Business

Russia offers blended crude oil to Pakistan

Published

1 year ago

Farwa

Offer is part of 100,000 barrels per day crude oil supply.
Russian side says ready to work with Pakistani authorities.
Pakistan more interested in light crude oil to process it efficiently.

KARACHI: Russia has made an offered to provide blended crude oil to Pakistan as the country’s refining sector is not able to process crude oil of one specification, The News reported on Friday.

The Russian side made an offer during a virtual meeting held between the authorities on Thursday. The offer is a part of the 100,000 barrels per day crude oil supply.

The Pakistani side, led by State Minister for Petroleum Dr Musadik Malik, comprised senior officials of the Petroleum Division and representatives from the oil sector whereas the Russian side consisted of senior officials of the energy ministry and relevant departments.

Sources privy to the proceedings of the meeting told The News the Pakistani authorities told their Russian counterparts that the country needed crude oil, petroleum products, gas and investment in infrastructure.

The Russian side told the Pakistani authorities that they were ready to work with them and would further deliberate upon it when a delegation from Russia would visit Pakistan in the third week of January 2023.

They further said that Russia would supply 100,000 barrels of crude oil to Pakistan daily. However, the Pakistani authorities told them that the country’s refineries were hydro-skimming and processing light crude oil. They added that they would be more interested in light crude oil to process it efficiently.

The Russian authorities said that if the Pakistani refineries are not capable of processing one crude oil, they can provide them with blended crude oil.

The sources said that more discussion would be held when the Russian authorities would visit Pakistan next month.

The Pakistani delegation visited Russia at the end of November to hold talks on the supply of oil and gas at discounted rates.

After returning from Russia, Malik, addressing a news conference, said that Russia had agreed to supply crude oil. However, the rates and mode of payment were yet to be finalised, for which the Russian authorities would visit Pakistan next month.

Business

There are US$13,280.5 million in foreign exchange reserves in Pakistan.

Published

3 hours ago

Farwa

According to a representative for the central bank, as of April 19, 2024, the nation’s total liquid foreign reserves were valued at US$ 13,280.5 million. A loss of US$74 million left the State Bank of Pakistan’s foreign reserves at US$7,981.2 million.

Commercial banks have $5,299.3 million in reserves for Pakistan.

In the week that concluded on April 12, the State Bank of Pakistan’s (SBP) foreign exchange reserves increased by $14.4 million to $8.055 billion.

“In a weekly statement, SBP stated that it has repaid US$ 1 billion in principal and interest on Pakistan’s International Bond, which matures this week.”

But at $13.374 billion, the nation’s total reserves decreased by $68 million. In the same way, commercial banks’ reserves dropped to $5.319 billion, a reduction of $82 million.

Business

NIMA seminar to increase Pakistan’s ship recycling industry’s capacity

Published

3 hours ago

Farwa

According to a release, important players from a range of maritime industries attended the conference to discuss issues facing the shipping sector.

It further stated that the symposium cleared the path for the resurgence of a sustainable future in ship recycling.

Participants in the conference included representatives of the Gadani Ship Breaking Labour Union, PSBA, KS&EW, KPT, PMSA, GEMS, and the federal and Balochistani governments.

Furthermore, global perspectives and ideas were offered by international specialists such as Rabia Razzaque from UN-ILO and Professor Raphael Baumler from the World Maritime University.

The seminar emphasized Pakistan’s capacity to emerge as a pioneer in the field of environmentally friendly ship recycling.

In order to protect the environment and the safety of employees, the participants emphasized the importance of following international standards and regulations.

During his speech, Chief Guest Senator Nisar Ahmed Khoro emphasized the importance of the maritime industry’s resurgence and the crucial necessity for coordinated efforts from all parties involved.

A new age of economic prosperity, worker safety, and environmental responsibility for Pakistan’s maritime industry was called for as he urged the stakeholders to work together on a comprehensive SENSREC program.

Vice Admiral Ahmed Saeed (Retd), the president of NIMA, emphasized the significance of environmental stewardship and safety in ship recycling procedures.

Business

Inflows into the Roshan Digital Account surged to $7.660 billion on March 24.

Published

3 hours ago

Farwa

According to the data, remittance inflows for the month of March totaled US$ 182 million, whereas they were US$ 141 million in February and US$ 142 million in January 2024.

Millions of Non-Resident Pakistanis (NRPs), including those who own Non-Resident Pakistan Origin Cards (POCs), can now engage in banking, payment, and investing activities in Pakistan with the help of these accounts, which offer cutting-edge banking solutions.

According to a statement from the State Bank of Pakistan, the number of accounts registered under the program increased by 11,091 from 668,701 accounts in February 2024 to 679,792 accounts in March 2024.

As of March 2024, the central bank reported that foreign nationals of Pakistan have invested US $312 million in Naya Pakistan Certificates, US $528 million in Naya Pakistan Islamic Certificates, and US $31 million in Roshan Equity Investment.

It is important to note that former prime minister Imran Khan introduced the Roshan Digital Account initiative in September 2020 with the goal of giving Pakistanis living abroad access to digital banking services for the first time.