News Update Times

Lahore  ―  LG Electronics (LG) announced the appointment of new executives to lead the Mobile Communications Company, Chief Technology Officer and Global Marketing Center as part of its sweeping realignment to better address the challenges ahead. It also named the establishment of the new B2B Company, to expand upon its successful commercial operations and to consolidate existing business to business functions across various LG Electronics divisions.

Among the key changes are:

Hwang Jeong-hwan has been named president and CEO of the LG Mobile Communications Company while current president Juno Cho takes on a new role within LG’s parent company. Mr. Hwang, who has years of experience in R&D, was closely involved in developing one of LG’s first smartphones in 2009 as head of the CTO’s Multimedia R&D Lab.Dr. Park Il-pyung, head of LG’s Software Center, will take on the role of Chief Technology Officer with current CTO Dr. Skott Ahn taking on a new position in LG Corp. Before joining LG, Dr. Park was Chief Technology Officer at Harman International and head of the Intelligent Computing Lab at Samsung Advanced Institute of Technology. Dr. Park received his Ph.D. in Computer Science from Columbia University and holds a number of patents in the field of computing.Han Chang-hee, most recently vice president of appliance marketing communications, has been tapped to lead LG’s worldwide marketing efforts as head of the Global Marketing Center. Brian Na, who led LG’s global marketing efforts for the past two years, will assume the role of president of LG’s Western Europe operations.

To expand upon its success in the commercial sector, LG is establishing the B2B Company to oversee all aspects of business-to-business product sales including energy, information displays, vertical solutions. Kwon Soon-hwang, formerly head of LG’s Business Solutions Company and head of LG’s India operations, has been named president of the newly-formed B2B Company.The Convergence Business Development Center will be established to identify and initiate corporate-wide initiatives related to artificial intelligence, IoT solutions and device-to-device connectivity.

All appointments are effective as of Dec. 1, 2017 with promotions taking effect on Jan. 1, 2018.

Lahore –  As part of its sustained efforts at transforming country’s digital landscape, Zong 4G, Pakistan’s No.1 Data network, has officially inaugurated its 4G Wireless Research Lab at the Lahore University of Management Sciences (LUMS).

The state-of-the-art facility will provide students of Pakistan’s top-ranked university the opportunity to advance their academic endeavors along latest technological lines, greatly enhancing the school’s learning and research capabilities. The Zong 4G Research Lab comprises of latest broadband wireless equipment, including a commercial base station to support teaching and research into mobile and wireless networking systems. This includes a fully functioning separate 4G network along with exclusive SIMs that connect via the dedicated network.

In addition to supporting academic research, the Zong 4G Research Lab will also serve as a one-of-a-kind hub for innovation, greatly contributing to the promotion of start-ups arising from the university’s National Incubation Centre.  By coupling state of the art technology with Zong 4G’s super-fast network capabilities, the aim of this partnership is to help provide a joint platform to support some of the most promising ideas and solutions on the horizon of Pakistan’s fast changing digital landscape.

As the pioneer 4G network in Pakistan, Zong 4G has been at the forefront of leading Pakistan’s data revolution from the ground-up, enabling students and young entrepreneurs. Over the last few years, Zong 4G has invested heavily in the Pakistani market and its telecom infrastructure, making it Pakistan’s most reliable and state-of-the-art technological platform. Through this partnership, Zong 4G aims to leverage its   high-speed internet capabilities to help nurture and support some of Pakistan’s brightest minds, for many years to come.

Serving more than 70% of Pakistan’s 4G subscribers, Zong 4G continues to deliver an unparalleled customer experience, by bringing to life the endless possibilities of the country’s digital potential. This vision has been supported by the company’s aggressive expansion, making 100% of its network 4G enabled. Having built the country’s fastest and largest 4G network, Zong 4G has expanded its seamless 4G connectivity to over 300 cities of Pakistan.

Lahore –  German companies consider Pakistan a preferred destination for trade and business and Pakistani market offers immense potential of bilateral trade between two countries. These views were shared by BSH Home Appliances FZE CEO Mr. Tomas Alonso while inaugurating the newly established Bosch showroom by BSH Hausgeräte GmbH, which has established its first ever official products showroom in DHA Lahore.The showroom, which has been established with local business partner Mega Home Appliances, was inaugurated in presence of Provincial Minister for Food Mr. Bilal Yaseen along with BSH Home Appliances FZE CEO Mr. Tomas Alonso and Mega Home Appliances CEO Adnan Shah today.

BSH Home Appliances aims to expand its sales and distribution footprint in Pakistan and working to expand its retailer/distributor network across country.

