DUBAI ISLAMIC BANK PAKISTAN LIMITED JOINS INTERNATIONAL FINANCE CORPORATION'S GLOBAL TRADE FINANCE PROGRAM

                                               

Dubai Islamic Bank Pakistan Limited (DIBPL) has signed an Issuing Bank Agreement (IBA) with the International Finance Corporation (IFC) to support international trade in Pakistan

Under the agreement, IFC will guarantee payment of DIBPL obligations to support their trade finance transactions with tenors of up to one year. This will strengthen DIBPL’s strategic plan to grow its international trade business and enhance correspondent banking relationships focused on international trade within the country. 

“This agreement will further streamline and ease the process for trade finance in Pakistan. Dubai Islamic Bank Pakistan remains committed to supporting businesses focused on international trade and we believe this partnership with IFC will be instrumental in achieving this goal,” said Mr. Junaid Ahmed, CEO of DIPBL. 

The agreement falls under IFC’s Global Trade Finance Program (GTFP), which extends and complements the capacity of banks to deliver trade financing by providing risk mitigation in new or challenging markets where trade lines may be constrained. 

“Trade is essential for economic growth and a key driver of opportunities for local enterprises. We are pleased to support Dubai Islamic Bank Pakistan Limited in its efforts to boost international trade and we believe this partnership will help foster a trade ecosystem in the country that strengthens supply chains, spurs productivity, and creates jobs,” said Momina Aijazuddin, Regional Head for the Financial Institutions Group at IFC. 

IFC’s GTFP has been operating in Pakistan since 2005. Pakistan is now one of the top markets for the program with a total GTFP commitments of US$6.6 billion since inception and US$1.4 billion for FY23. With the recent joining of DIPBL, IFC has now 10 partner issuing banks in Pakistan who will benefit from the program. 

POGEE 2024 – Energy sector’s largest exhibition inaugurated in Lahore

        

The 18th edition of the ‘Pakistan Oil, Gas & Energy Exhibition’ (POGEE), the premier showcase of the Energy sector, commenced at the Lahore Expo Centre with great enthusiasm. This edition, featuring cutting-edge global technologies for the Oil, Gas, and Power industries, was inaugurated alongside the 15th Safe Secure Pakistan (SSP) exhibition. The ribbon-cutting ceremony was graced by Mr. Zaki Aijaz, Vice President of the Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce & Industries (FPCCI), Zia Salahuddin, Executive Director of Oil & Gas Development Company (Pakistan) Limited (OGDCL), Dr. Abdul Rehman, Administrator of RESCUE-1122 (Punjab Emergency Services), and Rao Asif Ali, Director Chevron Pakistan.

 

Despite its hiatus, POGEE and SSP witnessed robust participation from leading international and local energy companies, including Siemens Pakistan, JC Electronics (Netherlands), Flanders Investment & Trade (Belgium), and Hangzhou Turbine Power Group (China). Held from 8th to 10th May 2024, this event at the Lahore Expo Centre is expected to draw thousands of delegates from key stakeholders and government institutions.

 

The chief guest underscored the significance of POGEE and SSP in providing valuable opportunities for stakeholders in the oil, gas, power, safety, and security industries, facilitating business expansion and diversification in Pakistan. He commended Pegasus Consultancy for consistently organizing impactful events that bring together diverse exhibitors and decision-makers to promote cutting-edge technologies and exchange expert opinions.

 

Discussions at the event emphasized the crucial role of Pakistan's energy sector in economic and industrial development, stressing the need for sustainable energy sources to mitigate environmental impact. According to the recent 'Integrated Energy Planning' (IEP) report, the country's energy demand is projected to increase significantly by 2030, presenting attractive investment opportunities for global companies.

 

Pegasus Consultancy, renowned for organizing high-profile trade exhibitions in Pakistan annually, including IFTECH, Plasti&Pack, POGEE, and Safe Secure Pakistan, has garnered significant international participation. The Managing Director, Aamer Khanzada, expressed satisfaction with the overwhelming response to this year's event, with 100 companies from 17 countries participating, showcasing a range of petroleum-related products and services.

 

Oil & Gas Development Company Limited (OGDCL) serves as the strategic partner for the event, with Chevron Group as the Gold Sponsor, representing global giants such as Chevron, TEXACO, and CALTEX. In addition to POGEE, the concurrent 15th International Fire, Safety, Security & Health Exhibition - ‘Safe Secure Pakistan’ is expected to attract a large audience from relevant industrial sectors.

