Lahore (Muhammad Yasir)  AkzoNobel, the leading global Paints and Coatings Company, has launched the latest addition to their Paint Family, Dulux Promise™ paint. The Dulux Promise Range offers not only interior and exterior emulsions but primer and putty as well, therefore providing a complete deco and pre-deco solution to the consumers.

The Dulux Promise Paint is powered with anti-chalking properties and equipped with Chroma Brite Technology. The Dulux Promise Paint introduces the following products additions;

Promise Interior:Dulux Promise Interior is water-based acrylic emulsion paint. Powered with unique anti-chalking properties, Dulux Promise prevents the paint film from chalking due to environmental elements. Dulux Promise interior is also equipped with Chroma Brite Technology which delivers richer and brighter colors, making the walls of your home look radiant and beautiful for years to come.

 Promise Exterior:Dulux Promise Exterior Acrylic Emulsion is a highly durable, water-based emulsion paint suitable for dry to humid climatic conditions. Its unique anti-peel formulation ensures that the paint film remains intact, and its extra Coverage Formula covers a longer area in the same quantity of paint. The Chroma Brite UV Fight Technology in it, keeps exterior wall colors looking fresh for longer. Easy to apply, this emulsion also protects against fungal and algal growth giving your home a beautiful look that lasts longer.

The Dulux Promise Pre Deco and Masonry additions introduce the following products;

Promise Primer: Dulux Promise Primer is a high quality, water based primer for internal surfaces. Its unique anti-peel formulation ensures superior adhesion for the paint film, thereby resisting peeling or flaking of the topcoat. 

Dulux Promise Putty (water based) is a ready to use filler that has excellent whiteness, coverage and easy application properties. Its high quality filling properties make it ideal for use on all types of interior masonry surfaces. It provides a smooth base for top coat application of all Decorative Topcoats. Dulux Promise Putty is not recommended for exterior use.

Favourite Colours of Pakistan Concept: Dulux Promise Interior & Exterior emulsions are available nationally in over 2000 colours through POST machines and also offers a wide range of 54 ready mix colours. These 54 colours come in a layout of 9 colour families, each headed by one of Pakistan’s favourite interior and one exterior colour offering. This beautiful range of favourite colours can be seen on the Dulux Promise Shade card and helps you when finalizing the colours for your home.

 On the occasion, Saad Mahmood Rashid, CEO AkzoNobel Pakistan said, “We are pleased to extend our niche brand Dulux and introduce the new line of ‘Dulux Promise’ which will cater to a wider-segment of customers. Its color-rich texture delivers the ultimate finishing touch for a variety of needs. Dulux Promise has been developed using leading research and technology to ensure maximum utility and benefits are provided to the consumers while remaining budget friendly.”

NBP begins “Green Initiative” tree plantation drive

Lahore (Muhammad Yasir)  “Strong linkage between the financial services sector and academia is an important tool for boosting intellectual capital in the financial services industry and in finding better solutions for the current economic challenges of Pakistan”. These thoughts were expressed by President National Bank of Pakistan (NBP) Mr. Saeed Ahmad during his visit to University of Karachi (UoK). Professor Dr. M. Ajmal Khan S.I., Vice Chancellor of UoK welcomed Saeed Ahmad and his team at the university and expressed his gratitude to NBP for considering the UoK for its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) spending.

NBP will plant over 1,000 trees at various sites of UoK to beautify the campus and improve environment. Saeed Ahmad said that NBP, under its CSR program “Green Initiative”, has also started tree plantation drive at various parts of the city and will carry this initiative to other cities as well. Tree plantation in a large scale is essential to avert pollution and to counter negative impact of climate change, he added.

In Pakistan, Saeed Ahmad said, the industry-academia linkages are not as well developed as they are in other countries. Pakistani universities rarely tap into their alumni network or engage with industry, and neither has industry made any serious effort to generate more practical interest in universities. It is high time to make some serious attempts to reduce the gap between industry and academia, he said. He emphasized that NBP plans to remain engaged with universities more regularly. This partnership can play a helping role in student recruitment, retention, and workforce development from within the local economy. He also mentioned that a number of graduates from the UoK’s Business School have built successful careers at NBP and are contributing to the bank’s growing success.