“The country is now region’s one of the emerging economies. With annual population growth of more than % 2, Pakistan has one of the highest growth rates in Asia. These results, said Mr. Alonso, BSH Home Appliances FZECEO, who is in charge of all Middle Eastern and South Asian region.

While addressing the local media in Lahore today he said, “We are targeting to become the Nr. 1 home appliances supplier in Pakistan by doubling the T/O year-on-year”

Mr. Alonso said that in a country like Pakistan, which has been facing power shortage issue, it’s imperative that hundreds of millions of daily usage household appliances such as refrigerators, oven, dishwashers and washing machines etc. consume less energy to save the power and Bosch small and large home appliances are very much efficient in terms of less energy consumption undoubtedly the best choice for Pakistani households.In a low inflation high growth economy like Pakistan, there is a growing affluent consumer base, which is forecasted to increase by around 6 % annually. Both factors are having an overall positive effect on local purchasing power.Pakistan is the sixth most populous country in the world, making it a very attractive market indeed for the BSH Home Appliances. “On account of the growing population and a young population with the low median age of 22, we see good business opportunities in Pakistan for Bosch in the medium and long term,” said BSH Home Appliances FZE CEO Mr. Alonso.

Mr. Syed Adnan Shah, Managing Director Mega Home Appliances said that “Pakistani consumers understand the value of German Technology and I am very confident that together Bosch and Mega Home Appliances, we will make Bosch, Pakistan’s most preferred home appliances brand.” He also thanked Bosch Home Appliances Management for their trust and partnership with Mega Home Appliances in Pakistan.

The company will focus on the sale of home appliances products for growing Pakistani consumer base.  “Pakistan has a growing percentage of an affluent, dynamic and future-oriented consumer base which is improving it’s lifestyle trends and Bosch is keen to offer its world class Home Appliances to consumers in Pakistan.BSH Hausgeräte GmbH is the largest home appliance manufacturer in Europe, and the 2^nd largest worldwide. BSH’s product portfolio spans the entire spectrum of modern household appliances that includes everything from stoves, ovens, extractor hoods, dishwashers, washers, dryers, refrigerators, and freezers to small appliances like vacuum cleaners, coffee machines, electric kettles and irons. This makes BSH the only full-range provider of home appliances globally.What distinguishes Bosch home appliances from other brands is quality, durability, performance, German heritage since 1886 and continuous innovation in technology and research.  It is not coincidental that the brands advertising the launch of home appliances products in Pakistan is part of Bosch’s consistent and long-term growth strategy in South Asia. “Our customers in Pakistan will definitely benefit from our company’s innovations. Ultimately, we also contribute to improving quality of life for local people with our products and services.”

Lahore –  Unilever Pakistan today reaffirmed its commitment towards enhancinggender diversity within its business by signing onto the Women’s Empowerment Principles, with support from UN Women.

The Seven Principles for Women’s Empowerment, are a joint initiative of UN Women (the United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women) and the UN Global Compact. These principles provide a set of guidelines to helpcompanies focus on key elements integral to promoting gender equality in the workplace, marketplace and community, through policy and action.

Shazia Syed, Chairperson & CEO, Unilever Pakistan, highlighted, “The business case for gender equality and diversity has long been accepted as an integral part of organizations across the world. In Pakistan, we too aredefining the organizational road map that will empower women to become the flag-bearers of economic success.”Jamshed M. Kazi (Country Representative, UN Women Pakistan) congratulated Unilever in driving change from the top and galvanizing momentum to advance gender equality, diversity and inclusiveness. Speaking on the occasion, he said “The cultural, social, political and infrastructural complexities associated with gender equality are broad and we need to cultivate a spirit of mutual work to be able to tackle these challenges. Multinational companies like Unilever Pakistan are paramount in bringing change and CEOShazia Syed is an inspiration for many women”.

By signing the Women’s Empowerment Principles, Unilever Pakistan joins a global movement for women empowerment in the corporate sector.Globally 1661 companies have already adopted the principles, of which Unilever’s headquarter has also been a signatory since 2013. The initiative includes the promotion of women to executive positions, career development opportunities for women employees, addressing discrimination against women and protecting them from workplace violence, supporting women-owned companies as vendors and service providers, promoting a positive image of women in marketing campaigns and enhancing facilities for women within the company.Unilever has made gender equality and the improvement of opportunities for women into a global priority across its business. This is also reflected by actions being taken by the organization in Pakistan to maximize the potential of women, advance careers and help maintain integrity and equality across the business value chain for both genders.UN Women supports the empowerment of women, including their right to exercise agency over their life, to fully participate in decision-making, to access and control resources, and to take part in economic and political affairs. UN Women’s Economic Empowerment Programme is currently being scaled up to all four provinces of Pakistan and FATA to support women and excluded groups to access income generating activities, formal employment and entrepreneurship opportunities. The programme will provide right-holders with capacity-building trainings, support in business development and financial literacy skills.

