Opportunity beckons: Exploring China as rice export market

The Rice Research Institute had developed new techniques to cultivate rice through a broadcasting system instead of manual sapling plantation. PHOTO: FILE

LAHORE: 

Considering the surplus after meeting domestic consumption of 2.5 million tons, Pakistan is ready to export 3.75 million tons rice annually to China.

According to Pak China Joint Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCJCCI) President Shah Faisal Afridi, China has emerged as one of the destinations for Pakistani rice exports, as reflected in the 244% increase in rice exports to the country during the last two years.

“The PCJCCI has initiated a move to double the exports to China within a year,” said Afridi while talking to Ruidalong Import and Export Company China’s Chairman Alex Pan. “The dream of exporting around 10 million tons of irri-6 rice to China could turn into reality if sustained efforts to market Pakistani rice to China are pursued, focusing on the need of the Chinese population.”

He said new hybrid rice varieties are being developed in Pakistan which would give maximum yield by utilising minimum input costs during water scarcity. The Rice Research Institute had developed new techniques to cultivate rice through a broadcasting system instead of manual sapling plantation. Under this technique, if farmers succeed in setting up 80,000 plants in a field, they will get more production besides saving input costs up to Rs14,000 per acre. This technique is not only cheaper but also helps save 30-35 % irrigation water.

“The response of Chinese importers for Pakistani rice is overwhelming as compared to rice imported from Thailand and Vietnam. Our rice industry is not showing its full potential due to some internal barriers related to planning and strategic implementations. Viewing the current scenario, rice exporters deserve the patronage of government at par with textile industry to develop rice export as one of the major foreign-exchange- earning sector.”

The PCJCCI is going to launch a concrete drive to market Pakistani rice in China by creating a personalised demand among Chinese people. The body is exploring new techniques with China to improve the quality of rice. Chinese buyers prefer to buy the rice with good milling quality. Hence, the PCJCCI will manage match making of the Chinese and Pakistani entrepreneurs in this sector to increase the demand of Pakistani rice in China.

Resolving differences: Businessmen agree to settle trade row with Russia

ISLAMABAD: 

The Pakistani businessmen that took the Russian government to court over a trade dispute are said to have conditionally agreed to withdraw their cases, meeting a longstanding demand of Moscow that seeks resolution of the row before committing new investments in Pakistan.

“The parties to the dispute have expressed their inclination to an early settlement,” said Board of Investment Chairman Miftah Ismail.

He was giving a briefing to a committee constituted by Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif to settle longstanding trade issues between Pakistan and Russia. The committee, headed by Finance Minister Ishaq Dar, met here on Monday.

Ismail said he had met with the Pakistani businessmen who were party to the litigation in court. Negotiations with them were in a clear shape and proposals would be communicated to the Russian side in a few weeks, he said.

The 15-year-old claims by Pakistani investors against Moscow have impeded efforts to seek Russian investment in the railways, oil and gas exploration and steel manufacturing. The decision of the investors to take the Russian government to court over a private dispute annoyed the Kremlin.

The claims were mostly related to freight charges. Seven parties had filed the cases, one opted out and the rest were still pursuing the cases to recover the money.

Pakistani courts have seized $124 million worth of Russian deposits that Moscow insists should be released soon, according to officials. “Businessmen have agreed to withdraw their cases, if the Russian government accepts their demands,” said an official, who is dealing with the businessmen.

He saw bright chances of an amicable solution as Russia had already communicated five principles that Pakistani authorities had accepted for entering into negotiations.

“We need to move on a fast-track (basis) for resolution of the outstanding financial dispute, enabling Russian investors to bring in their capital and explore areas where they can help,” an official handout quoted Finance Minister Ishaq Dar as saying.

During the huddle, Commerce Minister Khurram Dastgir Khan emphasised the importance of a definite timeframe for settling the row and said the commerce ministry was making vigorous efforts.

The dispute was an impediment to increased cooperation between the two sides in energy production and infrastructure development, he said.

The finance minister called for stepping up efforts to break the impasse that had blocked smooth trade between the two countries. He declared that the leaders of both countries had expressed their determination to address the issues and deepen trade relations.

