Following the directives of the Economic Co-ordination Committee (ECC) of the Cabinet, Trading Corporation of Pakistan (TCP) has planned to procure 75,000 tons of sugar from local mills. Sources told Business Recorder on Monday that on the request of state run grain trader, the ECC has allowed another procurement of 125,000 tons sugar. Like previous practices, TCP has decided to make this procurement through two separate tenders.
First tender will be issued on Tuesday (today) for the purchase of 75,000 tons of sugar form local mills, while another tender is likely to issue end of this month. First tender will be opened in third week of February and as per terms and conditions sealed bids has been invited from domestic sugar mills for purchase of white sugar, packed in polypropylene woven bags. According to tender document, TCP has asked that sugar and bags are required to be in accordance with the specification and standard approved by Pakistan Standard Quality Control Authority (PSQCA).
However, sugar mills, defaulted with the TCP will not be eligible to participate in the tendering process unless they clear their dues before tender opening date. In addition, those sugar mills, which have not fulfilled their contractual obligations with TCP, will also be not eligible to participate in the bids, unless they clear their dues alongwith penalties of fulfill their contractual obligations with TCP before tender opening date.
A miller can submit offer for a minimum quantity of 2,000 tons and a maximum quantity of 5,000 tons of sugar and interested parties can submit their bids till February 19, 2014 by 11am. Tender will be opened same day at 11:30am in presence of bidder or their authorised representatives. TCP has also decided to invite bids inclusive of taxes aimed at facilitating mills and make easier the process of taxation and cost. It may be mentioned here that TCP is already engaged to procure sugar from domestic mills and recently made agreement for purchase of 132,000 tons sugar.
