Category: Business

Pakistan (Muhammad Yasir)

Pakistan Single Window (PSW) has been granted the Associate Member status of the Pan-Asian E-Commerce Alliance (PAA)- an international grouping of customs and trade service providers which aims to promote and provide secure, trusted, and reliable value-added IT infrastructure and facilities for efficient global trade and logistics services. As a member of the alliance, PSW will have the opportunity to participate in various PAA-led initiatives for creating a secure and seamless trade regulatory document exchange network that enables traders, logistics firms, and government agencies to transmit and verify trading documents via the cross-border blockchain platform, reducing trade-related costs and improving trade efficiency.

In a statement announcing the membership, the CEO of PSW Syed Aftab Haider said, “We are excited about the international visibility to be gained from this affiliation and the opportunity to participate in international B2B and B2G data exchange projects. The membership aligns with our objective of making PSW a center of excellence at the national and international levels while allowing us to learn from global best practices.”

On an international level, Pakistani SMEs and MSMEs stand to benefit the most from such alliances. More homogenous, transparent, and predictable processes improve access to the global e-commerce marketplace – expected to reach $6.3 trillion this year. The removal of clearance bottlenecks while ramping up safety and security continues to drive PSW’s operations, bringing the benefits of global trade to Pakistani businesses. 

The membership was announced at PAA’s 67th Steering Committee meeting in Auckland, hosted by TradeWindow, the leading customs and trade service provider of New Zealand. As a member of the PAA, Pakistan Single Window joins a network of 17 single window operators from Asia, Oceania, Europe, the Middle East, and Africa. The forum regularly participates in regional and international consultation sessions at the World Customs Organization, ASEAN, UNCEFACT, and other organizations.

Pakistan Single Window is an initiative led by Pakistan Customs, aimed at reducing the time and cost of doing business by digitalizing Pakistan’s cross-border trade and eliminating paper-based manual processes. The institution is working towards providing an integrated electronic platform that allows parties involved in international trade and transport to lodge standardized information and documents with a single-entry point to fulfill all import, export, and transit regulatory requirements.

Workhy makes it easy for Pakistani entrepreneurs to set up companies abroad.

 Offering end-to-end solutions that make it easy to set up a company, Workhy started to provide services in Urdu.

 Pakistani e-commerce entrepreneurs stand out in the UK market.

 Pakistan is the 5^th top selling country on Amazon USA.

 Nearly 5,000 Pakistanis subscribed to Workhy to establish a company abroad.

 Pakistani entrepreneurs export know-how and services around the world.

 Pakistani freelancers and entrepreneurs are expanding abroad by establishing a company in the US and UK markets. The data by the UK government on the foreign-owned company establishment shows that Pakistan ranks first, especially in the e-commerce industry.

 Workhy, which provides end-to-end solutions that facilitate company establishment abroad, started to provide services in Urdu to facilitate the opening of Pakistani entrepreneurs, especially those operating in the e-commerce industry and providing freelance services, to global markets.

Pakistani entrepreneurs and freelancers export know-how and services to all over the world by using the possibilities of digitalization. The data by the UK government on foreign-owned company establishment shows that Pakistani nationality ranks first in the e-commerce category. In addition, in The State of the Amazon Seller 2023, Pakistan ranks the fifth among the top selling countries in Amazon USA.

Considering the number of company establishments, Workhy Co-Founder and CEO Kenan Açıkelli stated that Pakistan has a great potential in terms of the entrepreneurship ecosystem, and said, “In the last 5 years, we see that most of the entrepreneurs operating in the field of e-commerce and doing business as freelancers are Pakistani citizens.” It is known that nearly 5 thousand Pakistani entrepreneurs subscribed to Workhy to establish companies abroad.

In economically developing countries such as Pakistan, e-commerce plays a key role in increasing corporate competitiveness and the country’s share in global trade. Pakistani citizens contribute to the country’s economy with small and medium-sized e-commerce businesses they have established in countries such as the USA and the UK, promising great potential.

“Workhy is a platform that enables entrepreneurs from all over the world to establish companies and manage financial processes online in the country of their choice, without having to reside or travel,” Açıkelli said. “Pakistani entrepreneurs can establish companies in the USA, UK, Estonia, Netherlands and Turkey with Workhy or open a branch in Germany.”

Workhy, which has recently started to provide services in Urdu in consultancy processes, visited Pakistan in 2023 many times and made strong partnerships with the entrepreneurship ecosystem. The company plans to launch the Urdu version of its website soon.

