PSO renews partnership with Total Energies Aviation

Lahore (Muhammad Yasir) Pakistan’s largest energy company – Pakistan State Oil (PSO), signs Fuel Supply and Technical Services Agreements with TotalEnergies Aviation (TEA) at their headquarters at La Defense Paris France. The agreements were signed by Chief Supply Chain Officer, PSO – Mr. Abdus Sami and President, TEA – Mr. Joel Navaron. Senior officials from both companies were present during the ceremony.

PSO is the market leader in the aviation business in Pakistan with a share of approx. 95% in jet fuel and an experience spanning over four decades. The company fuels the skies at ten major airports having state-of-the-art refueling facilities across the country. TotalEnergies Aviation is a guarantor member of Joint Inspection Group, a world leading organization for the development of Aviation fuel supply standards and a leading member in the international Aviation technical committees (IATA-TFG, Energy Institute & ASTM). Its network is spread across 250 international airports in 70 countries.

PSO enjoys excellent business partnership with TotalEnergies Aviation for almost 40 years signifying PSO’s commitment to quality and service excellence. The renewed partnership will streamline fuel supplies and technical services, enabling PSO to maintain international standards while keeping safety, quality, and customer experience at the heart of its operations. Both parties expressed their interest in further studying improvement of their collaboration.

PSO is committed to fueling the nation’s air, land and seas, providing customers with innovative and high-quality products and services, while keeping sustainability at the heart of its operations.

Pakistan’s largest energy company – Pakistan State Oil (PSO), signs Fuel Supply and Technical Services Agreements with TotalEnergies Aviation (TEA) at their headquarters at La Defense Paris France. The agreements were signed by Chief Supply Chain Officer, PSO – Mr. Abdus Sami and President, TEA – Mr. Joel Navaron. Senior officials from both companies were present during the ceremony.

Wateen Telecom Plants 1,000 Trees at Quaid-e-Azam Industrial Estate

Lahore (Muhammad Yasir) To improve green environment in the country, Wateen Telecom has supported the plantation of 1,000 trees at Quaid-e-Azam Industrial Estate, Lahore. The plantation drive was organized in collaboration with Govt of Punjab, Quaid-e-Azam Industrial Estate, and Punjab Industrial Estates Development and Management Company (PIEDMC). Zafar Iqbal, VP HR and Admin, Wateen and Major Syed Kamran Hashmi Secretary,  Quaid-e-Azam Industrial Estate along with senior officials of the organizations were present at the occasion.

The plantations campaign aims to combat the adverse effects of climate change by helping to maintain groundwater tables, improve air quality and mitigate the impact of global warming. Wateen Telecom has contributed to helping the environment for generations to come, by planting over 2000 tree saplings in cities across Pakistan.

As a Socially Responsible Organisation, Wateen Telecom also took some key initiatives such as Covid-19 vaccination camps, Blood Donation Camps for children suffering from Thalassemia and Awareness Sessions to educate employees on critical subjects such as Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR), Hazard Management, Traffic Rules Awareness and Positive Parenting.

Mastercard partners with Bank Alfalah

Mastercard partners with Bank Alfalah for market-first launch of Tap on Phone and Simplify Commerce solutions in Pakistan

 

·         Partnership is the first time Mastercard Tap on Phone solution and Simplify Commerce platform will be available in Pakistan.

·         The agreement provides Pakistani businesses with robust, quick and easy digital payment acceptance solutions.

Karachi (Muhammad Yasir Mastercard and Bank Alfalah have entered into a strategic partnership to empower businesses in Pakistan through the launch of two of Mastercard’s market-leading solutions powered by Mastercard Payment Gateway Services  – Tap on Phone and Simplify Commerce – leveraging the power of technology to catalyze success and boost financial inclusion for businesses across the market, with a special focus on small enterprises.

The partnership allows businesses of all sizes to sign up for Mastercard Tap on Phone – an innovative, intuitive, and cost-effective application that allows businesses to embrace electronic acceptance through their smart mobile or tablet device. Once downloaded, businesses can immediately offer it to their customers, providing consumers with a flexible, seamless, intuitive, and secure checkout experience. Tap on Phone turns Android smartphones into secure payment acceptance devices for contactless cards, mobile wallets and smartwatches – with no additional equipment or setup-related costs, making it ideal for SMEs. 

