Category: Business

ISLAMABAD – The Australian government-funded Market Development Facility and Telenor Pakistan Monday signed a partnership to design innovative communications products for small holder farmers based in remote locations in Pakistan.

Australia’s High Commissioner to Pakistan Margaret Adamson, CEO of Telenor Pakistan, Irfan Wahab Khan and representatives from the MDF team attended the event, the Australian embassy said.

MDF will use its experience of working with farmers and horticulture markets in Gilgit Baltistan to launch Telenor’s 7272 Prosperous Farmer Service (Khushal Zamindar) mobile service model in GB.

Telenor’s technology platform and network coverage combined with MDF’s local farming and market knowledge will improve remote farmers’ access to vital information on climate, market prices and farming best practices.

MDF is a AUD 9 million Australian government private sector development program that is part of the Australia-Pakistan Development Cooperation partnership focussing on poverty reduction and gender equality, economic growth and agriculture development.

“This partnership is a good example of how innovative approaches to agriculture market development can unlock opportunities for Pakistan’s small holder farmers. At a time when information is everything, partnering with the private sector ensures that development is inclusive and does not leave anyone behind,” High Commissioner Adamson said.

Telenor has launched a similar model in 36 districts of Punjab where farmers can subscribe to the mobile service and receive information about daily weather updates and farming advice in their local language. This is done through text and robo (in-bound) calls relating to crops in their location. Telenor also airs a weekly radio show through its phone service which features an agricultural expert who answers questions from callers.

Telenor Pakistan CEO highlighted the importance of the partnership in terms of helping Telenor offer attractive communications products to farmers based in GB.

“Telenor Pakistan is committed to empowering societies through digital inclusion and has ventured into the agriculture sector as it constitutes a major share of the country’s economy and hence it’s progress. Empowering farmers through providing contextualised and localised advice should help them in improving their yields and their livelihoods,” Khan said.

Since 2014, MDF has partnered with 31 Pakistani businesses in the dairy, meat, leather and horticulture sectors and is aiming to expand to 42 partnerships by June 2017

LAHORE –  Recognising the needs of the masses for financial solutions aimed at providing insurance protection and savings, Easypaisa has partnered with EFU Life to take a step towards financial inclusion, by launching a range of products, the first being Easypaisa Kamyab Mustakbil. This is a unique, ethical and Shariah-compliant financial planning solution that provides customers, especially the under-privileged, with a simple and secure insurance plan starting for as low as Rs500 per annum. In case of the customer’s unfortunate demise, the subsequent coverage amount can be utilized for sponsoring their child’s education, receiving monthly returns to the Easypaisa Savings Account or avail the option of receiving a lump sum amount. Easypaisa will also offer limited scholarships to Easypaisa Kamyab Mustakbil subscribers through a lucky draw every year.

On the launch ceremony of the strategic partnership, Muhammad Yahya Khan, Head of Easypaisa said, “Easypaisa aims to bring more security and peace of mind to the millions of Pakistanis who are unaware of the benefits of life insurance. Through products like Easypaisa Kamyab Mustakbil, we are striving hard to provide financial inclusion as well as an opportunity to build formal savings.”

KARACHI – Khushhali Microfinance Bank and Potohar Organisation for Development Advocacy (PODA) jointly celebrated World Women Entrepreneurship Day, said a statement here Saturday. The event, held at Nara Mughlan Chakwal, aimed at to bring potential micro entrepreneurs, skilled women workers and microfinance experts to discuss ways that can help women enterpenuers build and expand  their business in Pakistan. Around 122 women from 14 villages participated in the event to discuss the way forward for women entrepreneurship in Pakistan. Regional Manager PODA Ms Naheeda Abbasi discussed various programs being hosted for women entrepreneurs by PODA. “At PODA we provide them with various training opportunities and connect them with different organisations that can help them provide opportunities to make their business profitable. PODA is not only providing women entrepreneurs livelihoods skills trainings but also giving them basic and functional literacy, civic and legal rights education so they are aware of their rights”, she said.

Khushhalibank beneficiaries Shagufta Mazhar and Rubina enlightened the audience with their experience.

As a major sponsor of the event, Khushhalibank strongly believes in eradicating poverty and giving access to banking services to people from all social classes in Pakistan. Khushhalibank’s core values include empowering low income households across the country through Microfinance.

