"Energy Saving Mode"

An Intriguing Case In Point

There is a popular misconception that International Law & corporate politics have no place in Developing World business dealings. The reason cited? They are too poor. The reality however, is just the opposite; cash-based wealth isn't half as valuable as the raw, untapped assets of countries everywhere from Africa to Asia. As an illustration, take a look at the following summary of a very interesting case that has recently been decided by the United Nations Commission On International Trade Law (UNCITRAL):

Pakistan Wins Case Against Progas Company In International Court (The News, 2/9/2016)

Pakistan has won a case against the UK-based shareholder of Progas Pakistan Limited in international court of arbitration that was filed by the company years back & claimed $573 million as damages against Islamabad. The company which is now acquired by the Sui Southern Company (SSGC), had set up LPG terminal in 2004 & was shut down in 2008. The company had taken a plea that during this period, Pakistan had interfered in LPG prices that made their business unviable. This was reason that petitioners had claimed damages of $573 million against Government of Pakistan, said Petroleum Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi while addressing a press conference here Tuesday. Minister said that court had also ordered the petitioners to pay $11 million to Government of Pakistan against expenses Islamabad had incurred during the case proceedings. He said that petitioners would have to pay interest on it if they fail to clear it within 60 days. He said that Government had spent $18 to $20 million on this case.

What's UNCITRAL (uncitral.org) ?

In the years since its establishment, UNCITRAL has been recognized as the core legal body of the United Nations system in the field of international trade law. A legal body with universal membership specializing in commercial law reform worldwide for over 40 years, UNCITRAL's business is the modernization & harmonization of rules on international business. Trade means faster growth, higher living standards, & new opportunities through commerce. In order to increase these opportunities worldwide, UNCITRAL is formulating modern, fair, & harmonized rules on commercial transactions. These include:

*Conventions, model laws & rules which are acceptable worldwide

*Legal & legislative guides & recommendations of great practical value

*Updated information on case law & enactments of uniform commercial law

*Technical assistance in law reform projects

*Regional &  national seminars on uniform commercial law

The Commission carries out its work at annual sessions, which are held in alternate years at United Nations Headquarters in New York & at the Vienna International Centre at Vienna. Each working group of the Commission typically holds one or two sessions a year, depending on the subject-matter to be covered; these sessions also alternate between New York & Vienna. In addition to member States, all States that are not members of the Commission, as well as interested international organizations, are invited to attend sessions of the Commission & of its working groups as observers. Observers are permitted to participate in discussions at sessions of the Commission & its working groups to the same extent as members.

The Commission has established six working groups to perform the substantive preparatory work on topics within the Commission's programme of work. Each of the working groups is composed of all member States of the Commission. The six working groups and their current topics are as follows:

*Working Group I - Micro, Small & Medium-sized Enterprises

*Working Group II - Dispute Settlement

*Working Group III

*Working Group IV - Electronic Commerce

*Working Group V - Insolvency Law

*Working Group VI - Security Interests

Who's Progas Pakistan Limited (progas.cc/about.php) ?

Progas Pakistan Limited is the first fully integrated LPG company in Pakistan & largest in terms of investment. From handling LPG at its own import terminal, right down to the supply of consumer retail packs of LPG, while conforming to highest HSE standards, Progas aims to make a significant contribution to the social development of its consumers & communities at large in Pakistan. Progas’s main storage, bottling & terminal facilities are located at Port Qasim in Karachi which handles LPG from various international sources, both for its own account & as a common user facility for other LPG marketing companies. Progas offers hospitality arrangements for other LPG marketing companies in all its storage & bottling operations countrywide. Nationally Progas owns 1/3 of the country’s total storage facility. With special relationships amongst LPG producers worldwide, Progas ensures adequate & economical supply of LPG in Pakistan while creating greater price stability. This is evident since the terminal has come into full operations. Progas Pakistan has its main office in Karachi, a regional office in Islamabad & a terminal office at Port Qasim, Karachi. Regional Distribution Centers are Located in Haripur near Islamabad, Lahore & Quetta, & a dispatch station at Taftan on the Pakistan-Iran Border. The Company at present employs 175 qualified & experienced staff from the LPG industry. It has over 300 dealers nationwide.