The Trading Corporation of Pakistan (TCP) will import 250,000 metric tons of urea to avoid any shortage during the Rabi season.
TCP chairman Syed Masood Alam Rizvi said here on Thursday that the corporation has floated first international tender for the purchase of 150,000 metric tons of urea today (Thursday). The second tender will be issued later, he added.
The bidding for this tender will be held on October 6, and the entire quantity of urea is expected to arrive in the country by November 10, 2004.
He said that urea shortage had been experienced during the months of November and December and, therefore, the government does not want any shortage of the important input during this period.
"The government wanted to avoid shortage of urea in the country and has asked the corporation to import urea to bridge the gap in the demand and supply during the Rabi season," he added.
Wheat is the important crop of Rabi season and the government is seeking surplus production of this staple crop and, therefore, taking steps to encourage growers.
Rizvi said the government has increased the support price for wheat to Rs400 per 40kg to motivate growers to sow wheat on a larger area.
Similarly, the government wanted to ensure availability of urea in the country during the Rabi season, he observed.
It may be noted that the government has asked the TCP to import 250,000 metric tons of urea on fast basis keeping in view the past performance of the corporation.
Rizvi said the TCP will prefer to import urea from neighbouring sources like Middle East or Gulf countries so that the commodity reaches well in time.
But, if urea was not available in these countries then we will go to other sources, he added. He said TCP will float another tender for the import of 100,000 metric tons of urea in due course to cater to the domestic demand which is estimated at about 250,000 metric tons.
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