Category: Business

IBA Karachi and JS Bank signed an MoU to finance the acquisition of a Donor Management System for IBA

Karachi (Nut Desk) The Institute of Business Administration (IBA), Karachi and the JS Bank signed an MoU to finance the acquisition of a Donor Management System for IBA.

The agreement was signed by Executive Director, IBA, Dr. S Akbar Zaidi, and President and CEO, JS Bank, Mr. Basir Shamsie. Participants included Ms. Malahat Awan, Director, Alumni Communications and Resource Mobilization (ARC), IBA along with senior team members from both the institutions.

JS Bank is assisting IBA in upgrading its technological capacity by donating a Donor Management System. The aim is to promote the adaptation and effective use of technology for IBA in its resource mobilization efforts.

JS Bank will provide PKR 1.4 million for the procurement of the Donor Management System.

Dr. Zaidi, on the occasion, said, “The signing of the MoU marks a long-standing partnership of IBA with JS Bank. Today, we have witnessed another significant milestone achieved. The Donor Management System will build our capacity and assist us in our mission of providing quality education to talented and deserving students.”

Mr. Shamsie said, “In continuation of our long association with IBA, we aim to improve the educational capabilities of the institution. This latest partnership will help IBA streamline its technological capability and enhance its foothold in the educational landscape of Pakistan.”

JS Bank is working to build an educated, healthy, and prosperous society by providing healthcare, and education to the underprivileged members of our society. With this system, the IBA will be able to produce more from its efforts to make quality education available to underprivileged students.

MMBL Champions the need to boost financial literacy in Balochistan at the Financial Literacy Gala 2022

Lahore (Muhammad Yasir)  Mobilink Microfinance Bank Ltd. (MMBL) – Pakistan’s largest digital Bank, set up a financial literacy camp at the University of Balochistan on Tuesday, May 31, 2022. The camp was organized under the State Bank of Pakistan’s National Financial Literacy Program for Youth. The gala had representatives from MMBL, SBP, RAAST, and other notable banks in attendance.

MMBL strives to provide financial knowledge and opportunities to the financially marginalized segments of society, with a prime emphasis on enhancing female participation in the financial and economic sphere. According to recent surveys, 15 million women operate mobile banking accounts in Pakistan, out of which only 3% reside in Balochistan, KPK, and Azad Kashmir combined. This shows that despite being the largest province in terms of geographical area, Balochistan is currently home to the largest unbanked population compared to other regions. MMBL aims to promote financial inclusion in this strategic province and help bridge this gap by organizing continuous financial literacy drives and providing access to convenient as well as secure digital financial products & services.

Sharing his thoughts, Ghazanfar Azzam, President & CEO of MMBL, highlighted MMBL’s efforts in promoting financial inclusion across the country with more concerted efforts in Balochistan going forward. He said, “MMBL operates through a unique hybrid setup with physical branches and branchless banking agents spread across the country. We are dedicated to further expanding our footprint in Balochistan and equipping our countrymen with financial knowledge, especially in underserved communities, to help them effectively manage their daily financial requirements and improve their standard of living. As an ambassador for promoting financial inclusion, MMBL and other financial institutions should continue with their efforts in minimizing the huge financial gap that currently exists in Balochistan.”

Through its diverse business portfolio, MMBL is expanding its outreach through the continuous introduction of innovative financial products & services to help increase the economic prosperity of Pakistanis. Events like the Financial Literacy Galas help level the playing field for underserved communities who want easy access to financial services but lack the awareness to make informed financial decisions. Through the power of digital financial services, MMBL is bridging the financial divide and promoting economic prospects with holistic and inclusive community-focused financial initiatives across the nation.

16^th International 3P Plas Print Pack PAKISTAN Exhibition received an over whelming response, as many deals were locked and extravagant business was generated

Lahore (Nut Desk) 3P Plas Print Pack Pakistan – Country’s Pioneer and Biggest Exhibition for Plastic, Printing and Packaging industry organized by FAKT Exhibitions (Pvt.) Ltd. concluded at Expo Centre Lahore. The exhibition was inaugurated by Mr. Irfan Iqbal Sheikh – President The Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce & Industry (FPCCI), Mr. Saleem Khan Tanoli – CEO FAKT Exhibitions (Pvt.) Ltd. and other renowned industry names.

3P Plas Print Pack Pakistan Exhibition showcased innovation in the Plastic, Printing and Packaging industry by offering a unique platform to forge partnerships and develop solutions for industrial and consumer needs. The three day mega exhibition received an overwhelming response, more than 150 companies participated from 15 countries like Austria, China, Denmark, Deutschland, Germany, Italy, Netherland, Singapore, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Taiwan, Vietnam and UK etc. The exhibitors displayed a wide and exquisite range of machinery and technology for Plastic, Printing and Packaging industry.

