Pakistan can enhance textile
exports to Japan
LAHORE (Staff Reporter): Pakistan could enhance textile exports to Japan as they have the wider scope and available cushion to excel in the Japanese markets. Japanese textile experts opined this while addressing the textile business matching event of Pakistan Japan Textile Day held here Monday at a local hotel. The seminar was organized by Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) and TDAP. Addressing the seminar senior expert of JTIA (Japan Textile Importers Association) Yasuhiro Shoda said that in Pakistan labour cost is high and process design is uneven. He urged for production management techniques and problem solving method for quality improvement, cost down and improved productivity.
Yasuhiro Shoda also highlighted principles of motion economy.

LSE holds campus outreach
programme in Islamia University
LAHORE (Staff reporter): Lahore Stock Exchange Monday held the first and second session of Financial Literacy Initiative under Campus Outreach Programme for the students of Islamia University Bahawalpur Baghdad Campus Bahawalpur, in collaboration with South Asian Federation of Exchange (SAFE). At the event, Head of Media and Investors Relations Department (LSE) Barkat Ali Anjum gave a detailed presentation covering all spheres of capital and financial markets. The students were briefly informed about the regulatory framework, market indicators, investment products, financial services & opportunities accessible to investors in Pakistan.
He quoted practical examples about various investment avenues obtainable in the market and their role in the economic structure of the country. He also spoke on various operational matters of the exchanges including listings, trading, corporate governance, sensitivity of stock market and investor protection.

SECP organises financial literacy awareness seminar
ISLAMABAD (INP): The SECP, in order to further its endeavors to raise awareness about safe investments and build investor confidence organized a seminar for the students of RIPHAH International University. The bespoke seminar was designed to promote financial literacy and to increase investor awareness.  This was the second seminar conducted by SECP at the university; the first was for undergraduate students and this time the seminar targeted students pursing Masters level education. The educational seminar in particular focused on motivating the students to educate themselves about the role of SECP as the apex regulator of the Non-Banking financial sector of Pakistan’s economy. 
It encouraged the students to acquire learned financial behavior as early as possible in their career pursuit to equip them with the requisite financial understanding for making responsible and well considered investment decisions in the future.  In this context the focus of the seminar remained on promoting a culture of savings and investments. The seminar also focused on capital markets and mutual funds.  Another key feature of the program focused on educating the students about the investor education portal launched by SECP titled ‘Jamapunji’, its rich contents and multiple features.
The seminar was attended by a good number of students, working professionals and serving army personnel pursuing higher education in the field of Project Management.  The seminar was followed by an interactive discussions and a Q&A session.  The participants were quite appreciative of SECP efforts in developing an informed investors’ class in the country.

Modern technology can increase citrus fruits export
MULTAN (APP): Pakistan exports almost 10 per cent of total citrus production, which, however, could be increased up to 30 per cent easily by employing modern harvest and post-harvest care techniques, agriculture spokesman said. In a press statement issued here Monday, Naveed Asmat Kahlon said that citrus was cultivated on 200,000 hectares yielding 2.1 million ton production per annum. It is pertinent to mention here that over 200 grading plants have been set up in Sargodha that has strengthened citrus farming and business. Pakistani citrus fruit attracts buyers due to its colour, aroma and juice content and Citrus Research Institute has developed many seedless and low seed varieties.
Our scientists were now engaged in developing a citrus variety having only 2-5 seed, the spokesman said, adding that Pakistani citrus would soon be penetrating the lucrative world markets including EU countries. Most of the orchard owners give their orchards to contractors, who due to their lack of knowledge about proper post-harvest care, either pluck the fruit early or keep it hanging for longer period thus affecting its quality.
The spokesman said that orchard owners must handle their orchards themselves and employ proper post harvest techniques to keep the fruit in good shape, healthy and juicy to attract maximum price from the lucrative markets.

Dar reviews performance of his ministry’s different wings
ISLAMABAD (Staff Reporter): Finance Minister Ishaq Dar on Monday chaired a meeting to review the performance of the different wings of the Finance Ministry. The minister was briefed by the Secretary Finance on the working and performance of the different wings and discussed proposals to improve performance by simplifying procedures. The minister also sought input on the media news regarding rise in the prices of kitchen items and directed that the meeting of the National Price Monitoring Committee should be held regularly. The minister directed that it is the objective of the present government to improve the economy through good governance and introducing reforms in different sectors.