July 11, 2013 RIZWAN BHATTI
The federal government has directed Trading Corporation of Pakistan (TCP) to import 0.3 million tons of urea on an urgent basis for Kharif season. On the recommendation of ministry of industries, the Economic Co-ordination Committee (ECC) of the Cabinet, in its meeting dated July 2, 2013, had allowed import of 0.3 million tons of urea to avoid any shortage in the upcoming crop season.
Sources told Business Recorder Wednesday that following the decision of the ECC, the Ministry of Commerce has issued a formal directive to TCP for the import of some 0.3 million tons of the commodity from international market on an urgent basis as the domestic market may face some shortage in upcoming months due to slow production by local fertiliser producers owing to gas curtailment. 
In pursuance of the ministry”s directives, the state run grain trader is going to issue an international gallop tender today (Thursday) to invite bids from international suppliers for the import of urea, they added. In order to avoid any speculation, TCP will invite bids only from pre-qualified foreign suppliers/exporters, already registered with the corporation, for supply of urea in bulk through world-wide sources on Cost and Freight (C&F) basis. However, foreign suppliers, who have been defaulter or are in litigation with TCP, will not be eligible to participate in the tender unless they have redressed the grievances to the satisfaction of the corporation.
As per the tender documents, a copy of which made available to Business Recorder, urea to be supplied shall be strictly in accordance with the standard and specifications prescribed by Pakistan Standard & Quality Control Authority (PSQCA) and import policy order in force. TCP has fixed a minimum quantity of 75,000 tons for the bid and has decided not to accept bids less than 75,000 tons. In addition, as per the terms and conditions, the total quantity of urea must reach the designated port in Pakistan in accordance with the shipment schedule given in the tender documents, sources said.
According to TCP tender terms and conditions interested pre-qualified urea suppliers, who can supply urea form worldwide origins, may submit their bids in sealed envelops at TCP head offices during next seven days (till July 17, 2013 latest by 10:30 am) and bids will be opened on the same day after half an hour. The tender documents will be available at the head office and TCP”s regional offices located in Lahore and Islamabad from Thursday till deadline.
Sources said TCP is already engaged in the import of urea from two different sources – Saudi Arab under a credit facility and from international market through international tender. Sources said TCP is required to take some measurers or changes in its tender documents to avoid any mismanagement in the urea import tender as the contract award of previous urea import tenders was delayed due to some dispute.
Source: Business Recorder
News Collected by agrinfobank.com Team
