Connect with us

Business

Commercial banks refuse to issue letters of credit to edible oil importers

Published

on

  • Edible oil importers, ghee manufacturers told their LoCs can’t be opened at interbank exchange rates.
  • Banks willing to do business if importers open letters at Rs250 per dollar.
  • PVMA chairman requests SBP to address issue immediately.

LAHORE: Commercial banks are refusing to issue letters of credit for edible oil imports despite the exclusion of the sector from the condition of prior permission from the central bank, The News reported Friday. 

Edible oil importers and ghee manufacturers have been informed unofficially that their letters of credit cannot be opened at the interbank exchange rates. However, the commercial banks were very much willing to do business with these importers if they were willing to open credit letters at Rs250 and above the exchange rate against a dollar.

Pakistan Vanaspati Manufacturers Association (PVMA) Chairman Sheikh Abdul Razzaq in a letter to the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) governor said that “the ‘Commercial Banks’ are conveying to the importers-cum-manufacturers of edible oil that with immediate effect the edible oil has been excluded from the list of ‘Essential Items’ and hence turning down the requests for opening of L/Cs/retirement of documents”.

He further mentioned that the un-hindered opening of letters of credit/retirement of documents was inevitable. It should be given priority as accorded by SBP earlier vide EPD circular letter no. 20 of 2022 dated December 27, 2022 to avoid any crisis in the country, which could lead to increase in prices of cooking oil/ghee and shortage due to non-availability of the raw material (edible oil).

Pakistan imports 90% of its edible oil demand to meet the national requirement of over 4.5 million metric tonnes per annum. The existing domestic stocks are sufficient to meet the demand for only three to four weeks. However, the interruption in opening letters of credit could disrupt the smooth supply line and result in market disruption.

PVMA chairman requested the SBP to address the issue immediately and set aside the likely panic in the market, which might translate into a price hike, hoarding or retarded imports resulting in shortages.

“The industry is experiencing a unique and unprecedented kind of challenge wherein despite of sufficient stocks discharged in custom bonded warehouses at Karachi, it is unable to lift them due to refusal by banks to retire the documents,” he said. 

Razzaq urged the SBP to direct the ‘commercial banks’ to honour the edible oil importers requests for credit letters and further inform the general public through media campaigns.

Business

Malir Industrial Park is introduced by SIFC.

Published

on

By

The establishment of “industrial parks” by the Pakistan Economic Zone Development and Management Company and the Special Investment Facilitation Council aims to attract investors and stimulate the economy.

First up is the Malir Industrial Park, which gives companies access to important trade and transportation channels. This park will be different from heavy industry parks in that it will concentrate on small industries and diverse industrial offices. Among Karachi’s industrial zones, it would be noteworthy for providing security and necessary infrastructure.

In order to lower unemployment, the initiative intends to generate more than 200,000 jobs in the first five years. To increase the advantages of the program, the Korangi Association of Trade and Industry will become a member of the Malir Industrial Park Advisory Council.

The park will have easy access to Karachi Port and Jinnah International Airport due to its strategic location at the convergence of key highways, such as the National Highway and Malir Motorway. This would guarantee effective access to both domestic and foreign markets.

Continue Reading

Business

The Saudi crown prince and PM Sharif promise to increase trade and investment relations.

Published

on

By

He emphasised how closely Saudi Vision 2030 matches Pakistan’s main strategic goals, strengthening the basis for both countries’ development.

In terms of trade, investment, and economic development, both leaders reaffirmed their dedication to strengthening bilateral cooperation.

A recent visit by a high-level Saudi delegation headed by the Saudi Investment Minister, during which a number of Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) were signed to strengthen the economic partnership, was mentioned by Prime Minister Sharif.

Along with talking about the economy, the two leaders acknowledged the serious damage caused by Israel’s continuous aggression in the area and voiced their profound worry about it.

Peace in Gaza is linked to global progress: PM

In his earlier speech to the 8th Future Investment Initiative (FII), Prime Minister Shehbaz emphasised the catastrophic situation in Gaza and stressed that the world would find it difficult to meet its developmental goals unless there was an immediate end to the violence.

Shehbaz, the Saudi prime minister

With the topic “Infinite Horizons: Investing Today, Shaping Tomorrow,” the FII brought together prominent individuals to discuss investments in important fields such as robots, artificial intelligence, education, energy, finance, healthcare, and sustainability.

Pakistan’s worries over the worsening situation in Gaza were highlighted by PM Sharif’s direct remarks, which also highlighted the necessity of international cooperation in fostering peace.

Continue Reading

Business

Task Force for FBR Digitization Established: Automated Supply Chain System Design

Published

on

By

A 10-member Task Force has been formed by the government to digitize the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) in partnership with the Special Investment Facilitation Council (SIFC).

Improving FBR’s systems and completely digitizing its operations are part of the Task Force’s mandate. Policy interventions, data automation, software installation, and collaboration with provincial revenue authorities are among the main goals.

Together with developing a track-and-trace system through integrated automation, the task force will also establish an Automated Supply Chain System for distributors and wholesalers.

Pakistan Revenue Automation Limited would become a stand-alone IT bureau for planning and data preparation.

In order to create a unified national tax strategy, the project seeks to maximize revenue collection, increase transparency, and simplify Pakistan’s tax system while encouraging cooperation between the federal and provincial tax authorities.

Continue Reading

Trending