KARACHI: The Trading Corporation of Pakistan (TCP) has announced amendments to wheat and sugar import tenders to facilitate the bidders.
Following the directives of the federal government, the state run grain trader is in process of import of some 0.3 million metric ton sugar and some 1.5 million metric ton wheat to avoid shortage in the domestic market. Both tenders were issued on August 8 and will be opened on August 18, 2020 to ensure timely import of commodities.
Sources told Business Recorder on Saturday that as per announcement, the state run grain trader held pre-bid meetings with the potential bidders of wheat and sugar on August 13, 2020, discuss the tender terms and conditions. Accordingly, in the light of pre-bid meeting some necessary amendments were made in the bidding documents of wheat and sugar.
After detailed deliberations and discussions with the participants, Executive Committee of Management (ECM) of TCP has decided to delete the Clause-5(a) (v) and (vi) of the sugar tender. With this amendment, there is no need to print the serial number and Pakistan Standard number, (PS: Mark and License) number on each bag of sugar.
Clause-16(b) of sugar tender has also been amended and now the shipment of balance quantities will follow every week, with each shipment carrying not less than 25,000 metric tons or 50,000 metric tons within two weeks, 5 percent more or less on seller's option (MOLSO), beginning from the due date of the first shipment (not including the 07 days for CFR or 05 days for Delivered at Place Unloaded (DPO) of provided with late shipment penalty under clause-17). In case opening of LC is delayed due to any fault of supplier, the shipment date will be counted from the date of award instead of opening of LC.
As per amended Clause-20(c)(i)(4), only Bill of Lading (BL) issued by Shipping Line, signed by their authorized agent, mentioning TCP as the consignee would be acceptable.
Full set of Clean Shipped on Board Charter Party B/L (Break Bulk) or Shipped on Board B/L (Containerized), comprising not less than three originals, drawn or endorsed to the order of Opening Bank showing "FREIGHT PREPAID/DELIVERED AT PLACE UNLOADED" and marked notified party (name of applicant party alongwith full address) and opening bank, the amended Clause-23(a)(ii) said.
In addition, Clause-23(a)(v) also amended that certificate issued by the concerned authorized government agency that the sugar is free from harmful Radioactivity or as per reporting standard of the exporting country. While as per Clause-20(a)(x) and 23(j) vessels of Israel Flag or any other banned country are not allowed for carrying cargo.
Some three amendments have also been made in the tender of the import of some 1.5 million tons of wheat tender.
After meeting with potential bidders of wheat, ECM of TCP has decided that the requirement for Wet Gluten Content (mentioned in Clause-2(B) 7) has been set as minimum 23 percent instead of 21 percent.
In Clause-18(ii) of wheat tender, demurrages rate has been increased Seven Thousand US dollar ($7,000) Per Weather Working Day (PWWD) to Ten Thousand US dollar ($10,000) PWWD".
Copyright Business Recorder, 2020