ISLAMABAD (February 08, 2010): The Trading Corporation of Pakistan (TCP) has received the lowest bid of $723.20 per ton for 50,000 tons of white sugar against its first tender for 150,000 tons, but the accompanying bid bond has been established in the shape of a Standby Letter of Credit (SBLC) by Dubai Bank Kenya Ltd in Nairobi for $750,000.

MIRPURKHAS (February 08, 2010): Vice President, Sindh Abadgar Board (SAB), Mirpurkhas chapter Haji Abdul Ghafoor Maher advocate has strongly criticised the Irrigation authorities for releasing water in Mithrao Canal only for drinking purpose, as a result wheat and other crops cultivated on hundreds of thousands of acres of land would be destroyed.

LAHORE (February 08, 2010): India has been stealing 15 to 20 per cent water from Jhelum and Chenab rivers, causing a yearly loss of $12 billion to the agriculture sector of Pakistan, Engineers Study Forum (ESF) said here on Sunday.

KARACHI (February 08, 2010): Thailand officials have refused to supply sugar to Pakistan on government-to-government basis, and have asked to approach private firms. Sources told Business Recorder on Saturday that the federal government had asked TCP to negotiate with leading exporters of sugar like Thailand, China and Brazil for import of sugar on government-to-government basis.

ISLAMABAD (February 08, 2010): State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) will, reportedly, direct the commercial banks to give credit for procurement of 7.5 million tons of wheat, well-informed source told Business Recorder. Central Bank, in a presentation to the Economic Co-ordination Committee (ECC) of the cabinet on January 12, 2010, informed that during Financial Year 2010, banks would provide new finances only to replace Financial Year 2009 repayments.

ISLAMABAD (February 08, 2010): The Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) and Revenue Advisory Council have ignored a major revenue generation measure to collect additional revenue by raising customs duty from existing minimum 5 percent to 30-35 percent on import of un-manufactured tobacco.

PESHAWAR (February 08, 2010): The Pakistan Gems and Jewellery Develop-ment Company (PGJDC) has organised its 8th Gem Bazaar. The bazaar was held in Peshawar at the Gem Exchange at Khayal Arcade Namak Mandi, a statement issued here said.

ISLAMABAD (February 08, 2010): After a long dry spell, most parts of the country are receiving rains and people are compelled to stay indoors. The most attractive and delicious food item during the winter season is fried fish and as the rains have started, most of the fish shops are witnessing a great rush.

MULTAN (February 07, 2010): Australian agriculture advisor Simson Hasker has said that Aciar is an Australian government statutory authority that operates as part of Australia's aid program within the portfolio of Foreign Affairs and Trade. It contributes to the aid program objectives of advancing Australia's national interest through poverty reduction and sustainable development.

LAHORE (February 07, 2010): Indus Water Commissioner of Pakistan Jamaat Ali Shah has said that "there will be no talks on Kishan Ganga or any other dam as it is not part of the meeting's agenda." Indus Water Commissioner of India, Auranga Nathan, has said that he will undertake a routine inspection of rivers Ravi and Sutlej during his visit to Pakistan. Nathan's Pakistani counterpart said.