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ISLAMABAD, Sept 15: The ministry of commerce has proposed that national trade corridor improvement programme be strengthened for enhancing annual export of fruits, vegetables and flowers from current $130 million to $400 million in the next five years.

Under the programme, around 39 pack-houses, completely automated and equipped with advanced electronic devices for packing, grading and storage plans, would be set up at 31 fruit and vegetable growing areas throughout the country.

According to Horticulture Development Export Board, 23 facilities for cold storage and controlled atmosphere would be established at the fruit production areas, airports and seaports in the country.

Two container yards in Karachi and Lahore with a pool of 200 refrigerated containers and 50 controlled atmosphere refrigerated containers at each location will be established. Karachi pool will serve the needs of Sindh and Balochistan, while Lahore pool will meet the requirement of Punjab and NWFP.

The ministry of commerce had carried out detailed studies on state of domestic commerce covering all important activities relating to competitiveness, protection, subsidies, market regulations, wholesale markets, retail markets, storage and warehousing, transport and real estate.

The studies focused on key areas, including firm characteristics, competitiveness, efficiency and regulations. The findings of studies brought out various strengths and weaknesses of domestic commerce sub-sectors and made specific recommendations for improvements.

The recommendations also take into account some improvement in wholesale, retailing sectors and better marketing techniques introduced in some sub-sectors in recent years. Sustainable improvement required co-ordination among several federal divisions, state bank and provincial departments.

The ministry of commerce has already created a domestic commerce wing. It has been decided that the scope of the wing will be enhanced. The wing would engage additional core experts and consultants to prepare specific action plans for approval after coordination with all the concerned agencies. Meanwhile, the sub-committee on infrastructure of the task force on horticulture finance and competitiveness has found that the horticulture industry required major support in the area of infrastructure.

This included particularly dedicated refrigerated trucks, rail cars and containers, space on aircraft and improved connectivity with international market. It was also noted that there was disparity between the infrastructures in the Punjab where facilities were generally better than other provinces.

The committee recognised the need for a national approach that can link production in remote areas with main market.

Pakistan to establish trade and industrial corridor with China

By Sajid Chaudhry

ISLAMABAD: The federal government has approved the establishment of a trade, energy, transport and industrial corridor between Pakistan and China and in this regard a 16 member Policy and Supervisory Board has been constituted under the chairmanship of the President Gen. Pervez Musharraf.

The approval for constitution of a more than 10-member Steering Committee under the chairmanship of the Deputy Chairman, Planning Commission has also been accorded. The approval for the constitution of board and committee was accorded for quick implementation and proper monitoring of the decision taken during a high level meeting presided over by the President of Pakistan. Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz also participated in the meeting.

The president, in this regard also approved a set of 14 important measures to make this initiative a success, a senior government official told Daily Times on Saturday. The meeting, while considering the proposal of the establishment of trade energy, transport and industrial corridor between Pakistan and China decided that Pak-China bilateral working group would be constituted to prepare and finalise action plan for building the multi-modal corridor. The meeting decided that general attractive concessions would be given for the development of Special Economic Zones (SEZs).

Site for China-Saudi oil refinery in the proposed Oil City at Gwadar be identified and terms and conditions be decided on priority basis. Government of Balochistan has been asked to identify state land for development of projects at Gwadar out of which 50 square kilometres be allocated to Chinese developers at nominal rates for establishment of SEZs.

The meeting decided that the Gwadar seaport development programme (Arthur D Little and Chinese Plans) was approved in principle and it was decided to commence negotiations with Chinese counterparts to attract investment in this area. Financial incentives equal or better than Chinese SEZs would be provided to the investors in the said area.

A team comprising Deputy Chairman, Planning Commission, Minister of State for Investment, Secretary General, Revenue Division and Energy Advisor would finalise investment incentives with Chinese investors within 90 days before the high-level Chinese visit to Pakistan.

The energy advisor was directed to recommend within 60 days the oil concessions for Chinese companies with the objective of attracting Chinese companies to bring in at least 200 rigs to Pakistan. This policy would be open to other interested exploration companies as well.

As an essential first step, a joint venture company comprising Pakistani stakeholders and foreign companies should start coal mining. Suggested Pakistani equity partners were identified as government of Pakistan (National Logistic Cell, Pakistan Atomic Energy Commission) (PAEC) and government of Sindh (Sindh Coal Authority).

During the meeting the prime minister showed his willingness to resolve the issue of land for economic zones in different parts of the country, in addition to special lease of land at Karachi, Lahore, Islamabad and Peshawar for international entrepreneurs including Chinese companies to build 15-20 story offices, business support centers and residency blocks for the perspective investors.

During the meeting the initiative proposed by Pakistan’s Ambassador in Beijing to set-up a consortium for earthquake re-construction using Chinese experience in planning earthquake resistant cities was supported.

The meeting decided that a policy and supervisory board would be constituted for providing strategic vision laying down policy guidelines, ensuring timely decisions and regular monitoring the progress. It was decided that President of Pakistan to head the Board and other members will be Prime Minister, Federal Ministers of Ports and Shipping, Communication, Railways, Petroleum and Natural Resources, Industries and Production, Commerce, Water and Power, Governor and Chief Minister Balochistan, Minister of State for Investment, Deputy Chairman Planning Commission, Secretary General Finance, Secret


http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?p...6-9-2007_pg5_13

50 square km of Industrial space for Chinese investors in Gwadar.... holy sh!t!

at least 200 rigs from Chinese companies for oil and gas exploration.... holy sh1t!

at least 200 rigs from Chinese companies for oil and gas exploration.... holy sh1t!

I salute them .. finally we are going to go in offshore exploration .. great and finally.