Exhibitors lauded the efforts of the organizers FAKT Exhibitions (Pvt.) Ltd. as they were able to meet their targeted trade professionals at 3P Plas Print Pack Pakistan Exhibition and generate excellent business at the trade show. 3P Plas Print Pack Pakistan Exhibition attracted key industry leaders, government officials, manufacturers, suppliers, traders, distributors, service providers and had a footfall of around 12,000 trade visitors providing them an ideal opportunity to get acquainted with state-of-the-art machinery and technology.

 

Lahore (Nut Desk)

The leading smartphone brand, TECNO ranks fourth in 2021 in terms of units sold. Camon 18 became one of the most selling phones of the last quarter entitling TECNO to be the Fourth “Most Selling Smartphone Brand of 2021”.

TECNO has recently won the title of “Fastest Growing Brand of the Year Awards 2021” with the hot seller Camon 18 series. The series received such an amazing response from the consumer due to its stylish design, exceptional photography, and camera features.

By adhering to its core strategy of “think globally, act locally” (Glocal), TECNO has reached millions of users worldwide, expanding the business to more than 70 countries and regions.

Kelvin Zeng, CEO of TECNO Mobile Pakistan expressed his joy on this occasion,

“We are overjoyed with the back-to-back success of TECNO phones. We sold thousands of units of Camon 18 phones in a very short time, outdoing many expectations. We are overwhelmed by the appreciation and love we have received from our Pakistani consumers. We are now working on our Camon 19 series which will be launched very soon in Pakistan.”

The most awaited Camon 19 series has already bagged the prestigious “MUSE Design” Award for its outstanding design. The series is expected to soon be launch in Pakistan.

Karachi / DAVOS (Nut Desk) Martin Dow Group Chairman Ali Akhai co-hosted the Pakistan breakfast at the World Economic Forum on Wednesday. The breakfast was attended by Pakistan’s Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari along with Climate Change Minister Sherry Rehman, Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah, Pathfinder Group Chairman Ikram Sehgal and Pathfinder Group Co-Chairman Zarrar Sehgal.

Speaking at the event, Mr. Akhai said that despite the recent economic challenges in the world, the ease of doing business in Pakistan — in comparison to its neighbouring countries — had improved tremendously. “There is a marked improvement in the performance of the country’s federal and provincial regulatory bodies, by easing business operations such as improved banking infrastructure, access to local financing avenues, and repatriation of profits,” he explained.

On the outcome of these reforms, he shared: “Because of these measures, in the period of last few years, Pakistan is shaping into a lucrative market for multinational companies in different sectors. Big brands of automobiles and mobile phone companies have recently invested in setting up their assembly units in Pakistan.”

He added: “Pakistan is also becoming an attractive destination for investments in the service sector as well. Many e-commerce players and foreign start-ups commenced their operations in Pakistan with significant investments.”

Pakistan & COVID-19

According to Mr. Akhai, after the outbreak of COVID-19, it was feared that Pakistan would be a potential hotspot because of its high population density of over 210 million. “But due to the efforts of our committed healthcare professionals, the country was able to tackle the challenge with very mild repercussions,” he said.

“As lauded by United Nations and the World Bank, Pakistan’s response to the pandemic has achieved greater success than other countries in the region because we managed to keep the livelihoods intact and overall socioeconomic situation of the country stable,” he added. 

From the macro to micro level, Mr. Akhai shared that at Martin Dow, they were similarly innovative. “The Martin Dow family came together to support its colleagues fully – we worked to strengthen our bonds and let everyone know that we are together during any crisis situation. We knew we had to adjust to the ‘new normal’ in order to move ahead. Quick planning & implementation was key as the organisation coped better than our expectation; a job very well done by our colleagues and our management’s leadership,” he said.

The important thing, Mr. Akhai added, was the fact that while many businesses and companies were cutting back and laying off colleagues, Martin Dow invested in the company and employee welfare.

The bigger picture

For Mr. Akhai, it was interesting to see how post Covid-19, despite the geopolitical situation in the region and the country, everything was business as usual. There is growth and continuation – imperative to remember that Pakistan’s market is progressive, resilient, and sustainable.

An example of this is a recent survey by the Overseas Investors Chamber of Commerce and Industry which showed that the investment climate in Pakistan had shown improved for the first time since 2019.

