Global supply chains face further turmoil in 2022

As society strives towards a more ethical and sustainable model, accountants and procurement and supply chain professionals have greater opportunities to work together

Supply chains were pushed to the limit in 2021 due to the ongoing pandemic, with extreme weather events, port delays, and political and economic uncertainty stress-testing their resilience.

With little signs of turbulence ending, accountants and procurement experts have created a ‘Charter for Collaboration’ that commits to working closer together to better understand and address the complexities of global supply chains, and which focuses on the achievement of organizational purpose and value to society, one that is far broader than the traditional profit motive.

Views of various types of professionals are captured in a new report from ACCA (the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants), CIPS (The Chartered Institute of Procurement & Supply) and IMA^® (Institute of Management Accountants) called Supply chains: a finance professional’s perspective.

The report highlights that due to ongoing disruption, major fault lines must be tackled, including that many organizations do not really understand their supply networks; that regulation is accelerating; and that financial and non-financial reporting demands are also increasing.

With business models shifting at a rapid pace, it means procurement and supply professionals and finance teams need to work much closer together in the planning process, the management of working capital, the development of ethical supply chains, or in managing the enterprise risks.

Helen Brand OBE, chief executive, ACCA said: ‘While there’s an intensified regulatory focus on supply chains, including their sustainability and the impact that they have on the world’s carbon emission targets, a strong ethical lens is also needed to address poor working conditions, modern slavery and other social issues. These are critical issues that accountants and supply chain professionals have the power to change together – especially in this decade of action to reach the UN Sustainable Development Goals by 2030.’

To help finance teams and supply chain experts join forces, the ‘Charter for Collaboration’ highlights ten areas of activity to deliver success – including a shared vision that supports the purpose of the business and its operations; joined up risk and due diligence management; and having a clear understanding of environment, social and governance (ESG) policies.

The PAAPAM has finally launched its much-awaited Pakistan Auto Parts Show 2022

 

The largest exhibition of automobiles in the country – The Pakistan Auto Show 2022 (PAPS 2022) is finally going to happen in Pakistan on 27th July, 2022 – 29th July, 2022 at the Expo Center Lahore, organized by the Pakistan Automotive Parts and Accessories Manufacturers (PAAPAM). It is the most electrifying initiative of the ‘Pakistan Association of Automotive Parts & Accessories Manufacturers (PAAPAM), representing over 300 large, medium & small industries from all over Pakistan. The theme of this year’s PAPS show is; “MAKE IN PAKISTAN.

The most awaited launching ceremony held at Lahore and attended by a large number of automobiles and parts manufacturers across the country. The government had announced many incentives for the auto sector a couple of months ago, followed by the prime Minster Visit to China especially focussing on new investors for this growing market of 220 million. The major auto brands (OEMs), auto parts manufacturers, and ancillary industries' leading figures packed the hall on its launching ceremony for its forthcoming 17th edition of PAPS 2022. Mr. Anas Haroon, The Event Manager, unleashed the new features of the show in detail.

Mr. Syed Nabeel Hashmi, The Chief Organizer, said: “About 150 international and local producers of cars, tractors, buses, antiques, motorcycles, heavy bikes, rickshaws, parts manufacturers and tool makers showed their interests to showcase a wide range of their products. He saw a major role PAPS 2022 would play in the auto sector, service industries, and machinery producers.”

Talking to the charged participants, Mr. Rehan Riaz, the Convener of PAPS 2022, said: “Agents of international Exhibitors from all over the world like Germany, China, the UK, Iran, Bangladesh, Japan, Taiwan, India, Malaysia were present on the occasion to secure the space for their principles. The Convener also informed about inducting a Virtual-Cum-Physical show for the foreign and national exhibitors, who wish to exhibit their products remotely in PAPS-2022.”

Mr. Muhammad Akram, Former Chairman of PAAPAM, was also among the speakers who added that mega-event had become the trademark of the PAAPAM and Pakistan.

Mr. Abdul Rehman Aizaz, Senior Vice Chairman, said: “The previous event was visited by thousands of local and international visitors and buyers from Belgium, South Africa, China, Sudan, Nigeria, UAE, Sri Lanka, India, etc. They were anticipating an unprecedented footfall, much more than before, to this event at provincial metropolitan, he added.”

Mr. Abdur Razzaq Gauhar, Chairman PAAPAM: “thanked the major brands like Suzuki, Honda, Millat Group of Companies, MG, and Proton to show their keen interest in exhibiting their new arrivals. While stressing the significance of roadshows, he said they were the modern platform to bridge the business gaps across the globe. To him, exhibitions were the most effective tools of business promotions, investment, and connections. Pakistan being the 6th largest market, had a great space for the new players, and they were providing them the opportunities to enter into this potential market. Gauhar thanked the guests for an overwhelming response, which showed their confidence in this show.”

TIKTOK LAUNCHES SAFETY CAMPAIGN TO RAISE AWARENESS OF DANGEROUS CHALLENGES & HOAXES

Online safety video series sees renowned Pakistani celebrities highlight the risks in a real and relatable way

TikTok has launched a safety awareness campaign that aims to reinforce understanding towards the potential dangers associated with digital platforms. The initiative consists of a video series, featuring a selection of Pakistan's most popular celebrities that shed light on the challenges of the digital world, and the importance of positively and safety using the internet.

