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Property Manager Responsibilities

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Feed Your Bird

Now launched on Apps Store as well.

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Feed Your Bird

Now launched on Apps Store as well.
https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/feed-your-bird/id669373910?ls=1&mt=8

itunes.apple.com Get Feed Your Bird on the App Store. See screenshots and ratings, and read customer reviews.

Feed Your Bird - Android Apps on Google Play

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Border-talk: What Indians have to say about trade with Pakistan

Indian media tends to be either silent or bullish, with trust highlighted as a key issue. ILLUSTRATION: JAMAL KHURSHID.
KARACHI:
While Nawaz Sharif might be trying to convince us that India is the next trade buddy after China, it helps to ask the question: is the other side of the border’s media just as rosy eyed about potential trade as ours?
If you take a quick scan of Indian headlines, the answer is no.
The three largest English newspapers by circulation in India are The Times of India, The Hindu, and The Hindustan Times. Out of these in both The Hindu and The Hindustan Times there has been no recent reporting on any news related to trade with Pakistan.
Malala, not Nawaz, dominates the headlines.

Only the Times of India, along with its sister publication The Economic Times, had a lot more to say about trade with Pakistan. Headlines such as the “Nawaz Sharif has given ‘good signals’: India”, “With Nawaz Sharif in power, we are positive on Indo-Pak trade relation” and “Indo-Pak bilateral trade to benefit both countries” appear.
One story even discusses conducting trade in rupees not dollars.

On the whole, though, trade with Pakistan does not seem as widely covered as other news coming out of Pakistan.
Yet in contrast to the headlines, several journalists who work in the Indian media in a personal capacity seem to think trade is looking up.
Chetan Chauhan, a journalist from The Hindustan Times, for example thinks science and technology is an area worth exploring.
“Pakistan has 162 researchers for a million people as compared to 135 in India…but India has five patents for a million people, five times more than the Pakistanis.”
India could help Pakistan with improving its technological infrastructure, according to Chauhan.
Similarly, M K Venu, executive editor of The Hindu, points out that the trade relation between the nations has constantly improved throughout the 2000s.

“If trade between two nations could go up nearly five-fold during a period marked by such negative events in their relationship [Samjauta train blasts, Mumbai terror attacks], what would happen if there is relative peace and more openness in all round engagement?” said Venu.
In his article for the Indian Strategic Studies, Venu highlights a trust problem between the two nations, that when overcome could significantly reduce costs.
“A standard sea container taken through the Wagah border has a total transport cost of $391 but the same done through Mumbai-Dubai-Karachi costs close to $1,000 per container. So, one can imagine what will happen once the Wagah border becomes open to transporting items on a wider basis.”
Finally, the most positive view is held by Rahul Khana, executive president of ‘Bennett, Coleman & Company Ltd’ (BCCL). His article “Nawaz Sharif’s coming to power is an opportunity India must not miss” for the Times of India, which is owned by the BCCL, is mostly about better political relations with Pakistan but touches upon economic relations too.
“We may lament the recent slowing-down of the Indian economy, but from Pakistan’s perspective we are still on a roll. Conversely, the past decade has been pretty much a write-off for Pakistan economically and they would love to hitch their economic wagon to the Indian train, to whatever extent possible.” He wrote.
He sees economic cooperation as the new stabiliser between the countries: “Besides helping both our faltering economies, this would help lay a concrete foundation for lasting peace, capable of weathering future storms.”
So while major publications may seem to provide little as to talks with Pakistan as actually problem, several people within the Indian media can provide info otherwise.
Even so, in an update to the original article, Khana noted “Most of you feel that the scenario I’ve painted is hopelessly optimistic, that Pakistan can’t be trusted, that the ‘leopard won’t change his spots’ etc.”
Clearly then, for trade relations to improve, the trust level between the two countries is also going to have to improve.
Source : tribune.