“This signifies the trust that we have in our country. However, it should be noted that the world has been constantly evolving and keeps changing during a crisis in its own unique way. Therefore, it’s imperative for us to strive and work together for a sustainable future for all,” he said.

“So, after two years of the pandemic, where are we today? I can only say that we are settling and learning more with each passing day. Covid-19 demanded us to push our boundaries and venture where we wouldn’t have before. We can say with certainty that the upcoming year is a higher standard of competition: in quality, localization, consolidation, digitization and adaptability,” he added.

  Martin Dow at World Economic Forum

The company had been attending the international forum for years. “We were here for the first time in 2013, when the Martin Dow Group was selected as a Global Growth Company – we have been returning here since. We are the only multinational pharmaceutical group from Pakistan presenting at the World Economic Forum and operating beyond borders in France, which leads us to achieve the status of a local multinational in its truest sense,” Mr. Akhai said.

He added that Martin Dow’s relationship with the World Economic Forum has deepened over the years.

A 120Hz Curved Display, Ultra-slim Body, Stunning Colour No. 9 and Star Orbit Design

Smartphones are a part of our daily lives. We use them for everything from basic things like making calls and sending text messages to shooting pictures and other even more complex tasks. In short, people’s lives revolve around these tiny gadgets. It is no wonder that smartphone users are becoming more conscious about the designs of their phones. So, people want what they hold and use in their hands in front of everyone to have an eye-catching design.

It seems like Huawei has answered their wish with the new HUAWEI nova 9, the Trendy Flagship and Camera King. Now let’s talk about the design of the phone.

First of all, there is an all-new colourway called Colour No. 9. Huawei uses the proprietary Starry Flash AG Glass process to achieve the bluish-purple finish. The texture of the glass reacts differently depending on the angle and type of light. While under normal lighting, the texture appears as a gentle gradient; the whole back of the phone shines with vivid and colourful sparkles under a spotlight. Besides the look, it also makes the phone comfortable to hold and fingerprint resistant.

The phone features an expansive 6.57-inch display. It has a fast refresh rate of 120Hz, which makes everything on the screen smooth and fluid. The top and bottom bezels on the phone are thin and inconspicuous. The sides of the screen are curved and flow over like a waterfall. The only thing you will notice on the front of the screen is a little cut-out for the front camera. But even that blends in as part of the design.

Karachi (Muhammad Yasir) Shell Pakistan Limited (SPL) inaugurated its newly revamped integrated retail outlet, SPL Defence Service Station, located at Khayaban-e-Bahria in DHA Phase 5 Karachi. The new retail outlet has been reconstructed and equipped with Shell Recharge, an expanded Shell Select outlet and a bigger Shell Car Wash facility.

The latest additions to SPL Defence Service Station cater to the evolving needs for cleaner fuels and automobile services on the go. The newest addition to the outlet is Shell Recharge, an electric vehicle (EV) charging station. This is the 3rd EV charging facility installed in collaboration with K-Electric in continuation of Shell Pakistan’s strategy for powering progress in Pakistan. The retail outlet is powered by solar energy, a 45 kW solar panel has been installed in collaboration with K-Solar to provide cleaner energy sources, enabling uninterrupted and efficient operations. The modernized Shell Select store offers high-quality snacks, beverages and groceries, with a convenient and renewed shopping experience for consumers.

Speaking at the inauguration, the Chief Executive & Managing Director of Shell Pakistan Limited, Waqar Siddiqui stated, “We are pleased to provide a new experience for residents and customers around SPL Defence who are looking for a wide range of products, a suite of value-added services, clean energy and other mobility solutions. Shell Recharge is another step toward a cleaner and sustainable energy future for the fast-growing segment of Electric Vehicles. With such innovations on-site, Shell Pakistan remains committed to its objective of serving the nation and its people.” Muhammad Aamir Ghaziani, Chief Financial Officer at K-Electric, stated, “KE’s partnership with Shell is bringing us closer to the goal of reforming the transportation sector with a reduction in carbon emissions, which currently stand at 46% of the nation’s total carbon footprint.

As a forward-looking company, KE is actively working to increase the share of renewable energy as well. With this spirit of collaboration, we are optimistic that we will achieve our goals to offset carbon through renewables and deploy the necessary infrastructure to support this transition for a better and more sustainable future.” Hashim Raza, Chief Executive Officer at K-Solar stated, “K-Solar is pleased to have played a part in facilitating sustainable mobility with the partial solarization of Shell’s EV charging site at Bahria, DHA.

