Islamabad, July 05, 2005 (PTI)

Public sector undertaking Bharat Earth Movers Ltd has staked its bid for an international tender floated by Pakistan's Ministry of Agriculture for import of 300 track bulldozers worth Rs 34O crore.

The Bangalore-based BEML would be competing with tenders from Japan, Italy, Germany, Poland, Russia and China. The tenders included transfer of technology and setting up a plant in Pakistan to manufacture them here.

The Indian party had submitted its bidding for the sale of 300 bulldozers to Pakistan in line with the tender floated, Pakistan Agriculture Secretary Ismail Qureshi was quoted as saying in 'The News' daily.

"We are not discouraging anyone from contacting us to give their offer price. However, if the Indians qualify, the ministry would follow the policy of the government although direct foreign investment from Indians is not part of our policy," Qureshi said.

Indian embassy officials said BEML had sent its papers The bidding was to take place in May but was postponed. New dates for the bidding are yet to be announced.

In the past, Videsh Sanchar Nigam Ltd had shown interest in the recent disinvestment process in Pakistan Telecom Company Ltd, (PTCL). However, Pakistan has maintained that Indian investment will not be allowed without making any headway on the Kashmir issue.