LAHORE, Nov 27 (APP): Mr Luo Qiang, leader of the high ranking visiting Chinese business delegation Sunday said that there was a
vast scope for further enhancement of bilateral trade between China
and Pakistan in furniture sector and private sector of two countries
can establish joint ventures in the neglected areas for investment.
The leader of the delegation during visit to 6th Interiors Pakistan exhibition here at expo centre praised the quality of Pakistani furniture with calligraphic engravings and admitted the fact that the furniture items produced in the country have great demand in international markets. He offered huge trade opportunities to Pakistani business community in furniture sector and invited Pak counterparts to visit China to tap all untapped areas of promoting trade and exports.
Talking to media, Luo Qiang said the purpose of their visit to Pakistan was to share experiences and exchange views with local business community and explore new opportunities of matchmakings with Pakistani counterparts. He said many Chinese investors were expected to set up industrial units in Pakistan under CPEC and they should give preference to local people in jobs that would help in reducing unemployment and poverty from the country.
He further said that both the countries share a border and have a collective population of more than 1.5 billion, but the trade activity between the two countries still needs a boost. Talking about Pakistani furniture, he expressed that China may have a better market for high quality furniture goods produced in Pakistan. He said that China was the largest trading partner of Pakistan and bilateral trade had surpassed $16 billion in 2015, which was encouraging.
He vociferously acclaimed Pakistani furniture designers and craftsmen and suggested that these experts should play their part in enhancing furniture exports. “The country has excellent craftsmen and designers, who can virtually give life to a piece of wood,” he said,
adding that Pakistani craftsmen should work in this particular area
to earn much needed foreign exchange,” he added.
He termed visit to ‘Interiors Pakistan’ mega exhibition a truly memorable experience and aimed at exploring new opportunities for
enhancing volume of mutual trade in furniture sector.
Pakistan Furniture Council (PFC) Chief Executive Mian Kashif Ashfaq,
briefing about the potential of the furniture industry, said that
Pakistan exports furniture products of worth $8 million to $12 million annually, but these figures do not mirror the actual potential of the industry and its capacity to produce high quality furniture items. In
this regard, he suggested local exporters to actively take part in international shows and furniture exhibitions to ostentatiously present Pakistan’s ability to produce jaw dropping furniture items.
He further said both countries have still great potential to improve bilateral trade and enhanced connectivity between their private sectors would help realizing these goals.
He said that Pakistan was providing easy access to Chinese companies
in its market and China should reciprocate similar facility to Pakistani business community besides this, China should also bring technology and set up industrial units in Pakistan.
Answering a question, Mian Kashif said despite the massive influx
of inexpensive Chinese furniture in the markets, Pakistani handmade furniture is still admired among masses for its customary designs, durability and quality.
At the end, the head of the delegation acknowledged the efforts of
PFC for enhancing trade ties between Pakistani and Chinese business community and said that this visit in PFC exhibition will prove to be valuable in filling the gaps of each otherÆs market. He said that we
are optimistic in entering into joint ventures in furniture sector and would certainly proceed with the relevant authorities.
Pakistan Furniture Council organized 3 days “Interiors Pakistan” exhibition at expo centre here to promote local furniture industry
besides giving opportunity to medium and small furniture producers
to display their products in exhibition to experience new trend in furniture industry. More than 100 leading furniture manufacturing
companies and interior designers exhibited their products.
Later the members of the delegation visited all the stalls and
minutely took keen interest in the designs of the furniture products
and exchanged their expertise with pak counterparts.
China, Pakistan can further explore avenues of mutual investment in furniture sector: Luo Qiang
Govt financing higher education to develop its infrastructure
ISLAMABAD, Nov 27 (APP): Minister of State for Federal Education and Professional Training, Engr. Muhammad Baligh Ur Rehman Sunday said that the government was supporting the higher education sector by giving maximum financial grants for the development of infrastructure to benefit the public.
He was addressing at 4th Convocation of National University of Modern Languages (NUML) as chief guest, said a press release.
