COVER STORY THE NEW COTTON POLICY

The new cotton policy still allows intervention by the TCP despite the claims made otherwise. It is expected that the intervention will be minimal. The quota regime will be completely phased out by December 31, 2004 and there is a need to encourage production of superior quality as well as higher value addition. If the textile industry is not ready to follow this at its own the other alternative is to discourage export of low value-added products..

 

---

"THE NASDAQ PHENOMENON" Last Page By SUHAIL ABBAS

PAKISTAN ENERGY CONFERENCE
The oil prices are likely to be linked with international prices in the coming June. A 15 per cent GST will replace the heavy tax of Development Surcharge from oil sector. This cutting edge policy may deprive the government of Rs70-80 billion revenue but will be boosting economic activity at a massive scale in the private sector. The decision may also bring the on-going tussle between WAPDA and IPPs to an end. It sounds amazing that both WAPDA and HUBCO claim committed to resolve the tariff issue yet the tussle goes on endlessly.

---

HOME ALLIANCE
A new concept of financing for the purchase of household items and motorcycles at affordable markup rates was introduced by Home Alliance in Karachi last month. The company plans to diversify its range of products to include computers, new locally produced cars and comparatively low priced home appliances. PAGE looks at the changing face of financing with the opening of the company.

---

WIND ENERGY
The need of developing wind energy as the most cheapest, most reliable and maintenance-free alternative source of energy has failed to draw the due attention which it deserves in a power-deficient country like Pakistan. PAGE highlights the inherent benefits of harnessing the wind energy which is less capital intensive, more reliable and requires negligible maintenance costs than solar energy.