He also mentioned his other engagements with IBA, Karachi, LUMS, Institute of Management Sciences (IMS Peshawar), Karachi Business School and other institutions as Deputy Governor, SBP for the introduction of syllabus of Islamic Finance and research relating to issues faced by Islamic banking.

Saeed Ahmad said that he was delighted to visit University of Karachi, unarguably one of the most renowned academic institutions of Pakistan and having the honor of meeting Professor Dr. M. Ajmal Khan S.I., Vice Chancellor of UoK.

Professor Dr. M. Ajmal Khan highlighted the contributions of UoK since its establishment in 1951 and highlighted the fact that UoK’s graduates have been providing services in various national institutions. He said that the contributions of UoK’s graduates are recognized in all fields and particularly in the areas of finance and industry. 

Dr. M. Ajmal also talked about the challenges being faced by the UoK in carrying out educational activities, mainly the ever increasing resource gap. He said that the UoK is providing higher education particularly to lower income groups of the society who could not afford hefty fee at other educational institutions. He further mentioned that the university was facing an annual budget deficit of PKR 3 – 4 billion. Dr. M. Ajmal desired to plug the deficit and said that NBP and other leading financial institutions and businesses in Karachi should play their role to strengthen the UoK`s financial position.

At the occasion, Mehmood Arshad, the UoK’s Alumni representative, acknowledged the highly effective role Mr. Saeed Ahmad had played for the promotion of Islamic Banking system in Pakistan. He requested him to introduce NBP’s ‘Aitemaad Islamic Banking Services’ at UoK.

Mr. Mehmood Arshad, UoK Alumni representative, Dr. Salman Gulzar and Mr. Omer Javed of ‘Green Better’ also present at the occasion. Other team members from NBP included Syed Jamal Baquar, SEVP/Group Chief, Corporate Banking Group, Mr. Shaukat Mahmood, EVP/Group Head, Service Quality Group and Syed Ibne Hassan, VP/Media-Service Quality Group.

Islamabad (Muhammad Yasir)  Pakistan’s No.1 Data Network, Zong 4G and Daewoo Pakistan Express Bus Service Ltd recently entered into a strategic partnership to enhance connectivity on the go.

Pioneering the top-notch 4G connectivity in Pakistan, Daewoo’s passengers will be able to use the fastest internet, availing connectivity provided through Zong 4Gs Mobile broadband devices. With Zong 4G entering the strategic alliance with Daewoo, the companies are set to reach new heights by uplifting the connectivity needs of the new age customers throughout the routes especially on M1, M2, M3 and M4. More in more, the partnership enables the passengers to keep in touch with what is going on in the world; send e-mails, use social media, browse the internet and indeed be empowered to do all they want during their journey.

Speaking at the occasion, Mr. Wang Hua, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Zong 4G “This strategic alliance is fully aligned with our mission to create and lead the best ecosystem of 4G communication for every Pakistani to be able to connect anytime, anywhere.”

Mr. Faisal Siddiqui CEO, Daewoo Express said, “It is a tremendous milestone for Daewoo to partner with country’s best 4G network, Zong. Together we are enabling the travelers for an exciting experience through fastest and continuous in-bus 4G connectivity across our routes.  It will bring greater convenience and comfort to our passengers and we hope to continue on building on to this partnership to keep providing the best kind of services with more innovative options.”

Partnerships undertaken by Zong is a testament that the company is overcoming all boundaries of development to lead the digitization in Pakistan. Through the superiority of Zong’s technological edge in data services, particularly its super-fast 4G internet, the company is redefining the digital lifestyle of people.

 

 

Islamabad (Muhammad Yasir) Jazz has embarked on a journey to further digitalize Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) in partnership with Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Information Technology Board (KPITB) and the World Bank. This will see the mobile operator invest resources in the province’s ‘Durshal’ program and empowerment of youth through employable digital skills under the KPITB ‘Youth Employment Program’.