In this Convocation 318 students were conferred degrees and 28 gold medals were awarded to graduates of different programmes.
Rector NUML Major General Zia Ud Din Najam (Retd), Director General
NUML Brig Riaz Ahmed Gondal, Registrar, Deans, Directors, Heads of
Departments and a large number of students along with their parents
attended the Convocation.
The chief guest, while expressing his pleasure, also promised that the government would facilitate NUML for acquisition of 100 acres land to meet the increasing demand of students and departments.
He congratulated the students, their parents and teachers on the successful completion of degrees.
He also stressed on practical and applied research for future growth and development of the universities and country.
He hoped that all students who were about to enter practical life after completion of their education will leave no stone unturned for the progress and prosperity of the motherland.
Earlier, Rector NUML Major General Zia Ud Din Najam (Retd) welcomed the chief guest and highlighted the achievements and contribution made by NUML in various fields of education, especially oriental and occidental languages, being one of the largest language universities in Aisa.
He said the university had developed first of its kind Writing Resource Center in the country which would promote writing and research activities and facilitate the academia.
He further added that NUML had established its own Think Thank, composed of former rectors, Dgs, deans, directors and senior
faculty members.
He also highlighted that under CPEC project, NUML established a center of excellence in Xinjiang province of China to impart learning of English and Urdu languages to the Chinese people.
Another regional campus of NUML has also been established at Gwadar to teach Chinese language to the natives in view of trade and business through CPEC. NUML, currently, employs 130 PhD faculty members while 50 more PhDs are expected to complete their degrees by next year.
Ceremony to welcome new CJCSC on Monday
RAWALPINDI Nov 27 (APP): In line to honor and formally welcome the newly appointed Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee, General Zubair Mehmood Hayat, a ceremony will be held at Joint Staff Headquarters on Monday.
Upon arrival at Joint Staff Headquarters, the CJCSC will be presented guard of honor by the contingent of tri-services.
TDAP focuses 15 Intl. exhibitions to enhance trade with African continent
ISLAMABAD, Nov 27 (APP): Trade Development Authority of Pakistan (TDAP) has focussed 15 international exhibitions for participation to enhance trade relations in African continent during current financial year.
The government, in order to enhance trade with African countries including Zimbabwe has been focusing on promotional activities to increase the volume of bilateral trade.
Sources at Commerce Division on Sunday said TDAP has already been participating in Zimbabwe International Trade Fair since 2015.
The focussed 15 international exhibitions for participation to enhance trade relations in African continent include 24th Edition of Inter-build Africa, Johannesburg, South Africa, Pro Beauty South Africa, Johannesburg, South Africa, August-2016, Medic East Africa Exhibition & Congress, Nairobi, Kenya, International Exhibition of Textile Equipment, Tunis, Tunisia and Lagos International Trade Fair, Lagos, Nigeria.
The other are 19th AfricaCom, Cap Town, South Africa, Medical Expo, Casablanca, Morocco, March-2017, Morocco Home, Casablanca, Morocco, April-2017, Food Africa, Cairo, Egypt, May-2017, 20th Auto Expo, Nairobi, Kenya, May-2017, Automechanika, Johannesburg, South Africa, May-2017, Africa Health Expo, Johannesburg, South Africa, June-2017, SAITEX-2017 and Africa Big 7, Johannesburg, South Africa, June-2017, Dar-es-Salaam International Trade Fair, Dar-es-Salaam, Tanzania, June-2017 and 34th Luanda International Trade Fair, Luanda, Angola, July-2017.
Dynamic nations learn, implement positive practices for society’s betterment: Begum Mehmooda
ISLAMABAD, Nov 27 (APP): First Lady Mehmooda Mamnoon Hussain on Sunday said dynamic nations keep themselves connected with the contemporary civilizations so as to learn from them positive practices and implement these for the betterment of their societies.