Accords, MoUs to expand Pak-China partnership scope
ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Muhammad Nawaz Sharif's decision to choose China as the destination for his first foreign visit after coming to power signifies the closeness and warmth which characterize Pak-China exemplary relations.
The visit, which can be termed a "success story", was indeed a prudent step, which has successfully expanded the scope of Pakistan's strategic partnership with one of its most trusted friend.
It is often said that Pakistan's relationship with China is "higher than the Himalayas" and this visit has in many ways manifested these words into a tangible form in the shape of bilateral agreements and memorandums of understandings (MoUs) signed by the two countries.
The Prime Minister held constructive meetings with President Xi Jinping and Premier Li Keqiang and discussed with the Chinese leadership how to address the country's energy problem and development of infrastructure.
The two sides signed eight MoUs and agreements following the meeting of the Prime Minister with Premier Li Keqiang, including Pakistan-China Economic Corridor accord.
Based on these agreements and MOUs, a comprehensive framework outlining a roadmap to upgrade and expand the economic, trade, cultural and strategic ties between Pakistan and China, can be laid down.
Some of the projects, which will start as a result of these agreements, certainly have the potential to revolutionize the bilateral trade activity and also transform the entire economic landscape of the region.
According to experts, in today's world where relations between countries are increasingly being shaped by trade diplomacy, the future of Pakistan-China relations will also be defined by trade and Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif's visit presented a real opportunity for Pakistan and China to take their economic ties to a new zenith.
Especially when like Pakistan, a new leadership has taken the reins of power in China too. This was an important juncture for both the countries.
As an experienced leader with vision, Nawaz Sharif was able to recognize this important opportunity quite quickly and this was evident from the discussions he held with Chinese premier Li Keqiang when they first met in Islamabad in May.
The warm welcome by the Chinese leadership for the Prime Minister is a clear indicator of the importance China attaches to its relations with Pakistan.
During the visit, both the sides not only identified key areas of cooperation but also signed important agreements. China showed its keenness to play a key role to help Pakistan meet its energy needs and this has been a major success of the visit.
The Prime Minister's plan for economic revival of Pakistan has Karachi at its center, and this was evident from his discussions in almost every meeting. His interest to have briefings on metro and subway systems in China shows that he is very keen to provide a good and reliable transport system to the residents of Karachi.
Information technology will also be at the heart of Pakistan's journey towards economic revival. In this area, the two countries agreed to expand their cooperation too and lay down a sophisticated network of fiber optic connectivity, which is the need of the modern times.
Agreements in textiles as well as health sectors were also signed and the cooperation between Pakistan and China will continue to grow.
The key to the success will be the follow up of agreements implementation, and it is heartening to note that a "China Cell" has been established in the Prime Minister's Office for the purpose.
The Prime Minister also held detailed meetings with heads and chief executives of banks, financial institutes and corporate leaders in Beijing, Shanghai and Guangzhou.
The Chinese leadership in meetings with the Prime Minister, agreed to waive off the condition of insure cover on Chinese projects.
The Prime Minister also met with Chairman National People's Congress Zhang Deijang. Both the leaders exchanged views on bilateral relationship and means to cement it further.
He visited Shanghai in state-of-the-art High Speed Train and during the journey held a number of meetings and got details about the train operation and cost.
At these meetings arranged in the train, a number of Chinese companies evinced keen interest in the construction of various projects, including power plants, high speed train, Basha dam, optic fiber and motorways.
The Prime Minister also met with the Governor of Guangdong province, Zhu Xiaodan, and discussed bilateral relations, including promotion of tourism between the two sides.
Later, in a joint statement, both the countries vowed to promote policies, aimed at advancing the cause of peace, cooperation and harmony creating a win-win situation in the region. In order to promote cultural and social ties, the two sides agreed to encourage their cities and provinces to establish twinning relationships.
It is quite evident that the visit of Prime Minster Nawaz has provided further impetus to the existing Pak-China partnership, which is a source of peace, stability and prosperity of the two countries as well as the region.

