English Premier League: Arsenal ready to challenge for trophies, says Wenger

"It was important to convince people we can win these big games. And that we did it in a convincing way is even more important," says Arsene Wenger. PHOTO: REUTERS

LONDON: Arsene Wenger is convinced his Arsenal side now possesses sufficient consistency to challenge for trophies at home and abroad.

Much has been made of the fact that the Gunners have not won anything since 2005 but, following Saturday’s 2-0 home victory over Liverpool, they are currently five points clear at the top of the Premier League.

Their credentials are set for a thorough and instant testing however as on Wednesday they travel to Borussia Dortmund in the Champions League, having previously lost 2-1 at home to the Germans, and on Sunday they are back in Premier League action at reigning title-holders Manchester United.

“It was important to convince people we can win these big games,” said Wenger.

“And that we did it in a convincing way is even more important. I believe nobody would dispute that we deserved to win this game.

“We have have plenty of other big games coming up and this will help us to deal with them. It’s down to consistency and we have been consistent since the first of January 2013. Ten games and 25 points is a respectable number. The players know each other better and have improved individually and collectively.”

Santi Cazorla gave Arsenal a first-half lead before Aaron Ramsey made it 2-0 just before the hour mark with his 10th goal of a very impressive season.

Pellegrini revels in City’s magnificent seven

Manchester City manager Manuel Pellegrini praised his team’s killer instinct as they condemned Norwich to a humiliating 7-0 defeat at Eastlands.

An own goal from Bradley Johnson set City on their way before David Silva, Matija Nastasic, Alvaro Negredo, Yaya Toure, Sergio Aguero and Edin Dzeko all got on the scoresheet.

“It was a really good performance. The team played really well during the 90 minutes, not only the first half,” said Pellegrini. “Normally when winning 4-0 at half-time, in the second half a team finish or stop.

“But the team continued playing exactly the same and that’s very important for me.”

It was City’s biggest top-flight victory since 1968.

On some of the fluid moves involving the likes of Aguero, Silva and Samir Nasri, Pellegrini added: “It is the way we work every day.

“It is so important for me to see the way I want them to play.

“They are very good technical players when they move the ball quick and move into space, it’s very difficult for our team not to score so we must continue the same way.”

‘Board’s backing for Amir is disgraceful’

Most of the players believe that Amir should not be allowed to return to international cricket. PHOTO: AFP/FILE

LAHORE: Domestic players have criticised the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) for living in self-denial and supporting banned fast-bowler Mohammad Amir despite being a cheat.

Most of the players believe that Amir should not be allowed to return to international cricket.

The tainted bowler has been seen at the PCB headquarters Gaddafi Stadium in the last few days where he met top officials of the board.

“It’s a real shame that a cheat like Amir has been supported by the PCB, that is going all out to help him return to international cricket,” one of the international players appearing in the current domestic season told The Express Tribune.

“This has come as a slap on the face for players with a decent track record and a clean character, especially those who are striving to make it to the national team“.

He stressed that an example should be set for others to follow and discourage acts of ‘fixing’ as it has spread like a cancer in cricket.

Meanwhile, another player stated that an average player with a clear track record is a better player for Pakistan than someone who is top-class but corrupt.

“It is better that the PCB promotes players who are average and clean if they are serious about eliminating corruption instead of backing those who sold the country for money,”

“The board might argue that Amir is close to completing his punishment and he was aged under-18 but it’s all a lie. He should’ve been given sentence after medical tests.”

Another feeling among the players is that both the International Cricket Council (ICC) and PCB should end the drama of fighting against corruption and wasting millions on training and education programme against fixing.

“The PCB and ICC should stop making a fool out of the people in the name of zero tolerance policy against corruption. Unlimited anti-corruption lectures have been given in the name of training and education programmes which seem like a drama,” opined a former Test player.

Djokovic wins Paris Masters, 40th career title

Novak Djokovic of Serbia reacts after defeating David Ferrer of Spain in the men's singles final match at the Paris Masters men's singles tennis tournament at the Palais Omnisports of Bercy in Paris, November 3, 2013. PHOTO: REUTERS

PARIS: Novak Djokovic defeated defending champion David Ferrer 7-5, 7-5 on Sunday to win the Paris Masters and claim his 40th career title after a thrilling final at the Bercy arena.

Ferrer fell short of becoming the first player to successfully defend the Paris title while six-time major winner Djokovic took another step towards regaining the number one spot from Rafael Nadal at next week’s World Tour Finals in London.

