Category: Business

Lahore (Nut Desk) Nutrition International in collaboration with Punjab Food Authority and National Fortification Alliance Pakistan organized a one-day training on “Edible Oil Fortification Processes and Quality Assurance and Quality Control (QAQC)” in a local hotel in Lahore on March 28, 2022.

The training was part of Nutrition International’s project on “Digitizing Pakistan’s Vitamin A /oil Program to Drive Sustainability” being implemented across Pakistan. The training session was attended by more than 30 officials from Punjab Food Authority and edible oil mills from Punjab. The training covered topics on importance of edible oil fortification, methods of fortification and best practices for Quality Assurance and Quality Control.

Ms. Saba Adil, Additional Director General – Operations, Punjab Food Authority while talking to the participants said, “food fortification is a simple and cost effective intervention to improve nutrition and wellbeing of our women and adolescent girls.

Good and balanced nutrition is essential for a healthy growth and development of our children as it increases their ability to learn, grow and be an effective contributor to the economy”. She added that provision of quality and nutritious food is a priority for Punjab Food Authority. She also appreciated Nutrition International (NI) for its technical support in implementing edible oil fortification interventions in the province.

Dr Khawaja Masood Ahmed–National Coordinator, National Fortification Alliance (NFA), MoNHSR&C also highlighted the importance of food fortification and shared that fortification standards have been approved by the government and now NFA is working with the provincial governments for necessary regulation to create an enabling environment for food fortification.

Zameer Haider, National Project Manager, Nutrition International said, “Almost half of women and children in Pakistan are micronutrients deficient and 37% households are food insecure, which is an alarming situation and needs to be addressed on an urgent basis. Due to this poor state of malnutrition, Pakistan is losing around 3% of its GDP (which is 7.6 USD) annually.”

Umer Islam Khan, Secretary General, Pakistan Vanaspati Manufacturers’ Association (PVMA) while speaking to the participants shared that cooking oil industries are fully committed to play their role to improve the nutrition of our people and assured their association’s wholehearted support to Nutrition International and the National Fortification Alliance for this noble cause where vitamins A&D can be given to people through adequate fortification of cooking oil.

At the end of the training, certificates were distributed amongst participants.

Lahore (Muhammad Yasir) Lahore Central Business District Development Authority (LCBDDA) also known as Central Business District Punjab (CBD Punjab) gets another feather in its cap by getting an approval of 750 ft height for ‘Lahore Prime’ from Civil Aviation Authority (CAA). Getting the approval of an iconic height is a milestone and history making achievement of the province of Punjab. Lahore Prime comprises of twelve mixed commercial plots and out of these, five plots were auctioned in September 2021 with the approval of 500 ft height.

An advanced aeronautical study was conducted by CAA with the support of the Pakistan Air Force (PAF). In this advance level study, all the possibilities and constraints were deeply researched and analyzed for practical implementation of skyscrapers to be built in CBD Punjab. CAA has ensured the protocols of safe flight operations while giving the provision for 750 ft construction height.

Imran Amin – CEO LCBDDA said that “Approval of 750 ft height is the epitome of grandeur in real estate and rather extraordinary in the construction sector. CBD Punjab has come another step closer to the dream of our honorable Prime Minister, Mr. Imran Khan of giving Pakistan its first business district. I would like to show my profound gratitude to the management of CAA and PAF for providing their professional support and taking swift action on the request of CBD Punjab for the 750 ft height provision”. The provision of 750 ft is a gateway to architectural masterpieces and iconic buildings.

Business community will avail all the pros of the extra height provision like more sellable area for commercial purpose, construction advancement and provision of helipad. Lahore Prime’s five mixed commercial plots were auctioned on the FAR 1:18-1:24 with the proposed approved height of 500 ft. Now the height is increased to 750 ft so the bidders would have to buy extra height of the auctioned plots and will be part of history in reforming the skyline of Lahore.

Every step of CBD Punjab is strengthening the oath of the authority to work for the betterment and economic development of Pakistan. The vigorous of approach of CBD Punjab has washed out all the myths and fears of economic instability and brushed up the image of Pakistan on world economic map.

