Gorano Water fit for Crops

on 05/07/2017

Sindh Engro Coal Mining Co (SECMC) has claimed its pilot project is growing crops by using saline waste water being dumped into the controversial Gorano reservoir and has been found fit to grow vegetables and pulses. SECMC officials told the press that pilot project executed by Thar Foundation (TF), a subsidiary of SECMC, seedlings of cluster beans, melon, lentil and other local crops were initially grown on a two acre plot in Thar Coal Block-II. Crops were being watered by underground saline water pumped 180 meters from open-pit coal mine, which had up to 5,000ppm TDS level, they claimed. Chando Bheel, one of the two farmers, TF had deputed to take care of the plot, said they had planted seeds of almost all local varieties of vegetables, fruits and pulses on the plot a month ago and were delighted to see that most of the saplings had survived and seedlings of cluster beans, melon and lentil were growing normally. Shamsuddin Shaikh, CEO TF and SECMC, said the water being supplied to the plot was the same as water stored in Gorano reservoir. He said, his company had inked an agreement with a Karachi University Institute, to grow green fodder on the plot on experimental basis. ISHU’s Prof Dr Bilqees Gul said that at the first stage, seedlings that had grown on the plot would be planted at a nursery in ISHU and would later be transplanted to Thar.‘We have made significant progress in research. If implemented, it could contribute significantly to rehabilitating saline land in arid areas like Thar,’ she said.

Surveillance gets low importance

on 05/07/2017

Karachi’s ambitious project to install 10,000 video surveillance cameras here seems to have gone out of government priorities, as it got only Rs11 million for next financial year. However, a major part of a similar project included in ‘Safe City’ program was duly covered on priority. Thousands of high resolution surveillance cameras are to be purchased under ‘Safe City’ project, but it did not reflect in the budget.  Only Rs60m had been allocated for the scheme, approved in October 2016 and is to be completed by 2020, but not a single penny was spent on it in current fiscal year budget. Sindh Police Video System Extension has been given Rs10.9m for next fiscal year. The project is an integral part of the scheme in which 10,000 cameras will be installed at 2,000 locations in Karachi. Sindh CM Syed Murad Ali Shah had approved the project in October 2016 and said the cameras would be installed in three years. Officials said that over 2,000 areas had been identified in terms of criminal activities for installing cameras which would be connected with command and control centre. The government had earlier allocated Rs200m for installing surveillance cameras at places of worship of minority communities in Sindh, and Rs100m had been released during current fiscal. Officials admitted the spending is not more than 11% of released amount. The project was initiated in 2016 after certain places of worship had been vandalised and some received threats.

China should invest in local SMEs: FPCCI

on 05/07/2017

The Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FPCCI) has said the government must develop an effective strategy to attract Chinese investment in the SME sector, which offers low cost job creation and rapid poverty reduction.Chinese businessmen can help boost local SMEs through joint ventures in the industrial zones planned along the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), it said in a statement. The transfer of technology from Chinese businesses to their Pakistani counterparts can modernise existing SMEs. Atif Ikram said the development of the proposed industrial zones along the trade route will benefit the SME sector, which is the backbone of the economy.Mr. Sheikh said that development of the SME sector is necessary for equitable and inclusive economic growth.`China must support Pakistan in developing its comparatively advantageous industries in the mining, agriculture and manufacturing sectors, he said.

Khyber Pakhtunkhwa on the road to flourish

on 05/07/2017

In Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, work on construction of seventeen Industrial Economic Zones is in progress, under China Pakistan Economic Corridor CPEC. Radio Pakistan quoting official sources said that these zones are being constructed in Hattar, Rashakai, Ghazi, Jalozai, Chitral, Bannu, Karak, D.I.Khan, Nowshera, Buner, Swat, Gadoon, Jehangira, Mansehra, Kohat, Battagram and Risalpur. The project will be completed at a cost of about thirty-three billion rupees by 2025.

Chinese not buying industrial plots in Karachi

on 05/07/2017

Chinese investors have not yet shown any interest in acquiring plots in industrial areas of Karachi like SITE (Sindh Industrial & Trading Estate). Chinese are generally investing in auto sector, but do not appear keen on setting up other plants. Market watchers consider cost of plots as a factor discouraging Chinese investment in Karachi. In auto sector, Chinese deal specially in light commercial vehicles, cars and vans. Five Chinese auto companies jointly with local partners have applied for investment in setting up plants in Pakistan – 3 in Lahore and 2 in Karachi. Mashood Ali Khan, Chairman Pakistan Association of Automotive Parts and Accessories Association (PAAPAA), said his members are entering into joint ventures with Chinese. They are entering bike parts manufacturing without involving Pakistani partners, which is alarming. About this we have informed the government, he added.We will be happy, to see Chinese make us 10-20 % partners as it will create jobs, he added. Asad Nisar, Chairman SITE Association said Chinese are procuring cheap land which is not available in SITE where prices hover between Rs150 million to 200 million per acre. Chinese are interested in trading goods like tyres, consumer goods and plastic items instead of setting up factories, he said. And added, they look towards Port Qasim Industrial Area where land price is comparatively lower than SITE and Korangi Industrial Area. In SITE, some Chinese investors have been present for several decades. Their supervisory staffs and petty contractors are visible in KII and KIII projects, he added. Masood Nagi, Chairman Korangi Association of Trade and Industry (KATI) confirmed that Chinese have kept out of KATI where land prices range between Rs200m-Rs300m per acre. Chinese are installing waste treatment plants, RO plants, sewerage system, water desalination and some other mechanical and engineering works, he said. Jawed Bilwani, Chairman Pakistan Apparel Forum said, No Chinese company has contacted us for any deal. I do not see any China-Pakistan joint venture in apparel sector as Chinese garments are cheaper, he added. Jawed Suleman, Chairman FB Area Association of Trade and Industry said, `So far not a single Chinese company has shown interest in our area despite two meetings with Chinese Consul General. Akhtar Ismail, Chairman North Karachi Association of Trade & Industry also has similar views.