Victory also meant that Djokovic became just the 15th player to reach the milestone of 40 titles.

“I’m full of joy right now and this is one of the biggest weeks of the tennis season so I’m really happy and just want to continue like this,” said the 26-year-old Serbian.

The Australian Open champion also paid tribute to Ferrer for his attitude on and off the court.

“He is the defending champion, and obviously he enjoys playing on this surface in these conditions. I knew that coming into the match I’m going to have to work for my points.

“He is not going to give me too many free points. He’s going to run every ball. He’s a great competitor, one of the most respected guys on tour because he works hard and he’s very humble and he’s a very nice person,” added Djokovic, who picked up his third straight tournament triumph.

“The opening four or five games went really the distance, and he was a better player. He was taking the ball and running me around the court.

“Second set, when he was serving for the set, I was fortunate to come back in the match. He gave me the game with a few unforced errors. Then, when the chances were presented for me, set points, match points, I managed to use them.

“This win has given me a lot of confidence and we’ll see now what happens in London.”

Ferrer was dignified in defeat after failing to win what would have been a second Masters title following his French capital breakthrough last year.

“The key, well, with 5-5 in the second, I didn’t serve so good. With Nole, if I don’t take the chances, it’s impossible to beat him.”

“With Nole (Djokovic) or Rafa (Nadal) or Roger (Federer) or Andy Murray, I don’t have these breaks, not in important moments.”

Ferrer grabbed the first break after a punishing rally at 30-40 was finally won by the Spaniard to go 2-1 up with a perfect drop shot that left Djokovic stranded at the back of the court.

Djokovic carved out his first break point of the match in the following game, but Ferrer held firm and built his resilience on his excellent first serve which was reaping him a winning percentage of 80 per cent.

With the Spaniard serving for the set at 5-4, Djokovic launched his assault and this time on break point he fired a forehand winner that grazed the line and pulled him back on level terms.

After serving out to love to go 6-5 up, the world number two seized his first set point when Ferrer hit long as the set swung surprisingly into Djokovic’s hands.

Ferrer shook off the disappointment of letting that first set slip from his grasp and broke to open the second set before a tough service hold gave him a 2-0 lead.

Ferrer had a glorious chance to grab a second break and go 4-2 up but failed to put away a net cord that floated up and was waiting to be buried only for a soft volley to be punished by Djokovic who went on to hold serve.

The set then went to serve before the defending champion again had a chance to close out at 5-4 only for Djokovic to break at the crucial moment to once again level the set.

In an exact repeat of the opening set, Ferrer cracked at the worst possible moment as Djokovic pounced on his opponent to tie the set before serving out for the title.

Nadal would have been guaranteed to finish the year at number one had Djokovic lost but now the Spaniard must win at least two matches in London to assure his rival cannot catch him.

Recent form gives Juve hope ahead of Real clash

Nine-time champions Real Madrid are among a quartet of teams seeking to record a fourth successive Champions League victory this week to secure a place in the last-16. PHOTO: AFP

Three consecutive wins and as many clean sheets in Serie A have given Juventus renewed confidence ahead of a must-win Champions League clash at home to Real Madrid today.

However Juve coach Antonio Conte has called on fans to give the Serie A champions an extra boost by offering Carlo Ancelotti’s Spanish giants a red-hot welcome to Turin.

“I hope the stadium will be a fiery cauldron on Tuesday night [tonight],” Conte told JTV. “The fans can help push us to victory.”

Given their lack of wins so far, Juve could certainly do with a boost.

Ousted from last year’s quarter-finals by eventual winners Bayern Munich, the Italians appeared down and out of this season’s competition following a 2-1 defeat to nine-time European champions Real three weeks ago.

That defeat came in the wake of a confidence-sapping league reverse away to Fiorentina, who scored four second-half goals to stun the champions 4-2.

But three consecutive Serie A wins against Genoa, Catania and Parma has boosted Juve’s resolve.

Midfielder Claudio Marchisio underlined the threat of Real Madrid’s Angel Di Maria, Ronaldo and Gareth Bale, but believes improvements to Juve’s defensive play could be decisive.

“We have to look out for their threat on the counter-attack through the likes of Di Maria, Ronaldo and [Gareth] Bale, who all break with extreme pace,” said Marchisio.

“Real have plenty of strong players up front who sometimes help out less in defensive areas, so that puts their backline under pressure.

Meanwhile, Real need only a point in Turin to secure their place in the last-16.