The partnership with Bank Alfalah will also see the first-ever launch of Mastercard Simplify Commerce in Pakistan. The technology provides businesses with a suite of powerful payments and business management features that help simplify backend processes, allowing merchants to focus on core business functions as they enter and thrive in the digital marketplace.

According to the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics, in 2019, SMEs constitute nearly 90% of entirely private businesses and employ almost 78% of the non-agricultural labor force in Pakistan reflecting the huge potential for digitalization of these businesses to boost the nation’s economy.

Atyab Tahir, Pakistan Country Manager, Mastercard, said: “By partnering with Bank Alfalah, Mastercard is making it possible for businesses to realize their full potential with two of its most innovative digital payment solutions for the first time in Pakistan – Mastercard Tap on Phone, and Simplify Commerce. The provision of smartphone-based acceptance solutions is a much-needed development in the pursuit of financial inclusion, particularly in Pakistan whose population of 220 million people is significantly underserved by digital point-of-sale solutions and platforms.”

Mastercard Simplify is specifically designed to be easy to set up, making it possible for merchants with only a minimal amount of digital experience to access a convenient and secure acceptance solution and receive payments within a matter of minutes.

 Mehreen Ahmed, Group Head – Retail Banking, Bank Alfalah, said: “The integration of the Mastercard Tap on Phone and Simplify Commerce platform is a gamechanger for Bank Alfalah SME customers and millions of consumers who will now gain access to a seamless, secure and intuitive checkout experience through their contactless cards and devices. By providing merchants in Pakistan with the ability to affordably turn their Android phones into secure payment acceptance devices, Bank Alfalah is making a significant contribution to SME growth and inclusion within Pakistan’s flourishing digital economy.”

 The announcement builds on Mastercard’s longstanding relationship with Bank Alfalah and its ongoing support to SMEs in Pakistan and across the MENA region. Globally, Mastercard has pledged to connect one billion people and 50 million micro, medium and small businesses to the digital economy by 2025 – with a direct focus on 25 million women entrepreneurs.

Governor State Bank visits CDC

Governor State Bank visits CDC to further strengthen SBP’s commitment to the development of Pakistan Capital Market

Karachi (Muhammad Yasir) Governor State Bank Dr. Reza Baqir visited CDC House to mark the successful operationalization of important projects for Pakistan Capital Market, namely Roshan Equity and RAAST for Dividend payments, which have been implemented in the recent past by the State Bank in collaboration with the Capital Market and commercial banks.

It is indeed a moment to celebrate for CDC and the entire Capital Market as the successful roll-outs of these key projects of market development have started yielding promising results besides effecting ease of doing business through innovative solutions, digitization and efficiency of processes.

Speaking at the occasion Governor State Bank Dr. Reza Baqir, said, “This is an occasion of immense and significant achievement as we gather here to celebrate the successful roll-out of important projects of national interest—including Roshan Equity and RAAST—that have been initiated by the State Bank of Pakistan and very well executed by commercial banks and CDC. In all these projects, Central Depository of Pakistan has been playing the important roles of facilitator, infrastructure architect and information sharing hub. This is only the beginning of what our vision is for the development of Pakistan’s Capital market. SBP is committed to work with SECP to support Capital market entities in this regard. Now, we have initiated a new project for the Capital Market pertaining to Shared KYC through which investors can open Capital Market Account through their respective Bank’s portal/app. This project will pave the way for wider outreach for our Capital Market.”

Mr. Badiuddin Akber CEO-CDC thanked SBP and SECP for their continued support and patronage in achieving these milestone in its market transformation journey. CDC is already processing thousands of transactions related to Roshan Digital Accounts and RAAST for Stock Exchange, for which CDC acts as the information sharing hub between the banks and capital market entities. Now, for the “Shared KYC project”, CDC will again act as the Information Sharing bridge for the digital opening of capital market accounts through banking portals for Local Resident Investors with the objective of removing duplication of information capture and KYC processes, he further said.

At the start of the ceremony, Mr. Moin Fudda Chairman Board of Directors-CDC, welcomed Dr. Baqir and other guests to CDC and highlighted the achievements of SBP under the leadership of Dr. Baqir. Mr. Furrukh Khan MD-PSX also addressed the ceremony and stressed on the important role of SBP in the development of Pakistan Stock Market. Ms. Musrat Jabeen Executive Director-SECP focused on the significance of collaboration between SBP and SECP.

