pakistan saw an inflow of Rs28 billion in their net deposits. This enlarged their combined deposit base to Rs2092 billion at the end of last month, from Rs2064 billion at the end of October 2004. ... Multiple reserve currency system KARACHI, Dec 11: Given the present trend of a depreciating dollar whose value has fallen by 35 per cent against the euro, 24 per cent against the yen and 17 per cent against the broad basket of currencies over the past three years ... US offers tariff relief on carpets ISLAMABAD, Dec 11: The United States has agreed to revive the facility of duty concession on Pakistani carpets under generalized system of preferences (GSP). ... Yarn and bedwear export falls by 12pc ISLAMABAD, Dec 11: The export of cotton yarn, bedwear and readymade garments declined by an average 12.89 per cent during the July-November period of the current fiscal year over the same period of last year. ... Humayun to lobby for access to GSP plus ISLAMABAD, Dec 11: Pakistan will formally start discussions from Monday with 12 European Union member countries for seeking their support to get access to the new Generalized System of Preferences (GSP) plus scheme (zero rate of duty). ... PM to meet executives of Chinese companies BEIJING, Dec 11: Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz will meet chief executives of major Chinese companies here on Wednesday to review China-Pakistan cooperation in the economic sector. ... PQA signs pact for liquid cargo terminal KARACHI, Dec 11: The Port Qasim Authority on Saturday signed an agreement with Felda Holdings, a Malaysian company, for establishing a liquid cargo terminal at Gharo Creek. ... Investment on badla hits record high KARACHI, Dec 11: Investment on the carryover market last week hit a record high of Rs.30.7 billion billed as the highest-ever figure so far recorded in the trading history of the Karachi Stock Exchange. ... Functions of tax administration to be integrated ISLAMABAD, Dec 11: The government has agreed with the World Bank to integrate functions of tax administration over a period of time to avoid present duplication of functions as part of Tax Administration Reform Project (TARP). ... Raw material crisis hits leather industry SIALKOT, Dec 11: The business community here has expressed grave concern over the acute shortage of 'split leather', which was hampering the production and exports of leather gloves and other leather products. ... Ginners and spinners locked in price-war KARACHI, Dec 11: Physical business on the cotton market is drying up each session as price ideas of ginners and spinners failed to find a meeting ground for the last couple of days. ...

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