THIS is apropos the article ‘Will the budget deliver?’ (June 25). All areas identified in the article – State Bank of Pakistan’s independence and ability to control deficits, foreign investment in export-oriented industries, diversification of exports, documentation of informal economy, strengthening of the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR), optimisation of the agriculture sector, and effective implementation of the budget – are equally significant and critical in terms of achieving the main idea of having a budget; a higher, stable and sustainable economic growth and its trickledown effect to the most vulnerable strata of society.
The ministries concerned, the SBP and the FBR should be strengthened, enabling them to achieve the fiscal targets. The foreign investment in the export-oriented industries will supplement the ongoing efforts to resolve the issue of balance of payments.
KARACHI: Senate Chairman Sadiq Sanjrani is addressing businessmen at the KCCI headquarters on Friday. APP
KARACHI: Senate Chairman Sadiq Sanjarani on Friday urged Karachi’s business community to expand their activities by setting up industrial export units in Gwadar as well as other parts of Balochistan.
Addressing the business community at the Karachi Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI), the Senate chairman said Gwadar is fast becoming a trading hub as development work in the port city had picked up pace. He asked Karachi businessmen to invest in Gwadar and the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor projects. Chinese investors are continuously arriving at Gwadar for setting up industrial units, he highlighted. The issue of water scarcity in Gwadar has been resolved and desalination plants have been installed, he added.
RAWALPINDI: Chinese Ambassador to Pakistan Nong Rong called on Chief of the Army Staff (COAS) Gen Qamar Javed Bajwa at the GHQ on Friday, said an Inter-Services Public Relations news release.
During the meeting, matters of mutual interest, regional security situation, bilateral cooperation in various fields and update on the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) were discussed.
The COAS thanked the ambassador for unwavering Chinese support extended to Pakistan during testing times of the coronavirus pandemic.
The ambassador appreciated and acknowledged Pakistan’s positive role in the region and pledged to play his role for further improvement in diplomatic cooperation between both countries.
The Taliban’s lightning-fast advance to control more territory in Afghanistan is raising alarms from Russia to China, as U.S. President Joe Biden’s move to withdraw troops disrupts a balance of power in South Asia that has held steady for about two decades. At least 1,000 Afghan troops this week retreated into Tajikistan, prompting the country mobilize an extra 20,000 soldiers to guard its frontier. Russian President Vladimir Putin’s sought out assurances from the Taliban that it will respect the borders of Central Asian states that once were part of the Soviet Union, while neighboring Pakistan has said it won’t open its borders to refugees.
Pakistan looks at China for boosting mango industry
July 10, 2021
ISLAMABAD: Locally called the king of fruits, Pakistani mangoes are a delight for enthusiasts during the summer season, when a number of varieties are available in markets throughout the country.
The fruit has also won the hearts of people living beyond the borders due to its unmatchable taste, enticing aroma and soft texture.
Considering the high global demand of mangoes despite challenges posed by the Covid-19 pandemic, Pakistan is expected to surpass the set export target of 150,000 metric tons this season, an official from the Ministry of Commerce said, adding that last year, the country s mango exports were 140,000 metric tons as against the target of 80,000 metric tons.