Pakistan rejects foreign pressure on Iran gas pipeline project

Monday, 05 Mar 2012

Ms Hina Rabbani Khar foreign minister of Pakistan rejecting any foreign pressure against Iran and Pakistan gas pipeline project said that it was in Pakistan's national interest to acquire energy from wherever it was available.

Mr Khar said that "We cannot afford to be selective. No decision in this regard would be taken against the national interests. The country was facing a real energy crisis and stressed the need to address its energy needs at the earliest. The relations with the United States, NATO and ISAF would be promoted on the basis of mutual self respect and in line with the policy devised by Pakistan's parliament.”

She said that the parliamentary committee on foreign policy would finalize the recommendations by the second week of this month. We want to add the element of credibility with the United States.

Ms Khar said that the refusal was till the time when a clear cut policy viz a viz the United States was finalized. Pakistan wanted to maintain friendly relations with all its neighbors including India and added that there was enthusiasm from both the sides to improve ties.

She said that the governments of the two neighboring countries had been working together to build a level of trust for the mutual benefit of two nations. Pakistan supported an Afghan led and Afghan owned solution to the problem.

Source - Business Recorder

Bangladesh steel rebar makers incur BDT 600 million loss a day

Friday, 04 Nov 2011

Bangladesh steel product makers Wednesday said that one day's production loss now comes to BDT 600 million because of staggered gas supply at the country's prime rod manufacturing hub in Chittagong.

They said steel makers in Sitakunda and Baizid belts, nearly 250 kilometres away from Dhaka and just 15 kilometres from Chittagong Port manufacture around 10,000 tonnes a day.

The gas distribution entity Karnaphuli Gas Distribution Company began gas staggering three days a week for the industrial belt on October 26. The manufacturers supply nearly cent per cent of quality mild steel rod to meet the country's requirements. Besides, on an average they supply 70% of total steel requirements of the country.

The major steel players in the belt are BSRM, AKS, RSRM, KSRM, SARM, GPH Ispat, Baizid Steel, Islam Steel which produce over 5000 tonnes of steel products a day. The other re-rolling mills numbering 40 plus produce nearly another 5000 tonnes, industry people said.

Mr Alihussain Akberali chairman and managing director of the country's largest steel maker BSRM Group said that "We estimate that production losses have reached BDT 600 million a day as all major players produce nearly 10,000 tonnes of steel products a day.”

Mr Alihussain Akberali hinted that the gas staggering would create shortage of MS products during its peak time leading to rise in the prices of key construction materials.

He said those who earlier converted their plants into furnace oil system, but kept it on hold, would raise their production cost. He added that "I think an additional BDT 1700 per tonne would be required if any rod manufacturer engages in production through furnace oil.”

Many millers said they would be forced to declare lay-off if the gas staggering continues for a few more days.

Head of Marketing and Production Development of the BSRM Group of Companies Mr Firoze has said they have two major re rolling plants in Chittagong in the Fouzderhat and Nasirabad industrial areas and production at both the units has reduced by 45% due to gas staggering. He said that "This will result in the hike of prices of rod, angle, channel and other steel products and the capital city will be most affected as flyovers and other major infrastructures in Dhaka are using 100% steel products made by the major steel plants of Chittagong.”

(Sourced from FE)

Italians raise questions about military operation against Libya

Wed Mar23, 2011 10:40:29

ROME, March 23 (Xinhua) -- Some Italian pollsters Tuesday expressed their doubts and worries over the ongoing Western-led military operation against Libya, only 250 km off Italy's southernmost coast.

They believed the main reason behind some Italians' opposition to the operation was that it was launched for the West's oil and natural gas interests in Libya instead of humanitarian purposes, according to a poll by the Italian polling firm Opinioni.

Italian energy statistics show around 30 percent of Italy's energy needs are met by oil and gas from Libya.

Maria Rossi, co-director of Opinioni, said "most of those against the operation said they feared the humanitarian reasons are a kind of cover-up."

Italians are also worried that if the operation dragged on too long, it could spark a massive exodus of Libyans, many of whom would end up on Italian shores.

This concern was echoed by Italians who spoke to Xinhua about their views of the escalating crisis in Libya.

Raffaella Pontarelli, a 30-year-old theater actress originally from Naples, said she was suspicious of Italy's involvement.

"I think Italy is getting involved for wrong reasons. I think the government just wants to make sure they can continue to have access to the oil and gas they need."

Despite some Italians' suspicion, the general support for Italian involvement in Libya, however, has risen in recent days and inched above 50 percent of those questioned, according to the Opinioni poll.

Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi pledged Monday that Italian fighter planes in Libya were there only to protect civilians and wouldn't fire on Libyan planes.

Italian military bases are being used by NATO countries as a launching pad for air strikes against Libya because of the country's proximity.

Western powers, including France, Britain, the United States and Italy, have launched a string of air raids against Libya since Saturday. Libyan authorities said the strikes had killed at least 64 Libyans and wounded 150 others.

Tags : NATO, France, Britain, United States