24 January 2005	Monday	13 Zilhaj 1425

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Under-served small farmers Realizing that whatever is being disbursed by banks in the name of agricultural credits, reaches hardly 15 per cent of the country's farmers, the State Bank is actively engaged with the provincial governments ...		Industrial strategy to suit the times Pakistan requires an industrial strategy that is comprehensive to meet its varied needs and is realistic. The general perception is that we do not have a credible policy for the post-textile quota era and WTO's trade liberalization agenda. ...
NFC and the Constitution Upholding the truth, Mr Abdul Karim Lodhi, who represented Sind as a private and non-statutory member on the National Finance Commission (NFC) has resigned. ...		Are we destined to remain sub-contractors? The present government, somewhat in repeat of 1960s, is in the process of setting-up a strong infra-structure for the country. As a consequence, the basic building blocks of such an edifice are in the offing in shape of water dams, highways, airports and even a new port. ...
Honing the management system The most serious of challenges facing businesses today is how to survive and grow in a highly competitive environment, where the success of one often means the failure of another. ...		How to check population growth Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz said last week, "there is a dire need to check rapid growth of population, which is posing serious threat to the efforts aimed at development." ...
National Finance Commission: a historical journey AS per the Government of India Act of 1935, taxes levied and retained by the centre were import duties and receipts from Railways, Posts & Telegraphs. ...		South moving to centre stage A new phenomenon is emerging in the international economic arena, whereby the South is moving steadily from the periphery to the centre of world trade and economic relations, reflecting changes in the traditional patterns of the international division of labour. ...
Privatization and its outcome Economic managers in third-world countries like Pakistan remain enamoured by the promise of the free market. For over two decades, the international financial institutions (IFIs) and the first world have been preaching the laurels of privatization and the need to roll back the state. ...		Competition policy for consumer benefit Consumer protection is the cornerstone of competition law and policy. The benefits of a strong competition policy for consumers are manifold such as better choice and lower prices. ...
Thar's stake in coal project Economics, by definition, is all about the allocation of scarce resources, upon which the community places competing demands. The socio-economic analysis provide as much information as possible about the nature of trade-offs ...		Fuming flames of Sui gas A rocket attack last week on Sui gas installations and pipeline disrupted energy supplies to power plants, fertilizer companies and other industrial concerns. ...
Seeds of low productivity Judging from announced policies, the government is all out to give productivity of the agricultural sector a big boost. This is what the country needs. ...		Snags in guava production Guava, the apple of tropics, is one of the most common fruits in Pakistan. Mature and freshly plucked fruit has a sweet and attractive flavour. It is largely eaten fresh, but is also used in jams and jellies. ...
Employment through horticulture Employment generation is the most important indicator of development in any country. More the number of unemployed more will be the burden on economy as these are fed by the employed. ...		Biological control: a vital component of the IPM The national economy has undergone considerable diversification over the years but the agricultural sector remains the largest sector for socio-economic development. ...
Raising crop yields from conservation technology Though agriculture is a lynchpin of our economy, it has remained in doldrums. Currently, about 42 million people are affected by insecure food conditions, while a third of the population is suffering from malnutrition. ...		Addition of 186 points pushes KSE index to its best-ever level The KSE 100-share index last week finished at an all-time high level of 6,746.40 points. It was boosted by the massive buying in the PTCL and the OGDC, the two leading base shares, having a weight age of 40 per cent. ...
Foreign exchange reserves up by Rs3,638 million According to the Statement of Affairs of the State Bank of Pakistan, for the week ended January 8, 2005, both notes in circulation and those issued increased in the week. ...		Rupee resists a major decline The rupee/dollar parity this week showed mixed sentiments in the local currency market. The demand for dollar, though existed, sufficient supply of dollar during the week restricted any major fall in the rupee value. ...