Category: Business

Today, Huawei and OPPO announced the signing of a global patent cross-licensing agreement, which covers cellular standard essential patents, including 5G.

“After more than 20 years of continuous innovation, Huawei has developed multiple high-value patent portfolios in the global marketplace in domains like 5G, Wi-Fi, and audio/video codecs,” said Alan Fan, Head of Huawei’s Intellectual Property Department. “We are delighted to have reached a cross-licensing agreement with OPPO. The mutual recognition of intellectual property value between companies is a major step towards fostering a positive cycle of innovation and research in high-value standards: investing, receiving returns from investment, and then reinvesting. This will enable our industry to keep innovating and provide consumers with more competitive products and services.”

“We are very pleased to enter into patent cross-licensing agreement with Huawei. It clearly demonstrates that the two companies recognize and greatly respect the value of each other’s intellectual property. It is a win-win deal for both sides,” stated Adler Feng, OPPO’s Chief Intellectual Property Officer. “We will, as always, advocate for the establishment of a sustainable, healthy intellectual property ecosystem, where intellectual property licenses can be resolved through amicable negotiations and every company’s patent value are highly respected.”

Lahore (Muhammad Yasir) Facebook Stars, Meta’s monetization feature for content creators is now open to all eligible creators in Pakistan to help them connect with their audiences and build a business.

Stars, a digital good that fans can buy and send to support creators, will enable Pakistani online content creators to easily onboard, check their earnings by content type, manage their goals, and access other Stars settings. This tool is available across multiple formats: Facebook Reels, Facebook Live, on-demand videos, as well as photos and text posts.

“Helping creators to build community and turn their passions into professions is a key part of our continued investment in Pakistan,“ said Jordi Fornies, Meta’s Director of Emerging Markets for the Asia Pacific region. “Today, we are thrilled to announce that Facebook Stars is open to all eligible creators in Pakistan, so more people can start earning while they grow their creativity, audience and careers.”

Earlier this year, Meta brought Reels to Pakistan, introducing short form, entertaining video experiences and tools to creators and audiences. Today Reels is the fastest-growing content format on Meta platforms globally. There are more than 140 billion Reels played across Facebook and Instagram each day.

“We are encouraged to see Meta’s contribution in supporting local businesses in Pakistan and opening up different ways for Pakistani content creators to generate meaningful, reliable revenue on their platforms. We hope the Stars program will create new opportunities to monetize and play a role in strengthening the country’s digital economy,” said Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, the Foreign Minister of Pakistan during his visit to the Meta regional office in Singapore today.

Any Pakistani creator with at least 1,000 followers online through the last 60 days who meets the following eligibility criteria will be able to begin receiving Stars from their audiences.

“So wonderful to see Stars has launched in Pakistan, giving more creators like me on Facebook and Reels the opportunity to build community and earn money through doing what we love,” said Danish Ali, Pakistani content creator. “I’m excited for creators in Pakistan to start using Stars to generate an income and build deeper connections with their audiences as they grow on Facebook.”

If you are a creator, you can check your eligibility and begin onboarding here: https://www.facebook.com/creators/tools/stars.

Karachi (Muhammad Yasir) The Islamic Chamber of Commerce, Industry & Agriculture (ICCIA) organized its 5th “Best of Entrepreneurship Pakistan (BOE)” round in partnership with Islamic Corporation for the Development of the Private Sector (ICD), Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce & Industry, FPCCI and hosted by Karachi School of Business and Leadership (KSBL).

Under the theme of “Green Entrepreneurship in Pakistan: Challenges, and opportunities”, the event aimed to highlight the opportunities the green economy presents for the future entrepreneurs as well as existing businesses and hear their challenges in realizing their plans.

21 speakers, representing national and international entities, shared their experiences, best practices, and highlighted challenges along their journey to enrich the discussion. These will provide a strong basis to develop policy recommendations that are needed to support the growth and investment in this extremely important area in Pakistan as well as within the intergovernmental bodies to contribute to the voice of the global south private sector that is the most affected area within the climate crisis.