Launched in 2022, Workhy has created 20,000+ companies for more than 130 nationalities. In addition, it is the exclusive partner of 20+ global companies such as Payoneer, Wise, Mercury Bank, PayPal, Stripe. It has received investments from international investors and continues to expand to all continents.

 

Dubai (Muhammad Yasir)

Emaar Properties celebrated the launch of The Oasis by Emaar, its latest waterfront luxury lifestyle destination, with a gala event held last night at the Armani Hotel in Burj Khalifa, Downtown Dubai.

The exclusive VIP event was attended by Emaar Properties customers and top properties agents. The evening’s highlight was the presence of the event’s guest of honour, international superstar Shahrukh Khan, who welcomed the ceremony’s guests and expressed his admiration for the new launch that joins the portfolio of renowned Emaar destinations, saying: “Whenever Emaar presents us with an urban marvel, it immediately follows it with another new destination that is a masterpiece in and of itself, such as The Oasis by Emaar, which we are celebrating tonight. This is not unusual for Dubai, a great metropolis that has become one of the world’s most famous, elegant, and advanced cities.”

Emaar Properties’ newest lifestyle destination, The Oasis by Emaar, is one of the largest and most prestigious developments in Dubai, covering a total land area of more than 100 million square feet (9.4 million square meters). With a total development value of USD 20 billion, the development boasts exceptional architectural design by the world’s most famous architects, with interiors created by prominent international designers. Adhering to Emaar’s commitment to delivering exceptional quality, The Oasis offers over 7,000 residential units focusing on large mansions and villas with spacious plots, providing residents with stunning views of water canals, lakes, and parks.

Aiming to provide a prestigious and upscale living experience in Dubai’s real estate landscape, the development is designed to create a resort-style lifestyle, with 25% of the land dedicated to lakes, water canals, parks, jogging tracks, green spaces, and various luxury amenities. This emphasis on recreational spaces allows residents to enjoy a high-quality living environment and engage in an active and healthy lifestyle.

The Oasis by Emaar is situated in a prime location within Dubai, surrounded by high-end developments. It offers proximity to four international golf courses, allowing residents to indulge in their passion for golf. The development is conveniently located just a 20-minute-drive from downtown Dubai, providing easy access to the city’s vibrant attractions.

The Oasis by Emaar will also feature an expansive 1.5 million square feet retail area, hosting a wide array of lifestyle brands and offering residents access to superior shopping options. Moreover, there will be a variety of food and beverage outlets, ensuring a diverse culinary scene to cater to different preferences.

Commenting on the new development, the founder of Emaar, Mohamed Alabbar, said, “In each of its destinations, Emaar strives to meet the needs of our discriminating clientele. Our primary objective is to design one-of-a-kind destinations that complement our clients’ opulent way of life while providing unmatched comfort and luxury. Our most recent integrated project, The Oasis by Emaar, is poised to complement the urban landscape of Dubai and redefine the future of luxurious living amidst nature and water, blending harmonious architecture and exceptional amenities.”

 

Lahore (Muhammad Yasir)

Businessmen have welcomed the landmark decision of the General Administration of Customs of China (GACC) to allow Pakistani meat exporters to export beef to China. Progressive Group’s Central leader and LCCI Executive Member Muhammad Ejaz Tanveer and Pakistan Meat Processors & Exporters representative Mian Abdul Hannan in a joint statement issued here Thursday said it was a long-standing demand by his group member especially those working in the field of meat processing and exports. China, a heavily populated country with higher purchasing power, could be a very lucrative market for Pakistani beef and other meat exports, they added that the government should devise an effective strategy in collaboration with meat exporters to tap other foreign markets too. They said the decision of China will enable Pakistani exporters to earn millions of dollars by exporting beef to Chinese importers. They, however, asked the exporters to follow certain guidelines issued by the Chinese authorities for Pakistani exporters for meat exports. Muhammad Ejaz Tanveer and Mian Abdul Hannan said Pakistan being an agricultural country had enormous potential to promote value addition of agricultural, livestock and aquaculture products so as to direly needed foreign exchange. They said that the government should promote the processing industry for agricultural and livestock products near the rural areas so as to lessen poverty and pave the way for development. They welcomed that the government had shown its intent to develop agriculture of the country in the proposed budget 2023-24 but it was direly needed to take practical measures in this dimension instead of raising mere slogans.

