Pakistan offers one of  best
foreign investment regimes
ISLAMABAD (APP): Pakistan Ambassador to Germany Syed Hasan Javed called on President of the City-State Parliament of Bremen City-State, Christian Weber at the Parliament House and briefed him about various steps being taken by the Government of Pakistan for the socio-economic development of the country. He also exchanged views on bilateral relations between Germany and Pakistan, said a message received here Saturday from Pakistan Embassy in Berlin, Germany. Javed said that Pakistan offered one of the best foreign investment regimes in the region and the German companies, especially the small and medium sized (SMEs), should avail of this opportunity.
The Ambassador sought Parliament President’s support in urging the companies located in Bremen to include Pakistan in their investment plans outside Germany.
Weber assured the ambassador that he would convey the information to the Bremen Chamber of Commerce and Trade for wide circulation.
The Ambassador also presented a book on handicrafts of Pakistan to the President of the City-State Parliament. Investment Counselor of Pakistan in Bremen Muhammad Yousaf Chand was also present.

Iranian scientists develop
freeze-resistant chickpeas
ISLAMABAD (APP): Iranian researchers at Dryland Agricultural Research Institute have developed freeze-resistant chickpeas. Homayoun Kanouni, who led the research in association with their counterparts at the International Center for Agricultural Research in the Dry Areas (ICARDA), said the study has been conducted in the past 12 years. He also said the freeze-resistant chickpeas offer higher and more stable yields, Iran Daily reported on Saturday. Farmers across the highlands of Iran who rely on chickpea production face a number of constraints during the cold winter months, including extreme cold. The expert noted that investigators have released a new variety of high-yielding winter chickpea, which is tolerant of cold temperatures.
‘Chickpea contains 21.1 percent protein,’ he said, adding that the variety, named Saral, is bred through genetic methods and will be distributed among Iranian farmers. Saral has achieved a mean yield of 1,350 kg/hectare- a 25-percent increase over local varieties.

Govt to announce automobile
industry policy soon: Dastagir
KARACHI (APP): The government will soon announce automobile industry policy to develop this important sector-vehicles manufacturing and assembling, and auto parts manufacturing- and to take care of all other stakeholders, said Federal Minister for Commerce Engr Khurram Dastagir Khan here on Saturday. “Through new auto industry policy, we will create a balance in the interests of the manufacturers, consumers and the people working there; with focus on attracting more investment to this sector and generating maximum jobs,” said Federal Minister for Commerce Engr. Khurram Dastagir Khan while addressing the members of automobile industry after visiting various stalls at three-day international Pakistan Auto Show 2015 at Expo Centre Karachi.
The exhibition organised by Pakistan Association of Automotive Parts and Accessories Manufacturers (PAAPAM) from March, 6 to 8 witnessed a large number of visitors including delegates from 13 countries including  Malaysia, Iran, Iraq.

Takaful workshop held

lahore (Staff Reporter): Takaful is an opportunity whereby a big population of our people will have a chance to access insurance using Takaful system. This was stated by Paul J. Ngwembe, Director Legal Enforcement, of Tanzania Insurance Regulatory Authority (TIRA). He was speaking at the conclusion of a two days specialized Takaful workshop arranged for insurance and risk management professionals by Al-Huda, Centre of Islamic Banking & Economics (CIBE). The said awareness workshop was arranged in Dar es Salaam and had a jam-packed audience from the Insurance industry. Paul also disclosed that TIRA is at the final stage of drafting Takaful Regulations with a view to setting up a regulatory mechanism of Takaful in the country.

He said that TIRA encourages all stake-holders, including insurance professionals, Takaful operators, agents and experts to attend such workshops so as to acquire the requisite know-how of this pristine system, he also appreciated AlHuda CIBE efforts for the development of Takaful Industry.
Zubair Mughal added that AlHuda CIBE has a long term vision for the development of Islamic banking and finance industry in Tanzania and other African countries as AlHuda already established their branches network in Uganda & South Africa. He mentioned that a Takaful company can work independently but Islamic Banking industry cannot work without Takaful as Islamic Banking needs Shariah Compliant insurance solution to get rid from amalgamation of Interest, if we want to develop Islamic Banking Industry then we have to develop Takaful industry as well. He also admired the sincere efforts taken by TIRA to introduce Takaful regulations in near future.

Business management moot

KARACHI (Staff Reporter): An International Conference on Business Management (ICOBM) regarding the role of industry, govt and academia for sustainable business opportunities in emerging markets is being inaugurated on March 11, 2015 at CBM, Institute of Business Management (IoBM). This conference aims to capture the role of big cities and metropolitan areas. It will focus on the role of Architects, journalists, human development, education and family businesses that create an impact on big cities and how academia, govt and industry play their respective roles. The moot participants are top brass from the corporate sector, imminent businessmen, media figures, environmentalists, deans, rectors, directors and VCs from leading Pakistani universities and international guest speakers .