In total, my teams and I have placed solar systems at 11 SPL sites across Pakistan which will provide their petrol stations with more sustainable energy for powering their pumps, retail store and other services.” SPL Defence Service Station has an efficient complaint management system with professionally trained staff members who are responsive, friendly and open to customers’ feedback related to specific Shell products and services. Customers can always approach site staff with feedback or report it via 0800-SHELL or email at generalpublicenquiries-pk@shell.com.

• Discounts across numerous categories including groceries, electronics, textiles and household appliances.
• Carrefour’s summer mega sale hopes to help customers stay cool during the heat wave.

Lahore (Muhammad Yasir) Carrefour, fully owned and operated by UAE based Majid Al Futtaim in Pakistan, has launched a surprise, themed mega sale to make this summer cooler and more exciting amidst rising temperatures. Customers can escape the scorching heat wave by shopping in a chilled and expansive environment at ten Carrefour stores across Pakistan and can also avail amazing summer offers online via Carrefour’s website or mobile application.

As per the forecast, the country’s weather is expected to stay hot and dry throughout the month of June. The incredible discounts are geared towards the products that customers use on a daily basis to deal with the scorching summer heat, covering fresh foods, groceries, electronics, textiles, health, and homeware, as well as heavy household appliances like refrigerators, water coolers, and air conditioners. Special cashback offers are also applicable online to make shopping more comfortable and convenient.

Umer Lodhi, Country Manager of Carrefour Pakistan said, “Carrefour Pakistan remains committed to supporting our surrounding communities by delivering unbeatable value through every experience, year-round. With temperatures soaring, we are excited to offer an assortment of special deals that will make this summer more exciting and enjoyable for everyone. We have worked closely with our sales team to identify our customer’s favourite products during hotter months so that we can ensure the very best value in terms of quality, price and selection”

 The mega sale will be available at all Carrefour stores in Karachi, Lahore, Gujranwala, Faisalabad, and Islamabad throughout the season. In addition to the convenience of in-store shopping, Carrefour also offers its delivery service through the Carrefour Pakistan app and customers can use MyClub to gain instant discounts, earn and redeem points, and to better serve its customers. For further information, please head to www.carrefourpakistan.com to discover the hottest deals.

 

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National Bank of Pakistan (NBP) conducted Islamic Banking Awareness Sessions in Mohmand Agency, Swat and Charsada. Mufti Nadir Khan, Team Leader Shariah Compliance Department, NBP Aitemaad Islamic Banking addressed the sessions along with NBP’s KPK Aitemaad Islamic Banking regional team.

Saima Group & Agha Steel join hands to Launch Pakistan First Eco Friendly Green Housing Structure Project 

Karachi (Muhammad Yasir) Agha Steel Industries Limited, a leading Steel manufacturing company has signed an agreement with Saima Group for exclusively providing Green Electric Arc Furnace Technology steel rebars to its first of a kind Eco-Friendly Green Housing Structure Project “Saima Premium Residency”. Saima Group is a name associated with quality and trust in the real estate planning and development sector of Pakistan, having successfully delivered many mega projects for both residential and commercial to its customers. Addressing the occasion Mr Zeeshan Zaki, Chairman Saima Group said “We are very excited to launch Saima Premium Residency as Pakistan’s first Eco-Friendly Green Housing Structure project that shall be built exclusively with the finest and most technologically advanced rebars supplied by Agha Steel. In accordance with our long term goal of transforming into an environmentally conscious organization, it is our aim to partner with firms that share our values to give sustainable developments for our future residents”

He further added “We couldn’t have found a better partner than Agha Steel for providing Steel for this visionary project as they are the only company in Pakistan that provides 100% refined quality steel by using green steel technologies.”

At the signing ceremony Mr Hussain Agha, CEO Agha Steel, also expressed his view and noted “We are delighted to be entering into this agreement with Saima Group for providing steel to Pakistan’s First Eco- Friendly Green Structure Project. This is a great initiative by Saima Group as the leaders of the industry must play a pivotal role to ensure a sustainable and greener future for our generations to come. This agreement is testament to our aligned visions and ambitions for a Greener Pakistan.”

Agha Steel Industries led a Green Steel Revolution through sustainability of its energy mix by installing a 2.25 Megawatt solar power project and signing a term Sheet with Engro Energy for Renewable Energy. Agha also stated, “Our State of the art plant utilizes scrap-based Electric Arc Furnace (EAF) technology. By using recycled scrap for our raw material, we reduce the need for natural resources. Our CO2 Scope 1 green-house gas emissions and energy consumption intensities are approximately 7 times less than the global steel making average, making the Green Arc Furnace Technology environmentally friendly.”