Lahore (Muhammad Yasir) Pandamart, the online groceries delivery service under the foodpanda umbrella has been granted HACCP platform / fulfillment centre certification, which covers fresh fruits, vegetables, meat & commodities receiving, processing, packing & dispatching.

HACCP (Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point) is a management system in which food safety is addressed through the analysis and control of biological, chemical, and physical hazards from raw material production, procurement and handling, to manufacturing, distribution and consumption of the finished product.

The HACCP certification for the first pandamart store was issued in November last year, after a 6 month process, by Bureau Veritas, a world-renowned company specialized in the testing, inspection and certification founded in 1828. Currently food safety audits are underway at several other stores for the certification of processes in these stores as well. The process to obtain the certification also requires specialized training of all staff handling the food items.

“Obtaining the HACCP certification is part of our commitment towards maintaining the highest international food safety standards, and ensuring that our customers purchase and consume the freshest and most hygienic food items. Research from Mintel suggests that 84%-86% of people do not buy groceries online because of trust issues around fresh fruits, vegetables, and meat quality. Through this certification, our goal is to develop a strong food safety culture throughout our network of pandamarts so that we can develop a higher level of trust in the q-commerce channel. People should be able to lay their minds to rest knowing that the freshest and highest quality produce is being carefully handpicked, packed, and delivered to them,” stated Ibad Ahmed, Director – Q-Commerce and New Verticals at foodpanda.

Grocery shopping on pandamart is accessible and convenient on the foodpanda app with stores stocking thousands of products. Customers can order online whatever they want from the nearest pandamart and their order, whether for a single item or the whole month’s groceries, is delivered at their doorstep within half an hour. The pandamart services are available 20 hours a day.

 

 

 

 

Lahore (Muhammad Yasir) Descon Engineering Limited (Descon)has been awarded a large turnkey project by AkzoNobel Pakistan Limited – the leading paint and coatings company in Pakistan. Descon has begun constructing AkzoNobel’s 25-acre integrated paints and coatings manufacturing plant at the Allama Iqbal Industrial City in Faisalabad, Pakistan. The project is stipulated to be completed within 18 months.

Descon won this project following an intense bidding process against nine other local and international EPC companies. Designed to handle year-on-year increase in production volumes, once completed, the new manufacturing plant shall allow ANPL in realizing its growth ambitions.  

The Descon CEO Taimur Saeed, stated, “Our EPC division excels at enriching the value-chain with turnkey solutions tailored to meet the clients’ requirements. This win is another feather in our cap and solidifies Descon’s position as the country’s leading EPC company. We look forward to working with AkzoNobel Pakistan Limited to deliver world class variety of engineering services that this project has the potential to offer.

We have gained deep insights on AkzoNobel’s vision for sustainability, as this Green-Field project must achieve minimal environmental footprint and also contribute towards the overall growing ‘Green Revenue’ of Descon.”

Descon’s President of Construction Division Abdul Moeed Syed, added, “We must ensure the commercial success of this unique venture, while mitigating its ecological impact. Descon is well-equipped to assist AkzoNobel in achieving its goal of reducing carbon-emissions across the full value chain by 2030.”

Descon has an illustrious track-record of executing many large-scale projects, on EPC basis, since the early 1990s. The company has the capacity to ensure world-class engineering-designs for achieving excellence in manufacturing/procurement, construction, commissioning and maintenance.

 

Lahore (Nut Desk)

Xiaomi today announced the launch of the all-new flagship Xiaomi 12 Series for local markets, featuring two groundbreaking devices: Xiaomi 12 Pro and Xiaomi 12. Designed to empower users around the world with a cutting-edge videography studio and entertainment powerhouse, Xiaomi 12 Series delivers impressive advancements in Xiaomi’s AI algorithm, flagship processing power, and an all-round elevated experience. 

