Economic Coordination Committee of the Cabinet has approved importing 200,000 metric tons of sugar to build strategic reserves and minimize the role of speculative elements in the domestic market.

The ECC, which met in Islamabad today (Friday) with Finance Minister Shaukat Tarin in the chair, also approved amendment in Prime Minister's fiscal package for agriculture allowing subsidy 1500 rupees per acre on any phosphatic fertilizers as per farmers' choice. Earlier, the package offered subsidies only on DAP for cotton and rice crops.

The meeting approved elimination of documents attestation fee for goods imported to Pakistan from Kenya as this Non-Tariff Measure increases cost of business and transaction time.

It approved Kamyab Pakistan Program to extend micro-loans to entrepreneurs and farmers under "Kamyab Karobar" and "Kamyab Kissan" schemes respectively. 

Approval was also granted to auction of Next Generation Mobile Services in Azad Jammu and Kashmir. This is the first time that the NGMS will be auctioned in AJK and it will improve mobile broadband services in the region.

The ECC approved awarding engineering consultancy service contract for up-gradation of Port Qasim Authority, amounting to 86.6 million rupees.