Sunflower to be cultivated on 0.2m acres in Punjab

SIALKOT (APP): The Punjab govt has formulated a plan for the promotion of sunflower and other oil seed crops in the province. Under the programme, sunflower will be cultivated on more than two lakh (0.2 million) acres of land in different areas of the province. The agriculture department sources said the step was being taken to produce the maximum edible oil aimed at lessening its import. At present, only 34 percent edible oil was being produced in the country while 66 percent was being imported for catering domestic needs for which the govt was spending huge foreign exchange on its import every year. Sunflower would be cultivated in Sialkot ‘tehsil’ on 250 acres, Daska on 2,250 acres, Pasrur on 1,500 acres and 2,000 acres in ‘tehsil’ Sambrial, they said. The agriculture department would extend full cooperation and assistance to sunflower growers in Punjab, the sources added. Meanwhile, the agriculture department had directed growers to use recommended and authenticated sunflower seeds for getting the maximum per acre yield.

 

The department directed growers that they should complete sowing by mid February at all cost in Punjab.

 

Tractors production increases 64.05pc

in five months

ISLAMABAD (APP):  Tractors production in the country during first five months of current financial year witnessed an increase of 64.05 percent as compared the production of corresponding period of last year. During the period from July-November, 2017-18 around 27,706 tractors were manufactured and assembled locally as compared the production of 16,889 tractors of same period last year, according to the computation of quantum index numbers of large scale manufacturing industries. On month on month basis, tractors assembling witnessed 9.73 percent growth in month of November, 2017 as compared the corresponding month of last year. About 5,955 tractors produced in November, 2017 as compared the production of 5,427 tractors of same month last year, it added. Meanwhile, domestic trucks production increased by 24.41 percent in five months as about 3,889 and trucks were assembled as compared 3,126 buses of same period last year, it added.

However, truck production during month of November, 2017 reduced by 2.96 percent as 656 trucks were assembled as compared to 676 trucks of same month last year, the data revealed.

During the period from July-November, 375 buses were produced as compared the production of 563 buses of corresponding period last year, whereas buses assembling in month of November was recorded at 19 as against 71 buses during same month of last year.

 

APTMA KP-Zone welcomes PM’s hint for amnesty scheme

PESHAWAR (APP): All Pakistan Textile Mills Association (APTMA), Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Zone Chairman Mohammad Kuli Khan Khattak has welcomed the hint of the Prime Minister Khaqan Abbasi for the announcement of one-time tax amnesty scheme for bringing foreign assets of Pakistanis back from abroad. In a statement issued here on Thursday, the chairman appreciated the plan of the prime minister for broadening the dismally narrow tax base of the country and lowering of tax rates for individuals, bringing wealthy into tax net and dealing with the tax evasion through use of modern technology. He termed the decision a crucial step towards the promotion of tax culture and broadening of the tax net. He said that with increase in the revenue collection, the country will become enable for provision of maximum facilities to the people and arrest poverty. He also demanded the provision of facilities to exporters to help increase the exports and earn foreign exchange for the country.

 He also stressed need for taking more steps to development of the local industries and increasing of exports to arrest unemployment and alleviation of poverty.

 

Call to establish cotton research centres

 

ISLAMABAD (NNI): President Pakistan Businessmen and Intellectuals Forum (PBIF), Mian Zahid Hussain on Friday said Pakistani industry has been producing sophisticated quality fabrics in line with the latest overseas demand having its own recognition in the international market. Manufacturers and exporters display their designs and products regularly not only in Pakistan but around the world in international fairs and exhibitions in Paris, London, New York, Tokyo, etc. The veteran business leader, while talking to the business community, said that Pakistan is the 4th largest producer of cotton with the third largest spinning capacity in Asia after China and India, but still have share of around 1 % in the global market; which is discouraging at one place but indicates several growth opportunities in the international market at the other place. To grab the available opportunities in the international market, full and instant realisation of Rs.180 billion textile package announced by the former Prime Minister Mian Nawaz Sharif is very important and need to be enhanced further.

The former minister added that to resolve problems pertaining to cotton industry government and policy makers need to take concrete steps on urgent basis. For growth and development of cotton industry, cotton research centres should be established throughout the country. Issues of industry regarding sales tax refund need immediate attention of concerned authorities to avoid negative impact on cotton production in up-coming season.

He said that righteous demands of Cotton Ginners Association need to be fulfilled immediately, as further delay in resolving their problems may cause not only severe damages to textile related industries but will also cause a negative impact on the national economy.