Capture cinematic shots at any time 

Xiaomi 12 Series enables users to record studio-quality shots no matter the scenario, be it challenging lighting conditions or moving objects. Both phones boast a pro-grade triple camera array for versatile shooting, starring a massive 50MP main wide angle camera, with 8K recording capabilities on both Xiaomi 12 Pro and Xiaomi 12.  Xiaomi 12 Pro stands out with its state-of-the-art triple 50MP array, which features a cutting-edge Sony IMX707 ultra-large main sensor. This sensor is capable of catching large amounts of light and empowers advanced imaging capabilities with faster focus speeds and increased color accuracy. Xiaomi 12 features a 13MP ultra-wide angle camera, along with a 5MP tele macro camera, for filming life from different perspectives.  

Beyond impressive hardware, Xiaomi 12 Pro and Xiaomi 12 also advance Xiaomi’s proprietary AI algorithms. These innovations make it easier than ever for users to record every moment the way they want to, even in low-light or moving subjects. Xiaomi ProFocus intelligently identifies and tracks objects, preventing blurring or out-of-focus shots of moving or veiled subjects. These advancements also include eye and face auto focus capabilities. Ultra Night Video uses Xiaomi’s proprietary algorithms to record video even under extreme low-light, meaning moody, atmospheric shots are clearer than ever.  

Available on both devices, One-click AI Cinema offers numerous creative options for show-stopping video editing, such as Parallel World, Freeze Frame Video, and Magic Zoom modes. 

Flagship processing, unprecedented performance and power-efficiency  

Flagship experience requires flagship performance. Xiaomi 12 Series features advanced Qualcomm® Snapdragon™ mobile platforms. Xiaomi 12 Pro and Xiaomi 12 boast a Snapdragon® 8 Gen 1 processor – Qualcomm’s most advanced mobile platform. Built on a 4nm process, this processor also boosts GPU graphic rendering capabilities by 30% and energy efficiency by 25% when compared to the previous generation. Both three devices come with UFS 3.1 exceptional loading and data transfer speeds, along with LPDDR5 RAM for memory speeds up to 6,400Mbps. For optimal product experience, Xiaomi 12 Series packs a high-performing cooling system, bolstered by a super-large vapor chamber and multiple layers of graphite to offer a leading-cooling capability. 

All-around elevated entertainment experiences 

Xiaomi 12 Series not only lets users capture every moment in exquisite detail, but also allows them to relive those moments in astonishing detail via an exceptional entertainment experience.  Both devices offer vivid viewing on an AMOLED Dot Display rated A+ by DisplayMate, and with TrueColor support. For added peace of mind, the display features scratch-resistant Corning® Gorilla® Glass Victus®, and supports Dolby Vision®, industry’s leading imaging technology that brings your content to life with vibrant color and details. Xiaomi 12 Series also supports HDR 10+. Xiaomi 12 Pro is SGS Eye Care Display Certified, showing care for users’ long-term visual health during marathon sessions.  

Meanwhile, Xiaomi 12 Pro redefines flagship display with incredibly smooth viewing, scrolling, swiping, and sliding. The device’s highly power-efficient 6.73-inch WQHD+ display leverages AdaptiveSync Pro to intelligently adjust dynamic LTPO display between 1Hz and 120Hz based on content. 

Xiaomi 12 delivers Xiaomi’s most colorful smartphone display to date, with more than 68 billion colors on 6.28-inch full-HD+ displays. Both feature 120Hz AdaptiveSync, for an impressively high-definition, vibrant, and flicker-free display that conveys every detail.  

No cinematic experience is truly complete without pro-grade audio. Xiaomi 12 Series features SOUND BY Harman Kardon, and creates an immersive audio experience powered by Dolby Atmos®, delivering spatial sound with rich detail, clarity, and realism across all your favorite entertainment. Xiaomi 12 Pro’s quad speakers – in the form of two tweeters and two woofers – deliver clear details and cover an astounding range of sound. Xiaomi 12 delivers balanced stereo sound ideal for immersive gaming or video.  To optimize core user experience further, Xiaomi 12 Series incorporates MIUI 13, released globally earlier this year. The update includes faster storage, higher background process efficiency, smarter processing, and longer battery life. New features in the upgraded experience include Xiaomi’s proprietary Liquid Storage, Atomized Memory, Focused Algorithms, and Smart Balance. 

Next-generation charging 

Xiaomi 12 Series delivers pro-grade cinematic and entertainment experiences all day, the devices deliver next-level charging speed and safety.  