He underlined the need for a fast-paced resolution of the outstanding financial dispute, paving the way for Russian investors to pump capital into Pakistan and explore the areas in which they could offer assistance.

The minister suggested that all the ministries concerned should be on the same page and work for resolution of the issue. “The solution should be a win-win situation for both the Russian government and Pakistani businessmen.”

He stressed that any arrangement agreed by both the parties should be implemented with full commitment and the matter should be brought to a close at the earliest.

I’m here to stay: Sidharth Malhotra

NEW DELHI: Model-turned-actor Sidharth Malhotra, who is currently riding high on the success of Ek Villain, which has minted INR772 million in its opening week, is confident he will play a long innings in filmdom.

The 29 year old, who was criticised for his inability to dance or to emote well in his debut filmStudent of the Year, despite the fact that it passed off with flying colours at the box office, has a reason to believe that.

“This kind of box office success was my first experience. I feel I’ve reached out to more number of people with this film than I ever did before; so that’s exciting. Now, I feel that I am here to stay,” said Sidharth.

“It’s satisfying to see that I took a risk two years ago by choosing a character like this, it is so different from what I’ve done before and it’s paying off. It’s very satisfying as an actor to try something new and see that the audience is liking it,” added the actor who played romantic roles in his first two films.

So far, the actor has had three releases, of which Hasee Toh Phasee is the only film that underperformed.

While many would kill for looks like his, the six-foot-plus actor found it a challenge. “We are not just standing and posing, are we? I’ve tried to change my looks in all the three films. People think ‘he is a good looking boy, so he can’t act’. To break that stereotype and go beyond my looks was also a challenge,” said the actor, who wants to keep reinventing himself.

Sidharth, who plays Guru — a criminal transformed into a good guy by the power of love — in the romantic thriller, said the film “was also an endeavour to turn all the non-believers into believers”. “I think Ek Villain is the best answer I could give to the people who didn’t see my craft or who weren’t convinced about my space here,” he added.

The movie has earned him more than just fans; the actor said many filmmakers have been approaching him post the success of Ek Villain. “Now, filmmakers will not feel shy in putting money in a project with me. I was committed to two films before I did Ek Villain, so now I am concentrating on those two films (Warrior and Bhavesh Joshi).”

Sidharth, who assisted director Karan Johar in My Name is Khan, had thought of going behind the camera as well. However, after the thunderous success of Ek Villain, he has changed his mind.

“I got into assistant direction. I had thought of that as an option, but now, after the success ofEk Villain… nah. Why would I go behind the camera? I would like to be in front of the camera. It’s far tougher to be a director,” he said.

Djokovic ends Federer record dream in epic Wimbledon final

Serbia's Novak Djokovic holds the winner's trophy after beating Switzerland's Roger Federer in the men's singles final match during the presentation on day thirteen of the 2014 Wimbledon Championships at The All England Tennis Club in Wimbledon, southwest London, on July 6, 2014. PHOTO: AFP

Novak Djokovic won his second Wimbledon title and seventh career major with a 6-7 (7/9), 6-4, 7-6 (7/4), 5-7, 6-4 victory over Roger Federer Sunday, shattering the Swiss star’s dream of a record eighth triumph in an epic struggle.

Victory allowed the top seeded Serb, who was also the 2011 champion and runner-up last year, to end a run of three successive defeats in Grand Slam finals, but the 27-year-old struggled to get across the finish line, surrendering a 5-2 lead in the fourth set and then a match point.

Djokovic celebrated victory in typically eccentric style, kneeling on the Centre Court turf and munching on a few blades of grass just as he had done three years ago.

Defeat for 32-year-old Federer, who won the most recent of his 17 Grand Slam titles at the All England Club in 2012, ended his bid to become the oldest Wimbledon champion in the Open Era and of breaking the tie of seven titles he shares with Pete Sampras.

“First of all I want to congratulate Roger it was a great match to be a part of he is a magnificent champion and a great example of a great athlete and a role model. I respect everything you have done and thanks for letting me win today,” smiled Djokovic.

