KARACHI (July 30, 2010): Switzerland ranks fifth in terms of foreign direct investment (FDI) in Pakistan. This was stated by the Consul General of Switzerland in Karachi, Martin Bienz. In a message here on Thursday on the eve of the National Day of the Swiss Confederation, he said that in the last seven year, the Swiss based multinational companies have invested 1.2 billion dollars.

KARACHI (July 30, 2010): The country's liquid foreign reserves have declined by 14.39 million dollar during a week. According to the State Bank of Pakistan overall foreign reserves stood at 16.557 million dollar as on July 23, 2010, as compared to 16.701 million dollar on July 16, 2010.

KARACHI (July 30, 2010): Vietnam's ambassador in Pakistan Nguyen Viet Hung has urged the business communities of both countries to do their utmost in developing bilateral trade relations. Speaking at a meeting of Karachi Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI) on Thursday he emphasised on frequent visits of trade delegations to develop an understanding of the trade markets.

ISLAMABAD (July 30, 2010): Trucks, trailers and goods associations of Balochistan and Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (KP) have expressed their dismay over the approval of minutes of Afghan-Pakistan Transit Trade Agreement (APTTA), saying allowing Afghan trucks via Chaman to Wahgah border and Karachi port would be disastrous for local transporters besides leaving hundreds of local people jobless.

KARACHI (July 30, 2010): Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi on Thursday said Pakistan will receive remaining $3 billion pledged by the Friends of Democratic Pakistan (FoDP) by October this year. Talking to media at the farewell ceremony for Pakistani youth delegates participating in the 5th World Youth Congress in Turkey at Arts Council of Pakistan here on Thursday.

ISLAMABAD (July 30, 2010): The Senate on Thursday unanimously passed "The Benazir Income Support Programme Bill, 2010." Federal Minister for Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs, Babar Awan presented the Bill in the Upper House of the Parliament, which was passed unanimously. He said Benazir Income Support Programme is for the welfare of the poor masses. He said it is a targeted programme for the people who are living on or below the poverty line.

ISLAMABAD (July 30, 2010): The United States on Thursday announced that it has transferred $75 million to Pakistan for the Benazir Income Support Programme (BISP) to help meet the immediate needs of 600,000 impoverished families across Pakistan. According to a US Embassy statement, the BISP provides basic income and access to opportunities for some of Pakistan's poorest people.

LAHORE (July 30, 2010): Pakistan Industrial and Traders Associations Front (PIAF) has urged the Prime Minister to give top priority to cut sugar and electricity prices in the upcoming Ramazan Package.

KARACHI (July 30, 2010): Karachi's trade and industrial sector has demanded of the government to reverse its hasty decision to extend five-day workweek for one more month.

LAHORE (July 30, 2010): An effective management of supply chain is an essential tool to ensure cheaper quality products to end-users. It is not only the logistics, but also collaboration and trust among the supply chain members, which is a key to success.