Rising exports providing breather to FY13 trade balance
KARACHI - The country’s trade balance slid by a significant 19.7% MoM to a comfortable $ 1.743 billion in Jun-13, said the analysts at InvestCap Research citing data recently issued by the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics. Whereas the exports on a monthly basis inched up slightly by 1% MoM to $2.197 billion in Jun-13, the imports stepped down by 9.4% MoM to USD3.940 billion. “Such a trend can be explained by the absence of fertilizer imports in Jun-13, whereas the same stood at 97k tons in May-13 (USD53.7mn), the contribution of Urea to Jun-13 figures was absent due to delay in supply which is now expected to be received by the end of July-13,” said InvestCap analyst Muniba Saeed. Further, she said, contributors to the declining imports are expected to be fall in palm oil imports (importers already having stocked up for Ramadan), decline in imports of textile machinery and falling imports of generators. On an annual basis, the imports remained essentially stagnant increasing by a meager 0.08% YoY, climbing to a level of $44.950 billion in FY13. “Such a trend was witnessed despite decline in imports of petroleum products, fertilizer and the food group; the three heads combined contributing roughly 60% to total imports for the year,” the analyst said. The same was, however, negated by increased imports of machinery and the textile group leading to the imports head remaining effectively the same as last year, she said. Exports on the other hand increased by 3.78% YoY adding an additional USD894mn to the head to reach USD24,518mn. Such expansion is expected to be led by increased exports from the food group where sugar is projected to be the major contributor in fuelling such growth. Exports from the other heads are however expected to have subsided during the same period where major contribution is anticipated from the textile and petroleum group. The trade balance for FY13 as a result posted a decline of 4% YoY, descending to an amount of USD 20,432mn.
ref: Pakistantoday

Morocco for increased trade with Pakistan
Morocco wants increased trade relations with Pakistan as the two countries have good potential to promote bilateral trade in different areas, Ambassador of Morocco, Mustafha Salahdine said on Tuesday. Talking to businessmen at Islamabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ICCI), he said Pakistan and Morocco enjoy excellent brotherly relations, but trade and economic cooperation was not aligned with these relations, so both the countries need to improve trade. He said ICCI should consider organizing an Economic Day for Morocco, inviting Moroccan businessmen to explore new avenues of mutual cooperation between the two countries and his Embassy would do maximum for facilitating and making this event successful. The Ambassador said exchange of trade delegations is another effective tool to identify trade potential and exportable products between the two countries. He urged for developing links between businessmen of both countries for achieving mutually beneficial outcomes and assured that Moroccan Embassy would work closely with ICCI to bring two countries further closer particularly on trade, commerce and economic fronts. Speaking on the occasion, ICCI President, Zafar Bakhtawari said that Pakistan attaches great value to its relations with Morocco as it is a brotherly country located at the gateway of Africa and Europe and thus offers enormous economic opportunities. He said both countries should sign agreements to enhance cooperation, especially in trade and economic sectors and facilitate their investors and businessmen to exploit all untapped areas of collaboration. Bakhtawari said that ICCI would seriously consider organising Economic Day for Morocco and invite a delegation of Moroccan businessmen to connect entrepreneurs of both countries. "We would also arrange the visit of Moroccan business to Lahore and Karachi so that they could interact with Pakistani counterparts and explore potential areas of mutual cooperation to improve bilateral trade between the two countries," he added. -
ref: Pakistantoday

Pakistan-India to sign an agreement for electricity Trade
ak-India accord likely for electricity trade
For the elimination of energy crisis across Pakistan, an agreement is expected to be signed soon for importing electricity from India as final talks are underway on technical level. While talking with media, the officials of ministry of water and power said Pakistan would import at least 2500 mega watts of electricity from India which would result in a significant decrease in energy shortage. According to sources, half output of the electricity generation is dependant on the plants running with furnace oil which will be transferred to coal and alternative resources. Reiterating major effects on the country’s economy by poor condition of energy sector, the sources claimed that previous government faced Rs 10 trillion losses during five years due to load shedding while corruption in power sectors resulted in loss of Rs 270 billion.
Ref thenewstribe