Highly informative presentations and lessons learned were shared with an audience that included entrepreneurs and professionals who are focused on sustainable and environment-friendly business practices. University students, aspiring entrepreneurs, and business enthusiasts were also part of the event.

The morning session of the event discussed two of the most important areas within the climate context: Energy and Plastic. In the Energy segment, green transitioning of the sector was discussed by a panel of multinationals as well as local businesses including Mr. Mujtaba Khan of Reon Energy, Mr. Zain Hak, Vice President/Global Head – of Agriculture & Forestry, Chairman of the Board SPL PLC, Shell, and Mr. Hashim Raza, CEO K-Solar.

The second panel was dedicated to the Plastic consumption and how the businesses are moving towards reducing their contributions to our landfills, sea, rivers, and the environment at large. The panel included representation from Academia including including Dr. Yasir Nawab, Associate Professor / Dean SET, National Textile University and Ms. Shiza Aslam, Head of Circular Plastic Institute, KSBL and the private sector including  Mr. Khawaja Bilal Hussain, Senior Vice president, Head of Strategy, Sustainability and Business Development, Engro, Mr. Shariq Vohra, Former President, Karachi Chamber of Commerce and Industry & Executive Committee Member of FPCCI and Mr. Waleed Bin Ayub, Sr. Packaging & Sustainability Development Manager at Unilever.

The afternoon session of the day focused on entrepreneurial journeys to create interest in the university students and aspiring or new entrepreneurs so they understand what it takes to start and run a business. Speakers included Mr. Farhan Adil Mehboob, Director S.Mehboob & Co, Mr. Ahmad Shabbar, Founder, Director and CEO of Garbage Can, Mr. Kumayl Khaleeli, CEO of Zephyr Power. All stressed on the need for perseverance, measurement of impact and the leadership that is needed from the youth to secure their future.

Other notable personalities such as, Mr. Mubashar Hameed, Rector, Karachi School of Business Leadership (KSBL), Mr. Amjad Rafi, Senior Member FPCCI, Dr. Mirza Ikhtiar Baig, Chairman, Baig Group and Honorary Consul General of Republic of Yemen in Pakistan, Syed Muhammad HabibUllah, Assistant Director Youth Affairs, Sports & Youth Affairs Department, Government of Sindh, Mr. Hamza Nisar Kushtiwala (Author of BEHIND THE GREEN), Mr. Andeel Ali (Head of M&E department at the National Incubation Center, Karachi), and Syed Muhammad HabibUllah, Assistant Director Youth Affairs, Sports & Youth Affairs Department, Government of Sindh also spoke at the BOE.  

ICCIA highlighted that the BOE series is a platform that has been designed to bring the relevant stakeholders together and will continue to enlighten, educate, and inspire young entrepreneurs to contribute to a greener Pakistan and the world through regular rounds and series to touch base on common challenges and needs. It is the platform to introduce the sectors of the future that Pakistan needs to consider as part of its strategic vision in building a resilient and sustainable economy.

The MediaTek Dimensity 9000-powered, two-model series includes the world’s first smartphone to feature a retractable portrait lens comparable to a professional camera and delivers an exceptional user experience. 

Pakistan (Muhammad Yasir) TECNO’s premium sub-brand, PHANTOM, today launched its new flagship PHANTOM X2 Series, including the world’s first smartphone to feature a retractable portrait lens comparable to a professional camera. Unveiled at the TECNO Flagship Product Launch 2022 event in Dubai, the PHANTOM X2 Series, which comprises PHANTOM X2 Pro 5G and PHANTOM X2 5G, marks the brand’s bold entrance into the high-end global smartphone market with a host of groundbreaking features and outstanding performance.

With a 65mm focal length, 2.5x optical zoom retractable portrait lens, the PHANTOM X2 Pro 5G revolutionizes image-making in the smartphone industry. The innovative lens empowers users to capture portraits comparable to professional camera shots with just a pocket-sized device. Available in an Eco-Friendly Edition featuring a pioneering microfiber back cover made from recycled plastics, the X2 Pro 5G also raises the bar for sustainable design in the industry.

