June 30, 2020 (MLN): The State Bank of Pakistan released the Bid Pattern for today's MTB Auction.
Auction target is Rs.100.00 billion against a maturing amount of Rs.215.30 billion, showing a net retirement of Rs.115.30 Billion.
In the previous auction cut off yield for 3, 6 and 12 months was 7.7999, 7.4847 and 7.36 percent.
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October 20, 2020: Prime Minister Imran Khan has stressed on taking all administrative measures to ensure availability of daily commodities and controlling their prices.
He was chairing a meeting in Islamabad to review availability and prices of daily commodities, especially wheat and sugar.
The Prime Minister directed to ensure sufficient supply of wheat and sugar at utility stores across the country.
He also directed provincial administrations to ensure legal action against real owners of mills and godowns who are indulged in hoarding.
The meeting was apprised that Punjab government has increased release of wheat from 16,000 tons to 20,000 tons on daily basis, which would be further increased to 25,000 tons in a couple of days. It was further informed that Sindh government would start formal release of wheat within next few days.
The meeting was also apprised that full scale crackdown against hoarders is continuing under the Prime Minister’s direction and it would be further accelerated.
Radio Pakistan
October 20, 2020: National Assembly's Standing Committee on Commerce has emphasized on the Ministry of Commerce that next agreement on Afghan Transit Trade must be comprehensive and facilitating the Pakistani exporters on priority basis.
In its 7th meeting, held in parliament house today, with the Chairman Syed Naveed Qamar in the chair, the Standing Committee on Commerce discussed the institutional arrangements, challenges and issues in transit trade with Afghanistan.
The Ministry of Commerce briefed the Committee on Afghan Pakistan Trade and revision of Afghan Pakistan Transit Trade Agreement 2010.
The Committee was informed that Afghanistan Pakistan Transit Trade Coordination Authority was established to monitor the effective implementation of the agreement.
Radio Pakistan
October 20, 2020 (MLN): Novartis, a Swiss MNC with a multi-decade presence in Pakistan, has acquired a manufacturing facility to produce medicines locally. Novartis has an expansion plan that will bring an investment of about USD 20 million.
Taking his official Twitter handle, Advisor to PM for Commerce and Investment, Abdul Razak Dawood said, ‘this investment signifies that the regulatory reforms & competitive local landscape are being recognized as an opportunity by investors.’
‘This acquisition also shows the confidence of international companies to invest in the future of Pakistani Pharma industry and highlights the realization of increased ease in doing business in Pakistan’, he concluded.
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October 20, 2020: Fading hopes for a pre-election US stimulus and concerns about a fresh surge in virus infections in key economies weighed on Asian markets Tuesday, tracking a sharp sell-off on Wall Street.
With a deadline set for later in the day by House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, analysts said US lawmakers' long-running haggling over a much-needed rescue package for the world's top economy appears unlikely to bear fruit until after the November 3 vote.
Pelosi's spokesman said she held talks with Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin on Monday and would do so again Tuesday, adding they "continued to narrow their differences".
But there is a growing feeling that even if they do find an agreement -- with Donald Trump saying he is happy to even go past Pelosi's $2.2 trillion proposal -- Senate Republicans would still not be prepared to back a massive spending bill.
"While the two sides seemed to be getting closer to an agreement over the weekend, investors remain nervous that if a new package won't be accepted before the elections, the consumer economy could be in for a rough holiday season," said Gorilla Trades strategist Ken Berman.
And OANDA's Edward Moya added: "All signs point to no-deal until January."
Senate Majority Leader Mitch "McConnell does not want to do the president's deal because it will cost him political capital. It seems politicians are determined to show that they are trying to get the next additional stimulus package done, but no one should count on the action this year."
- Brexit saga drags on -
All three main indexes on Wall Street ended more than one percent down. And most of Asia followed suit, though the losses were smaller in early trade.
Tokyo, Shanghai, Sydney and Jakarta all eased 0.3 percent, Hong Kong eased 0.1 percent, while Seoul dropped 0.5 percent, Singapore shed 0.6 percent and Taipei dipped 0.2 percent. Wellington edged up.
The need for a stimulus is increasing with figures showing fresh infections across the US, fuelling concerns about the reimposition of economically damaging containment measures.
That comes as numerous European countries have been forced to put new targeted lockdowns in place as they struggle to contain a second wave.
Investors are also keeping tabs on post-Brexit trade talks, with Britain welcoming signals that the European Union was ready to intensify them but said its commitments did not yet go far enough to restart face-to-face negotiations.
Britain's chief negotiator David Frost said he held a "constructive discussion" with EU counterpart Michel Barnier but added on Twitter that the bloc "still needs to make a fundamental change in approach to the talks and make clear it has done so".
Prime Minister Boris Johnson's spokesman warned: "The UK continues to believe there is no basis to resume talks unless there is a fundamental change of approach from the EU."
Johnson has said he is willing to walk away without an agreement if Britain does not get what it wants.
- Key figures around 0230 GMT -
Tokyo - Nikkei 225: DOWN 0.3 percent at 23,596.49 (break)
Hong Kong - Hang Seng: DOWN 0.1 percent at 24,529.17
Shanghai - Composite: DOWN 0.3 percent at 3,302.34
Euro/dollar: DOWN at $1.1765 from $1.1769 at 2100 GMT
Dollar/yen: UP at 105.54 from 105.40 yen
Pound/dollar: UP at $1.2942 from $1.2940
Euro/pound: UP at 90.93 pence from 90.92 pence
West Texas Intermediate: DOWN 0.9 percent at $40.48 per barrel
Brent North Sea crude: DOWN 0.8 percent at $42.29 per barrel
New York - Dow Jones: DOWN 1.5 percent at 28,195.42 (close)
London - FTSE 100: DOWN 0.6 percent at 5,884.65 (close).
AFP/APP
