Onion exports banned till May 30th

ISLAMABAD: The Economic Coordination Committee (ECC) of the Cabinet on Wednesday imposed a ban on the export of onions till May 30, 2020.

Considering the summary of the Ministry of National Food Security and Research, the committee, which met under the chair of Adviser to Prime Minister on Finance and Revenue Dr Abdul Hafeez Shaikh, gave approval to ban the export of onion for three months and ten days.

The ministry had presented the summary in a meeting on the instructions of the Prime Minister’s Office.

As per the documents available with this scribe, Punjab had requested the PM Office to impose a ban onion and red chilli export last week as they had a fear that prices of these items can escalate due to possible shortage.

Meanwhile, the ECC gave approval to a technical supplementary grant of Rs451.681 million for Naya Pakistan Housing and Development Authority and Rs110 million in favour of the planning ministry for Afghan projects.

The forum also approved the TSG of Rs5.9 million for capacity building of teachers training institutes and training of elementary teachers in former FATA, Gilgit Baltistan, AJK, Islamabad.

The meeting approved for provision of Rs636.05 million as TSG to National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) to cope with the locust.

The committee, while making amendments in Import Policy Order 2016, also directed Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) to clear the Halal logo items till April 30, 2020.

In another summary, the ECC has asked the Finance Division to give a subsidy on ‘Nomenclature of export-oriented Industries clarified’ within 14 days on the receipt claimed by petroleum Division.

In the summary of the commerce ministry, ECC allowed import of controlled chemicals through commercial importers. This includes acetone, anthracitic acid, ethyl ether, hydrochloric acid and sulphuric acid.

In another summary of the Ministry of National Food Security and Research, ECC allowed public sector procurement of 8.25 million tonnes of wheat at Rs1,365 for the coming season. If need arises, 0.5 million tonnes will be imported around the year to cater for any shortages.

Furthermore, on a summary moved by the Ministry of Energy, the committee allowed GSA to be signed by SNGPL for “1263.2 MW RLNG based power generation project near Trimmu Barrage”.