A milestone in the brand’s premium product offering, both the PHANTOM X2 Pro 5G and the PHANTOM X2 5G are powered by MediaTek’s Dimensity 9000 4nm 5G chip. The series also features a unique unibody double-curved build and a 3.5D lunar crater design in three mysterious, space-inspired colors, resulting in an eye-catching look and a comfortable feel.

Speaking at the official global launch of the PHANTOM X2 Series in Dubai, Jack Guo, General Manager of TECNO said: “TECNO has always been pushing to uncover the latest and best premium technologies. As PHANTOM’s new flagship smartphone, the PHANTOM X2 Series brings the PHANTOM brand to the high-end market with a pioneering spirit of innovation, inside and out.

Not only does the new series deliver world-leading technologies like the retractable portrait lens, but it also reflects the brand’s solicitude for environmental issues with the eco-friendly edition’s recycled back cover. Following the successes of the original PHANTOM X smartphone, the PHANTOM X2 Series takes premium experience to even greater heights.”

The highlight of the PHANTOM X2 Pro 5G’s four exceptional cameras is the innovative retractable portrait lens, a technological breakthrough that lowers the threshold for “studio-like” portrait photography. While its retractable nature ensures the phone remains slim and light, the 65mm lens’ 2.5x optical zoom, large F1.49 aperture and shallow 18.9cm depth of field create a stunningly pure optical bokeh for breathtaking portraiture, as showcased in a series of portraits captured by professional photographer, Rankin, whose portfolio ranges from portraiture to documentary. He has shot The Rolling Stones, David Bowie, Kate Moss, Kendall Jenner, and The Queen to name only a few. Rankin also consulted on the development of a set of “Master Filters” for the PHANTOM X2 Series, the PHANTOM X2 Pro 5G’s ingenious lens re-imagines what’s possible with a pocket-sized smartphone camera. A powerful 50MP main camera with a 1/1.3” sensor and a Super Night mode also enable spectacular night imaging.

The PHANTOM X2 5G also boasts incredible imaging capabilities, including its 64MP main camera with a state-of-the-art RGBW sensor and 5P+1G lens. In addition, the PHANTOM X2 Series features a range of self-developed beautification settings to give users even greater freedom when shooting and editing.

Pioneering Back Cover Made From Recycled Material

The PHANTOM X2 Series includes the PHANTOM X2 Pro 5G Eco-Friendly Edition. This special edition features a pioneering environmentally friendly back cover, constructed by recycling materials recovered from the ocean. Over a complex, multiple-stage process, the waste materials are transformed into microfibers and then woven to form a strong, durable material which is used to create the cover. The Eco-Friendly Edition, which has been nominated for and received prestigious international design awards, including the LOOP Design Awards, has a striking Mars Orange design representing the stark landscapes of the Red Planet and reminding us all of the importance of looking after the earth and its oceans.

In total, each Eco-Friendly Edition back cover contains 14.4% recycled material. Compared with virgin plastics, the use of recycled materials to manufacture the back covers reduces carbon emissions by approximately 38%, with each individual cover producing an estimated 2.4g fewer emissions on average. PHANTOM hopes its commitment to environmental protection will encourage more consumers worldwide to embrace sustainable lifestyles.

Unique Unibody Double-Curved Design and Lunar Craters

The PHANTOM X2 Series is designed to deliver ultimate performance, comfort and style, from its front screen to its back cover. Drawing inspiration from art, nature and mathematics, the PHANTOM X2 Series has a smooth unibody double-curved design with geometric lines giving a sleek, futuristic appearance. 3.5D lunar craters ensure the retractable lens module retains a slim look and eliminates sharp edges for comfortable use, further improved by the screen’s ergonomic design allowing a holding angle of 71°.

Super Smooth Performance Powered by MediaTek’s Dimensity 9000 5G Chip

The PHANTOM X2 Series is equipped with MediaTek’s outstanding Dimensity 9000 5G chip, the world’s first TSMC 4nm 5G mobile SoC. With an advanced octa-core CPU, the chip ensures powerful performance to enhance business, entertainment and everyday use. While the chip’s 7^th Generation Imagiq 790 powerful ISP is capable of processing 9 billion pixels/second for impactful imaging, it also provides exceptional power efficiency and an incredibly smooth user experience, boasting an AnTuTu Benchmark score of over 1,000,000 points.

