ABU DHABI, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News / WAM – 07th Aug, 2021) In line with its commitment to adopting the best practices of the UAE Government Excellence System, and launching initiatives that have global results, the Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure in the UAE has launched the ‘Supporting our Blue Army’ initiative to improve the quality of life for seafarers while they are in the UAE. The initiative protects seafarers’ rights with ship owners and operating companies, as well as helps seafarers overcome the challenges they face as a…
Read MoreMonth: August 2021
Don’t shoot the messenger
Last week, the media was abuzz about SAPM on power and petroleum Tabish Gauhar’s letter that he addressed to his minister Hammad Azhar. The gist of the ‘leaked’ letter and any spirit of debate were lost in the media hype created around the differences within energy ministry or largely within the government. But we often forget that difference of opinion is a democratic norm and a healthy debate can only lead to advancement. Secondly, the kind of mess the energy sector is in, it cannot be solved without challenging the…
Read MoreLNG sector in Pakistan — V
What would it take to maximize returns from the ongoing deregulation and run the overall gas sector on a sustainable basis? In order to maximize returns from private sector involvement and ensure sustainability of the overall natural gas sector, it is important to first adopt a holistic approach to resolve the deep-rooted structural and operational challenges. Underpricing of the fuel is a major challenge, and unless the subsidy structure is rationalized and ultimately done away with, the financial viability of the natural gas sector would be difficult. As observed in…
Read MoreNew plan pitched to create fiscal space for gasping energy entities
As the petroleum sector circular debt stands at a whopping Rs1.6 trillion or 3.35 percent of GDP, the government has another plan to create fiscal breathing space for the entities gasping for cash, according to official documents. With petroleum sector circular debt hovering over Rs1.6 trillion including Rs1.1 trillion principal plus Rs500 billion late payment surcharge, Ministry of Energy has started to deliberate upon a new plan to reduce liquidity problem of the companies trapped in the vicious debt cycle, according to official correspondence on reforms pertaining to various strategic…
Read MorePakistan Oil Refinery Policy 2021 finalised
The government has finalised the Pakistan Oil Refinery Policy 2021 with huge package of tax incentives, including 20-year income tax holiday for all taxes under the Income Tax Ordinance 2001 and upgradation of existing and new deep conversion refineries from the date of commissioning of the project. However, there will be no product off-take and rate of return guarantee for new and existing refineries. And more importantly, the product pricing formula of refineries will be based on “True Import Parity Price” to be derived from the Arab Gulf Mean FOB…
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