Prominent personalities from the banking sector and Pakistan Capital Market also attended the event.

Dance your way with the new TECNO #ShowYourSpark beat

Lahore (Muhammad YasirTECNO has officially started its #ShowYourSpark TikTok campaign for the latest Spark 8C. Many prominent TikTokers including Haris Ali and Hira khan were a part of this campaign, with hundreds of others dancing to the catchy beat. TikTok viewers are urged to share their own videos using this beat and get a chance to win a brand new Spark 8C smartphone.

TECNO Spark series has always been famous for its high-tech features on an affordable budget. The new Spark 8C comes with a 13MP Rear AI dual camera, 8MP Front Camera, 6.56” HD+ Dot Notch Display, 90Hz refresh rate, and 5000mAh Battery. Moreover, it is available in two variants 4+128GB (PKR 23,999) and 3+64GB (PKR 19,499).

The main highlight of the phone is its Expandable Memory. With the Memory Fusion Technology, the Spark 8C RAM can be increased by 3GB. Hence, the 4+128GB phone can be expanded to 7+128GB and the 3+64GB variant can be expanded to 6+64GB. Spark 8C comes in four stylish colors – Magnetic Black, Turquoise Cyan, Iris Purple, and Diamond Grey.

This is not all, the new Spark 8C brings its users new innovative features such as Customized Beauty, Rear Camera decoration and Fingerprint sensor design, SOPLAY, other special audio features, and much more. Features like SOPLAY are an amazing addition for youngsters to help them produce their own unique music videos.

Kelvin Zeng, CEO of TECNO Mobile Pakistan, shared his views

“This TikTok campaign is a unique interaction with our fans. We urge all youngsters to participate in this campaign and Show their Spark to the world. Spark 8C has successfully launched and is already being appreciated by the masses. We expect the same zeal for this TikTok activity as well.”

As many famous TikTokers are a part of this campaign, hundreds of more videos are coming from the local audience. The best ones will be shared and will get a chance to Win a new Spark 8C. SO hurry up and upload your own video to this catchy beat right now!

Savyour expands its reach through launch of in-store feature and Google Chrome Extension

Lahore (Muhammad Yasir)  Savyour, Pakistan’s first pay-per-sale affiliate marketing network and rewards platform, has rolled out its in-store feature to broaden its scope from e-commerce to the overall retail sector of the country. Simultaneously, they have also launched a Google Chrome Extension to provide users with further convenience while shopping online.

The newly launched in-store feature allows users to earn additional cash back on top of purchases they make from brick-and-mortar outlets of Savyour’s partner brands. To get cash back, users can simply check-in via the app at a partner brand’s location and upload a scanned copy of their receipt. The cash back earned can be used in any way consumers wish as it is deposited to the in-app wallet and can be redeemed as cash in any bank account or mobile wallet. This feature works on all payment methods and the cash back reward is on top of running promotions and discounts.

https://youtu.be/XnNv6Xk62vY

“The launch of our in-store feature strengthens our commitment towards transforming the way consumers shop in Pakistan. We, at Savyour, want  to improve the shopping experience of our users, and one way of doing this is to reward them  with cash. This incentive builds brand loyalty for businesses of all sizes in a simple but effective manner, increasing their revenue per customer. As we continue to expand our customer base across the country in different categories, our core mission remains to set new standards for user experience in all their transactions.” stated UmairGadit, CEO and Co-founder, Savyour.

The platform has already partnered with over 40 brands across 5 categories for this vertical. As of now, this feature is available in Karachi with plans of expanding to Islamabad and Lahore soon. Through the Google Chrome Extension, Savyour’s users will be able to automatically activate cashback once they log onto a partner brand’s website and place an order.

Founded in August 2020, Savyour established the country’s first and largest rewards platform which is also available to users as a mobile application and website. Till date, the platform has on-boarded over 300 brands and expanded its presence across 58 cities. This year, Savyour’s expansion plans include launching new categories to offer users with more options which would elevate the overall shopping experience in Pakistan and benefit a broader community of consumers.

