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Economic Coordi­nation Committee bans ozone-harming materials

The Economic Coordi­nation Committee (ECC) of the cabinet decided on Monday to immediately ban ozone-depleting insulation and foaming materials — polyol blended with hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs) — due to climate concerns. The committee also approved supplementary grants totalling Rs10 billion. The meeting of the ECC, presided over by Finance Minister Muhammad Aura­ng­zeb, also repeated i

PM boasts of stability after UAE agrees to $2bn rollover

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif revealed on Tuesday that the United Arab Emirates (UAE) has decided to roll over a $2 billion debt due this month, providing critical financial relief to Pakistan. In his televised opening rem­arks at a federal cabinet meeting that he chaired, the prime minister apprised the members of his “positive and constructive” meeting with UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Za

Land lease policy for special economic zones approved

The Board of Investment (BoI) has approved the Land Lease Policy for establishing special economic zones (SEZs) and an action plan to streamline these zones. The BoI’s Approval Committee met on Tuesday with Investment and Privatisation Minister Abdul Aleem Khan in the chair. It was also informed about completing a survey of 35 industrial zones nationwide. The survey dealt with identifying pr

Rightsizing is an IMF structural benchmark, says finance minister

Uncertain about the financial impact of abolishing 150,000 posts and the public funds held in commercial banks, Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb on Tuesday said the rightsizing of the federal government was a structural benchmark set by the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and would be completed before June 30 this year. Speaking at a news conference with MNA Bilal Azhar Kiani and ambassado

FPCCI plans Bangladesh trip to boost trade

With bilateral trade below $1 billion, the Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FPCCI) is leading an exporters’ delegation to Bangladesh this week to enhance trade relations. The delegation will meet Bangladesh Chief Adviser Dr Muhammad Yunus and Commerce Adviser Sheikh Bashir Uddin. FPCCI President Atif Ikram Sheikh, who will lead more than 35 business people of diverse