Gwadar: the future trade hub of the world?
ISLAMABAD - The government is considering giving Gwadar a status similar to Hong Kong in terms of special business incentives. This vision aims to turn tides on the region's economic horizon.
Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif during his recent visit to China, expressed his intention to develop Gwadar port on the model of Hong Kong. Hong Kong is China's special administrative region that enjoys specific trade regulations. Gwadar, having a natural hammerhead-shaped geography protruding from the country's coastline into Arabian Sea, is no longer just a fishing harbour. It is now deemed as an important deep seaport with vast potential of becoming the hub of business activities for the entire region.
Pakistan needs to promote free trade and low taxation in Gwadar on similar lines to Hong Kong, which is regarded as one of the world's leading international financial centres in addition to being an extremely tax friendly economy.
Necessary legislation would allow Gwadar to set its own financial targets such as economic freedom and competitiveness similar to Hong Kong.
Gwadar is expected to be declared a special economic zone for a certain period to facilitate rapid commercial and economic development.
The specific incentive-regime is likely to be free of Value Added Tax (VAT), capital gains tax and withholding tax, with general tax-holidays and generous incentives for business ownership and employment of foreigners. The establishment of the special economic zone, free trade zone, and export processing zone in the port city would attract foreign investment which would in turn create innumerable job opportunities for locals and consequently raise their standards of living.
The main purpose of this project is to accelerate economic development and investment, both foreign and local. This will in turn increase the port traffic and resultantly spur industrial development.
For the port's construction and operations Gwadar was officially handed over to the state-owned China Overseas Port Holding Company Limited in February.
According to the contract signed between the two countries, a fully fledged commercial port will be constructed with an initial Chinese investment of $750 million.
In a recent meeting with the company’s President Sun Ziyun, Sharif stressed to not delay the infrastructural development of Gwadar. He assured the Pakistani government's full cooperation with the Chinese companies engaged in the port's development. Sun Ziyun told Sharif that the financial assistance for this project would be sought from the China Development Bank.
China will also assist Pakistan in the construction of an airport of international standards at Gwadar.
One of the accords inked during Sharif's visit to China, which was also witnessed by Premier Le Keqiang, envisages the establishment of an economic corridor between Gwadar and Kashgar. Kashgar is the historic Silk Road city in western Xinjiang region of China. It is connected to Gilgit-Baltistan through the 15,397 feet (altitude) Khunjerab Pass. The ambitious Pakistan-China economic corridor plan will cost approximately $18 billion.
Sharif is of the view that the Gwadar would help bring Balochistan's coastal areas into the socio-economic mainstream. This would serve as a catalyst for fast track development of the province. It would contribute towards rapid employment generation in the province.
Gwadar will benefit both Pakistan and China. 60 percent of China's oil comes from the Gulf via ships travelling over 16,000 kilometres in two to three months to its commercial port, Shanghai. Gwadar will reduce this distance to a mere 2,500 kilometres.
Gwadar is termed as "the future of Pakistan". Due to its location on the channel of Central Asia, Middle East and Asia, it can flourish as the World’s business centre. The Chinese assistance in the development of this port is essential in positively impacting Pakistan’s economy.
Ref Pakistantoday

