March 31, 2006	Friday	Rabi-ul-Awwal 1, 1427

Please Visit our Sponsor (Ads open in separate window)

MoUs signed at Expo to boost exports KARACHI, March 30: A number of memoranda of understanding (MoUs) were signed on the sidelines of Expo 2006, on Thursday between foreign buyers and local suppliers raising hopes that the mega event would help in boosting country’s exports....		Reserves decline despite higher FDI, remittances KARACHI, March 30: The country’s foreign exchanges reserves saw an outflow of $1.306 billion till March 25, 2006 from the beginning of the current fiscal year despite higher inflows of foreign direct investment (FDI) and remittances....
Govt mulling duty on wheat import LAHORE, March 30: The federal government is actively considering imposing duty on import of wheat in order to bring price parity between the imported and locally produced stuff....		SSGC to supply gas to Tuwairqi Steel KARACHI, March 30: Sui Southern Gas Company (SSGC) has signed the head of terms (HOT) with Tuwairqi Steel Mills Limited which will lead to a general sales agreement (GSA) between the...
Bidding for Pakistan Steel today ISLAMABAD, March 30: All arrangements have been finalized to hold bidding for a 75 per cent strategic stake in Pakistan Steel Mills Corporation (PSMC) here on Friday....		Prices of mash, moong shoot up KARACHI, March 30: Prices of mash and moong pulses have witnessed a steep rise in the last few days, rising to Rs67-68 and Rs58-60 per kg, respectively, from Rs46 and Rs48...
Stocks gain 154 points on strong short-covering KARACHI, March 30: Stocks on Thursday recovered from the overnight lower levels on strong short-covering in the oil and some other selected shares but most of the blue chips finished with clipped gains on late-selling....		Prices rule firm on cotton market KARACHI, March 30: Cotton market on Thursday showed quietly steady trend as official spot rates were again firmly held around the previous levels for the fifth session in a row despite revival of mill demand....
Karachi Port operations KARACHI, March 30: Five ships carrying containers and raw sugar are expected to arrive at the outer anchorage on Friday, according to KPT sources. Berthing activity at the wharves was fairly brisk where eight ships were berthed....		Port Qasim KARACHI, March 30: Three ships to load and unload containers were berthed at QICT during the last 24 hours, said a PQA press release on Thursday....
Potato crop yield continues declining ISLAMABAD, March 30: The government has yet to come up with a concrete policy to arrest the decline in potato crop yield during the last two months which resulted in suspension of export of the commodity....		Spinning unit being set up in Mauritius ISLAMABAD, March 30: Pakistan is setting up a spinning unit in Mauritius as a joint venture to provide assistance in development of textile industry in that country....
Efficiency, transparency hallmark of privatization ISLAMABAD, March 30: Transparency and efficiency will remain hallmark of the privatization activity. Chairing the Privatization Commission Board (PCB) meeting here on Thursday, Privatization and Investment Minister Awais Ahmed Khan Leghari...		Merger talks FRANKFURT, March 30: The German stock market operator Deutsche Boerse said its supervisory board met on Thursday and that it “welcomed” the decision of its management board to launch concrete negotiations with Euronext on a potential merger....
US GDP growth WASHINGTON, March 30: The US economy expanded at a 1.7 per cent pace in the fourth quarter of 2005, the government said on Thursday, in a slight upward revision of its previous estimate of 1.6...		MoU with Mauritius KARACHI, March 30: Chief Executive State Trading Corporation of Mauritius Ranjit Singh Soomarooh held a meeting with Chairman Trading Corporation of Pakistan (TCP) Asif Zaman Ansari at the TCP on Thursday....
PS record sales KARACHI, March 30: Pakistan Steel sales in the month of March is expected to be over Rs3.3 billion and sales tax payment around Rs500m, which is a record, says a press release....		Transfers, postings ISLAMABAD, March 30: The Central Board of Revenue has transferred and posted seven senior officials of the income tax group. According to the notifications issued here on Thursday, Ms Yasmin Saud...
Oil prices up NEW YORK, March 30: US crude futures rose to nearly $67 on Thursday after Iran ruled out complying with a UN Security Council request to stop its uranium enrichment work....		Soomro for business, govt interaction KARACHI, March 30: Senate Chairman Mohammedmian Soomro has underlined the need for enhanced and continuous interaction between the government and the business community, as this will help in making government’s policies more practical and targeted....
PPDA assured of fair deal on margins KARACHI, March 30: Secretary Petroleum and Natural Resources, Ahmed Waqar on Thursday advised the petrol pump owners and dealers to formulate proposals to address their concerns arising from the recent rationalization of their margins calculation....		Century Insurance profits KARACHI March 30: Century Insurance Company Limited, a Lakson Group company, earned a pre-tax profit of Rs117 million, which is 65 per cent higher than the previous year....
Palm oil lower KUALA LUMPUR, March 30: Malaysian crude palm oil futures ended Thursday down as traders awaited monthly export estimates, although volumes were substantial despite a stronger ringgit currency and ample stocks, traders said....		Karachi market rates KARACHI, March 30: The following were Thursday’s commodity market rates in rupees....