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Business Recorder
08-05-2025
- Business
- Business Recorder
Energy generation: Leading coal trader says imports are crucial
ISLAMABAD: A leading coal importer has cautioned that local coal reserves are limited in quantity and quality, making imports crucial for maintaining efficient production and energy generation. Talking to Business Recorder on Wednesday, Syed Mustafa Ahmed, Director at Awan Trading Co (Pvt) Ltd (ATCL), one of Pakistan's leading coal importers, mentioned that they have played a crucial role in ensuring a steady coal supply for power plants, cement factories, and the textile industry. 'With rising energy demands, industries such as cement, steel, and textiles, along with coal-fired power plants, rely heavily on a consistent and high-quality coal supply', he said. Coal procurement: PRCA voices its reservations about Nepra panel's findings 'Any attempt to create unnecessary controversy over the longterm agreements of coal supply to Chinese companies can shake investor confidence and halt future investments in Pakistan's energy sector,' he stressed. Pakistan faces major challenges in securing coal imports due to an ongoing economic crisis, bank refusal to open Letters of Credit (LCs), and a depreciating rupee that drives up costs. Poor infrastructure and storage further disrupt supply chains. Environmental concerns and pressure to shift to cleaner energy also add to the complexity. High import tariffs, regulatory fees, and policy instability make coal expensive and deter investment. Coal power plants lack emission control technology, while inadequate transport oversight and regulated tariffs reduce profitability. CM says Thar coal most affordable source of power generation To ensure steady supply and economic stability, the government needs to streamline regulations, upgrade port facilities, and strengthen the coal transport network. Commenting on the adoption of local coal, he emphasised the necessity of imported coal over local coal, citing quality, efficiency, and supply reliability as key factors. 'Pakistan's local coal has high sulfur and moisture content, making it less suitable for large-scale industrial and power sector use.' He further stressed that currently local coal reserves/production are not sufficient to meet the country's growing energy demands, making imports essential to sustain industrial operations and power generation. In the calendar year 2022, ATCL imported 1,072,000 metric tons of coal. This figure decreased slightly to 990,000 metric tons in 2023 but saw a significant rise to 1,992,000 metric tons in 2024. Despite fluctuations in import volumes, company has consistently demonstrated its commitment as a responsible taxpayer, contributing over Rs27 billion to the national treasury in the past two years. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
Otago Daily Times
22-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Otago Daily Times
Canterbury's own 'Vera Lynn' returns home
By Dellwyn Moylan Music has always featured in former Ashburton-lass Jan-Maree Baughen's life - and she is returning to the town to put her talents on show. She is performing with the 3Decibelles in an Anzac tribute at the Ashburton Event Centre on April 24. It is a fundraising performance for the Ashburton Event Centre. Baughen (nee Armitage) grew up in Ashburton and went to Ashburton College where she was active in the performing theatre scene with the Ashburton Operatic Society (now Variety Theatre), Tinwald Musical Society, Ashburton Repertory Theatre and the Ashburton Musical Club. She will appear alongside her 16-year-old daughter, Chloe and friend Lizzie Howarth. ''It's such an honour and delight to be invited back to my hometown alongside my daughter and fabulous friend Lizzie to perform our Anzac tribute concert,'' she said. ''I had always wanted to produce a close harmony trio as I had grown up with dad playing all the beautiful old time dance music include music by Glenn Miller, dad's favourite the Andrew Sisters, Vera Lynn, and others,'' she said. ''Lizzie and I shared the same passion for the music of the 1920-1940s having grown up on that style of music. 3Decibelles formed in 2021. ''This will be a musical reflection and commemoration to honour our brave serviceman both past and present who have fought for our wonderful country. ''The show will also include our wonderful Chloe and her dancing tap shoes,'' Baughen said. Chloe, in year 12 at high school, is the choreographer and lead dancer, and like her mother has been involved in musicals, including as Dorothy in the Wizard of Oz. Baughen attributes her talents to parents, Pam and the late Arnold, who passed on their love of music to her. Pam was a singer and Arnold tinkled the ivories on the piano. She said her first foray into performing was as a four-year-old with Charmaine Quaid's ballet school (now known as Dance Worx Ashburton). At eight she took up singing lessons firstly in Ashburton before going to Christchurch for lessons where she later gained her LTCL and ATCL with distinctions. Baughen said the first musical she appeared in was as a nine-year-old in the Sound of Music where she played Marta VonTrapp, this was followed by Annie, Jesus Christ Super Star, Oliver and Good Evening Friends with Ashburton Operatic. Along with these productions she was also in three Ashburton College musicals. Her career and in fact her life nearly came to an end in her last year of college with a serious motor accident. She spent three months in Christchurch Hospital. 'I had a near fatal motor accident. I spent three months in Christchurch Hospital with multiple fractures and injuries,'' she said. 'I had to learn to walk and sing again. With love and support of wonderful friends, family and music teachers I built up the strength in my voice again. I went on to win the Ashburton Music Club's first scholarship in 1991,' Baughen said. She regularly performed at weddings, clubs and functions before moving to Christchurch when she was 18-years-old to undertake nursing studies. While living there she became a member of Canterbury Opera, ShowBiz Christchurch and 'The Kilmarnock Edition'. Following the Canterbury earthquake in February 2011 Baughen, husband Barry and their children, Nicholas and Chloe, moved to Auckland. Today Baughen is kept busy as an appearance medicine nurse, private vocal tutor/ director and musical director of 3Decibelles. Tickets are on sale now for the two performances of 'Watchcha Gonna Swing' on April 24 at the Ashburton Event Centre.