USAID’s project helps improve trading environment
ISLAMABAD - The USAID's four year project on improving trading facilities in Pakistan helped in increasing exports to Afghanistan and in finding new export markets. According to available facts and figures, USAID has spent $20,323,820 on the Pakistan Trade Project June 2009-June 2013. The main objective of the project is to improve Pakistan's international and regional trade environment by supporting trade-friendly policies and increasing trade at the country's borders. During the project, the USAID helped establish five consultative forums on trade issues with key public and private sector stakeholders. It introduced a customs insurance bond system to secure customs revenue against unauthorised trade, as part of the Afghanistan-Pakistan Transit Trade Agreement 2010. It also supported inclusion of best-practice risk management techniques in Afghanistan-Pakistan Transit Trade Agreement to reduce the time in customs of low-risk cargo. The trade project helped shorten Karachi port formalities for Afghanistan-Pakistan transit trade from 43 to 23 days. It supported the computerisation of customs data exchange between Afghan and Pakistan customs. Through facilities' upgrades, it increased the volume of trucks crossing at the Chaman customs post on the Afghanistan-Pakistan border in winter by 50 per cent. It helped create a new export market in Australia for Pakistani cobblestones. The project supported the Pakistan Board of Investment in implementing investment treaty obligations. The project seeks to stimulate growth and development by helping the Pakistani economy achieve its export potential. A main focus of the project is improving the country's trade environment through stronger regulation, policies, systems, and capacity. The project fosters the establishment of sustainable and competitive special economic zones and emphasises capacity-building activities that can help increase exports from industry, services, and agricultural enterprises. The project funds new equipment to improve customs operations on the Pakistan border. Its main activities include improvement of the trade environment by providing technical assistance to government agencies on improving regulations and policies. It supported the government in implementation of international and regional transit and trade agreements, especially the Afghanistan Pakistan Transit Trade Agreement. The project seeks to increase trade at Pakistan's borders by providing small-scale infrastructure and training.
Ref: Pakistantoday

Enforcement of Pak-Indonesia PTA to triple bilateral trade
KARACHI - Implementation of Preferential Trade Agreement (PTA) between Indonesia and Pakistan can play a significant role in resolving the issues of business community at both sides, besides enhancing bilateral trade volume, business opportunities and benefiting from expertise of both countries. This was the consensus made at a joint dialogue session among businessmen as well as government officials and diplomats representing the two countries. The session, following speeches of Governor State Bank of Pakistan Yaseen Anwer, Indonesian Ambassador to Pakistan M Burhan Muhammad and Indonesian Consul General Rossalis R Adenan, was organized by the Ministry of Trade, Indonesia, in collaboration with Indonesian Embassy in Islamabad, the Indonesian Consulate General in Karachi and the Pakistan-Indonesia Business Forum at a local hotel. The focus of discussion was: ways to enhance trade relations between the two countries already tied in a fold of mutual cooperation, comradely and worldwide Islamic brotherhood. About 200 participants from Indonesia and Pakistan agreed that there was massive potential of bilateral cooperation in trade, tourism and industry sectors. It was cited that non-implementation of PTA was the core obstacle behind lack of bilateral trade volume between the two countries. On the occasion, several issues, as well as their possible solutions were discussed. Indonesian ambassador’s commitment for his utmost efforts to ease the visa policy for Pakistanis remained a significant development. The announcement was overwhelmingly welcomed. In this connection panelists and participants of the discussion also elaborated the behavior of bureaucracy and the problems being faced by Indonesians in Pakistan. The moot was told that the trade volume between Indonesia and Pakistan had increased by 44pc in 2012 compared to the previous year, reaching $1.6 billion. It is expected that with the implementation of the Indonesia-Pakistan PTA, the volume will be multiplied by threefold. Earlier, the chief guest of the ceremony Anwar emphasised that both the countries should join forces to increase bilateral trade volume. He said, “Lets find ways to explore opportunities for enhancing bilateral economic ties. Indonesia is among top ten countries of the world in mining sector, Pakistan can use its expertise and Similarly Indonesia can be a large market of Pakistani exports.” The governor SBP further added that intra-regional trade is the need of the hour, particularly in the ongoing economic situations. He urged ASEAN countries to take solid measures to reduce the gaps so as to enhance bilateral trade relations. The Indonesian ambassador announced major priorities to strengthen the commercial ties between two countries. His discussed in detail about friendly visa requirements to Pakistanis travelling to Indonesia and launching direct flight between Jakarta and Karachi. He assured Pakistani business community that he would try his level best to ease the visa policy. He also shed lights on the impacts of non-implementation of PTA on Indonesian-Pakistan bilateral economic ties. He emphasized that the kinnow oranges import regulations would be simplified and requested the business communities to encourage the relevant authorities to find the solutions in their part. Zubair Motiwala, Chairman of Sindh Board of Investment, Ilhamy Elias, Chairman of the Indonesian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (Committee for Bangladesh, Pakistan and Nepal), Waqar Ahmed Shah, Joint Secretary of the Pakistan Ministry of Commerce, Naveed Jan Baloch, Vice President of the Federation Pakistan Chamber of Commerce, Majid Haji Muhammad, Founder President of Pakistan–Indonesia Business Forum, and Parluhutan Tado Sianturi, Senior Official of the Indonesian Ministry of Trade were among panelists. The graceful ceremony was concluded on signing the Summary of Record by the representatives of trade, industry, governments of the two countries to make joint efforts to promote the implementation of Indonesia-Pakistan PTA, promote joint ventures, partnerships, and participation in exhibitions as well as resolving issues.
ref: Pakistantoday

