February 22, 2006	Wednesday	Muharram 23, 1427

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China urges exporters to improve packaging: Rice consignment KARACHI, Feb 21: In a polite snub, China has asked the Pakistani rice exporters to improve on their packaging as the first export consignment of 12 rice containers, under the Early Harvest Programme (EHP), reached the Chinese port....		Opening of LCs for European goods continues KARACHI, Feb 21: The importers of goods from Europe, except Denmark and Norway, continue to open letters of credit (LCs) with the banks amid demand by certain religious and political parties...
Credible ‘information’ about Tal block lacking KARACHI, Feb 21: The anonymous discovery of ‘enormous’ amount of oil and gas in Tal block is driving share prices of main O&G exploration companies at the stock exchanges, but is...		Measures to make textile products competitive ISLAMABAD, Feb 21: Pakistan’s textile products have become less competitive in the international market during the current fiscal year owing to tough competition from India, China and Bangladesh....
NBP, CDB sign MoU for joint financing KARACHI, Feb 21: National Bank of Pakistan and China Development Bank (CDB), the largest Chinese state-owned bank, have signed a memorandum of understanding for enhancing cooperation in banking and finance....		IMF praises Indian economy WASHINGTON, Feb 21: The Indian economy is reaping the rewards of 15 years of reforms and if opened up further could achieve sustained growth of 8-10 per cent, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) said Tuesday....
Stocks off highs on late selling after hitting new peak KARACHI, Feb 21: The KSE 100-share index on Tuesday briefly crossed the high mark of 11,600 on early strong index-related buying in the leading energy shares but failed to sustain it on late selling on some of the overvalued counters....		Prices slightly rise on cotton market KARACHI, Feb 21: Cotton prices on Tuesday showed a modest rise as spinners and mills played safe in an apparent effort to keep prices within the current levels....
Oil prices mixed on supply disruption LONDON, Feb 21: Oil prices soared in New York on Tuesday, mirroring sharp gains made in London a day earlier owing to supply disruptions in Nigeria, Africa’s biggest producer of crude....		Banks named for offshore bond issue HONG KONG, Feb 21: Pakistan has mandated three investment banks to handle an offshore bond issue, its third foray into the international market since February 2004, market sources said on Tuesday....
Urea tender opening: TCP clarification KARACHI, Feb 21: A spokesman for the Trading Corporation of Pakistan said on Tuesday that the opening of urea tender had been extended on the request of pre-qualified suppliers for want of time due to Muharram and holidays in foreign countries....		Eurozone trade surplus BRUSSELS, Feb 21: The eurozone’s trade surplus with the rest the world shrank sharply last year as the price of oil imports soared, official EU data released Tuesday showed....
HBFC raises capital to Rs3 billion KARACHI, Feb 21: The Housing Building Finance Corporation (HBFC) has raised its capital to Rs3 billion by capitalization of its reserves. Disclosing this here, HBFC Chairman Zaigham Mahmood Rizvi said that...		Farm talks: WTO states sent set of questions ISLAMABAD, Feb 21: The chairperson for agriculture negotiations has sent a set of questions to 149-member WTO countries for the work leading up to April 30 deadline for modalities....
Industrial activities KARACHI, Feb 21: The Lasbela Chamber of Commerce and Industry has expressed its concern over the deteriorating law and order situation in Hub, Balochistan, in the past few weeks....		Karachi Port operations KARACHI, Feb 21: Six ships carrying coal and containers are due to arrive at the outer anchorage on Wednesday, according to KPT sources. Berthing activity at the wharves was maintained on...
Port Qasim KARACHI, Feb 21: Three ships carrying containers and seeds were berthed at QICT and MPT during the last 24 hours, a PQA press release said on Tuesday....		Indian rupee MUMBAI, Feb 21: The rupee closed marginally lower on Tuesday, pushed down by broad-based dollar strength and demand for the US currency from oil importers, but losses were limited as dealers anticipated strong foreign buying of Indian shares....
Food shows KARACHI, Feb 21: The 3rd Food Technology and Plastic, Printing & Packaging — Foodtech & PPP — will be held from May 9 to 12 at the Karachi Expo Centre....		Palm oil prices KUALA LUMPUR, Feb 21: Malaysian palm oil fell sharply on Tuesday, correcting further from a buildup over the last fortnight aimed at breaking resistance. Traders, however, said the market could still...