‘It will be a difficult test against Sociedad’

Manchester United can virtually ensure their last-16 place with victory in Spain after a 1-0 home win over Sociedad, playing in the tournament for the first time in 10 years, in Manchester moved them onto seven points from three games.

But David Moyes’s side have doubts over the fitness of Jonny Evans, Rafael da Silva and Tom Cleverley, who were all replaced at half-time in Saturday’s 3-1 win at Fulham.

“It will be a difficult test against [Real] Sociedad,” said Moyes.

“To go and play against any side in Spain who have qualified will be a hard test, but we will go over there and try and get a good result that will continue our good form in the group.”

Meanwhile, an in-form Bayern Munich will be looking to notch up their fourth straight win in the Champions League group stage and seal a spot in the final 16 when the Bundesliga champions face Viktoria Plzen today.

In another match, Manchester City will look to secure qualification for the knockout phase when they resume hostilities with CSKA Moscow.

Today’s Fixtures

Sociedad v Man United
Donetsk v Leverkusen
Copenhagen v Galatasaray
Juventus v Madrid
Olympiakos v Benefica
PSG v Anderlecht
Man City v Moscow
Plzen v Munich

New entrant policy: Yamaha deal likely to bring new investment fervour

The project envisages building and selling global models of Yamaha motorcycles which have never been built in Pakistan before, enabling the country to come at par with the rest of the world. DESIGN: CREATIVE COMMON

KARACHI: 

Despite stiff opposition from existing automobile companies, the decision of the government to facilitate Yamaha as a new applicant and finally signing a New Entrant Agreement (NEA) with the Japanese company, is undoubtedly a giant leap towards giving a new impetus to Direct Foreign Investment (FDI) in Pakistan.

The decision of Yamaha to establish its plant in Pakistan will encourage other famous brands to invest in different sectors of the economy as under this policy the country offers more lucrative business opportunities to newcomers than those offered by regional countries.

It may be mentioned here that it took about four years for Yamaha to win this deal. In fact, the automobile industry was against extending this facility to Yamaha, because according to them facilitating a particular company by distorting the tax structure would undermine the principles of free market and go against the spirit of competition. They pointed out that unrestricted import of 100 per cent Completely Knocked Down (CKD) parts would result in the closure of vending industry and as such the new entrant policy would ultimately dent the tax revenue stream.

The new entrant policy allows import of 100 per cent CKD parts at highly concessional rates. The existing customs duty on import of CKD parts is 32.5 per cent whereas the ministry has offered an attractive incentives package for the new entrants for first three years – 5 per cent duty in the first year, 10 per cent in the second and 20 per cent in the third year.

During the first three years, the new investors would be required to achieve localisation/deletion to the extent of 50 per cent by value. At the end of this period, the new entrants shall be allowed import of non-localised parts at the prescribed rates, ie, 32.5 per cent of customs duty for a further period of two years. Thereafter, the new entrants would be required to match the levels achieved by the existing players.

The Yamaha contract can be termed a milestone in achieving the investment target, because according to the Board of Investment (BoI) statistics, in the latest financial year ending June 30, 2012, FDI plunged to $813 million. Economists describe this situation as alarming.

The figures compiled by BoI show that in the latest seven-month period (July-Jan 2012-13), FDI in Pakistan amounted to $525 million with the biggest chunk going in the foreigners’ all-time favorite oil and gas exploration and production sector ($327m), followed by financial sector and transport and construction. Fast Moving Consumer Goods (FMCG) is another sector of choice for foreign inflows. The growing number of multinational food franchises proves the point. Inflows from US, UK, Switzerland, Hong Kong and Italy have been in the lead.

As Yamaha Japan gets ready to bring in $150 million Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) for setting up a motorcycle manufacturing plant on a 50-acre plot at state-of-the-art, first of its kind Bin Qasim Industrial Park (BQIP), Karachi regains the status of one of the most attractive places for investment in the region. BQIP is being developed in an area of 930 acres by National Industrial Parks Development & Management Company (NIP), a subsidiary of Pakistan Industrial Development Corporation (PIDC).

The proposed investment is expected to create 50,000 jobs and promote ancillary industries. The project would lead to transfer of technology in manufacturing of motorcycles and the company would set up exclusive training centers for developing skills and capacity of vendors. Accordingly it is expected to deposit a huge chunk of revenues to the public purse.

The project envisages building and selling global models of Yamaha motorcycles which have never been built in Pakistan before, enabling the country to come at par with the rest of the world. To boost the business of local vendors Yamaha Japan intends to grow a relationship with local spare parts industries with a view to localising the bikes it wishes to produce. It plans to begin producing motorcycles of above 100cc which are in demand globally.