“That’s why he has 17 Grand Slams because at important times he comes up with those shots. After losing the fourth set it wasn’t easy to go on and win the fifth set, I don’t know how I did it.”

Djokovic has the added bonus of reclaiming the world number one spot from Rafael Nadal.

Federer said he was surprised to have got to a deciding set.

“It was a great final. I can’t believe I made it to five, it wasn’t looking good for a while,” said Federer.

“Going into a match with Novak, you know it’s going to be tough. I can only say congratulations to him. It was an amazing match and an amazing tournament. It’s well-deserved.”

In front of a Royal Box containing Prince William and wife Catherine, the opening set was a fascinating contrast between Federer’s mix and match of serve and volley and Djokovic’s renowned baseline flair in the pair’s 35th meeting.

Two rallies featured 21 strokes apiece but neither player could fashion a break point.

In a rollercoaster of a tiebreaker, Federer saw a 3/0 lead gobbled up and then had to save two set points.

But the Swiss rallied when it mattered, taking the opener when Djokovic dumped a backhand return into the net.

The Serb took a nasty tumble on the bone-dry grassless baseline and saw two break points disappear in the first game of the second set.

But he did break in the third for 2-1 — just Federer’s second loss of serve of the tournament — before calling the trainer to treat the left ankle he hurt in the fall.

Federer had his first break point of the tie in the 10th game but Djokovic saved it and levelled the final with a brutal overhead.

Federer saved two break points in the 11th game of the third set, moving to 6-5 with a 20th ace.

But it was Djokovic who was on top in the tiebreaker charging to two set points and the third set when Federer pushed a drive wide.

In a thrilling fourth set, Djokovic broke for 3-1, Federer hit back for 2-3 but the Serb regained the initiative for 4-2 and held a nervy seventh game for 5-2.

Astonishingly, back came the veteran Swiss to go to 4-5, breaking his opponent when he served for the title.

He saved a match point in the 10th game on a successful challenge to take the final into a decider.

Djokovic led 2-1 in the fifth and called the trainer for the second time for treatment to his right calf.

The man from Belgrade fought off a break point to lead 4-3 and then wasted three of his own as the rivals went to 4-4.

Djokovic held for 5-4 and from nowhere he seized the initiative, moving to two championship points and clinched the trophy when Federer netted a return.

At World Cup arenas, blind fans listen to the action

RIO DE JANEIRO: Two commentators sat in a broadcast booth at Rio de Janeiro’s Maracana Stadium, put on their mics and looked down at the pitch before narrating a World Cup game for an exclusive audience.

As the teams arrived, they began giving detailed descriptions to a group of people sitting in the stands. All were blind and visually-impaired fans listening through short-range radio signals on their smart phones.

For the first time in a World Cup, the sport’s governing body, FIFA, set up the special audio system at stadiums with the assistance of Urece, a Brazilian non-governmental group that provides services to the blind.

“You must accurately describe everything: The atmosphere in the stands, the physical appearance of the players, their kits, the colours, the images broadcast on giant screens,” said commentator Eduardo Butter, a 23-year-old journalist.

Some 6.5 million people are visually impaired in the country of 200 million, and many share Brazil’s passion for football, attending club games with relatives or guides who describe the action.

The audio system was successfully tested during the Euro 2012 championship co-hosted by Poland and Ukraine, and there are plans to offer the service at Brazilian domestic league games, said project coordinator Mauana Simas.

A handful of blind and visually-impaired fans put on earphones during Friday’s quarter-final match between France and Germany, sitting in the front row behind a goal and listening to every word as the crowd chanted and roared around them.

“It’s really better than the radio, where there are a lot of commercials and commentators scream ‘gooooooooal!’ for a long time without describing what’s going on,” said Ali Herrera da Silva, 30, who was born blind and gained 20 percent vision after eye surgery as a child.

The special commentators “give us precious details such as the colour of the players’ shoes, their numbers, their facial expressions, their attitude,” said Silva, a tall administrative assistant who plays Goalball, a sport for the blind, and wore Brazil’s canary-yellow jersey to the quarter-final.

Butter said commentating a goal takes special care.

“These are vital seconds for our listeners who need to know everything so they can cheer with the other spectators,” said Butter, who started training sessions in February to master the art of commentating.

