Author: Ali Qasim

Lahore (NUT-DESK)

Chinese and Pakistani companies reached intended cooperation agreements (ICA) worth US 34 million in different sectors including construction, engineering, manufacturing, technology transfer etc during recently concluded three-day Pakistan Industrial Expo 2021.

As per details, at least 9 Chinese companies are considering to have long-term development projects in Pakistani market as a result of interaction between both sides at the expo.Encouraged from the results, organizer Everest International Expo, has also setup a ‘permanent display center’ in Lahore to showcase Chinese products for physical inspection by the local industry representatives before further negotiations between both the sides.

Despite the Covid-19 situation, Pakistan and China have been able to sustain a healthy economic and investment partnership and it is now high time to join hands for a much-needed economic and investment rebound. More than 100 Chinese companies participated in the 5th Pakistan Industrial Expo 2021 through both physical and online mode of participation. This is the best possible solution to bring businesses from both countries together for rejuvenation of bilateral investment cooperation, said Chris Zhou, Deputy GM of Everest International Expo.

Numerous Pakistani associations and chambers visited the venue and signed Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the organizer. These include Swabi Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Sargodha Chamber of Commerce & Industry, Sahiwal Chamber of Commerce & Industry, Peshawar Chamber of Small Traders & Small Industry, Larkana Chamber of Commerce & Industry, Bahawalpur Women Chamber of Commerce & Industry, Layyah Women Chamber of Commerce & Industry.

Online B2B meetings were arranged immediately once the visitors come to booths, they “face to face” talks and sharing business ideas. In this method, organizers minimized the impact of COVID-19. And after exhibition, all sample products were shifted to a permanent display center situated in the provincial metropolis. It’s open for all businessmen, and online B2B meeting will arrange with related manufacturers upon requests.

Previous 4 editions of Pakistan Industrial Expo attracted 31 Chinese companies who are cooperating with local ones for setting up of assembling plants, technology exchange etc.

Constructors Association of Pakistan (CAP) Chairman Engr. Kamal Nasir Khan praised the organizers for arranging such an event in prevailing circumstances which would create a win-win situation both for Chinese and Pakistani businessmen. He showed keen interest in the construction machinery placed in the exhibition and said Pakistani construction and real estate industry is showing positive trend and it needs modern machinery which can help bringing down the cost as well as ensuring longer life of constructed buildings.

Hardware Merchants Association’s representatives Zeeshan Khalil and Nadeem Zafar also praised the machinery placed at the booth and said that Chinese products are no less than items manufactured by any other country. Similarly, Daroghawala Industries Owners Association President Shouban Akhtar praised the offline-online method adopted by the organizers and said that it served the purpose of physical inspection and immediate negotiation between buyers and sellers.

 

Lahore (NUT-DESK)

Procter & Gamble (P&G), one of the leading FMCG companies in the world, is celebrating 30 years of its successful business operations in Pakistan, a statement said. Adil Farhat, chief executive officer for P&G Pakistan, said the milestone is a moment of great pride for P&G.

“Our journey in Pakistan began 30 years ago and through the years, we have remained steadfast in our purpose to touch and improve the lives of Pakistani consumers,” he added. “We continue to invest in Pakistan by building local manufacturing factories and a strong supply base.”

Farhat said this has led to creation of thousands of jobs directly and indirectly. He further said that Pakistan is an important market for P&G.

Serving a country of 220 million people gives our brands the unique opportunity to delight consumers through superior product performance and to promote conversations, influence attitudes, inspire behavior change and drive positive impact on society and the environment,” he said. “We’re poised for future growth in Pakistan and look forward to celebrating many more milestones here in the years ahead.”

P&G Pakistan is also actively working on Equality and Inclusion for people with disabilities, under its platform called #Limitless. Through this program, the Company is introducing more inclusive brand propositions, workspaces, recruitment strategies and partnerships through specialized hiring agencies.

P&G recently announced a comprehensive plan to accelerate action related to climate change across its global sites including Pakistan. P&G plants in Pakistan are working extensively towards the Company’s long-term environmental sustainability vision by promoting sustainability practices amongst employees as well as with suppliers and partners. Since 2010, P&G plants in Pakistan have delivered 38%, 59% and 25% reduction in energy, water and CO2 respectively. In addition, P&G Pakistan recently made a pledge to plant 14,000 trees under the banner of ‘Ariel Forest’ in Pakistan which is part of the region’s P&G #ForestsForGood Program.

************

 

Lahore (NUT-DESK)

Select Technologies (Pvt) Limited, a subsidiary of Air Link Communication Limited, is partnering with Chinese smartphone firm Xiaomi to manufacture handsets in Pakistan.

“Xiaomi, the global consumer electronics and smart phone giant, has joined hands with Select Technologies (Pvt) Limited, a wholly owned subsidiary of Air Link Communication Limited (AIRLINK) as its manufacturing partner for Xiaomi mobile phones in Pakistan,” the company said in a bourse filing on Monday.

The company said it was targeting a production of initially around 2.5 to 3 million handsets annually ‘subject to smooth supply chain’. The company expects this partnership to add approximately $450 million annually in top line revenue numbers. “[It] will have a material incremental impact on the EPS of the company other than the normal course of business,” the company said.

The production facility will be located adjacent to the Air Link’s existing state of the art mobile manufacturing facility at Quaid-e-Azam Industrial Estate, Kot Lakhpat Lahore. The production facility is anticipated to be operational within the month of January 2022.

The government had also introduced a mobile manufacturing policy to encourage and attract manufacturers to establish their units in Pakistan. Till now, 26 companies have been issued MDM Authorisation enabling them to manufacture mobile devices in Pakistan, said the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority. The companies include Samsung, Nokia, Oppo, TECNO, Infinix, Vgotel, Q-mobile among others.

**************

 

Lahore (NUT-Desk)

Apple Inc has cut back production of iPad tablets to allocate more components to the iPhone 13, a sign the global chip supply crunch is hitting Apple harder than previously indicated, Nikkei said on Tuesday, citing multiple sources.

Production of the iPad was down half from Apple’s original plans for the past two months, the newspaper said on its website, adding that parts intended for older iPhones were also being switched to the iPhone 13.

Even though iPhone 13 production hit a snag due to factory closures in Asia and high demand in the second half of the year, Apple has weathered the supply crunch better than many other companies due to its massive purchasing power and long-term supply agreements with chip vendors, eating into its rivals’ market share in the third quarter.

The iPhone maker is prioritising iPhone 13 output in part because it forecasts stronger demand for the smartphone than for the iPad as Western markets begin to emerge from the pandemic, Nikkei said, citing unidentified sources.