On attaining full production capacity, the facility is slated to produce 45,000 units annually. With the setting up of a motorcycle manufacturing facility in Karachi with EFI, automatic transmission and European standard exhaust system, the company is set to target the Middle East, Central Asian and African markets and contribute towards the country’s exports.

BQIP is the biggest project of NIP, a company set up under section 42 of the Companies Ordinance 1984, to establish & manage world class industrial parks all over the country. The BQIP project has been designed by M/S Jurong Singapore, renowned internationally for their expertise whereas M/S Engineering Associates (EA) with wide experience in this field is given the responsibility for subsequent architectural design, engineering services and construction supervision of the project.

The project offers entrepreneurs with guaranteed uninterrupted power supply through 50 MW captive power plant and all essential utilities like water, gas and telecommunication at the customers’ doorstep. The hallmark of this industrial zone is perimeter wall with controlled entry and exit to the complex offering a safe and secure environment to the industrialists.

Khayal Festival: When cinema lovers meet film walas

The excitement surrounding the celebration of film-making at the festival indeed came with a realisation that there is a genuine interest in new-age cinema. PHOTOS: PUBLICITY

LAHORE: 

It was heartening to see the turnout at the Khayal Festival sessions that touched upon Pakistani cinema. A tsunami of cinema and art lovers, curious young people and pristine Lahori aunties flooded halls at the Al Hamra Arts Complex, excited to hear prominent film-makers of 2013 speak.

The concluding session of Day 1, titled ‘Lights, Camera, Action’, brought together the teams ofWaar and Main Hoon Shahid Afridi. Vasay Chaudhry, Shamoon Abbasi, Amir Munawar, Bilal and his father Kamran Lashari represented team Waar, while veteran Javed Sheikh attended from the MHSA camp.

Javed Sheikh’s experience and passion for cinema was lapped up by eager onlookers. “I was always optimistic that our youngsters would eventually revive cinema in Pakistan,” he said.

“I dreamed about a day when change in the Pakistani film industry would come. Finally it has,” he added. “There are now 100 film projects in the pipeline,” he continued, much to the delight of the crowd. “Waar grew on the foundation laid by Main Hoon Shahid Afridi. It was the first time I saw a film in Pakistan bag 16 shows in a multiplex.”

Kamran Lashari talked about the hard work his son put into Waar, which has received an overwhelming response at the box office. “He worked for nearly four years without getting a salary. Bilal would tell me, that if he could not make Waar a quality film, he did not deserve any money,” he said. Waar producer Hassan Waqas Rana had hired Bilal, but at the time he wondered where the capital would come from.

“Initially we had thought this would be a smaller film,” said Bilal. “But as we got involved in its making, it just expanded. “I honestly feel that a film’s budget is only one aspect of making a good film, because the greater the budget, the higher the expectations. For me, this project was a means to help me improve as an artist,” he added.

Main Hoon Shahid Afridi script writer Chaudhry said he kept reminding himself of 95% percent of Pakistanis who dream of a better life. “By addressing the class divide in our society, I feel I was able to connect better with a wider audience. I also wanted to bring a fresh outlook to the social struggles within the Pakistani society.”

Audience members couldn’t get enough of these film-makers. Questions thrown at Bilal were mostly about the film’s funding and budget, but the director chose not to disclose figures. Some women went on at length about the responsibility film-makers have, as their work is viewed by millions of people. There was criticism leveled at Bilal for the use of profanity inWaar. However, there were many who appreciated his cinematic venture and expressed a desire for more. One elderly gentleman remarked that while MHSA is about the ‘awaam’, he recalls the refined and educated cricketing legends of the ‘50s.

The Zinda Bhaag team was on the panel of a session titled ‘Pakistani Cinema Today’. The debate at this session centered on how an expanded film industry would take shape, with some suggesting that Pakistan should mimick the Iranian model.

Mazhar Zaidi, Farjad Nabi and Meenu Gaur of Zinda Bhaag gave a humble yet incisive look at their experience of making a feature film in the context of art, while meeting the commercial requirement of large-scale cinema at the same time. The trio had worked on the idea for several years before getting into production.

“There is space for first-time film-makers to try and experiment with things. When we started to explore the theme, people inevitably told stories to us,” said Nabi. Gaur added that making the film connect with a wider audience was done by making sure that the initiative was collaborative. “We made sure that everyone had a voice and was heard in the process,” she said.

