Sugar mill owners have decided to start crushing season from November 20 in Sindh and from November 30 in Punjab. The decision was taken in the annual general body meeting of Pakistan Sugar Mills Association held here on Saturday. PSMA chairman Chaudhry Zaka Ashraf chaired the meeting, which was attended by mill owners from across the country.
Chaudhry Zaka told Business Recorder that crushing season in NWFP would start between November 20 to 30. He said that participants of the meeting were of the view that Monopoly Control Authority (MCA) had failed to substantiate its allegations regarding monopoly established by sugar mills in the country.
Regarding high price of sugar, the PSMA chief said that the meeting demanded of the government to bring 500,000 tonnes of sugar available with TCP in the market so that the price could be stabilised.
Meanwhile, addressing the PSMA annual dinner Advisor to Prime Minister on Economic Affairs Dr Salman Shah said that sugar industry is an important industry of the country and all-out efforts will be made to resolve the problems being confronted by it.
He assured the gathering that government will carry out study for production of ethanol-based fuel.
To a question, Dr Salman said that breakthrough is expected within next 3-4 days regarding announcement of NFC Award. The advisor ruled out possibility of any cut in oil prices.