COVER STORY SOFTWARE EXPORTS Too Far Behind

Despite clinching worldclass orders from some of the most respected multinational companies outside the country by individual companies, the volume of software exports remains negligible. PAGE highlights the problems faced by the local software developers to increase exports as a meaningful, and the only, replacement to the traditional exports whose potentials have already been exploited to the hilt.

 

 

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AUTO LOANDS
Standard Chartered Bank has launched SCB-123, auto loans. This is part of the strategy to become a 'full service' bank. At present car financing is offered by leasing companies, modarabas and another foreign bank.

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ENHANCED GAS SUPPLY
With the discoveries of new fields the availability of gas with the two gas marketing companies has increased. Power generations sector is expected to be the major beneficiary in SSGC's franchised area.

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MERGER
Dr.Ishrat Hussain, Governor SBP has indicated about merger of the smaller banks in the private sector. Smaller banks have been advised to go for mergers on their own, other wise the State Bank may take regulatory steps to force them to do so. It may be a welcome step if the management of these banks is willing to do so. Senior bankers feel that forced merger may amount to a major shift in the policy as these small beings were established in response to the government policy in 1990s.

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CUORE
The launching of Daihatsu 850 cc Cuore compact car has brought a real competition for the first time in the small car market in Pakistan. The impact of the entrance of locally assembled Cuore and the heating of competition will offer the potential car buyers choice of product and price. The question is: will competition alone help arrest the sharp increase in car prices?

 

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