Xiaomi 12 Pro features an incredibly fast 120W Xiaomi HyperCharge. With a 4,600mAh battery fully charged in just 18 minutes using Boost mode, Xiaomi 12 Pro delivers next-generation charging capabilities that keep up with user demands.  Xiaomi 12 fits a 4,500mAh battery into compact body designs. Xiaomi 12 Pro and Xiaomi 12 also support 50W wireless charging and 10W reverse charging.  Both leverage Xiaomi AdaptiveCharge, a smart charging algorithm that learns and adapts to charging habits, which prolongs battery life. 

Flagship capabilities packaged in an iconic design  

These portable pocket-sized studios fit comfortably in the palm of your hand thanks to Xiaomi 12 Series’ iconic and user-centered design. Slimmer high-capacity batteries and a narrower ridge gap save precious space within the device. Xiaomi 12 Pro’s 6.73-inch display is encased in a sleek middle frame with sophisticated 3D curves. Meanwhile, Xiaomi 12’s 6.28-inch display measures just 69.9mm in width and is accented by smooth curves for a perfect fit. Both devices are available in Gray, Purple, and Blue. 

Market Availability   

Xiaomi 12 Pro comes in one variant 12GB+256GB, and recommended retail price starts from PKR 208,999/-.

Xiaomi 12 comes in one variant, 12GB+256GB, and recommended retail price starts from PKR 179,999/-.

Purchase these devices and get a sweet bundle deal where you get a Mi Band 6 and a bag with the Xiaomi 12. Similarly with the Xiaomi 12 Pro, get a Mi Portable Bluetooth Speaker and a 10000mAh Mi Power Bank 3.  Available at top distributor partners such as Phonezo, Airlink, Smartlink etc. For those looking to purchase these online, we’ve news for you  too as these are also available on MiStore and Daraz. 

Quick Specs:

 

	Xiaomi 12	Xiaomi 12 Pro
Display	120Hz +  AMOLED DotDisplay	120Hz 6.73” AMOLED Dot Display
Rear Camera	50MP main camera 13MP ultra-wide camera 2MP macro camera 5MP depth camera	50MP wide angle, ultra-wide and tele macro camera
Front Camera	32MP	32MP in-display selfie camera
Dimension & Weight	152.70mm x 69.90mm x 8.16mm – 180g	163.60mm x 74.60mm x 8.16mm 205g
Processor	Snapdragon ® 8 Gen 1	Snapdragon ®r 8 Gen 1
Charging	4500mAH – 67W charge	4600mAH – 120W charge
Variant	12GB + 256GB	12GB + 256GB
Color Available	Gray, Purple & Blue	Gray, Purple & Blue

Karachi (Muhammad Yasir) The School of Economics and Social Sciences (SESS), in collaboration with the Center for Business and Economic Research (CBER) at the IBA Karachi, hosted day three of the 2nd Annual International Conference titled, ‘Development: Discourses and Critiques’. The three-day conference was held from March 25-27, 2022 at the IBA Karachi, Main Campus.

Addressing the conference, Executive Director, IBA Karachi, Dr. S Akbar Zaidi welcomed the President of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, His Excellency, Dr. Arif Alvi and thanked him for coming to the IBA for the second time this month. Dr. Zaidi commended the conference participants for submitting around 350 papers on development and said that this was a beneficial step for Pakistan. He also said that to encourage diversity of thoughts, 150 students from across Pakistan were invited to participate and to share their papers on various themes. Dr. Zaidi also said that he was proud to say that women were adequately represented in this conference as per the essence of diversity. He appreciated the dynamic female participants and the women leaders at IBA for their contributions to the discourse and the community at large. Sessions on women empowerment and disability further added to the multifaceted theme of the conference.

Speaking at the concluding ceremony of the conference, Dr. Alvi said that effective communication plays a significant role in development as it helps us overcome the challenges faced in the development process. Appreciating Pakistani women, he said that they have immense talent and that 70 to 80 percent of them get admission into Pakistani medical colleges on merit. He also said that the art of communication is vital in empowering women and for placing them on the path of development. Dr. Alvi concluded his address with appreciating the conference for bringing together diverse discourses with an acknowledgement of its impact on future policy-making.

