Fertiliser producers put off price increase

PM aide calls relief to farmers, working relationship with industry top priority

ISLAMABAD: Adviser to Prime Minister on Commerce and Textile Abdul Razak Dawood has remarked that the fertiliser industry will not increase prices until further discussions.

In a meeting of the Fertiliser Review Committee, Dawood stressed that provision of relief to farmers and a working relationship with the industry were the government’s top priorities.

He inquired about reports that fertiliser prices had been hiked prior to the meeting, but meeting participants responded that due to the commitment to the adviser, the price increase had been halted.

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The PM adviser appreciated the step and encouraged the building of a working relationship between the ministry and the industry as only that could lead to a stable business environment and provide relief for the general public, especially the farmers.

The adviser assured the meeting participants that efforts would be made to ensure gas supply to Fatima Fertiliser and Agritech in order to keep them operational and avoid any shortage of fertiliser in the upcoming sowing season.

The issue of gas infrastructure development cess (GIDC) also came up for discussion in the meeting. It was noted that the revised GIDC Act had been ratified by the federal cabinet and may soon be passed by parliament.

“This will help to settle differences with the fertiliser industry and will also prove fruitful for revenue generation in the country,” he said.

As the matter fell under the purview of Petroleum and Natural Resources Division, the representative concerned was requested to ensure that all stakeholders were on the same page in dealing with the issue.  

Published in The Express Tribune, July 4^th, 2019.

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