Standard Chartered Facilitates Finance Minister's Meeting with International Investors, Explores Pakistan's Investment Potential

                                                        

Standard Chartered Pakistan hosted an exclusive meeting between a delegation of international investors representing renowned Asset Management Funds from different parts of the world and the Federal Minister for Finance & Revenue, Mr. Muhammad Aurangzeb, in Islamabad. The meeting aimed to foster collaboration and explore potential investment opportunities in Pakistan's economy.

Standard Chartered has a rich history in Pakistan, having worked closely with the authorities through its onshore presence and global network. The bank continues to facilitate foreign participation in Pakistan's local and foreign currency debt and capital markets by engaging with high-profile international investors.

The Minister was accompanied by senior officials from the Ministry of Finance and the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR). During an insightful discussion with international investors, the Minister highlighted the government's tax initiatives and macroeconomic stability, marked by reduced inflation and a surge in the stock market, reflecting growing investor confidence. The Minister also discussed the potential of key sectors, including infrastructure development, privatizations, IT and technology, agriculture, and energy. These sectors present opportunities for growth and investment, and the government is committed to supporting their development.

This initiative underscores Standard Chartered's commitment to nurturing economic growth and development within Pakistan by bridging the gap between international investors and local stakeholders. The meeting concluded successfully, with participants expressing optimism regarding future collaborations and investment prospects within Pakistan.

As part of their visit, the investors will also hold meetings with officials from the State Bank of Pakistan, multilateral organisations, local businesses, and other stakeholders to gain a deeper understanding of the current country dynamics and opportunities.

Google doubling down support on AI skills for Pakistanis with Google AI Essentials course, Google Career Certificate scholarships and new programs

                                                  

Google is committed to ensuring that everybody can benefit from AI, and we believe that skilling is the first step. Google has launched Google AI Essentials, a new course to help more people unlock AI skills for the future, provides up to 45,000 scholarships for Google Career Certificates in 2024, and adds two new programs to upskill freelancers and women

A new educational course for AI beginners

Google AI Essentials is our new self-paced, online course taught by AI experts at Google. This course requires no previous experience with AI, and is designed to help teach people across roles and industries get essential AI skills to boost productivity, and gain hands-on experience via a variety of AI tools.

With this course, people will learn how to use AI tools to brainstorm ideas and speed up daily work tasks. You’ll also learn how to write effective prompts and use AI responsibly by identifying AI’s potential biases. Google AI Essentials is available on Coursera in English.

Global 30-sec AIE intro video. Download here. https://youtu.be/B9zSBDdxnNA

In addition to Google AI Essentials, the Google Career Certificates (GCC) prepare learners for entry-level jobs in fast-growing fields, whether it’s Data Analytics, Cybersecurity or Digital Marketing. We’ve added new resources to our certificates to help learners discover how professionals in their fields are using AI, while gaining hands-on experience applying AI to a workplace scenario.

For Google Career Certificates, Google will provide up to 45,000 scholarships in 2024

From the first launch in 2022, 80% of GCC graduates in Pakistan reported the program had helped them advance in their careers. In addition, according to partner-led surveys (IRM/TechValley, 2023), 28% of women who graduated from the program reported experiencing financial growth, 24% stated they obtained a new job or got promoted, and 91% feel more confident after completing the program.

PAFLA Freelancer and Career Kamyabi programs

Pakistan is home to the third-largest freelancing economy in the world and it is critical to ensure that the country's freelance talent remains competitive, especially in today’s rapidly evolving digital environment. This year, Google, in partnership with the Pakistan Freelancers Association (PAFLA), has developed a program that will help the freelance community in Pakistan address challenges around soft skills areas such as personal branding, and communication skills. Up to 50,000 PAFLA freelancers could benefit from the program taught by Google experts.

To inspire and empower women to join and thrive in the workforce, Google, along with its long-term partner Tech Valley, has joined forces to design a Career Kamyabi program which advocates for gender balance in the workforce and aims to create an inclusive and supportive work environment for women by offering equal employment and professional development opportunities. The program, which already has the support of 50+ of Pakistan's leading employers, helps create economic opportunities for women by connecting them with potential employers.

Farhan Qureshi, Google’s Country Director for Pakistan, stated, “With the Google Career Certificates initiative, we are hoping to continue to play an effective role in the digital landscape of Pakistan. Our scholarships and training programs are designed to not only help the young Pakistanis explore the realms of the tech world but to also financially empower them. We are grateful to all our local partners who have joined hands with us and have worked diligently to ensure that the Pakistani youth have more opportunities to reach their full potential.”