At a separate session titled ‘Prevalent themes in Pakistani Television Dramas’, director Sarmad Khoosat of Manto had an enlightening discussion of sorts with actor Salman Shahid on writer Saadat Hasan Manto. He spoke of his film Manto, which will be a biopic on the life of the famed writer, but said he has been wary of too much studio-style institutionalisation. The session was also attended by Haseena Moin, Sarmad Sehbai and Asghar Nadeem Syed.

The festival concluded with Zeba Bakhtiar, who shed light on the changing idea of stardom for actors. It seemed suitable since she, like Shehnaz Sheikh on the panel, represented the older lot of the film industry. Her production venture Operation 021 is still under production.

Bearing the brunt: Effect of terrorism on FDI in Pakistan

Government should strengthen political institutions and adopt democratic principles for ensuring stability of political environment which may lead to increased FDI inflows. ILLUSTRATION: JAMAL KHURSHID

ISLAMABAD: Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) was proven to be a significant source of investment for developing countries which helps to bridge saving-investment gap, creates employment opportunities, benefits from transfer of technology, and ultimately gives economic growth of host countries the much-needed fillip.

FDI not only provides developing countries with the much needed capital for investment, it also enhances job creation, managerial skills as well as transfer of technology. All of these ultimately contribute to the economic growth and development.

Developing countries are motivated enough to compete in attracting the foreign investment in order to foster and regulate their industrial sector. FDI has proven to be a key factor in buttressing the third world countries’ national markets.

Therefore, most of the developing countries are very keen to attract more inflows of FDI.

FDI is very crucial for the economic growth of Pakistan as well since its economy faces the dilemma of saving-investment gap. Pakistan does not have sufficient internally generated sources to maintain the tempo of economic activities; therefore, FDI is very important to complement the domestic investment in order to achieve economic objectives. FDI is crucial for Pakistan in order to finance development projects, strengthening industrial sectors, increasing employment opportunities, attaining improved technology, enhancing domestic managerial skills, enhancing productivity and output, improving balance of payments, foreign exchange reserves, physical infrastructure and human resources and ultimately achieving higher rate of economic growth. Economy of Pakistan has been under severe economic pressure because of War against Terrorism. Terrorist activities not only affect that particular region or country’s infrastructure, but it also affects the financial wellbeing of that country, because terror creates instability and uncertainty in the country. This results in loss of foreign investors’ confidence in that economy, thus decreasing the level of foreign investments. Small wonder, Pakistan is also facing this bitter reality of decreased foreign direct investment because of the rising tide of terrorism. Due to the uncertainty and instability in the economy investors feel insecure about their investment and their returns. Global media has played a significant role in spreading awareness about the pitfalls of investing in a country wracked by violence. So, investors do critical analysis of all these situations before pouring their money in international markets. Terrorism has both political and economic implications. They manifest themselves in dwindling FDI inflows, damage to infrastructure, extra cost incurred on security, loss of trade, disturbed balance of payments, and increased insurance premiums, etc.

Beside all these issues, terrorism directly creates risk and anxiety in the prevailing economy that makes individuals more conscious about their expected returns linked with any transaction. Investors think it as a harmful investment. So this increased ambiguity decreases the demand patterns and compels investors to look to some other markets.

Moreover, if governments take steps against these terrorist activities it increases the cost for governance. Pakistan being in a state of war has been bearing its brunt in the shape of an economy down in the dumps.

It’s not one sector alone which takes the fall. The terrorism affects almost every sector of Pakistani economy, be it agriculture, business, industry, services, or tourism.

Investors have chosen to cold-shoulder Pakistan over the years in view of the risks spawned by terror.

The level of foreign direct investment is broadly commensurate to the level of terrorism. The regulatory authorities and policymakers should take some concrete measures in order to reduce the cost of war against terrorism and improve the security conditions in the country. Secondly, the government should strengthen political institutions and adopt democratic principles for ensuring stability of political environment which may lead to increased FDI inflows. Thirdly, Pakistan should take some effective measures to increase electricity generation on an urgent basis. The government should immediately formulate policies aimed at increasing electricity generation and implement these policies effectively to restore investors’ confidence. It will assist in improving economic and financial conditions and also attract domestic and foreign investors. Fourthly, the market size is also a very important variable for increasing inflows of FDI in Pakistan. Finally, the exchange rate of Pakistani rupee should be strengthened in order to lure foreign investors. More fiscal incentives should be offered if the country is to stem the fall in overall investment.

The writer is a researcher at the Sustainable Development Policy Institute