Speaking at the annual charity Bazaar of Pakistan Foreign Office Women’s Association (PFOWA) here at the Foreign Office, Begum Mehmooda said such events not only promote informal diplomacy, but also help develop warmth among different nations.
The First Lady appreciated PFWOA for fulfilling its responsibilities in an effective manner and said the activities in the realm of informal diplomacy would promote positive image of the country.
Begum Mehmooda said she was delighted to see the stalls on the occasion depicting colourful cultures belonging to different parts of the world, for which PFWOA deserved immense appreciation.
She expressed satisfaction that PFOWA was actively taking part in welfare activities including providing assistance for construction of schools, helping earthquake-affected people and students from under-privileged families besides bearing the medical expenses of poor patients.
She hoped that PFWOA would continue to play an important role in society through its positive activities.
Begum Mehmooda also visited various stalls organized by different embassies, based in Islamabad and appreciated the exquisite presentation of cultural diversity through handicraft and cuisine.
Trump dismisses Wisconsin vote recount as ‘scam’
NEW YORK, Nov 27 (APP): Republican President-elect Donald Trump has described an impending recount of votes in the U.S. state of Wisconsin as a “scam”.
In a statement, Trump, who narrowly won the state, said the results “should be respected instead of being challenged or abused”.
The recount has been requested by Green Party candidate Jill Stein. The state has until the federal deadline of December 13 to complete the recount process and announce the final results.
“This recount is just a way for Jill Stein, who received less than one percent of the vote overall and wasn’t even on the ballot in many states, to fill her coffers with money, most of which she will never even spend on this ridiculous recount,” Trump said in a statement on Saturday.
Stein has raised millions of dollars for her push in just more than a week. She has called for an audit and recount of voting results in Michigan and Pennsylvania as well over fears that hackers might have manipulated the voting machines.
“All three states were won by large numbers of voters, especially Pennsylvania, which was won by more than 70,000 votes,” Trump said.
“This is a scam by the Green Party for an election that has already been conceded, and the results of this election should be respected instead of being challenged and abused, which is exactly what Jill Stein is doing,” the president-elect added.
The Hillary Clinton campaign, which had kept quiet about Stein’s crusade, said it would now back her efforts to review the voting results in order to ensure a “fair” process for all involved.
“Because we had not uncovered any actionable evidence of hacking or outside attempts to alter the voting technology, we had not planned to exercise this option ourselves,” campaign lawyer Marc Elias said.
“But now that a recount has been initiated in Wisconsin, we intend to participate in order to ensure the process proceeds in a manner that is fair to all sides.”
Clinton won the overall popular vote by around 2 million ballots in the Nov. 8 presidential election. However, Trump clinched most of the key battleground states in play, albeit by narrow margins.
“It is important to point out that with the help of millions of voters across the country, we won 306 electoral votes on Election Day – the most of any Republican since 1988 and we carried nine of 13 battleground states, 30 of 50 states, and more than 2,600 counties nationwide – the most since President Ronald Reagan in 1984,” Trump said in his statement.
Earlier this week, speculation that electronic voting in key states might have been hacked prompted Clinton supporters to urge her to contest the election results.
Gen Raheel inaugurates Shabbir Sharif Hospital
RAWALPINDI, Nov 27 (APP): Chief of the Army Staff General Raheel Sharif Sunday visited his native town of Kujah and inaugurated the newly built Shabbir Sharif Hospital for the residents of the area.
According to Inter Services Public Relations (ISPR), notables of the area were present on the occasion.
The COAS also took round various departments of the hospital.
He met the under treatment patients, inquired after their health and prayed for their early recovery.
PTI trying to make CPEC disputed: Baligh
ISLAMABAD, Nov 27 (APP): Minister of State for Interior and Education Muhammad Baligh ur Rehman Sunday strongly rejected the perception being created by PTI that the government was keeping information about the China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) project secret.
It was unfortunate, he said, that the Pakistan Tehreek i Insaf (PTI) was trying to make such a project of national inportance disputed.