China warns of ‘grim’ trade outlook
Markets surprised as exports and imports fall in June after fake invoicing crackdown
China has warned of a “grim” outlook for trade as the world’s second-largest economy surprised financial markets by reporting a fall in exports and imports when both had been expected to rise.
The figures, which follow a government crackdown on the use of fake invoicing that had exaggerated exports earlier this year, are likely to raise fresh concerns about the extent of the slowdown in the economy and global demand.
The June data, showing that exports fell 3.1 per cent from a year earlier and imports dropped 0.7 per cent, may now reflect the true trade picture, customs officials said.
“China faces relatively stern challenges in trade currently,” customs spokesman Zheng Yuesheng told a news briefing on the June trade figures.
“Exports in the third quarter look grim,” said Mr Zheng.
The customs agency said exporters were losing confidence in the face of weak overseas demand, rising labour costs and a strong yuan currency.
The exports fall was the first since January 2012. Economists had expected exports to increase 4.0 per cent and imports to rise by 8.0 per cent.
China’s trade data is volatile and has been distorted by speculative capital flows across the country’s border. Doubts about the accuracy of the figures had abated slightly since the customs office and top foreign exchange regulator launched a campaign in May to crack down on fake export invoices.
Fake invoicing inflated China’s official import and export totals by $75 billion in the first four months of 2013, local media reported on June 14th, citing an internal review by China’s commerce ministry.
The customs data showed that exports to the United States, China’s country’s biggest export market, fell 5.4 per cent, while exports to the European Union dropped 8.3 per cent.
“The surprisingly weak June exports show China’s economy is facing increasing downward pressure on lacklustre external demand,” said Li Huiyong, an economist at Shenyin & Wanguo Securities in Shanghai.
China had a trade surplus of $27.1 billion in June, the customs administration said, largely in line with the $27.0 billion expected by economists.
A continued slide in growth could test leaders’ resolve to tolerate a short-term slowdown in the economy while pressing ahead with efforts to revamp the economy for the longer term.
ref http://www.irishtimes.com/

Boston Red Sox Trade Rumors: Latest Updates and Reaction
It’s time for Boston Red Sox general manager Ben Cherington and his team of executives in the front office to start fielding calls and working the phones, as it’s officially trade season.

The Red Sox have some time before the July 31 trade deadline and appear to be buyers at the moment. It will be interesting to see what Cherington has up his sleeve this summer. Last summer, as many remember, Boston pulled off a major haul, trading some lucrative contracts to the Dodgers.

Will the Red Sox be part of any blockbuster deals this season?

Boston currently holds a 4.5-game lead in the American League East, and with all four teams still in contention, it’s essential Cherington fixes the organization’s problems in order to make the postseason. Calling up prospects isn’t going to be enough. The Red Sox must acquire a few players before the deadline.

Cherington and the front office should be very busy as the deadline approaches. As news breaks from Fenway Park, this tracker will be updated with everything you need to know. Rumors will be posted on a daily basis, and any trades that happen will be analyzed and graded. Be sure to follow along in the upcoming weeks.
ref http://bleacherreport.com/