As per agreement amongst the three entities, Jazz will proliferate the benefits of connectivity and digital enablement across KP under its ‘Make Your Mark’ program by empowering youth through technology and Digital Skills & Literacy.

This agreement to further the benefits of digitalization in KP was signed last year, after which Jazz took on a leading role at this year’s Digital Youth Summit held in Peshawar, KP. Following that, Jazz is now moving ahead with its support of KPITB’s Durshal project by creating synergies between its already establish National Incubation Center in Islamabad and Durshal Community Innovation labs (CIL), along with provision of technical expertise and mentorship, and funding to improve current IT infrastructure available at these centers.

Durshal, meaning “gateway” in Pashto, is KPITB’s project that has been envisaged to anchor KP’s digital transformation by establishing a network of community spaces across the province with the goal of enabling the youth to collaborate, innovate, access training, and launch new businesses. The project has seen the development of Durshal CILs at various places in the province along with Durshal Government Innovation Lab, which aims at introducing digital governance at KP’s government departments.

“Our partnership with KPITB and the World Bank is all about bridging the digital divide and bringing the benefits of this digital age to youth and industries across Pakistan,” said Aamir Ibrahim, CEO – Jazz. “It gives me immense pleasure to take our partnership to the next level by actively participating in the KP government’s programs to enhance digital opportunities for the youth by way of incubation hubs and inculcation of digital skills.”

“Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Information Technology Board remains focused on KP’s Digital Strategy. One of the core components of KP’s Digital Strategy is to empower and equip the youth of the province with the right skills and resources that are in line with the dynamic global Tech landscape. KPITB’s partnership with one of the leading telcos of the country for this mission will ensure a fast transition into the digital economy,” said Managing Director of KPITB, Shahbaz Khan.

Furthermore, Jazz will build basic knowledge and understanding of the mobile internet amongst youth by partnering with the digital skills training toolkit in KP. The aim is to proliferate the benefits of connectivity and digital enablement to 40,000 youth in three years.

Islamabad (Muhammad Yasir) Khushhali Microfinance Bank (KMBL), Pakistan’s largest microfinance bank, has signed a MoU with Allied Solar (official d.light partner in Pakistan). The partnership looks to address Pakistan’s energy consumption needs, as KMBL will now offer Solar Home Systems and Solar Lighting Solutions on easy installments to its customers.

Talking about the agreement, President KMBL Ghalib Nishtar said, “Khushhali Microfinance Bank and Allied Solar (official d.light partner in Pakistan) will work together to address the energy issues of masses living in far-flung areas, a move which will also positively impact their livelihoods.” 

“Solar energy is a renewable energy source and exploring such alternative energy sources is an important priority for the country as well given the current shortfall in energy supply,” He further added.

Given the energy crisis in the country this strategic alliance envisages to promote the use of renewable energy by facilitating the bank’s customers in accessing world class renewable energy products on easy financing services. KMBL & Allied Solar will also initiate a social awareness campaign to educate the users about the benefits of shifting to renewable energy sources. The products being offered will be from the international brand d.light, the global leader in providing quality off grid solar products, to ensure sustainability.”

Initially, this service will be launched at Gilgit, Hunza¸ Ghizer, Lodhran and Sukkur, as KMBL is committed to supporting product innovation for bottom of the pyramid markets that provide economic opportunities to the majority of the population in Pakistan.

Lahore (Muhammad Yasir) National Power Parks Management Company Limited (NPPMCL), Harbin Electric International Company Limited (HEI) and GE (NYSE: GE) announced the completion of the Balloki power plant, following the successful conclusion of all commissioning works and performance-related tests.