LAHORE—Pakistan’s No 1 data network Zong has partnered with the organizers of Asia Management Conclaveas the official connectivity partners in the 5th Annual Regional event taking place in Lahore. The theme of this year’s conclave was ‘Imagineering the Future’. Ministry of Planning, Development and Reforms and the Board of Investment are also supporting the event.
More than 800 delegates from South Asia attended event this year. Some of the themes of the sessions were; Digitization, Regional Connectivity, China Pakistan Economic Corridor, Diversity & Inclusion, Corporate Social Harmony, Entrepreneurship and Governance.
Zong, being able to provide fastest 4G network in the country, set up an experience zone at venue where Zong’s Enterprise Solutions product portfolio including Video Conferencing, Health Care Unit, Push to talk, Smart Metering Solution and others were displayed for people to experience products themselves.

Lahore—Canon Pakistan launched 5D Mark IV camera with its business partner in Pakistan MBM International in a local hotel in Lahore. Where Canon unveiled the camera in presence of dealers and leading photographers of Pakistan were also present at the event. Canon, a leader in digital imaging solutions, has launched the EOS 5D Mark IV DSLR camera, the next generation of the popular and versatile 5D series of Canon professional DSLR cameras. Building on this legendary legacy, the EOS 5D Mark IV propels the series forward with a fusion of features and enhancements targeted to please even the most discerning creative eyes. To make video shooting even easier, the camera also features Canon’s propriety Dual Pixel CMOS AF, even when shooting 4K to help ensure sharp focus and subject tracking.
In addition,
“Canon’s EOS 5D series of DSLR cameras has a history of being at the forefront of still and video innovation. And today, we add to this family of cameras the EOS 5D Mark IV– the first in our 5D series to offer 4K video and built-in Wi-Fi and NFC connectivity,” said Mahmood Naqvi, Managing Director MBM International, Canon Official Distributor in Pakistan.
“In developing this new DSLR camera, Canon listened to the requests of current EOS users to create for them a modern, versatile camera designed to help them create and share beautiful still and video imagery.”Outdoor photographers will really appreciate the new EOS 5D Mark IV, as it offers more resolution, better detail in the shadows, and improved speeds in autofocus and frame rate,”With the fabulous resolution of 4K video and the ability to make beautiful prints from a frame of that video as an added bonus, this camera sets a new mid-range standard for nature photography.”
Country Manager Canon, Mr. Sarshar Ali, expressed, “We are taking the art of photography to the next level with the launch of our outstanding cameras.

Lahore—The year 2016 can be marked lucky in the history of Huawei smartphones. Recently, at the launch event of Nova Smartphonein China, Huawei disclosed their mega achievement of having shipped more than 100 million smartphones worldwide since the beginning of this year. This is a huge score for Huawei and a reason for celebration.
Last year, Huawei shipped 100 million smartphones for the whole year, while now it has two months to set a new sales record.
It is projected that with the launch of much anticipated “Nova Plus” in Pakistan, Huawei would surpass their expected sales record. In the past Huawei has set growth records in Pakistan as well and its success worldwide continues to set new precedents in the tech industry. With an ever increasing customer base and renewed innovations in its devices Huawei has become one of the top picks for tech enthusiasts in Pakistan like many other countries.
Huawei is a brand known for putting quality at the forefront of their product and endures top-notch tests and checks on its products’ Mechanical reliability, Environmental durability and lifecycle reliability which is reason it make it standout from the rest.

ISLAMABAD – Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif on Thursday said that the stable macro-economic and security environment in Pakistan would trigger growth and progress in the country.

Addressing a Pakistan-Turkey investment roundtable conference here, he said Pakistan offered immense potential for foreign investment.  He said a sound institutional framework was in place and the government’s commitment to protect foreign investments was unwavering. The prime minister urged Turkish investors to invest in agriculture, energy, and infrastructure sectors.

He said that due to prudent policies of the government, the economy had become stable, inflation receded, fiscal deficit had remained control, and confidence in exchange rate management had been restored with substantial increase in foreign exchange reserves. Sharif said stock market remained buoyant and was regarded as one of the best performing markets of the region.

He said international rating agencies had upgraded Pakistan’s economic outlook.  The prime  minister expressed the hope that Pakistan would certainly overcome energy shortage by the start of 2018. He said the CPEC would connect China and central Asia through Gwadar Port.

Sharif said large-scale industrial parks and zones were being established along the corridor, which would ultimately generate massive industrial and commercial activities in Pakistan and the region. Nawaz Sharif invited Turkey to become part of the CPEC by exploring massive investment opportunities, the project is offering. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said his country was looking forward to cooperating with Pakistan in all fields. He said Turkey considered Pakistan’s development and progress as its own. The president said the CPEC would certainly magnify regional cooperation and strengthen Pakistan’s economy.