Three day mega exhibition Solar Pakistan attracted more than 10,000 trade visitors

Lahore (Muhammad Yasir) The three day Solar Pakistan and Electricity Pakistan exhibition, which started on Saturday at Expo Centre Lahore, attracted more than 10,000 trade visitors, representatives of solar companies and professionals from across various industries.

A high level conference also took place at the event which highlighted the importance of renewable energy industry. The conference had the presence of top management of National Electric Power Regulatory Authority (NEPRA), Alternative Energy Development Board (AEDB), Lahore Development Authority (LDA), State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) and Pakistan Solar Association (PSA).

The exhibition highlighted latest innovations in solar and sustainable energy industry by offering a unique platform to forge partnerships between public and private sectors for a wide ranging latest technologies and solutions for the solar energy industry.

The visitors were really enthralled to witness Solar Pakistan and Electricity Pakistan exhibition organized by FAKT Exhibitions (Pvt.) Ltd. which had participation of more than 100 top-notch national and international exhibiting companies under one roof.

The visitors were attracted towards the low-cost power resources on display. Commercial as well as industrial units are opting for solar-based power generation, which is now the cheapest source of energy and the cost of such production unit has gone below the gas-based power plants.

The exhibition attracted key industry leaders, government officials, manufacturers, suppliers, traders, distributors. Exhibiting companies lauded efforts of the organizer FAKT Exhibitions as they were able to meet their targeted trade professionals, close deals and generate excellent business at Solar Pakistan and Electricity Pakistan exhibition.

Pakistan aims at achieving 5-6% of its total on-grid electricity supply from renewables (excluding large hydropower) by 2030. Total installed power capacity stood at 26 GW at year-end 2016, of which 4.2% was renewable energy.

The huge deficiency of electricity due to heavy reliance on imported fuels has become a significant impediment to socio-economic development in Pakistan. This scenario creates an increase in local fuel prices and limits potentials in the establishment of new industrial zones. The current gap between the demand and production of electricity in Pakistan is approximately 5000–8000 MW with a constant increase of 6–8 % per annum.

Hence, more sustainable and renewable energy sources are required to overcome the existing problem. Pakistan is endowed with potential renewable energy resources such as wind, solar, hydro, and biomass. These resources have the capacity to be major contributors to future energy production matrix, climate change reduction efforts, and the sustainable energy

Solar Pakistan exhibition is the only dedicated platform that brings latest solar innovations and showcases the largest solar projects in region providing a unique platform in building partnerships with all government and private sectors in pursuing innovative solutions.

realme 9i’s 50MP AI Triple Camera Levels Up Your Photography

Lahore (Nut Desk)     

The mid-range smartphone provides excellent photography capabilities with a bargain of a price tag

In today’s age of social media, with the rise of platforms such as Instagram, people are gravitating more and more towards images and photography as a form of self-expression. It is said that a picture is worth a thousand words and this very simplicity with which images convey feelings and information is what makes them a popular medium of expression amongst the youth of today. The perfect shot doesn’t come easily to everyone but with the perfect tools in hand one can really level up their photography from basic to sophisticated. With the power-packed realme 9i you get the power of heavy-weight photography wrapped in a light-weight 190g package. Let’s take a look inside the tech democratizer’s latest offering to see what gives it the edge with its photographic capabilities.

The realme 9i comes with an advanced AI Triple Camera setup. The smartphone features three lenses, each with their own unique contributions. The primary lens is the 50MP Ultra HD Main Camera which helps you take stunning, ultra-high pixel pictures with great resolution. The second lens in the rear camera setup is the 2MP Portrait Lens. This lens is used to create the effect seen in the smartphone’s portrait mode which keeps the background of your picture out of focus while putting your subject in sharp focus. This effect makes the subject of the photo stand out more against an obscured background. The last lens featured in the rear camera setup is the 4cm Macro Lens. The Macro Lens is a lens designed for close-up photography. It has the ability to focus at much smaller distances than other lenses thus giving it the ability to take detailed photographs of miniscule subjects. You can also experiment with a range of different photography modes such as panoramic view, night mode, AI beauty, expert mode, time-lapse, HDR, filter, super text, and slow motion.