Rashid Mahmood, CEO of NPPMCL said, “I am proud to announce that the Balloki project is now able to supply up to 1,223 megawatts (MW) of uninterrupted power to the national grid, the equivalent electricity needed to supply up to 2.5 million Pakistani homes. This is the second regasified liquefied natural gas (RLNG) power project developed by NPPMCL, the first being the Haveli Bahadur Shah (HBS) power plant, which entered full-fledged combined cycle commercial operations in May 2018. Together, the HBS and Balloki plants have already added over 5.5 billion kilowatt hours of power to the national grid while in the commissioning phase and they will continue to deliver efficient, low cost power for up to 30 years, making a meaningful difference in the lives of the people of Pakistan.”

The contract to set up the plant was awarded by NPPMCL to HEI, which is the engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) contractor for the project and responsible for its installation works and commissioning schedule. HEI sub-contracted GE to supply two of its HA gas turbines, some auxiliary equipment and technical advisory services, The plant had earlier realized an impressive milestone by synchronizing an HA unit to the grid just 74 days after it was delivered to the project site, the shortest duration in which GE’s HA technology has achieved this milestone anywhere in the world.

“The successful completion of Balloki power plant underlines the strong collaboration among NPPMCL, HEI and GE in driving the commissioning of the project. People from more than 25 countries came together to work on this project. Together, we brought the world’s best to power Pakistan – local project management with Chinese engineering expertise and power generation technologies that were developed by advanced research and development teams based in North America and Europe,” added Mr. Li Chao, Chief Operation Officer of HEI and General Director of 1^st Power Division of HEI.

GE’s HA technology has now helped to deliver two world records – one for powering the world’s most efficient combined-cycle power plant, based on achieving 63.08 percent gross efficiency at Chubu Electric Nishi-Nagoya Power Plant Block-1 in Japan and another for helping EDF’s Bouchain Power Plant achieve 62.22 percent net combined cycle efficiency in France. It has thus been recognized for record-setting efficiency in both 60 hertz and 50 hertz markets. Balloki is the third RLNG project equipped with GE’s HA technology to reach completion in Pakistan, following the Haveli Bahadur Shah and Bhikki power plants. The three facilities are among the most efficient combined cycle power plants in the world today, adding a total of up to 3,600 MW to Pakistan’s national grid. Efficiency matters as each point of efficiency can generate up to $50 million of fuel savings over 10 years for a 1,000 MW power plant.

“The Balloki project marked the 24th and 25th orders for GE’s HA gas turbine globally and with its completion, we are proud that the third GE HA-equipped power plant in Pakistan is ready to add much-needed electricity to the national grid,” said Mohamad Ali, President & CEO of GE’s Gas Power Systems – Projects business in the Middle East, Pakistan and India. “As the world’s most efficient heavy-duty gas turbine, GE’s HA technology is unlocking a new era of efficient, affordable and reliable power generation to the benefit of people, businesses and industries across Pakistan.”  

“GE is committed to bringing advanced technologies to Pakistan that assure the highest levels of productivity and efficiency,” added Sarim Sheikh, President & CEO of GE Pakistan, Iran and Afghanistan. “For over half a century now, GE has led the transformation of the power sector in Pakistan and the successful start of commercial operations at Bhikki, Haveli Bahadur Shah and now Balloki, bringing a total of 3,600 MW to the national grid, is another example of our focus on working with our customers to deliver the world’s leading energy solutions to the country.”

GE’s HA technology has undergone full-speed, full-load validation tests at GE’s Greenville, South Carolina facility in the United States at extreme conditions well beyond those encountered while in service. Today, the HA has achieved more than 135,000 operating hours and is the fastest growing fleet of gas turbines in the world with 76 units ordered by over 25 customers across more than 15 countries, including the United States, Mexico, Brazil, Pakistan, Japan, Bahrain, China, France and others. The technology continues to achieve ongoing recognition by industry third parties – EDF’s HA-equipped Bouchain power plant in France was named as a Gas Plant of the Year by POWER Magazine in 2017, and Exelon’s HA-powered Wolf Hollow II project in the United States was honoured as Power Engineering’s Best Gas-Fired Project of 2017.

GE has supported the development of energy, transportation and healthcare infrastructure in Pakistan for more than 50 years. Today, GE-built technologies can generate the equivalent power needed to supply up to 25 percent of the country’s electricity.