March 22, 2006	Wednesday	Safar 21, 1427

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Pakistan eyeing $1bn rice export: Demand increased KARACHI, March 21: After harvesting bumper paddy crop of 5.5 million tons the country is now poised to make a record export worth over $1 billion owing to larger surplus quantity...		Farm loans up by 24pc in 8 months KARACHI, March 21: All twenty-one banks involved in agricultural lending offered Rs81 billion loans to farmers in first eight months of this fiscal year, up 24 per cent from a year-ago, senior bankers told Dawn....
PC receives 34 SoQs for SNGPL, SSGC ISLAMABAD, March 21: The Privatization Commission (PC) has received 34 Statements of Qualification (SoQs) for pre-qualification purposes from strategic investors for acquiring 51 per cent shareholding in SNGPL and SSGC....		10 parties submit SoQs for NPCC ISLAMABAD, March 21: The Privatization Commission has received 10 Statements of Qualification (SoQs) from qualified strategic investors for acquiring 51 per cent interest in National Power Construction Corporation (NPCC) including management control....
Agriculture growth target revised downward ISLAMABAD, March 21: The government has revised downward agriculture growth target from 4.8 per cent to three per cent, making the task of its planners almost impossible to achieve a seven per cent GDP growth target for the fiscal year 2005-06....		Exports cross $10bn mark ISLAMABAD, March 21: Pakistan’s exports increased by 19.7 per cent to $10.6 billion during July-Feb of the current fiscal as against $8.83 billion last year, said Commerce Minister Humayun Akhtar Khan....
US wholesale prices down WASHINGTON, March 21: US wholesale prices slid 1.4 per cent in February on a sharp retreat in energy costs, the government reported on Tuesday in a report that offered a mixed picture on inflation....		Plan for two-part bonds HONG KONG, March 21: Pakistan plans to raise up to $1.25 billion through a two-part bond, a much bigger issue than expected, and some analysts said it was trying to take...
Expats allowed to buy Saudi stocks RIYADH, March 21: Expatriates in Saudi Arabia will be allowed to invest directly in the local stock market from next Saturday. “Pursuant to a directive by the custodian of the two...		WTO talks in new, critical phase BRUSSELS, March 21: EU trade chief Peter Mandelson said on Tuesday that WTO talks to free up global commerce are in a new, critical phase and urged the EU’s trading partners to make concessions to open the way for progress....
Index up 97.46 points on massive activity in OGDC KARACHI, March 21: A massive activity of 114m shares in OGDC boosted the stock trading on Tuesday but some of the leading investors played on both sides of the market and appear to be unsure about its future direction....		Cotton trading remains active KARACHI, March 21: Physical activity on the cotton market on Tuesday showed a modest expansion as some of the spinners covered positions at an average rate of Rs2,450 per maund, slightly above the official spot rates....
Karachi Port operations KARACHI, March 21: Six ships carrying chemical and containers and to load rice are due to arrive at the outer anchorage on Wednesday, according to KPT sources....		Port Qasim KARACHI, March 21: Brisk shipping activity was observed at the port where four ships carrying containers, seeds, chemicals and iron ore took berths at the QICT, MPT, EVT, Iron ore and...
EU Council to approve duty cut next month ISLAMABAD, March 21: The European Union Council of Ministers will formally approve the proposed reduction in the anti-dumping duty on Pakistan’s bedlinen next month. Addressing a press conference here on Tuesday...		Filtration expert KARACHI, March 21: Export Manager of Ultra Filter Donaldson Ramiz Nino is visiting Pakistan from March 21 to 29 at the invitation of Rastgar and Company....
Joint chairman KARACHI, March 21: Muhammad Rafi has been elected Chairman of ICAP and ICMAP joint committee at a meeting held here on Tuesday, says an ICAP press release....		European stock markets lower LONDON, March 21: European stock markets fell on Tuesday, weighed down by losses to heavyweight energy groups and miners and after a mixed showing by Wall Street overnight, dealers said....