This year’s conference theme invited works from a wide range of disciplines to critique, question, and reconsider the experiences of transnational, national, and sub-national actors with the development process.

The conference hosted presenters and participants from diverse backgrounds, including Skardu, Malakand, Sukkur, Gilgit, Quetta, and Islamabad from Pakistan, and multiple professors from esteemed universities from the USA.

The first panel discussion for the day, and the sixth one for this conference, was titled ‘Advocating for inclusive development: a discussion on accessibility in Pakistan,’ with the following four panelists: Haris Rauf Jaswal, Business Planning Manager, Consumer, Rural & SME Banking, Habib Bank; Jawaid Rais, President Disabled Welfare Association (DWA) Karachi; Fatima Jaffry, Provincial Coordinator National Forum of Women with Disabilities (NFWWD); and Muhammad Atif Sheikh, Executive Director, Special Talent Exchange Program Pakistan. The panelists emphasized the need for development to be inclusive for differently abled people. This inclusivity was suggested through making space for their active participation along with structural changes to accommodate them.

The last panel for the conference, titled, ‘Just Transition,’ which included the following four panelists: Samantha Smith, Country Director of the Just Transition Centre; Humayun Azad, CEO of Ray Analytics; Haroon Sharif, Consultant of UNDP Pakistan and former State Minister of Investments; and Sadaf Abid, International Consultant. This panel focused on the clean and green energy agenda with an emphasis towards business opportunities. The need for collaboration between all agents of society towards meeting the green agenda requirements was also underlined.

The last day of the conference also included 37 presentations by undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral students across a range of themes including employment and safety, state and development, literary and visual worlds, social psychology, and the work of some prominent economists.

The three-day conference attracted the presence of 5 international speakers, 150 student presenters, 58 out stationed students, and more than 1000 attendees.

 

 

OPPO A96 goes on Sale with Long-Lasting Battery, OPPO Glow Design, and Enduring Quality

Lahore (Muhammad Yasir) OPPO announced the OPPO A96 that is available in stores and digital channels in Pakistan. OPPO A96 is equipped with a robust 5000mAh long-lasting battery and 33W SUPERVOOC_TM flash charging that ensures a smooth experience, these features are complemented by the OPPO Glow Design that allows the phone to be scratch and fingerprint resistant. OPPO A96’s 6.59-inch 90Hz Colour-Rich Punch-Hole Display with 96% NTSC wide color gamut that is managed by the OPPO’s self-developed Adaptive Refresh Rate Technology promises to deliver an immersive viewing experience. Available now nationwide for PKR 41,999/-

 Stylish Design that Delights and Captivates

The OPPO Glow Design manufacturing process selects the best diamond-cut glass panel and places in a vacuum to compress the crystal pattern to create an eye-catching, smooth, anti-fingerprint and dirt-proof texture. This gives the OPPO A96 its 3D thin center frame form factor in 2 magnificent color options: Starry Black, Sunset Blue.

OPPO A96 features a 6.59-inch 90Hz Colour-Rich Punch-Hole Display with 90.8% screen-to-body ratio and 1080×2412 FHD resolution. The bump up in refresh rate is managed by OPPO’s Adaptive Refresh Rate Technology, OPPO’s self-developed technology for LCD screens, which auto-regulates the screen refresh rate based on what the user is doing, ensuring better smoothness while keeping power usage down. All-day AI Eye Comfort enhances the screen visibility in bright or dim environments based on the levels of ambient light. The display has also been upgraded to cover a 96% NTSC wide color gamut. Equivalent to 100% DCI-P3, the display now covers more of the color spectrum, making image colors even truer, richer, and more captivating.

By moving the fingerprint sensor to the side for quicker unlock access, OPPO A96 is able to adopt a 3D Thin Center Frame for a slimmer and more premium look and feel.