In the booth, the two commentators alternate every three minutes.

While one speaks, the other looks for details that the other may have missed, like a Mexican wave, an angry manager or images on giant screens to which spectators react.

“There are a lot of things (blind fans) know nothing about,” Butter said. “Recently, I took a group on the pitch and they were surprised to discover the substitute’s bench. They were happy to learn that they were like bus shelters, but more comfortable.”

The commentators must constantly describe the ball’s location in a game with no breaks.

“It’s exhausting and very intense. We have no time to breathe,” Butter said.

Across the stadium, Moira Braga listened to the radio channel, FM 88.9, and was very impressed with the skills of the commentators.

“It’s better than the radio or a person who accompanies you, who is often too nervous and into the game to accurately describe what is going on,” said the 35-year-old actress, who lost her eyesight as a child suffering from a degenerative disease known as Stargardt.

“Here I can imagine how the players hug after a goal, I know when a player puts a hand to his mouth. Plus, you can feel the crowd roaring, which is great,” she said after Germany scored the game’s lone goal, defeating France 1-0.

“I would love for it to be more common,” Braga added. “My dream now would be to attend a game of my club, Botafogo, with the same system.

North Korea doubles cyber war personnel

SEOUL: North Korea has doubled the number of its elite cyber warriors over the past two years and established overseas bases for hacking attacks, a report said Sunday.

The North’s cyber war unit now has 5,900 personnel, compared with 3,000 two years ago, the South’s Yonhap news agency said.

“The communist country operates a hacking unit under its General Bureau of Reconnaissance, which is home to some 1,200 professional hackers,” a military source was quoted as saying.

North Korean hackers have launched cyber attacks through overseas bases in countries such as China, the source said.

In recent years, hackers have used malware deployments and virus carrying emails for cyber attacks on South Korean military institutions, commercial banks, government agencies, TV broadcasters and media websites.

Investigations into past large scale cyber assaults have concluded that they originated in North Korea.

The North has denied any involvement and accuses Seoul of fabricating the incidents to fan cross-border tensions.

South Korea has increased its Internet security budget to train experts since it set up a special cyber command in 2010, amid growing concern over its vulnerability

Malaysia to deploy more equipment in MH370 search

Flight Lieutenant Russell Adams looks out from the cockpit of a Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) AP-3C Orion aircraft while searching for the missing Malaysia Airlines Flight MH370 over the southern Indian Ocean. PHOTO: REUTERS

KUALA LAMPUR: Malaysia will send more equipment to the southern Indian Ocean to join the search for Flight MH370, which went missing four months ago, a Malaysian minister said on Sunday.

Defense Minister Hishammuddin Hussein said a Malaysian navy ship equipped with a multi-beam echo sounder, a device to map the ocean floor, would set sail on August 4 for the deep-sea search zone far off western Australia.

State energy firm Petronas, together with Deftech and Phoenix International, would deploy a towed device called a synthetic aperture sonar to scan the ocean floor, he said.

Shipbuilder Boustead Heavy Industries, together with iXBlue Australia, would send a deep towed side scan sonar with a remotely operated vehicle.

“Instructions for immediate mobilisation have been given and the assets are expected to reach the search area in mid-August 2014,” Hishammuddin said.

He did not give a cost estimate.

Another Malaysian vessel, which was deployed in April, will stay in the search area, he added.

The Malaysia Airlines flight lost contact on March 8 en route from Kuala Lumpur to Beijing with 239 people aboard.

It is believed to have veered off course and, based on satellite data analysis, to have crashed in the southern Indian Ocean.

But an extensive Australian-led search has so far found no sign of wreckage.

Australian officials announced last month that the search would shift further south based on a review of the satellite data.

They also said the Boeing 777 was almost certainly on autopilot when it ran out of fuel and crashed.

The most likely scenario, the officials said, was that the pilots and crew suffered from hypoxia, or lack of oxygen, and became “unresponsive”, which can occur when a plane loses air pressure at high altitude.

The underwater search will start in the new area, covering up to 60,000 square kilometres in the southern Indian Ocean, in August and take up to 12 months.