Of course, when it comes to social media most users are interested in a different kind of photos which are commonly referred to as selfies. The realme 9i features a marvelous 16MP AI Selfie Camera which delivers stunning selfies using a blend of top notch hardware and the power of AI. The AI beauty mode helps your selfies pop more by allowing you to set the level of image beautification. The performance of the AI is boosted by the realme 9i’s Qualcomm Snapdragon 680 processor which brings with it a 10% increase in AI performance and Qualcomm’s third generation AI engine. The AI mainly works its magic in AI beauty mode, night mode, and for photography in motion. What’s more, the realme 9i has got you covered with up to 128GB storage and a massive 5000mAh battery so you can take as many pictures as your heart desires without worrying about running out of battery or space on your smartphone and trusted camera.

The realme 9i brings its users good value for money, packed with exciting features for photography enthusiasts and others alike. Harness real power in your photography with the realme 9i at an economical price. You can get your own realme 9i for the attractive price of just PKR 36,999/- so go get your very own today and spice up your social media feeds.

 

 

ACCA and PITB join hands to increase financial inclusion and grow the entrepreneurial ecosystem

Lahore (Muhammad Yasir) Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA) Pakistan and Punjab Information Technology Board (PITB) Incubation Wing signed an MoU on Friday 25th March 2022, to explore avenues of collaboration and to work jointly mainly on financial inclusion, financial literacy of PITB incubation wing start-ups and awareness for ACCA stakeholders including members and future members on opportunities in entrepreneurial ecosystem.

The MoU was signed by Assad Hameed Khan Head of ACCA Pakistan and Sajid Latif Director General e-Governance, Punjab Information Technology Board (PITB).

Also present at the ceremony were, Shahid Khan-Head of Business Development, Central, ACCA Pakistan; Aamir Saleem-Business Development Manager, Central, ACCA Pakistan; Muhammad Shahid Khan- Business Development Manager, Central, ACCA Pakistan. Assad Hameed shared his thoughts on the collaboration, saying, “ACCA is looking forward to the collaboration with PITB.

At ACCA, we believe financial inclusivity is vital in our country’s social and economic growth and can bring about radical changes in all sectors.” For more developments on this partnership, stay connected to ACCA’s socials.

Zong 4G, Tracking World Partner to Redefine In-Vehicle Infotainment in Pakistan

Lahore (Muhammad Yasir) Pakistan’s leading cellular and digital services company, Zong 4G, has joined hands with Tracking World Pvt Ltd to offer state-of-the-art vehicle infotainment solution for leading vehicle brands in Pakistan. 

Leading the digital innovation in the country, the partnership will bring new innovative solutions that will contribute to the digital transformation of vehicles in the country. The partnership was signed by the management of both companies during the ceremony held in Lahore. 

Through this partnership, the companies will integrate their suite of technologies, primarily by incorporating Tracking World’s vehicle solution as part of Zong 4G’s connectivity and digital solutions.

Moreover, the partnership will facilitate the leading automakers in Pakistan for connected vehicles through in-car operation software systems focusing on 4G-powered cockpits, high-definition mapping and connectivity products. 

Zong is one of the leading operators to provide customized solutions to corporates of all domains and sizes in the industry. The partnership with Tracking World is in line with Zong’s efforts to help businesses digitalize and provide innovative solutions.

Commenting on the partnership, the spokesperson of Zong 4G shared, “As part of our mission to bring innovative digital solutions and follow our slogan of ‘Let’s Get Digital’, we are collaborating with companies such as Tracking World to offer products and services, to offer unmatched user experience. Through our partnership, together we will ensure the digital of the vehicle industry in Pakistan.”

Tracking World Pvt Ltd is one of the most renowned tech companies of Pakistan and is engaged in vehicle management, surveillance, and infotainment for a long time. The company is making the infotainment technology more sophisticated and robust with the goal of bringing a high-quality user connectivity experience. 

“We are excited to partner with Zong 4G, as they will leverage their most-advanced connectivity and solution to bring unparalleled opportunity for transformation across vehicle industry in the country. We aim to make the selection and adoption of infotainment solutions easier, more accessible, and affordable for all vehicles.”

The infotainment solution of Tracking World underpinned by the widest and best-in-class 4G network of the country, Zong 4G, will adhere to provide new technologies that will digitally transform the infotainment solution whilst building customer trust.