 5000mAh Long-Lasting Battery and 33W SUPERVOOCTM for Effortless Experience

The 5000mAh (typical) battery gives users the necessary battery power to stay connected. The battery allows users to text on WhatsApp for up to 15 hours while 33W SUPERVOOCTM fast charging gives users more flexibility with a 30-minute charge providing 55% of battery power. In addition, OPPO has made great strides in improving the battery usage efficiency with features such as Super Power Saving Mode based on the power-saving strategies, such as CPU frequency adjustment and backlight regulation that adopts on specific apps to extend battery life. OPPO A96 also features Optimized Night Charging, which allows the phone’s AI to learn the user’s sleep patterns and schedule a segmented battery charging plan during the nighttime.

Reliable Performance for an Enduring Experience

Powered by the Qualcomm® Snapdragon™ 680 4G Mobile Platform, OPPO A96 delivers an exceptionally smooth user experience with the 8GB + 128GB large memory and storage. This is complemented by RAM Expansion which gives the OPPO A96 an extra boost to performance and storage, meaning better multi-tasking and smoother experience, and extra storage via SD cards expansion to preserve more photos and videos.

A great audio experience is central to calling and entertainment. Dual speakers and microphones on OPPO A96 produce high volume stereo audio while reducing ambient noise. The high-fidelity Dirac HD audio technology makes viewing experience more immersive.

Powerful Camera System for Versatile Portrait Experience

OPPO A96 carries a 16MP Front Camera, producing gorgeous portrait shots. Features such as AI Natural Retouching includes blemish removal while still preserving the user’s natural facial features. Portrait shots are now brighter and clearer in dim environments with the help of the 360° Fill Light feature.

The rear-facing dual camera setup features a 50MP Rear Camera with high photosensitivity and high pixel count, and a 2MP Bokeh Camera, allowing users to use Portrait Mode to capture photos with the precise and natural bokeh effects. The rear camera also supports 5x digital zoom and up to 20 continuous burst shots.

Additional camera features such as AI Palette, Neon Portrait, Flash Snapshot, and Selfie HDR to deliver even more versatility to users as they shoot in different scenarios.

ColorOS 11.1 for Intuitive Software Experience

ColorOS 11.1 on OPPO A96 makes the entire user experience effortless and efficient with fluidity, ease of use, and performance at the core of its functionality.  System optimization software features such as System Booster and Link Boost 2.0 ensure high-level system performance and connectivity smoothness. Bullet Screen Message minimizes the disruptions from calls or notifications while users are engaging in a game, meaning message information will scroll across the screen as floating windows to minimize the disruption. Privacy features are also a core tenant of ColorOS, with Private Safe and APP Lock offering users the ability to keep their private data and apps secure. Anti-peeping for Notifications gives the front camera the ability to detect anyone close by and intelligently protects user information by hiding notification content.Air Gestures are now available on OPPO A96, which include non-touch sliding gestures to move the screen up or down, swiping up to answer calls, or static palm gestures to silence calls.

Market Availability

OPPO A96 is now available in Pakistan, with two stunning colors in Starry Black and Sunset Blue with 8GB + 128GB variant. The phone will be available for purchase at a retail price of PKR 41,999/- at Daraz and in stores nationwide.

Lahore (Muhammad Yasir) AkzoNobel Pakistan Ltd, a leading global manufacturer of paints and coatings, announced the construction of a new manufacturing plant in Pakistan.

The integrated paints and coatings plant will be located at the Allama Iqbal Industrial City in Faisalabad, Pakistan. The facility will span 25 acres and is scheduled to start operations in 2023.

With agile manufacturing, the new manufacturing plant shall allow AkzoNobel to be more competitive in the market. Designed to deliver a planned year-on-year expansion in production volumes over the next five years, this shall support AkzoNobel Pakistan Ltd. in realizing its growth ambitions for Pakistan with more speed.

“Under our global mid-term business strategy, AkzoNobel is committed to grow in Pakistan. Since 2020, AkzoNobel has been consolidating its position in the Pakistan market with the ongoing share buy-back of USD 16 mn (PKR 2.75 bn) via Foreign Direct Investment. The new manufacturing facility at Faisalabad is the next step to grow on our strong foundation. With the biggest investment of AkzoNobel in Pakistan till date, the new facility is a true vote of confidence in this market’s growth potential,” said Mubbasher Omar, Chief Executive Officer, AkzoNobel Pakistan Limited.