PC-level Memory and Smart Features to Make Life Easier

Matching many models of laptops and tablet computers, the PHANTOM X2 Series boasts up to 12GB RAM and 256GB memory. The huge memory ensures users can play their favorite games and run heavy-duty apps simultaneously without crashing, while UFS 3.1 flash storage allows videos and large files to be shared and received at high speeds. When the PHANTOM X2 series’ marathon 5160mAh battery eventually needs charging, a quick boost with rapid 45W flash charging helps users to get through their important meeting or finish their favorite movie. 

From an updated Master of Language translation tool with photo and document translation, to Smart Panel with real-time subtitling and Smart Scanner with document signing, the PHANTOM X2 Series revolutionizes the use of smartphones for business. In addition, Smart 5G 2.0 significantly reduces 5G power consumption and an upgraded “Ella” AI Voice Assistant is now available in offline mode, making phone operation more convenient than ever. Meanwhile, TECNO’s HiOS 12 provides a highly optimized operating system for a vivid and dynamic experience.

Availability

The PHANTOM X2 Series will be available to purchase from the end of December globally.

Marking TECNO’s entrance into the high-end smartphone market, the flagship PHANTOM X2 Series features advanced technological innovations and outstanding performance. Reflecting the bold and pioneering spirit of PHANTOM, the series delivers an unparalleled premium user experience for consumers across the world to enjoy.

 

Lahore (Muhammad Yasir) Lahore Chamber of Commerce and Industry Standing Committee on FMCG has demanded the government to clear the containers stuck at Ports by allowing the importers to purchase dollars from the open market. The committee also demanded the government to give a ten-year integrated plan for import substitution. The government should chalk out a stable and strong economic policy and the economy should be separated from politics. Containers stuck at ports should be transferred to customs and other warehouses so that billions of dollars are not lost in terms of demurrages, Pakistan FMCG sector leaders demand from the government. The importers made these demands during an important meeting of the standing committee of the Lahore Chamber of Commerce and Industry for FMCG sector, which was chaired by the president of the committee and executive member of the chamber Muhammad Ijaz Tanveer. Senior leader FMCG sector Sheikh Khalid Mahmood and Waqas Arshad also spoke in the meeting. On this occasion, officials and members of Pakistan FMCG sector, Ehsanullah Khan, Azhar Amin, Basharat Ali. Tanveer Rizvi. Mohsin Hameed. Muhammad Aoun. Muhammad Abdullah. Ali Tariq Apart from Muhammad Iqbal, a large number of people belonging to the relevant sector were present in the ceremony. The participants of the meeting discussed the current poor economic conditions and the problems of the FMCG sector and demanded the government to solve these problems as soon as possible. On the occasion of the ceremony, Pakistan FMCG Sector President and VEC Member Lahore Chamber Muhammad Ijaz Tanveer said that despite repeated assurances, the government is not taking any practical steps to solve the problems due to which the situation of uncertainty is increasing. Is. They are trying to convince the government that a permanent economic system should be established by separating the economy from politics so that an industrial and commercial revolution can take place in Pakistan. On this occasion, the leader of Pakistan FMCG sector, Sheikh Khalid Meraj. Waqas Arshad. Other officials including Ehsanullah Khan also addressed.

Karachi (Muhammad Yasir) United Bank Limited (UBL) and Sindh Enterprise Development Fund (SEDF) recently signed an Agreement for Institutional Collaboration to provide Subsidized Credit to Small & Medium Enterprises (SME) in Sindh.

The agreement signing ceremony, held at the UBL Head Office in Karachi, was chaired by Syed Qassim Naveed Qamar, Special Assistant to CM Sindh for Investment Department and Public-Private Partnership Projects. Mr. Khizar Pervaiz, CEO-SEDF and Mr. Shazad G. Dada, President & CEO UBL signed the Agreement in the presence of officials and dignitaries from the public and private sector which also included Syed Mansoor Abbas Rizvi, Secretary to Government of Sindh-Investment Department among others.

