March 2009
Mar 27,The News	Monsanto announces $10m scholarship fund US Company Monsanto on Thursday announced a $10 million Beachell-Borlaug International Scholarship fund to support young scientists across the world, interested in improving the research and production of rice and wheat, two of the world’s most vital staple crops, through plant breeding techniques. The program honours the accomplishments of Dr. Henry Beachell and Dr. Norman Borlaug, who pioneered plant breeding and research in rice and wheat respectively.
Mar 26,The News	Lobbying for access to US, European markets: Industry hopes for positive outcome The trade and industry, burdened with bank loans and electricity shortage, see some silver lining as the government has seriously started lobbying for market access to Europe and the US. The News has learnt that the government is now seriously looking into the issue of market access for Pakistani products to developed countries. Commerce Minister Mr. Makhdoom Amin Fahim has started lobbying in this regard in European capitals and a seminar on the topic is being organized there in which leading trade associations of the country would plead their case. All Pakistan Textile Mills Association Chairman Mr. Tariq Mehmood would present his association’s point of view in the seminar. The textile sector has also praised the signing of a memorandum of understanding with US Company Monsanto for supply of BT cotton seed, which would lead to better cotton crops in future
Mar 20,The News	ECC forms body to propose food price control measures The Economic Coordination Committee (ECC) of the Cabinet which met under the chairmanship of Adviser to PM on Finance and Economic Affairs, Shaukat Tarin directed the Provincial Governments to take action against hoarders of food items, says a Finance Ministry press release issued Thursday. The ECC constituted a Surveillance Committee under MINFAL comprising representatives from relevant federal and provincial government organizations, local governments and concerned DCOs to look into the price control matters and submit actionable recommendations for ECC decisions. ECC approved Ministry of Food proposal seeking GOP collaboration with Monsanto USA in Bt Cotton Technology Transfer along with an action plan
Mar 20, Daily Times	ECC decisions ECC allowed Ministry of Finance proposal for equity-based investment abroad by resident Pakistanis comprising a request of M/s Educational Services Pvt Limited (ESL) to remit an amount of $17.5 million to its wholly-owned UK based subsidiary. ECC approved Ministry of Food and Agriculture proposal seeking GOP collaboration with M/s Monsanto USA in Bt Cotton technology transfer along with an action plan mutually agreed by all stakeholders. It allowed MINFAL to enter into Agreement/MOU with M/s Monsanto for implementation of a collaboration-based action plan that would lead to Bt cotton technology transfer
Mar 19, Business Recorder	Monsanto may be allowed to introduce hybrid, Bt cottonseed varieties The Economic Co-ordination to Committee (ECC) of the Cabinet may approve plan to allow Monsanto introduce both hybrid and Bt cottonseed varieties in Pakistan. Reliable sources told Business Recorder here on Wednesday that the Ministry of Food and Agriculture (Minfa) had decided to move a summary to ECC meeting on Thursday (March 19) for giving permission to Monsanto to introduce hybrid and the Bt cottonseed varieties in Pakistan.