Google is committed to building a Future Forward Pakistan with initiatives like the GCC and will continue to invest in providing young talent with the digital skills needed to grow and succeed. The third phase of Google Career Certificates program aims to establish a strong presence in Pakistan and strengthen the culture of learning, empowerment, and inclusivity amongst all.

Alibaba.com and TDAP Bolster Pakistani Exporters with Introduction of Training Initiatives and New Intelligent Tool Suite

                                                            

Alibaba.com, a leading platform for global business-to-business (B2B) e-commerce, and the Trade Development Authority of Pakistan (TDAP) today announced a series of training programs designed to equip Pakistani businesses, particularly small and medium-sized exporters, with essential knowledge, tools and methodologies to achieve success in the global market. In conjunction with this announcement, Alibaba.com has unveiled its intelligent tool suite, Smart Assistant, as its latest offering to help boost the international trade capacity of Pakistani exporters operating on its platform.

 

The announcement was made at the 2024 Global B2B Digital Export Summit, held under the theme “Smart Up Your Trade, Leading Your Way” on May 8, 2024, at the Pearl Continental Hotel, Lahore. The summit featured a host of B2B e-commerce and export experts, including Shahzad Ahmed Khan, Director General of the Trade Development Authority of Pakistan (TDAP) and Rocky Lu, Head of Pakistan Business at Alibaba.com, alongside other guests such as Kashif Anwar, President of the Lahore Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI), Adil Mukhtar, Assistant Director at TDAP, Berry Ma, Marketing Director of Southeast Asia at Alibaba.com.

 

Commenting on the collaboration, Shahzad Ahmed Khan, Director General at TDAP, stated, “Our joint effort with Alibaba.com to plan a series of training programs is a significant move towards the digital empowerment of Pakistani SMEs. By combining our resources, we are equipping local businesses with advanced B2B e-commerce skills and strategic vision for their success on the global stage. Together, we’re fostering an environment conducive to innovation, sustainability and success.”

 

Affirming the commitment to digital advancement, Rocky Lu, Head of Pakistan Business at Alibaba.com, remarked, “In today’s fiercely competitive global marketplace, digital transformation is not just desirable, but essential for SMEs. Our joint training programs with TDAP are crafted to hone the global trading capabilities and acumen of Pakistani SMEs. Additionally, the introduction of our intelligent tool suite, Smart Assistant, is set to complement these training efforts by providing suppliers operating on our platform with smart e-commerce tools aimed at refining business operations and communications, as well as offering valuable insights into prevailing market trends for informed decision-making. We believe these initiatives will not only bolster competitiveness but also pave the way for broader growth in the global e-commerce sector.”

 

Alibaba.com’s Smart Assistant offers various advanced features that elevate the performance and competitiveness of SMEs in the export market, including:

 

* Product listing optimization: Suggests attractive titles, keywords, descriptions, and professional images and videos for products.

* Smart chatbot: Assists businesses in communicating with international customers, automatically and swiftly replying request-for-quotation (RFQ) messages, and editing texts in a professional style.

* Specialist knowledge: Offers accurate and in-depth market information, tailored to each specific product category and based on Alibaba.com’s extensive database and 24 years of experience, for informed decision-making.

 

JNM Leather Safety Gloves Industries has seen significant improvements in operational efficiency and garnered useful market insights since adopting Smart Assistant as a pilot user. The company joined Alibaba.com in 2014 and now achieves annual revenues surpassing US$1.5 million.

 

“We’ve seen remarkable enhancements in our operations since incorporating Smart Assistant,” shared Muzaffar Hussain, Head of Overseas Marketing at JNM Leather Safety Gloves Industries. “It has streamlined our business processes and provided sharp analyses of customer trends, enabling us to better anticipate and meet market demands.”

 

Alibaba.com is now offering a limited-time free trial of the Smart Assistant tool suite to all Pakistani suppliers on its platform. For more information, please visit: https://pakistan.alibaba.com/

CBD PUNJAB’S UPCOMING AUCTION SET TO IGNITE ECONOMIC GROWTH.

                                                                                 

The Punjab Central Business District Development Authority (PCBDDA), also recognized as Central Business District Punjab (CBD Punjab), is set to mark a significant milestone in the region's real estate landscape with the auction of six exclusive plots, comprising three mix-used commercial and three residential plots, scheduled for May 9, 2024.