UBL will provide much needed project financing to SMEs and the Agricultural sector and SEDF will provide mark-up subsidy on loans provided by the bank. This collaboration will create a win-win situation for the stakeholders and create an enabling environment to promote investments in the province.

Syed Qassim Naveed Qamar, SACM said that “This is a step towards financial inclusion of a neglected yet vital segment of the economy with a focus towards modernization of the rural economy of Sindh, with a hope that it will pave the way for balanced growth and financial inclusion of women entrepreneurs.”

At the event, Mr. Shazad G. Dada, President & CEO UBL said “As Pakistan’s most progressive and innovative bank, UBL’s vision is to support Small and Medium Enterprises (SME) and agriculture sector of Pakistan, and in particular to empower the young entrepreneurs of our country so as to unlock their full economic potential. Agriculture and SMEs are the backbone of Pakistan’s economy and UBL is proud to play a pivotal role in supporting these sectors by partnering with like-minded institutions such as SEDF”.

United Bank Limited (UBL) and Sindh Enterprise Development Fund (SEDF) have partnered to provide subsidized credit to Small & Medium Enterprises (SME) in Sindh. Picture shows Syed Qassim Naveed Qamar, Special Assistant to CM Sindh for Investment Department and Public-Private Partnership Projects (standing, 3rd from left) who chaired the signing ceremony, Mr. Khizar Pervaiz, CEO-SEDF (seated, left) and Mr. Shazad G. Dada, President & CEO UBL (seated, right) along with senior executives from both organizations.

Karachi (Muhammad Yasir) Intending to leapfrog the digital ecosystem in Pakistan, Bank Alfalah has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Ignite, a public sector company with the Ministry of Information Technology and Telecommunication (MoITT). The partnership aims for financial facilitation of startups and freelancers to be a one-stop solution catering to all banking needs.

The ceremony was held in Islamabad in the presence of the senior leadership from the public and private sectors, committing to boost the startups and freelancing ecosystem in Pakistan. With this partnership, Ignite and Bank Alfalah will work closely to develop products and services that will cater to the current financial needs of these startups and freelancers. 

Mohsin Mushtaq, Secretary, MoITT, commented on the occasion, said“This collaboration between Ignite and Bank Alfalah will benefit Ignite’s startups and freelancers in meeting their financial needs. He further added that such a collaboration would provide opportunities for startups and freelancers to avail customized financial services offered by Bank Alfalah. He also appreciated Ignite for collaborating with financial institutions such as Bank Alfalah to empower startups and freelancers in meeting their financial needs” CEO Ignite said that this MOU will benefit both startups and freelancers by addressing their short-term financing needs. He added that Bank Alfalah would conduct information sessions at Ignite’s National Incubation Centers (NIC) to educate startups about the different financing options available to them.

Mehreen Ahmed, Group Head of Retail Banking, said: “We at Bank are proud to support projects empowering youth to explore their potential.  Bank Alfalah is a one-stop solution, providing an array of products and services that contribute towards much-needed ease of business for all start-ups and freelancers. In addition to a strong nationwide branch network, we excel at digitizing our product suite for various customer segments such as bank account opening, credit cards, auto, home financing, health insurance and corporate credit cards. With this partnership, we aim to customize these financial services for startups and freelancers.”

Pakistan startup ecosystem has seen significant funding coming in over the last few years. Despite many exits and fears looming of global recession, the funds raised by Pakistan startups makes it a potentially strong market.

With the support of banks such as Bank Alfalah, startups and freelancers can scale up their businesses. This can influence an ecosystem by empowering individuals and institutions to generate snowballing positive economic and social impact.

Lahore (Muhammad Yasir) BankIslami, Pakistan’s leading Islamic financial institution with 350+ branches in more than 123 cities became the lead sponsor for VisionHer event “Women, Wellbeing, Work” which was learning, mentoring and networking event for working women at KSBL.

VisionHer is a community for working women that facilitates ambitious, career oriented working women to thrive in their careers and lead a meaningful, balanced life. The event was divided in 3 sessions that focused on mental, physical and financial well-being.