Joint Launch of Nourishmaa Campaign by Nutrition International and Federal and Sindh Governments to Improve Maternal Nutrition in the Province.
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Pakistan (Muhammad Yasir)

Nutrition International partnered with the Ministry of National Health Services Regulations and Coordination (MoNHSR&C) and Health Department Sindh launch NourishMaa Campaign – an initiative aimed to promote maternal nutrition agenda in the province. The joint efforts of the partners aim to improve the knowledge and skills of healthcare providers (HCPs) and frontline health workers (FHWs) in four districts of Sindh with the overall goal to improve maternal nutrition status in the targeted areas.

Affordability Meets High-end Performance: realme Narzo 50 Now Available for PKR 39,999/-.

Pakistan (Muhammad Yasir) For young gaming enthusiasts and millennials seeking a stylish, high-performance smartphone without breaking the bank, realme has launched its highly anticipated realme Narzo 50 in Pakistan. Packed with powerful features and designed specifically for gaming, this feature rich device comes at an affordable price point, making it an ideal choice for those eager to impress with their gaming prowess.

One of the standout features of the realme Narzo 50 is its Helio G96 Gaming Processor. The octa-core architecture, consisting of ARM Cortex-A76 and Cortex-A55, delivers clock speeds of up to 2.05GHz, ensuring a seamless gaming experience. With this powerful processor, gamers can expect smooth gameplay and efficient multitasking capabilities.

To enhance the gaming experience further, the realme Narzo 50 incorporates up to 11GB Dynamic RAM. This is made possible by the advanced Dynamic RAM Expansion (DRE) technology, allowing the base 6GB of RAM to be expanded by up to 5GB. This boost in RAM ensures smooth gaming operations, minimizing lags and delays.

The smartphone’s 120Hz refresh rate sets it apart from competitors. With the screen refreshing 120 times per second, twice as fast as the standard 60Hz refresh rate, the realme Narzo 50 provides an incredibly smooth visual experience. Paired with a 180Hz touch sampling rate, gamers will notice a significant upgrade in responsiveness and precision.

The smartphone also features a 16.7cm (6.6-inch) FHD+ Fullscreen, offering a larger field of view and enhanced clarity. With its 16.7 million color display, gaming scenes come to life, allowing for full immersion into virtual worlds. The combination of the expansive screen and vibrant colors ensures an unparalleled visual experience.

realme has also prioritized charging speed with the inclusion of 33W DartCharge technology. Compared to standard 18W charging speeds, the realme Narzo 50’s DartCharge capability increases charging speed by an impressive 36%. Users can expect their phone to be fully charged in no time, minimizing downtime between gaming sessions. The DartCharge technology is complemented by a high capacity 5000mAh battery, which provides long-lasting performance, allowing users to enjoy their favorite entertainment for extended periods. Additionally, the super power saving mode offers an ultra-long standby time of 37.6 hours at just 5% power, ensuring uninterrupted gaming sessions.

This smartphone is not all about gaming though. In terms of photography, the realme Narzo 50 doesn’t disappoint either. Equipped with a 50MP AI Triple Camera, users can capture stunning photos with exceptional clarity and detail. Whether it’s documenting gaming achievements or capturing everyday moments, the smartphone’s camera system ensures impressive results.

All these amazing features are packaged in a unique body design called the Speed Texture Design, which is inspired by racing cars. Users can choose between two colors – the Speed Blue and Speed Black.

The realme Narzo 50 redefines affordability by offering high-end gaming features at a price point that won’t break the bank. With its powerful Helio G96 Gaming Processor, expandable RAM, 120Hz refresh rate, large FHD+ Fullscreen, fast charging capabilities, long-lasting battery life, and impressive camera system, this smartphone caters to the needs of young gaming enthusiasts and millennials who aspire to make a statement with their gaming experience.

The realme Narzo 50 is now available across Pakistan for PKR 39,999/- only. It’s time to elevate your gaming journey and unleash your full potential.

Pakistan (Muhammad Yasir)

foodpanda, the leading food delivery service in the country, conducted a comprehensive basic life support training session for its dedicated riders last week. The company recognizes the importance of ensuring the safety and well-being of its riders, who serve as the backbone of the food delivery service.

The daily responsibilities of foodpanda riders require them to navigate through busy streets, face unpredictable weather conditions, and encounter various road hazards. Moreover, accidents and medical emergencies can occur unexpectedly. In light of these challenges, foodpanda organized a training session in collaboration with the Sindh Integrated Emergency Health Service (SIEHS) at its office in Karachi.

