HAMBURG: The Trading Corporation of Pakistan (TCP) has issued an international tender to purchase 50,000 tonnes of white sugar, European traders said on Friday. The tender closes on Oct. 7. The sugar is sought from worldwide origins packed in bags. Shipment must be arranged for arrival in Pakistan by Nov. 25.

A previous tender from Pakistan for 50,000 tonnes of sugar closed on Sept. 30 and traders said they believed no purchase had been made. The Sept. 30 tender had sought sugar for arrival in Pakistan by Nov. 10 and only two companies were said to have submitted price offers.

"The minimum tonnage which must be offered in the new tender now issued has been reduced to 15,000 tonnes from 25,000 tonnes previously to encourage greater participation," one trader said. The Pakistani government in July approved sugar imports to meet a shortage in production below consumption levels.