As the premium development authority of Punjab, CBD Punjab is at the forefront of transforming the urban landscape, and this auction represents a pivotal moment in Punjab’s economic evolution. The auction event will showcase the immense potential for investment and development within the CBD Punjab precinct.

With this auction, CBD Punjab is proud to introduce its latest ventures: CBD Business Bay and CBD Residencia. These ventures epitomize CBD Punjab's commitment to innovation and excellence in urban development, offering prime real estate opportunities for both commercial and residential purposes.

CBD Business Bay presents a unique opportunity for businesses to thrive in a dynamic environment. With mixed-use commercial plots available, CBD Business Bay caters to the diverse needs of enterprises seeking a strategic location for their operations. The commercial plots ranging from 8.73 kanals to 8.89 kanals with an FAR of 1:16 and height provision of 415 ft, will provide ample space for growth and expansion.

Meanwhile, CBD Residencia offers an unparalleled living experience, with residential plots designed to accommodate modern lifestyles. Ranging from 6.35 kanals to 7.11 kanals with a FAR of 1:14 and height provision of 380 ft these plots will offer residents a vibrant and well-connected community.

To further facilitate investment and development, CBD Punjab has devised an easy five-year installment plan and a streamlined one window solution for prospective buyers and investors. This initiative underscores CBD Punjab's commitment to fostering growth and prosperity in the region while ensuring accessibility and affordability for all stakeholders.

While expressing his views about upcoming auction Imran Amin, CEO of CBD Punjab said, "CBD Punjab is poised to play a pivotal role in the economic development of Punjab by providing lucrative opportunities for real estate developers and the business community. This auction will serve as a catalyst for highlighting the vast investment potential within CBD Punjab."

The auction event promises to attract a diverse range of investors, developers, and stakeholders eager to capitalize on the burgeoning opportunities within CBD Punjab. With its strategic location, modern infrastructure, and visionary approach to urban development, CBD Punjab continues to emerge as a beacon of progress and prosperity in the region.

Businesses urged to take steps to maximise the opportunities of AI and lay foundations for responsible use of new technologies

                                                       

Chief executive officers (CEOs) and chief financial officers (CFOs) need to build trust in artificial intelligence (AI) by taking steps in their organisations to manage the associated risks.

 

As AI plays a greater role in the accounting and financial reporting of businesses, CFOs and financial controllers will have to be confident about the adequacy of oversight and controls of AI systems.In the first in a series of insights, AI monitor: trust, ACCA urges finance professionals to ensure that AI governance and AI risk management is in place, beginning with:

 

Investing in AI literacy and skills development: finance professionals must invest in education and training to critically evaluate AI outputs, communicate clearly with key stakeholders, and make informed decisions. Collaborating via cross-functional teams: finance professionals should actively engage with IT, data science, legal and risk management teams. 

 

Developing an AI governance framework: beginning with critical uses, finance professionals should take steps within their organisation to establish clear policies, oversight and governance practices.

AI presents many opportunities to businesses such as providing more insights from a wider array of information sources, driving greater efficiency and better customer experiences. But it also poses a challenge to trust in accounting and finance reporting with new dynamics being introduced to the traditional trust mechanisms that underpin corporate accounting.

 

Alistair Brisbourne, Head of Technology Research, ACCA, said: ‘Introducing AI is both about trust in the systems and trust in the people that we work with, and how we bring those two elements together.

 

‘CEOs and CFOs need to focus on making the changes needed to harness the many potential opportunities but also retain trust. This includes upskilling to deal with the technology and introducing new knowledge into their organisations. They also need to focus on the governance, the oversight and culture required to allow different teams to work together effectively. It’s about bringing change management and governance together.’

 

AI monitor: trust highlights some of the risks of AI in accounting systems, such as:Impacting decision making without clearly explaining the rationale of the forecast or recommendation;

An over-dependence on AI procedures in auditing and assurance and a decline in use of human intervention and judgement;

 

Concern over AI bias or error in fraud detection, risk assessment and compliance monitoring;

Over relying on AI-powered virtual assistants which give inaccurate or inappropriate responses.

Brisbourne said: ‘In the AI era the role of finance professionals is to focus on the outcomes driven by technology. Value lies in understanding how these outputs inform decisions and actions that drive business outcomes.’In 2024 issues of the AI monitor will explore talent, risk and controls, the relevance of effective data strategy, and sustainability applications.

 

Read Enabling trust in an AI-enhanced world.