Adding on this, Mubabasher said, “We foresee strong growth in the paints and coatings business in Pakistan. This green-field expansion in the strategic industrial hub of Faisalabad strengthens AkzoNobel Pakistan’s commitment to serve its diversified performance coatings and decorative paints customer base today. It will also act as a tailwind to our ambitions to meet the growing market demand in the future.”

The new civil infrastructure in the plant will allow for a redesign of the production flow to deliver increased safety, efficiency and better product handling during manufacturing.

Leading sustainable business in Pakistan

 At AkzoNobel, our purpose – People. Planet. Paint. is integrated into every action we take and guides our approach to sustainable business. We are the first paint and coatings company to receive Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi) approval for our goal of reducing carbon emissions by 50% by 2030 across the full value chain.

As a responsible corporate citizen, AkzoNobel Pakistan is driving sustainable business forward by offering more sustainable paint solutions to customers and minimizing its environmental footprint. Our new manufacturing facility at Faisalabad prioritizes sustainability. This will include, green energy generation through solar panels, waste-water treatment, design optimization to reduce energy consumption to name a few.

 

• Fifth-annual Mastercard Index of Women Entrepreneurs (MIWE) findings demonstrate the resilience of women entrepreneurs across 65 economies despite disproportionate challenges during Covid-19 pandemic.
•  Six economies in MENA have recorded progress in their MIWE scores, although work remains on women’s representation in business ownership and leadership, as well as female financial inclusion.

 

Lahore (Muhammad Yasir) Mastercard has revealed the fifth-annual Mastercard Index of Women Entrepreneurs (MIWE) exploring the progress of women entrepreneurs in 65 economies around the world, representing 82.4% of the global female labor force. Across the entrepreneurial landscape, women are one of the global economy’s most valuable assets. However, whilst they make up half of the world’s population, women own only a fifth of its exporting companies and 80% of women-owned businesses with credit needs are either unserved or underserved. Furthermore, the contribution of women to the wider economy is significantly underrepresented in reports and indices on startups and economic conditions.

Although work remains across the Middle East and North Africa in encouraging and supporting women entrepreneurs, some progress has been recorded. The UAE, Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Morocco, Algeria and Lebanon are among the economies that have received a higher ranking in the latest report (MIWE 2021) compared to MIWE 2020. Out of the 65 economies studied, only a dozen around the world recorded an increase in the indicator “Women’s Entrepreneurial Activity Rate” – with Algeria, Bulgaria, Turkey, Egypt, Tunisia and Saudi Arabia among these.

“It’s crucial that we focus on sustainable, inclusive growth in order to boost economic recovery across Middle East and North Africa – and that can only happen if we empower women entrepreneurs and support women-owned businesses. We must double our efforts in this part of the world to ensure we can reap the potential of women’s participation, The Mastercard Index of Women Entrepreneurs helps us to identify both the challenges and opportunities, as well as the progress and improvements, to guide all stakeholders on the necessary future support needed. The digital economy remains a key opportunity, and by connecting women entrepreneurs to digital tools, training and insights, we can collectively ensure that they are part of building and benefiting from future prosperity,” said Khalid Elgibali, Division President – Middle East and North Africa, Mastercard.

Women’s employment rose in 14 of the economies assessed by the latest MIWE edition, but data from the International Labour Organization shows women’s employment declining 5% compared to 3.9% for men worldwide in 2020. Despite global efforts over the last two years to mitigate the impact of the pandemic, COVID-19 has had a disproportionate effect on women. This threatens to roll back decades of progress towards attaining gender parity in the workplace and in business, adding another 36 years to the estimated time it will take to close the global gender gap (World Economic Forum – The Global Gender Gap Report 2021). So far, 61% of the gender gap has been closed in MENA, and but at current progress, it will take another 142 years to reach parity.

The United States, New Zealand, and Canada headed the ranking of global economies, propelled by strong scores across all three components: women’s advancement outcomes, knowledge assets and financial access. These economies continue to furnish the conditions required to facilitate women’s access to financial support and services as well as their ability to start, operate and thrive in entrepreneurial activities. Women command a strong share of business ownerships, driven by favorable conditions such as high quality of governance, positive social and cultural attitude, and vibrant entrepreneurial dynamism. 