BankIslami is introducing BankIslami Mashal – Women Banking that exclusively caters to their unique needs of women belonging to all walks of life.

A Woman’s life journey leads her through various memorable life moments such as opening her first bank account at the start of her first job, or buying her first car, or building her first house or opening her own business enterprise. At all her milestones, BankIslami understand her needs. BankIslami recognize, respect and responds to her requirements by providing her with women centric products and service offerings.

BankIslami gives women customers the ability to open their bank accounts without any reliance on anyone.  Women can make their own financial decisions and be in control of their money matters. To make things easier, the Bank is offering a wide range of dedicated solutions exclusively for women such as auto-financing, muskan home financing,  financial education and literacy among other things.

• The leading retailer has launched its first health and beauty concept store myli, at two locations in Lahore.
• Work is underway to open Carrefour’s 11^th Pakistani store, boosting Majid Al Futtaim’s current investment in the country to PKR 11 billion.

Lahore (Muhammad Yasir) Majid Al Futtaim – the leading shopping mall, communities, retail and leisure pioneer across the Middle East and Africa – announced two strategic launches that aim to expand its retail footprint in Pakistan. This includes the recent opening of two myli stores in Lahore as well as breaking ground to open Carrefour’s eleventh store next year. This brings Majid Al Futtaim’s total investment to PKR 11 billion which will create further job opportunities for Pakistanis, support the national economy by strengthening local businesses, and provide a modern shopping experience for customers.

On 5 December, Majid Al Futtaim diversified its offering with the launch of its unique health and beauty concept, myli. The two brand-new stores, located inside Carrefour at both Packages Mall and Fortress Mall, offer a wide variety of quality products including cosmetics, fragrances, and hair and skin care. myli is poised to be the one-stop solution for all customers’ beauty and healthcare needs, in response to the high demand for accessible personal care products that retailers are observing across the country.

In addition, the upcoming Carrefour store at the Defence Housing Authority in Lahore will be the brand’s eleventh to open in Pakistan. Once up and running in the fourth quarter of 2023, the new supermarket will provide customers with convenient access to more than 25,000 items from various categories, including consumer goods, fresh foods, electronics, home accessories and more at unbeatable value. Development work on the store began following a ground-breaking ceremony today, attended by Administrator DHA Lahore Brig Waheed Gul Satti.

Hani Wiess, Chief Executive Officer of Majid Al Futtaim Retail, during his visit to Pakistan attended both the opening of myli and the ground-breaking ceremony – accompanied by Umer Lodhi, Country Manager of Carrefour Pakistan.

Hani Weiss, Chief Executive Officer of Majid Al Futtaim Retail, said: “Majid Al Futtaim continues to broaden and scale its operations in Pakistan, uplifting our customers’ shopping experience through modern and contemporary retail solutions. The upcoming Carrefour store and the newly launched myli concept demonstrate our commitment to the nation and will contribute to elevating the retail market. Our latest investment decisions reflect our strategic focus on customer convenience and creating shared value for local business partners and the national economy.”

Umer Lodhi, Country Manager of Carrefour Pakistan at Majid Al Futtaim Retail, also commented: “We are excited to both expand and diversify our business in Pakistan to cater to customer demand. Reaching PKR 11 billion in investment is indicative of Majid Al Futtaim’s continued trust in Pakistan’s resilient business landscape. myli is a unique proposition, catering to a gap in the market centred around accessible self-care products. Whereas our upcoming Carrefour store will be serving the surrounding residents of DHA Phase 7.”

Carrefour currently serves millions of customers through its 10 retail stores across Pakistan and is scaling up to reach more communities across the country. With its policy of sourcing 99 percent of its products locally, the leading retailer maintains active synergies with over 700 local suppliers and small businesses – demonstrating Majid Al Futtaim’s ongoing commitment to the local economy. What’s more, Carrefour’s private brand is the first of its kind in that it sources 100 percent of its products locally from Pakistan.

Carrefour’s commitment to the highest quality products has inspired unrivalled customer loyalty since its introduction to the country in 2009, with quick and convenient home deliveries also available through its digital platforms.