Meanwhile, Deputy Prime Minister of Turkey Yildirim Tugrul Turkes has offered to assist Pakistan in any way possible with its tax reforms.

Finance Minister Ishaq Dar held a joint meeting with deputy prime ministers of Turkey, Yildirim Tugrul Turkes and Veysi Kaynak, at the Prime Minister’s House to discuss matters of bilateral interest between Pakistan and Turkey. zBoth sides appreciated the exemplary brotherly relationship between Pakistan and Turkey.  It was agreed by both sides that all necessary measures should be undertaken to further enhance bilateral trade and economic cooperation.

The finance minister acknowledged that the government and people of Turkey were always the first to reach and help Pakistan in our hour of need.

He said that, in recent years, the First Lady of Turkey had played a leading and exemplary role in providing help to mitigate the suffering of citizens affected by natural disasters in Pakistan, including earthquakes and floods.

Dar said that Pakistan had achieved macroeconomic stability during the present government, and now the government was focused on stimulating economic growth.

He said that the improvement in Pakistan’s economy had been recognised by multilateral international organisations and international credit rating agencies, in the form of raised growth projections and credit rating upgrades.

The finance minister praised the taxation model of Turkey and said that cooperation efforts were already being undertaken at the appropriate level to draw lessons from the Turkish experience.

The deputy prime ministers of Turkey congratulated the finance minister on the achievement of economic stability in Pakistan within a short span of time.

Deputy Prime Minister Yildirim Tugrul Turkes said that Turkey had undertaken its tax reforms in a business-friendly manner, and Turkey would be happy to assist Pakistan in any way possible with its tax reforms.

LAHORE – Uber and the Bank of Punjab have signed Memorandum of Understanding whereby Parties have consented to work together for over 50,000 Green Cab and Yellow Cab Customers to bring them on Uber platform.

According to official media release of Uber, the initiative will help Green Cab and Yellow Cab Customers in their economic uplift and will improve earning capacity.

Mr. Safeeullah Shah, GM Uber and Mr. Salman Alam Shah Head RFD BOP signed MOU on behalf of their organizations.

All customers consented to opt for Uber platform will require to apply and undergo Uber’s prescribed training. Upon completion of which, each individual will be able to use their own vehicle through Uber platform.

Speaking on the occasion, Safeeullah Shah GM Uber Pakistan said, “The partnership looks forward to build on the flexibility, entrepreneurial opportunity and earning potential of Uber’s innovative technology along with BOP’s financial expertise to bring about a positive change in the earnings of Green Cab & Yellow Cab customers”

Mr. Salman Alam Shah – Head Retail Finance Division, Bank of Punjab said, “BOP had provided Employment Opportunities to thousands of un-employed youth through Chief Minister Punjab Apna Rozgar (Green Cab) and Yellow Cab Schemes. Now, our program is designed to equip our Green Cab Yellow Cab Customers with the right to succeed as entrepreneurs and our arrangements with Uber will enable them to earn better income for their families.”

Mr. Naeemuddin Khan, President BOP, Mr. Khalid S. Tirmizey, DCEO BOP, Mr. Taimur Afzal Group Head RFD, Mr. Ahmad Shah Durrani Group Head RBG, Mr. Shahid Waqar Mahmood, Group Head SAM from BOP were also present on the occasion.

Mr. Loic Amado, Head of Expansion MEA, Mr. Zohair Yousafi, Head of Expansion Pakistan, Ms Joanne Kuba, Head of Public Policy MEA and Mr. Ghassan Haddad, Public Policy Manager MEA  of UBER were also present on the occasion.

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Muhammad Nawaz Sharif will inaugurate Gwadar Port on otherday.

A ceremony will be held in Gwadar in this connection which will also be attended by Chief of Army Staff General Raheel Sharif , Balochistan Governor Muhammad Khan Achakzai, Chief Minister Nawab Sanaullah Zehri and Islamabad-based ambassadors of several countries.

Meanwhile, the first Chinese trade convoy has arrived in Gwadar through China-Pakistan Economic Corridor.

The convoy comprising fifty trucks had entered Pakistan via Khunjarab.

Contingents of Special Security Division of Pakistan Army provided security to the trade convoy.

A Chinese Ship has already arrived at Gwadar port while another vessel is expected to arrive soon.

The Chinese goods will be exported to Middle East and African countries.

Lahore: LG-Electronics the global leader and technology innovator in electronics brands inaugurated a premium brand shop in lahore which is designed to serve customers with a whide array of LG products. Picture shows Mr. Yong Geun Choi (Center), President LG Gulf inaugurating the brand shop.