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An argument in favor of coffee in Pakistan

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In Pakistan, coffee is becoming more and more popular, especially among younger people, who drink it hot instead of other drinks. Its high price is partly due to the high tariffs on coffee, though, which makes the expansion of the national coffee market difficult.

Colleges, universities, and workplaces are full of young people who clearly enjoy coffee. This suggests that as the number of young people increases, their tastes will change.

The Pakistani coffee lover and specialist in advertising, Faizan Tariq, says he wishes coffee was as cheap as tea. He questions why coffee prices are not more competitive, similar to those of tea, given its appeal as a hot beverage for working late into the evening.

When the semester system started in college, Punjab University student Amna Tariq resorted to coffee. She views coffee as a lifeline during exam season and depends on it to keep her energized throughout strenuous university responsibilities. Still, she wishes coffee, like tea, was more reasonably priced on weekdays.

It is estimated that by 2025, the global coffee market would be worth $85 billion, with 2.25 billion cups consumed daily. Pakistan must assess and reorganize its tax system as a developing coffee market. After customs, additional customs, and regulatory duties, the total duty on finished coffee goods is currently 53%, while bulk imports are subject to a tariff of 28%. But just thirteen percent of the tariff is applied to tea.

High duties not only prevent the coffee industry from expanding, but they also make it difficult for legitimate companies to make investments, which encourages the formation of the black market. Legal coffee-making enterprises cannot match the cost of foreign coffee brands that are smuggled because they have to pay taxes and duties.

SRO 237, which was issued in 2019, also states that products must have a minimum shelf life of 66 percent at the time of import, ingredient labeling in both English and Urdu, and halal certification from recognized authorities in addition to meeting certain logo and labeling specifications. All of these requirements are violated in this scenario. Provincial and federal governments are in charge of ensuring conformity at the retail level and during importation, respectively.

A chance exists in Pakistan to localize, assemble, manufacture, and brand coffee with the possibility to export it, given the rising public consumption of the beverage. It is worth noting that a prominent global multinational coffee producer is already present in Pakistan and could be well-positioned to take advantage of this favorable circumstance. A major factor in fostering an atmosphere that supports these kinds of initiatives is the government.

Also, Pakistan can grow coffee; in fact, the Pothohar region of the country has a climate that is ideal for coffee growth. In addition to creating job opportunities, this might unlock economic potential and diversify Pakistan’s agriculture value chain. It is necessary to streamline the bulk coffee duty structure in order to assist this, as doing so will draw in foreign investment, promote value chain development, and encourage innovation in the coffee industry.

The coffee market in Pakistan is expanding, but in order to fully realize the industry’s potential, it is imperative to reform the duty structure, encourage localization, and strengthen coffee cultivation.

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It is anticipated that 150 ships would arrive at Gwadar by the year 2045, allowing the port to handle fifty percent of all imports.

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In an effort to strengthen the port’s economic importance, the Federal Government has made the decision to direct fifty percent of all imports from the public sector to Gwadar Port.

By taking this action, which has the backing of the Special Investment Facilitation Council, the port’s financial situation is going to be improved.

The Cabinet will be presented with a summary of imports through Gwadar by the Ministry of Maritime Affairs, which will take place after Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s recent trip to China.

When the next Cabinet Meeting takes place, Ahsan Iqbal, the Federal Minister for Planning, Development, and Special Initiatives, will examine the Chinese offer for the Karachi to Hyderabad Section of the ML-1 Project and bring it to the Cabinet.

Company preparations for the Shanghai International Import Expo, which will take place in November 2024, are being made by the Board of Investment and the Ministry of Commerce of Pakistan.

One of the most important aspects of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor is the Gwadar port, which serves as a significant commerce route connecting China, the Middle East, Africa, and Europe. At this time, the Gwadar Port is able to accommodate two huge ships, and by the year 2045, it is anticipated that it would be able to handle up to 150 ships.

By developing the Gwadar Port, regional connectivity would be improved, employment will be created, and international investment will be attracted.

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The price of gold in Pakistan has experienced a significant surge.

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Gold prices in Pakistan surged significantly on Thursday following two consecutive days of decline, with the price per tola rising by Rs2,000 to reach Rs262,100. This increase was in accordance with the downward trend in international market values.

The All-Pakistan Gems and Jewellers Sarafa Association (APGJSA) reported that the price of 10 grams of 24-karat gold rose by Rs1,714, reaching Rs224,708.

Conversely, the world gold market experienced an upward trajectory. According to the APGJSA, the global price of gold surged to $2,503 per ounce following a $22 gain during the trading session.

The local market experienced a significant decline in silver prices, decreasing from Rs50 to Rs2,900 per tola after a prolonged period.

The local market’s gold prices remain subject to the ever-changing dynamics of the international market, as well as domestic considerations such as currency exchange rates and domestic demand.

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The government has not met the deadline set by the International Monetary Fund (IMF) for the approval of a $7 billion loan.

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On Tuesday night, there were virtual talks between representatives of the Finance Ministry and the IMF delegation, with the main topics being external finance and income generation.

According to people familiar with the situation, no date has been set for the IMF’s Executive Board to approve the loan despite the ongoing negotiations.

Officials from the Finance Ministry informed the IMF mission about the government’s initiatives to get outside funding during the discussions. Updates on loan rollovers and fresh finance commitments from allies were included in this. According to sources, the IMF has received a schedule, and loan rollovers are expected to be finished by the end of next week.

The $12 billion in debt must be rolled over before the loan can be approved by the Executive Board, according to the IMF mission.

In the virtual discussions, representatives of the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) conversed with the IMF team over the revenue deficit. The FBR must reach its revenue goals for this month, according to the IMF mission. As a result, the IMF has asked the FBR to submit a thorough strategy outlining how it will close the gap left by the shortfall and guarantee that revenue goals are reached.

Apart from the conversations on outside funding, there are rumors that the Finance Ministry is actively holding talks with commercial banks in order to obtain new funding. According to reports, negotiations are taking place with four distinct sources for commercial loans, which are anticipated to support the government’s overall financial plan.

Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb disclosed on Tuesday that the IMF was in favor of introducing targeted subsidies. He said that qualifying recipients might receive these subsidies through the Benazir Income Support Programme (BISP).

In order to guarantee consistency, the minister announced that this week’s talks with chief ministers will focus on implementing a similar policy across the country. He was having a casual conversation in parliament with the journalists.

In response to queries about outside funding, Aurangzeb revealed a $2 billion deficit and said that talks to close this gap are progressing. He stressed how crucial it is to obtain business loans.

He went on, “At this point, there’s a need to secure an agreement for commercial loans, not exactly their issuance,” emphasizing that debt rollover negotiations are nearing their conclusion and doing well. The minister expected that these developments would shortly be reported to the governments of allied countries by relevant authorities.

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