National News
06-04-2025
- Automotive
- National News
Roger Feghali wins 40th Spring Rally Championship
NNA - Roger Feghali and his co-driver Joseph Matar won the 40th Spring Rally, organized by the Automobile and Touring Club of Lebanon (ATCL) over two days in the Keserwan and Jbeil districts. Driver Basil Abu Hamdan and his co-driver Firas Elias finished second, 27.5 seconds behind first place. Nicolas Amiouni and his co-driver Shadi Beiruti finished third, 35.7 seconds behind second place. The race was part of the first stage of this year's Lebanese Rally Championship. The total distance of the rally was 284.19 km, of which 101.14 km were the length of the six special speed stages, including the first show stage (2.52 km long), which Feghali won. The first phase was held on Saturday at the headquarters of the organizing club in Kaslik before a large audience, and was completed on Sunday with five special speed stages. ==========
Zawya
02-04-2025
- Business
- Zawya
No respite for Air Tanzania as annual losses soar
Air Tanzania's annual losses have mounted, according to the latest performance record, defying nearly a decade of continued efforts to rescue the national carrier. The latest report from the Auditor General shows the carrier's losses rose by 62 percent to reach Tshs 91.8 billion ($34.4 million) in the 2023/2024 financial year. The airline's losses have been on the rise despite nine years of rescue efforts initiated first by the late president John Pombe Magufuli. However, Air Tanzania Company Ltd (ATCL)'s troubles paled in comparison to the Tanzania Railways Corporation (TRC), another State-owned transportation firm, which posted a Tshs 224 billion ($83.95 million) hole. TRC's losses more than doubled its Tshs 102 billion ($38.23 million) loss from the previous year. The revelations are contained in a report by the Controller and Auditor General (CAG) Charles Kichere submitted for 2023/2024 year to President Samia Suluhu Hassan at State House in Dar es Salaam on Thursday. The full details of the report will be made public after it is tabled in parliament on an unspecified later date. Although they remain regular beneficiaries of government subsidies, TRC and ATCL have consistently been among Tanzania's worst performing public companies in recent years. And according to Mr Kichere, both are still in need of close State supervision if they are to eventually break even. The railway utility's latest confirmed loss figures were considerably higher than the Tshs 156.77 billion ($60.7 million) with which the National Health Insurance Fund (NHIF) topped the list of loss-making State entities in 2022/2023. The audit covered the year immediately before Tanzania began operating its new standard gauge railway in June 2024, suggesting the new line could turn around the loss trend for TRC. The Auditor-General attributed the company's escalating losses to a drop in revenues from the medium gauge railway that is now being slowly phased out along with decaying locomotives, engines and wagons, and prolonged rains which caused the railway to be temporarily shut down too often. Without a Tshs 29 billion ($10.86 million) government bailout during the course of the year, TRC's losses would have hit Tshs253 billion ($94.82 million), he said. Air Tanzania's Tshs 91.8 billion ($34.4 million) loss figure for 2023/2024 followed up on Tshs 56.64 billion ($22.19 million) in 2022/2023, which was up almost 32 percent from $15.17 million the year before. This is despite receiving bailouts of Tshs100 billion ($37.48 million), Tshs 31.55 billion ($12.37 million) and Tshs 30.63 billion ($12.01 million) in each of those years, respectively, to meet overhead costs such as paying staff salaries and running pilot-training programmes. Read: Air Tanzania adds 737 MAX 9 to its fleet as auditor flags a big hole in its booksAccording to Mr Kichere, the airline was largely bogged down by the grounding of its Airbus fleet for several months during the year in review, due to engine problems which led to significant maintenance costs. Under an ambitious revival strategy initiated by the late Magufuli in 2016, ATCL has built a stable of 15 planes: Two Boeing 787-8 Dreamliners, two Boeing 737- MAX 9s, four Airbus A220-300s, five De Havilland Dash 8 Q400s, one De Havilland Dash 8-Q300 and one Boeing 767-300F Freighter. Official Air Tanzania records put the total cost at close to Tshs4 trillion ($1.57 billion). However, the fleet is owned by State-run Tanzania Government Flight Agency (TGFA), which oversees all purchases. Air Tanzania operates them under a strict lease arrangement that it has in the past described as detrimental to its chances of doing profitable business. Other state firms that CAG Kichere cited over rising losses in his briefing to President Samia on Thursday included the Tanzania Telecommunications Corporation (TTCL) and Tanzania Posts Corporation (TPC). TTCL incurred a Tshs 27.7 billion ($10.38 million) deficit against Tshs 19.23 billion ($7.2 million) in 2021/2022 and Tshs 894 million ($335,000) in 2022/2023, while TPC's figure was Tshs 23.3 billion ($8.73 million) compared to just Tshs 1.34 billion ($502,000) in the previous year. © Copyright 2022 Nation Media Group. All Rights Reserved. Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc. (
