ECC allows to import 0.2mn tones urea

ISLAMABAD: The Economic Coordination Committee (ECC) of the Cabinet here on Monday decided to allow import of 200,000 tons of urea for the Rabi Crop of 2011-12.

The Committee met here Monday under the chairmanship of Federal Minister for Finance and Economic Affairs, Dr Abdul Hafeez Shaikh also constituted two different committees on the summaries moved by Ministry of Industries for removal of levy of 16 percent sales tax on agriculture tractors and purchase of 0.2 million tons of sugar from Pakistan Sugar Mills Associations.

The ECC after having detailed deliberations in the light of the urea situation and the supply of gas for its production took the decision of importing 200,000 tones of urea for the Rabi Crop 2011- 12.

It may be recalled that on a summary sent by the Ministry of Industries earlier on September, 13, 2011, the ECC had constituted a committee under the chairmanship of the Senior Minister for Industries.

In light of the recommendations of the constituted committee, the ECC has now allowed 200,000 tons of urea for the Rabi Crop of 2011-12.

The Economic Coordination Committee had lengthy discussion on the summary moved by the Ministry of Industries which proposed purchase of 200,000 tons of sugar from the local Pakistan Sugar Mills Association, constituted a committee in this regard.

The Committee shall look into the sugar situation in the country, quantity of the sugar from different mills and their respective price, the additional expenses as per tender terms, and to ensure that there should be no violation of the PEPRA condition in finalizing the lifting of sugar from the PSMA, and the role of TCP.

The Chairman of the ECC, Dr Abdul Hafeez Shaikh opined that the rest of the sugar mills which are not participating in the tender should also be invited in it so that there may not have any complain in future.

The ECC also constituted a committee on the proposal floated by the Ministry of Industries in its summary for the removal of 16% sales tax on Agriculture Tractors.

The committee headed by the Minister for Industries and comprising Secretaries Revenue, Finance, Industries and Adviser to the Prime Minister on Agriculture shall submit its report to the chair before the next ECC expected this week.

The summary by the Ministry of Industries pleading its case maintained that increase in the prices of tractors has made it difficult for the farmers to purchase new tractors and convert traditional farming into mechanical farming for higher yield, especially when cost of other agriculture inputs has gone up substantially.

Furthermore, Zarai Taraqiati Bank Limited (ZTBL) has also not been extending loans for purchase of tractors since April 2010, creating another impediment for the farmers. The production of tractors since March 2011 has also declined drastically from over 72000 units to around 20000 units per annum.

Among others who attended the meeting included the Senior Minister for Industries Chaudhry Pervaiz Elahi, Ghulam Ahmad Bilour, Minister for Railways, Ghous Bux Mehar Minister for Privatization, Anwar Ali Cheema Minister of Production, Mir Changez Khan Jamali Minister for Science and Technology and Secretaries of all the concerned ministries and heads of corporations.

Copyright APP (Associated Press of Pakistan), 2011