The training session focused on equipping foodpanda riders with the necessary skills and knowledge to provide first aid, CPR, and other life-saving interventions in emergency situations. Through this initiative, foodpanda aims to ensure that its riders are well-prepared to handle unforeseen events and can effectively respond to accidents and medical emergencies that may occur while on duty.

Muntaqa Peracha, CEO of foodpanda, stated, “Our riders are an invaluable part of the foodpanda family, and their safety and well-being are our utmost priority. We believe that providing them with basic life support training is essential, given the challenges they face during their daily tasks. This training equips them with the skills and confidence to respond promptly and effectively in emergency situations. We are committed to continuously enhancing the safety measures and support systems for our riders.”

The collaboration with SIEHS allowed foodpanda to leverage the expertise of trained professionals in emergency healthcare, ensuring the highest standard of training for its riders. The session provided hands-on demonstrations, theoretical knowledge, and practical exercises to enhance the riders’ preparedness for emergencies.

The basic life support training session not only equips foodpanda riders with life-saving skills but also fosters a culture of safety and preparedness within the organization. foodpanda remains dedicated to the well-being of its riders and will continue to explore initiatives that prioritize their safety while delivering an exceptional food delivery experience.

 

Pakistan (Muhammad Yasir)

Paymob, the leading omnichannel financial services enabler in the Middle East, North Africa, and Pakistan (MENA-P), and easypaisa, Pakistan’s leading digital payments platform, have announced that they have partnered to process easypaisa digital wallet payments through Paymob’s payment infrastructure, accelerating digital payment acceptance in the country.

The agreement will enable merchants in Paymob’s network to accept fast, easy, and secure digital payments from easypaisa’s customer base of over 14 million monthly active users across Pakistan. The integration will vastly expand the potential addressable market for businesses on Paymob’s network while serving to make digital payments more accessible to unbanked consumers. This strategic partnership will advance the State Bank of Pakistan’s goal of driving inclusive economic growth while also promoting e-commerce in the country. According to a report published by the State Bank of Pakistan, 53% of the population is without access to formal financial services. Digital wallets boost financial inclusion by enabling financially-excluded segments to actively participate in the digital economy.

Fawad Abdul Kader, Paymob’s Country Manager in Pakistan commented, “We are extremely pleased to be joining hands with a leader in Pakistan’s Fintech industry. Together, we have set off on a journey to empower 100,000 SME merchants across Pakistan and guide them in bridging the financial access gap, one digital payment at a time. This partnership is yet another transformational milestone for the ecosystem and we are excited to disrupt the country’s payment landscape.”

1. Mudassar Aqil, CEO Telenor Microfinance Bank & easypaisa said, “Technology and collaboration have been the driving forces behind the rapid advancement of digital finance in recent years, providing solutions that simplify our lives. At easypaisa, we are committed to promoting financial inclusivity by developing innovative solutions for individual customers as well as small businesses through our open platform. Together with Paymob, our partnership is well-suited to move another step closer towards realizing the dream of a financially inclusive Pakistan.”

Paymob is committed to serving small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) by simplifying the process of managing and growing businesses through access to the most innovative and modern financial technologies. The partnership between Paymob and easypaisa will empower merchants to accept digital payments that will serve to boost their profitability while making e-commerce accessible to a broader segment of the population in Pakistan.

 

Pakistan (Muhammad Yasir)

Arif Habib Dolmen REIT Management Limited (AHDRML) has entered into an outsourcing arrangement with ITMinds Limited (ITMinds), a wholly owned subsidiary of Central Depository Company of Pakistan Limited (CDCPL), whereby ITMinds will provide Back Office Accounting Services to AHDRML. The agreement was signed by Mr. Muhammad Ejaz CEO-AHDRML with Mr. Iqleem-uz-Zaman Khan CEO-ITMinds in the presence of Mr. Badiuddin Akber Director-ITMinds & CEO-CDCPL, Mr. Waqas Ashraf CFO- ITMinds, Mr. Razi CFO-AHDRML and other senior members of both the Companies.

Through this arrangement, ITMinds will facilitate AHDRML in concentrating on their core business activities, i.e. managing a variety of REITs, by relieving them from various non-core back office functions like accounting services, settlement of portfolios, facilitation for compliance/ reporting, Information Security Management, Business Continuity and IT arrangements.