There was no document containing secret details of the CPEC, he said, adding that the PTI from the day one had adopted non serious attitude of not accepting even good deeds of the government.
Talking to a private news channel, he said Minister for Planning and Development Ahsan Iqbal went to Khyber Pakhtunkhawa to explain the details of CPEC project with documents but the provincial government was not ready to get convinced.
The minister said Prime Minister Muhammad Nawaz Sharif had always showed broad heartedness and tried to develop consensus on all the national issues but the PTI never responded positively.
He said due to the initiatives taken by the prime minister, the country was moving forward on the path of development.
He said KP Chief Minister Pervaiz Khattak was not ready to attend the meeting of National Finance Commission (NFC) which showed PTI’s non seriousness about important national matters. The PTI had boycotted the joint sessions of parliament on the Kashmir issue and for the Turkish president’s address, he added.
Religious minister meets his Turkish counterpart
ISLAMABAD, Nov 27 (APP): Minister for Religious Affairs and Interfaith Harmony Sardar Muhammad Yousaf met President of Religious Affairs of Turkey (Diyanet) Prof Dr. Mehmet Gormez and exchanged views on ways to further deepen bilateral cooperation, particularly between their respective institutions.
Sardar Muhammad Yousaf highlighted the deep rooted, multifaceted fraternal ties between Pakistan and Turkey, anchored firmly in common faith and shared history, said a message received here Sunday.
He apprised the Turkish dignitary of the measures taken by Pakistan in the domain of religious affairs—such as establishment of Ulema and Mashaikh Council for promoting religious and interfaith harmony, reform of religious education, and enhanced arrangements for Hajj and Umra.
Ambassador of Pakistan in Turkey Sohail Mahmood also attended the meeting held at the Diyanet office in Ankara.
The minister also informed his Turkish counterpart about the International Seerat Conference being organized on Eid Milad un Nabi in Lahore and personally delivered an invitation to him to participate.
Welcoming Minister Sardar Yousaf, Dr Mehmet Gormez underscored the abiding ties of brotherhood between Turkey and Pakistan, and the tradition of mutual support.
He said it would be a privilege for him to attend the conference and interact with Pakistani and international scholars.
Gormez also highlighted the myriad functions of Diyanet and provided details of the extensive work being done by it inside Turkey and abroad.
The two sides emphasized the importance of regular exchanges of religious scholars, officials and students between Pakistan and Turkey.
They agreed that such exchanges would benefit both sides in learning from each other’s experiences and best practices.
Proposed LPG regulation policy to end ‘mafia’ monopoly: Official
ISLAMABAD, Nov 27 (APP): Proposed Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) regulation policy would help end monopoly of ‘mafia’ and ensure smooth supply of commodity throughout the year at prescribed rates, a senior official of the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Resources said.
The ministry is finalizing a policy to regulate LPG prices and curb monopoly of the ‘mafia’ multiplying miseries of the consumers especially during winter.
“Hopefully, the LPG prices will be regulated in the coming two months as the proposed LPG regulation policy is in its final phase after the nod of Council of Common Interests (CCI),” the official told APP.
The mafia creates artificial shortage to mint money by increasing prices of the commodity at its own, which prompted the authorities concerned to control the profiteers and facilitate the end-users through appropriate regulations.
Chairman LPG Distributors Association (LPGDA) Irfan Khokhar said formulation of the policy was a good initiative of the government, but it should also take measures to remove concerns of LPG importers.
He appreciated the federal government for formulating the LPG regulation policy and getting it passed through CCI taking all stakeholders on board.
After the policy, he said, the Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority (OGRA) would start the process to regulate the LPG prices. “Consumers will get their LPG cylinders refilled less than Rs 900 each throughout the year across the country,” he said.
Presently, he said, around 104 licence-holder LPG marketing companies were operating across the country and total sale of the commodity was approximately 3,000 metric ton per day across the country.
With effective implementation of the regulation policy, Khokhar said, there would be no monopoly of the marketing companies and consumers would get LPG on prescribed rates.