January 4, 2006	Wednesday	Zilhaj 3, 1426

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Indian market offers $3bn business KARACHI, Jan 3: Indian import market of more than $77 billion offers export prospects of more than $3 billion to Pakistani business given good marketing, appropriate production techniques to bring down...		Cement demand growth rate falls to 12.09pc LAHORE, Jan 3: The growth rate of cement demand fell to just 12.09 per cent in the first half (July-Dec) of the current fiscal from 24.14...
SBP urged to cut refinance rate KARACHI, Jan 3: Exporters have urged new State Bank Governor Dr Shamshad Akhtar to immediately reduce interest and mark-up rates, particularly export refinance rates, to lower the cost of exportable goods which are facing tough competition under the WTO quota-free regime....		Signing of BIT likely on 20th: Access to US market ISLAMABAD, Jan 3: Pakistan is seeking additional $2 billion market access from the United States and the issue is likely to be finalized after both the countries conclude their much awaited Bilateral Investment Treaty (BIT) here on January 20....
Stocks cross 9,700-point level as buying spree continues KARACHI, Jan 3: Share values on Tuesday rose across the board on strong follow-up support originating from all the quarters under the lead of financial institutions amid brisk trading....		Dullness prevails on cotton market KARACHI, Jan 3: Trading on the cotton market on Tuesday failed to pick up to a daily normal level despite the fact that some of the ginners have lowered their selling prices....
EoIs for SSGC invited ISLAMABAD, Jan 3: The Privatization Commission has invited expressions of interest (EoIs) from qualified strategic investors to divest 51 per cent shareholding in Sui Southern Gas Company Limited (SSGC)....		Gas price hike not to hit cement industry KARACHI, Jan 3: The domestic cement industry will witness no negative impact on their margins because of the gas price hike for commercial consumers by 15.51 per cent announced on Saturday....
Vessels facing berthing problems: Non-POL cargo KARACHI, Jan 3: The Terminals Association of Pakistan (TAP) has complained of facing difficulties in getting berths for non-POL cargo vessels especially molasses at bulk oil pier no....		Oil prices gain on Russia gas disruptions LONDON, Jan 3: World oil prices rose further on Tuesday after Russia’s energy row with neighbour Ukraine disrupted gas supplies across Europe, hit also by cold weather....
PSO issues tender for fuel oil SINGAPORE, Jan 3: Pakistan State Oil (PSO) has issued a tender to buy up to three fuel oil cargoes totalling 165,000 tons for January and February delivery, industry sources said on Tuesday....		State Bank sucks in Rs10.7bn KARACHI, Jan 3: The State Bank of Pakistan on Tuesday mopped up Rs10.7 billion through an Open Market Operation (OMO). The central bank said that it had picked up Rs10.7...
Gas price increase criticized KARACHI, Jan 3: Site Association of Industry Chairman Amin Bandukda has expressed surprise at the government decision of increasing gas prices by 15.5 per cent as against the 13.04...		Tea auction CHITTAGONG, Jan 3: The average price of Bangladesh teas rose slightly to 77.64 taka ($1.17) at the weekly auction on Tuesday despite poor quality leaves on offer, brokers said....
Palm oil ends up KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 3: Malaysian palm oil futures were up on the first trading day of 2006, tailing a rise in US soyaoil, but gains were limited by figures showing a drop in December exports....		Asian stocks higher HONG KONG, Jan 3: Asian stocks closed higher on Tuesday, picking up from where they left off in 2005 as several markets — Seoul, Sydney and Mumbai — put in another record performance, dealers said....
Port Qasim KARACHI, Jan 3: Four ships to load and offload rice, containers and edible oil arrived at the outer anchorage during the last 24 hours, said a PQA press release on Tuesday....		Karachi Port operations KARACHI, Jan 3: Five ships carrying containers and to load rice are expected to arrive at the outer anchorage on Wednesday, according to KPT sources....