AFP/APP – The Bank of England on Thursday said it had decided to keep its main interest rate at 0.50 percent, as it weighed high UK inflation against Brexit uncertainty.
“Our Monetary Policy Committee has voted by a majority of 7-2 to maintain Bank Rate at 0.50 percent,” said a statement following a regular meeting, adding that it was maintaining the amount of cash stimulus pumping around the UK economy at £445 billion ($630 billion, 512 billion euros).
October 26, 2020: A two-day seminar on Pak-Afghan trade and investment to realize significance of bilateral trade and linkage and regional growth will commence in Islamabad on Monday.
Parliamentarians, trade communities of the two sides and line ministries will deliberate on ways and means to open up new vistas of cooperation and boosting bilateral trade between Islamabad and Kabul.
Thematic sessions of the seminar will focus on investment opportunities in manufacturing sector, agriculture, food, livestock and minerals and opportunities in services.
Seminar is unique and historic keeping in view the government's vibrant policies aimed at promoting regional connectivity and creating an environment of shared development and prosperity.
Radio Pakistan
October 26, 2020: Minister for Planning, Development and Special Initiatives Asad Umar says strong earnings being reported by companies listed on Pakistan Stock Exchange reflect the achivement of economic stability.
In a tweet on Sunday, he said country's economy is moving into the growth phase. He said a record 10 new IPO'S are also being planned by companies for listing on stock exchange this year.
Radio Pakistan
October 26, 2020 (MLN): The Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority (OGRA), on Friday revised the sale prices and minimum charges in respect of natural gas sold by Sui Southern Gas Company and Sui Northern Gas Company, to various categories of their retail consumers, with effect from September 1, 2020.
According to the notification, the minimum gas sale price for domestic consumers and for commercial sector (which includes all establishments registered as commercial units with local authorities or dealing in consumer items) remained unchanged.
In category of Special Commercial (roti tandoors), the gas sale price has been determined for Rs110 per MMBTU for using up to 0.5 hm^3 and 1hm^3 gas per month, Rs 220 per MMBTU for using up to 2hm^3 and 3hm^3, Rs700 per MMBTU for using above 3hm^3. Minimum charges for this category reduced by 14% to Rs148.5 per month.
In general industrial sector, all off-takes have been determined at flat rate of Rs 1,054 per MMBTU for all consumers engaged in the processing of industrial raw material into value added finished products irrespective of the volume of gas consumed but excluding such industries for which a separate rate has been prescribed. The Minimum charges for this sector have been reduced to Rs 35,540 from Rs 36,449.7 per month.
The export-oriented (general industry) will be charged with a flat rate of Rs. 819 per MMBTU, the minimum charges for this sector has been set at Rs. 27,616 per month. The export oriented (Captive) will be charged with a flat rate of Rs. 852 per MMBTU, while the minimum charges for this has have been determined at Rs 28,729 per month.
For Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) sector, all off-takes for Region-1, have been fixed at flat rate of Rs 1,371 per MMBTU with minimum monthly charges of Rs 46,229. For Region-II, all off takes have been set at a flat rate of Rs 1,350 per MMBTU with minimum monthly gas charges of Rs 45,521.
While, for Cement Factories, the minimum monthly charges remained unchanged Rs 45,588.9 per month.
For fertilizer companies, the price of almost all off-takes have been increased to settle at flat rate of Rs 302 per MMBTU from Rs 300 per MMBTU for gas used as feed-stock and from Rs 1,021 per MMBTU to Rs 1,023 per MMBTU for gas used as fuel for generation of electricity, steam and for usage of housing colonies.
However, Engro Fertilizer Company Limited will pay the $0.70 per MMBTU for all off takes at flat rate for gas used as feed stock, which is the same as earlier, while its price for gas used as fuel for generation of electricity, steam and for usage of housing colonies increased from Rs 1,021 per MMBTU at a flat rate to Rs1,023 per MMBTU.
In power sector, all off-takes have been pushed up to Rs 857 per MMBTU at flat rate from Rs 824 per MMBTU both for WAPDA, KE’s power stations and other electricity utility companies and for WAPDA’s Gas Turbine Power Station, Nishatabad, Faisalabad, with minimum charges decreased to Rs 28,898 per month from Rs 29,416.8 for the former, while for latter, the minimum gas charges remained unchanged at Rs 975 per month.
For Independent Power Producers, all off-takes would be available at an increased flat rate of Rs 857 per MMBTU compared to Rs 824 per MMBTU set earlier. The minimum gas charges for IPPs have been revised down to Rs 28,898 per month from Rs 29,416.8.
For Captive Power Plants, all off-takes have been revised up at flat rate of Rs 1,087per MMBTU from Rs 1,021 per MMBTU, with minimum charges for this have also increased from Rs 36,449.7 to Rs 36,653 per month.
In addition to this, the authority also revised the sale price at Rs 857 per MMBTU in respect of natural gas sold by Mari Petroleum Company Limited (MARI) and Pakistan Petroleum Limited (PPL) to WAPDA’s Gas Turbine Power Station Guddu. The minimum charges for this will be set as per the Sale Purchase Agreement between WAPDA and these companies.
Copyright Mettis Link News
October 26, 2020: Asian markets were mixed Monday with traders increasingly pessimistic that US lawmakers will pass a new stimulus package before next week's election, while spiking virus cases fanned worries about the economic impact of new containment measures.
Despite months of arduous talks in Washington, there appears to be little chance Republicans and Democrats will hammer out a rescue deal to help hard-strapped Americans, with both sides blaming each other for the impasse.
Analysts said investors had essentially given up hope of an agreement being made any time soon, and were now betting on Joe Biden and a Democratic sweep of Congress that would open the way for an even bigger spending package in the new year.
"There is very limited incentive on both sides to get a deal done," Joseph Shaposhnik, a portfolio manager at TCW, told Bloomberg TV.
"The market has baked that in, has baked in the election and is looking out six months and thinking what are the odds life begins to normalise, a vaccine is introduced."
Adding to the negative sentiment is a surge of coronavirus cases across the United States and Europe, with the World Health Organization on Sunday reporting a third straight day of record new infections globally.
The virus has now claimed the lives of 1.1 million people and infected more than 42 million globally.
The new wave has already forced governments in several countries including Britain, Germany and France to reimpose tough restrictions to prevent the disease from spreading.
"The US stimulus stalemate is now getting amplified through concerns about rising virus cases that could ultimately result in more stringent mobility restrictions and could even force additional business closures, which will most certainly put the economic recovery on the back foot into year-end," said Axi strategist Stephen Innes.
Tokyo, Sydney and Singapore were barely moved while Shanghai, Seoul and Manila dropped into negative territory. Taipei and Jakarta edged up. Hong Kong was closed for a holiday.
Traders are also keeping tabs on a key policy-setting meeting of China's Communist Party this week, which is expected set the course for the world's second-biggest economy for the next several years with an eye on US relations.
- Key figures around 0300 GMT -
AFP/APP