Commenting on the occasion, Mr. Muhammad Ejaz, CEO-AHDRML, said that this arrangement will enable AHDRML to concentrate on its core business of managing various types of REITs while outsourcing the back office functions to a professional Fund Administrator. Also commenting on the occasion, Mr. Badiuddin Akber, Director ITMinds & CEO-CDCPL, said that the concept of outsourcing non-core critical business activities has proven to be efficient and cost-effective in today’s business world. Hence, we have commissioned ITMinds with this aim to enable REIT Management Companies (RMCs) and other organizations to outsource their back office functions to a competent and reliable BPO partner, thus facilitating them to augment the focus of their management on their critical business activities which are integral to their commercial success while achieving efficiency, scalability & transparency of processes.

Code for Pakistan Celebrates 10 Years of Using Technology for Civic Good and Advocates for Better e-Governance in Pakistan.

Pakistan (Muhammad Yasir) Pakistan was ranked 150 out of 193 countries in the UN’s E-Government Knowledge Base in 2022. Yet Code for Pakistan, a civic tech non-profit, has pioneered e-gov initiatives with both federal and provincial governments. In 2014, CfP launched an innovative Fellowship Program that links young technologists with under-resourced government departments, bridging the technology gap between citizens and the government. This Fellowship Program has run seven high-impact cycles with the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) government and one cycle with the federal government.

Code for Pakistan (CfP), a leading civic tech non-profit organization, is commemorating its 10th anniversary of leveraging technology to create a significant impact in Pakistan this year. With a focus on building a citizen-centered government, CfP’s mission is to leverage the potential of technology and people through its four core programs – Fellowships and Internships, Community Engagement, Digital Solutions and Services, and Civic Academy. The organization aims to foster a participatory process of governance that benefits all by uniting the government and its citizens.

In 2021, in partnership with the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Information Technology Board (KPITB) and World Bank, CfP launched its first KP Women Civic Digital Internship Program as an online full[1]time, six-month program for women. With more than 50 interns belonging to some of KP’s most remote, conservative areas, the program facilitates women that struggle to leave their homes in pursuit of careers by equipping them with both hard and soft skills to flourish within the technology sector. CfP has also played a significant role in advising the KP government on Open Data and Open Government, working on the KP Open Data Portal and helping draft the policy framework. Thanks in large part to their efforts, KP is currently the only province with an Open Data Policy, with the federal government yet to follow suit.

In the past ten years, CfP has worked towards enhancing government capacity for digital transformation to better serve the needs of citizens. Through collaborative efforts, they have co-created open-source digital solutions and services that have had a positive impact on people’s lives and have helped the government function more efficiently. The adoption and continual enhancement of the Raabta App is a testament to this impact. Built for the KP Traffic Police department, the app aims to make the license application and ticket verification processes more efficient and improve traffic management in the province The Raabta App is just one example of the several digital solutions that CfP has developed in the last decade.

As an active member of the global Code for All network, CfP closely collaborates with Code for All and its civic technology affiliates worldwide to exchange best practices, harness the potential of technology, and create new channels for the community to engage with the government and other stakeholders.

“Our vision is a seamlessly functioning government that caters to the needs of all,” said Sheba Najmi, Founder and Executive Director of Code for Pakistan. “For the past decade, we have been actively working towards this goal. We take pride in the 132 Civic Innovation Fellows that have partnered with 35 government departments, and developed more than 45 digital solutions and services that not only impact people’s lives and improve the efficiency of various government departments, but also introduce human-centered design thinking and processes to government,” she added.

In addition to developing digital solutions for the public, CfP has partnered with multiple government and public sector organizations such as KP IT Board, National Institutes of Health (NIH), World Health Organization (WHO), and the World Bank. Through these collaborations, they have designed, prototyped, and constructed digital services for the people. Some of their recent notable projects include a mobile application called HCAI that tracks Healthcare Associated Infections, developed in collaboration with WHO, and “FloodLight,” a data crowdsourcing and mapping platform that aids in collecting and addressing the essential needs of people affected by natural disasters in the country, developed in partnership with Ushahidi. Through these innovative digital solutions, CfP remains committed to creating a responsive, transparent, and forward-thinking government that serves its citizens.

“In an era where digital governance is imperative, Code for Pakistan aids the government to embrace citizen-centered e-government practices,” said Sheba Najmi. “By adopting modern solution creation processes and technologies and promoting open government policies, our nation can transform its governance systems to be more transparent, efficient, and responsive to citizen needs. We invite governments, organizations, and individuals in Pakistan to join hands in this vital endeavor.”

Sheba expressed her enthusiasm, saying, “We are thrilled to commemorate this significant 10- year milestone and are grateful to all our collaborators in the government, private sector, civil society, and community who have been instrumental in the work we have done together to further citizen engagement and to help enable a governance system that genuinely serves all Pakistanis.”