The state-run grain trader has withdrawn testing condition from imported wheat at disembarkation port on bidders request in order to ensure maximum participation in the wheat tender, sources told Business Recorder on Thursday.
ALTHOUGH THE TESTING CLAUSE HAS NOT BEEN WITHDRAWN COMPLETELY, WORDS "IF REQUIRED" HAVE BEEN ADDED TO THE SUB CLAUSE (V) OF TENDER, WHICH SHOWS THAT TESTING IS NOT MANDATORY: Sources said that Trading Corporation of Pakistan (TCP) has issued two tenders for the import of some 0.6 million tonne of wheat import including 0.3 million tonne of white wheat and some 0.3 million tonne of red wheat on January 1, 2008.
TCP announced January 12, 2008 last date for the wheat import tender submission, however exporters of wheat have been disappointed as several times TCP changed the date of tender and announced some amendment in the wheat import tender.
Sources said that TCP has almost withdrawn testing condition from imported wheat at the disembarkation port by amending the wheat import tender, while a TCP official said that the condition has been withdrawn on the request of bidders and to make sure their maximum participation.
They informed that TCP called a meeting of bidders on January 8 to discuss the wheat import tender and during the meeting TCP officials agreed on some amendments, which had been announced on January 16, one day before tender opening date.
Sources said that although the testing clause has not been withdrawn completely from tender but two words "if required" have been added in the sub clause (v) of tender, which shows that testing is not necessary.
As per amendment in clause (v) of wheat tender "the seller shall also submit representative laboratory sample of the shipment duly sealed and attested by inspection agency to TCP for counter analysis in ISO 17025 accredited laboratory in Pakistan if required".
TCP amending the tender announced that in case of any reservation on any terms and conditions of the tender the bids may be made with conditions for supply expressly given in the bid. TCP will have the sole right to accept or reject any of the conditions so made. Bid Bond if furnished would be returned to the bidders if the bid is not accepted.
Similarly, although, the TCP invited tender for the import of 0.3 million tonne of white and 0.3 million tonne red wheat, however, later TCP changed the quantity of wheat and invited tenders for the import of some 0.46 million tonne of read and 0.15 million tonne of white wheat, sources said.
State-run grain trader has also changed the date of tender some three times, as on January 9 TCP announced that tender will open on January 16 instead of January 12, while on January 14 they announced further extension of five days to January 21. However, on January 15 once again TCP changed the final date of tender by announcing January 18 for tender opening instead of January 21, 2008.
Sources said that whole situation has been confusing for the exporters and exporters are frequently inquiring regarding tender from the TCP officials and authenticity of tender is also doubtful, as TCP has changed three times final date of tender.
"The TCP officials extended date of wheat import tender without approval of ministry of food, agriculture and livestock (Minfal) and on the instruction of ministry they have fixed final date January 18," sources said. Meanwhile, an official of TCP confirmed that corporation has three times changed the date of tender, however he said that he did not inform about the amendments in the tender.