Karachi, Pakistan; Friday 8th December 2017

 As part of a mission to the region promoting post-Brexit business, delegates from the Mayor of London’s Office visit Karachi hub of London-backed startup colwiz.

London-Karachi collaboration: colwiz Founder Tahir Mansoori with his team of talented engineers and designers and the Deputy Mayor of London, Rajesh Agrawal.

The Deputy Mayor of London was in Karachi this week as part of a regional tour organised by the Mayor’s International Business Programme, a scheme mentoring London’s leading tech start-ups. colwiz was accepted onto the programme in October this year and has joined the tour across Mumbai, Bangalore and Karachi.

Commenting on his visit to the colwiz team in Karachi, Deputy Mayor for Business, Rajesh Agrawal, said: “London is home to some of the most innovative and exciting tech businesses in the world and I am delighted that colwiz is joining me in Karachi to show that London is open to talent, business and collaboration.”colwiz’s London investment stems from leading academic publisher Taylor & Francis, a part of the FTSE 100 Informa Group that acquired colwiz in May this year.

In closing the Deputy Mayor’s visit, colwiz founder Tahir Mansoori commented: ‘It’s been a privilege to host the Deputy Mayor here today, as a member of the Mayor’s International Business Programme. I’m delighted that our move to Taylor & Francis has enabled us to participate in partnerships such as this. It’s also provided us the investment and scale needed for our ambitions in AI-powered research intelligence, which the team have taken a lot of pride in showcasing to the Mayor’s team.’

colwiz are currently trialing their research intelligence service, wizdom.ai, with several leading academic publishers and institutions, prior to commercial launch in early 2018.

LAHORE  – An exciting hand wash trial of SAVANNAH Beauty Soap collection was conducted during GRAMMATHON 2017, which was organised by Lahore Grammar School, in which the complete SAVANNAH soap range was experienced by participants. Moreover, all attendees were not just presented with Savannah Beauty Soap as a giveaway, but were also treated with delicious french fries cooked in Golden Sun Canola Oil. Everyone is well-aware of the premium quality of IFFCO Pakistan’s Golden Sun Canola Oil, whereas in the Beauty Soap range, IFFCO Pakistan is an example in itself.

Its Beauty Soap collection with Fine Fragrances under the brand name SAVANNAH includes Paris Romance, London Passion and Arabian Bliss, which are available at all leading stores. IFFCO Pakistan firmly believes its Savannah Beauty Soap collection with Fine Fragrances would be well-received by all customers.

Lahore –  Oman Air, the national carrier of the Sultanate of Oman, continues its ambitious expansion plans in 2017 with a new Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner joined the fleet on 6th December 2017.

The wide-body Boeing 787-9 is a stretched version of the advanced long-range twin engine B787-8. The Boeing 787 Dreamliner aircraft is configured with 30 award-winning flat-bed Business Class suites, designed by BE Aerospace and 258 Economy Class seats. All classes feature the state-of-the-art Thales Integrated In-Flight Entertainment System which provides an even more enjoyable guest experience, allowing access to a wide selection of on-demand entertainment delivered through passenger experience interface developed specifically for Oman Air.

Her Excellency Hunaina Sultan Al Mughairy, Ambassador of Oman to the United States, travelled on board the inaugural flight that departed Charleston, South Carolina on 5th December and arrived Muscat on 6th December 2017.Acting CEO, Eng. Abdulaziz Al Raisi, said: “Oman Air is adding new aircraft to its fast growing fleet to keep up with the expansion programme. The delivery of new aircraft is part of Oman Air’s ambitious and dynamic programme of fleet and network expansion. The national carrier is continuing to invest with the key focus of providing guests with the very best on board experience.”
With the addition of this latest Dreamliner, Oman Air operates seven Boeing 787 Dreamliners aircraft. This aircraft will be utilized on Oman Air’s European and Far-Eastern sectors.
Maintaining a young and efficient fleet, the delivery of new aircraft is part of the national carrier’s future network growth. Oman Air continues to invest in providing guests with the best possible on board experience. To complement the new additions to the fleet, the airline has recently ordered 30 Boeing 737 MAX enabling a diverse range of configurations and cutting edge entertainment to enhance Oman Air’s guest travel experiences.