Despite the challenging environment, women have proven to be resilient entrepreneurs, surpassing men in terms of entrepreneurial activity in 10 economies including Saudi Arabia, overall showing that the entrepreneurial spirit sees opportunity every day to reimagine, refresh and reinvent – a defining factor for women’s success in business since long before the latest crisis. Continuing to create the right social, political and financial understanding and conditions for this entrepreneurial spirit to realize its success is of singular importance for future economic growth.

Progress in Saudi Arabia

In Saudi Arabia, the strong rise in ‘Female Opportunity Driven Entrepreneurship’ was likely spurred by various factors such as a general increase in ‘Perceived Business Opportunities’ that may have been triggered by the pandemic. This is encouraging as it points to entrepreneurial optimism and the ability to respond to crisis situations. The report notes that reforms and government support have contributed to empowering and motivating women economically and financially. Improvement has also been recorded in sub-indicators such as ‘Availability of Venture Capital’ and ‘Access to Entrepreneurial Finance’. 87% of women entrepreneurs in Saudi Arabia started a business to build wealth for greater financial autonomy.

Slight improvement in Egypt’s Entrepreneurial Framework

 Egypt recorded a slight increase in indicators such as ‘Women’s Entrepreneurial Activity Rate’ and ‘SME Operational Financing’, as well as ‘Entrepreneurial Framework’ and ‘Higher Education Entrepreneurial Training’. However, there remains a large gender gap in labor force participation in Algeria, Jordan, Lebanon, Egypt, Morocco, Tunisia and Saudi Arabia despite there being more women enrolled in tertiary education than men.

Government policies that intentionally support women’s entrepreneurship can also meaningfully contribute to a swifter, more balanced recovery. As part of Mastercard’s commitment to creating a world where women entrepreneurs are equally represented and supported, the company made a global commitment to connect 25 million women entrepreneurs to the digital economy by 2025.

Not only will empowering women’s entrepreneurship act as a catalyst for growth and innovation, but it will raise up the communities around successful women and fuel a global recovery that is more equitable and sustainable for everyone.

Download the 2021 Mastercard Index of Women Entrepreneurs report at mastercard.com/news/MIWE.

Lahore (Muhammad Yasir) Chairman PM Task Force on Housing Zaigham Rizvi, Chairman NEPRA Tausif H. Farooqi, Chief Executive Officer Alternative Energy Development Board Shah Jahan Mirza and CEO FAKT International Salim Khan Tanolion Saturday inaugurated the three days Solar Pakistan along with the of Electricity Pakistan exhibitions at the Expo Centre.

Under the auspices of the FAKT Exhibition, it is the 10^th edition of Solar Pakistan Exhibition and the 3^rd edition of Electricity Pakistan which is the biggest and the only dedicated solar energy exhibition in the country.

Addressing the occasion, Chairman NEPRA Tausif Farooqi said that it is a wonderful initiative by the FAKT Exhibitions as they have come up to supplement the government efforts to achieve its vision of Clean Green Pakistan. He said that Pakistan has a great potential of renewable solar energy and we believe that it is the right time to promote and invest in the solar sector. “The govt spends millions on the oil import and use the same for electricity production while solar energy is cheapest source and can help solve country’s energy needs economically,” he added.

While talking to the media, Chief Executive Officer Alternative Energy Development Board Shah Jahan Mirza said that plans were afoot to launch the process of competitive bidding for the new wind and power projects to meet the targets of clean and green energy as given in the Indicative Generation Capacity Expansion Plan (IGCEP) 2021-2030.

Industry experts say that Pakistan is blessed with renewable energy resources and it is the high time to harness the same to overcome the energy woes of the country. They say that the proliferation and promotion of solar energy can go a long way in addressing the load shedding issues in Pakistan.

The three days mega event is being participated in by more than 100 companies involved in the business of solar energy and relevant fields. It is expected that more than 10,000 visitors including traders and industries experts will get an ideal opportunity to get acquainted with the latest and state-of-the-art technologies.