Over 100,000 livestock perished in 2010-11 floods: Bosan
ISLAMABAD (Staff Reporter): Federal Minister for National Food Security Sikandar Hayat Khan Bosan Thursday said in 2010-11 floods, over 100,000 livestock perished and many were sold at low prices, hitting the livestock sector with a massive loss of over Rs 350 million. Bosan while addressing the inception workshop of FAO project titled “Pakistan Livestock Emergency Guidelines and Standards Planning and Training Program” said that during 2014-15, livestock contributed 56.3pc to agricultural value addition, said a handout. He said livestock is the main source of income and nutrition for more than 8m rural families, employing about 42pc of country’s labour force, contributing 21pc of the GDP and catering for 45pc of exports.
The minister appreciated the FAO team for timely intervention and pledged his full support.
Indonesian diplomat for boosting economic ties with pakistan
LAHORE (Staff Reporter): Indonesian Charge d’affaires Samsu Rizal Thursday visited the LCCI and held meeting with LCCI President Ijaz A Mumtaz, Senior Vice President Mian Nauman Kabir, Vice President Syed Mahmood Ghaznavi and Executive Committee members. The diplomat said that bilateral trade is needed to be enhanced to the maximum as Pakistan and Indonesia are potential markets. He said that Pakistani rice and meat have great demand in Indonesia therefore Pakistani businessmen should avail this opportunity. He said that the LCCI is playing a significant role to strengthen the trade and economic relations between the two countries.
He also thanked the Lahore Chamber for expressing good wishes for the Indonesian Ambassador who lost his life in a tragic incident. LCCI President Ijaz A. Mumtaz expressed deep grief and sorrow over the death of Indonesian Ambassador Burhan Muhammad and his wife. He said that Indonesia and Pakistan have old historical links and enjoy cordial relations. The people of both countries are close to each other and share special bondage of friendship and companionship.
PMN reports micro-savings
over Rs 50b
ISLAMABAD (PR): The micro-savings have crossed Rs 50 billion in the second quarter of 2015, revealed a report of Pakistan Microfinance Network (PMN), an association of microfinance providers in Pakistan. The micro-savings witnessed an impressive growth of 21.26 per cent as compared to the Q1 of 2015. The number of savers has also increased to 13.15 million in the corresponding time. Tameer Bank (TMFB) and Khushhali Bank (KBL) were the largest contributors in terms of value of savings, adding deposits worth of Rs 2.6 billion and Rs 2.5 billion respectively. TMFB remains the largest providers of micro-savings with a deposit base of Rs 15.88 billion and 7.77 million savers.
Micro-credit also exhibited a positive trend in the second quarter of 2015 – active borrowers grew by 5.6 per cent from 3.2 million borrowers to 3.5 million borrowers, whereas, the gross loan portfolio (GLP) posted the growth of 9.8 per cent to close at Rs 81 billion. During the quarter, Akhuwat was the largest contributor by financing 50,000 new clients.
In terms of micro-insurance, the number of policy holders grew marginally by 2.2 percent, whereas the total sum insured increased by 11 percent in the current quarter. The penetration rate of the sector has increased from 12.1% to 12.8% due to an increase in overall outreach.
Cooperation with Russia in agri
research to be increased
LAHORE (Staff Reporter): Punjab Minister for Agriculture Dr Farrukh Javed has said that Russia is a huge and lucrative market for our agricultural commodities. He said that Pakistani agricultural commodities are of international standards and best flavor. “We have exported record amount of kinnow this year which crossed the psychological barrier of 200 million dollars and now we are planning to increase cooperation in research and development with Russia in agriculture sector. Punjab government is interested in increasing exports of potatoes and oranges to Russia.” The minister expressed these views while meeting a delegation of Russian trade representatives under the leadership of Yurk M. Kozlov here Thursday.
Director General Agriculture Extension Dr Anjum Ali was also present at the occasion. Minister for Agriculture briefed the Russian delegation regarding the latest t developments in the field of agriculture in Punjab and Pakistan. He said that Punjab is exporting large amount of potato, citrus and rice to world and Russian market is ideal for us in this regard. Dr Farrukh Javed said that Pakistan’s carotene department is working very diligently and with its efforts high quality agricultural goods are being exported from Pakistan. Minister for Agriculture told the Russian delegation that Pakistan is interested in export of potatoes and rice to Russian Markets.
Shahbaz says ‘flour milling
conference’ to create awareness
LAHORE (Staff Reporter): Punjab CM Shahbaz Sharif has said that 7th Flour Milling Conference, organized by the Pakistan Flour Millers Forum, is going to create a lot of awareness about wheat scenario, policies of the government, increase in storage capacity for wheat and upgradation for quality assurance. This was stated by the CM in a message sent to Pakistan Flour Millers Forum ahead of the conference being started from Sept 4 (today). CM said: “I am pleased to know that Pakistan Flour Millers Forum is organizing its 7th conference and exhibition in Lahore. The theme of the conference, “Innovation In flour milling through technology”, reveals that flour milling industry is serious about quality issues in their industry.
Shahbaz Sharif said that the encouraging scenario for him as Chief Minister is that this conference is going to create a lot of awareness about flour industry. The topics are motivating and I hope the delegates will learn a lot from the conference, he said.
Chief Minister said that Dr Sufi is working hard for the awareness of the millers in positive direction through positive activities and I assure the organisers full support of the Punjab government to meet the challenges by the industry.
“I wish the organizers best of luck in the laudable venture and forward to its fruitful deliberation and recommendations,” CM added.