As part of safety month awareness initiatives and efforts announced by TikTok for February, which included signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Zindagi Trust for digital safety awareness, the campaign targets users of the digital platform, spanning various ages and backgrounds, focusing especially on the youth. It mostly focuses on the foundations of safely surfing websites and social media platforms, and the ways to navigate potential dangers on those platforms.

TikTok collaborated with Pakistan cricket legends Wasim Akram (https://www.tiktok.com/@wasimakramlive) and Shoaib Akhtar (https://www.tiktok.com/@shoaib.akhtar100) and renowned actress Aiman Khan (https://www.tiktok.com/@aimankhan.official8) to create awareness for safety related to online challenges. The trio officially joined TikTok and created videos urging the Pakistani TikTok community to STOP, THINK, DECIDE and ACT before sharing and participating in dangerous challenges.

Aiman Khan's message: https://www.tiktok.com/@aimankhan.official8/video/7062307158758673691

Shoaib Akhtar's message: https://www.tiktok.com/@shoaib.akhtar100/video/7062039588646309147

Wasim Akram's message: https://www.tiktok.com/@wasimakramlive/video/7062631573031554331

Earlier this month TikTok announced a change to how its Community Guidelines are structured, highlighting dangerous acts and challenges in a dedicated policy category, so it's even easier for its community to familiarize themselves with these guidelines. The platform is now working to reflect this in its video reporting menu, helping the community to report content that encourages participation in potentially dangerous online challenges.

These steps represent the next phase in TikTok's ongoing commitment to support caregivers, teachers and young people. The platform believes collaboration and transparency will help create an online space that is safe and where creativity and joy can thrive.

Bagallery Announces Pakistan’s biggest beauty and Fashion Expo

 

Pakistan’s biggest beauty & fashion online retail brand, Bagallery understands what customers want and is always ready to set new standards for the market. Equipped with experience and focus, this growing company is yet again challenging the status quo by arranging one of its kind, Pakistan’s biggest beauty and fashion exhibition on 5th and 6th March in Expo Centre Karachi. Bagallery’s CEO, Salman Sattar with his team of over 150 people will be leading from the front to set new records.

Bagallery is committed to give its customers an experience they will not forget at the most instagrammable event ever seen in Pakistan. In addition to the availability of more than 500 brands at the exhibition, including some of the biggest beauty and fashion local and international names, visitors will be able to enjoy Fashion Shows, Influencer meet-ups, Celebrity interactions, Makeup and Makeover Classes, Skin consultation, Hairstyling, food stalls, Concert and much more with a seamless shopping experience at this two-day event.

Celebrities such as Iqra Aziz and Aiman Khan will be meeting their fans and press at the red carpet event.

Bagallery has over 30,000+ products with 2000+ registered brands to provide the best variety in fashion and beauty products in Pakistan. To cater the needs of the visitors, Bagallery promise to provide frictionless customer service and experience at the event.

Free Fire continues to empower and uplift Esports throughout Universities in Pakistan

 

Free Fire Pakistan inaugurates Pakistan’s first-ever National Inter-University Esports tournament, the Free Fire Campus Championship.

Free Fire Pakistan introduces its Campus Championship, Pakistan’s first inter-university Esports competition to be held on a National Stage. Free Fire remains committed to developing the Esports landscape in Pakistan and uplift the youth by providing competitive Esports platforms to enable their talent. Last year, Free Fire had announced Pakistan’s first-ever Esports Scholarship, under their Campus Challenge across 9 different universities in Pakistan.

Free Fire Campus Championship 2022 will take place across 5 major cities of Pakistan, namely, Karachi, Lahore, Islamabad, Bahawalpur & Peshawar in 12 different universities. The winning team from each University will progress to the Grand Final Event held on 19th March where the contestants will compete for a Scholarship prize pool worth PKR 2,200,000.

Registration desks are now live across universities as students prepare to participate in a one day qualifier tournament played in Battle Royale mode, in a knock-out format to be crowned as their University’s champions. The winning teams will then go on to represent their University on the National Stage where they will each be competing for a scholarship worth PKR 400,000.

Commenting on the occasion, Zafeer Khan, Esport & Community Manager said, “I’m glad to see FFCC garner such a great response at these Universities. These grass root efforts provide us extreme motivation when we’re able to see the passion students have for Esports in Pakistan first hand. We saw this during the overwhelming response from our Campus Challenge and how much these Scholarship opportunities really meant to these Students”

Free Fire is also behind FFPL, Pakistan’s First Professional Esports League, FFPL III is currently in it’s group stages, where the final 18 teams compete for a grand prize pool of PKR 10,000,000 & the chance to represent Pakistan in FFWS, the largest Free Fire tournament in the world, held later this year in Singapore with a grand prize pool worth $2 Million.

 

 

 

Infinix’s premier 5G smartphone, the ZERO 5G, now available for pre-orders

 

Infinix opens pre-orders for its first ever 5G smartphone, the ZERO 5G, from 28^th February until 6^th March 2022. The most highly anticipated 5G smartphone in Pakistan comes with a price tag of PKR 49,999 as well as a free gift of Infinix XE20 truly wireless headphones on XPark. Featuring the fifth-generation technology, the ZERO 5G not only provides high speed internet with a seamless connection, but also faster downloads and greater coverage.  Despite its premier 5G status, the ZERO 5G is compatible with all networks, including 2G, 3G, and 4G. 

Unveiling the company’s premier 5G smartphone model in Pakistan, Joe Hue, CEO Infinix Pakistan, stated, “We are excited for the launch of the ZERO 5G – a first of its kind smartphone by Infinix that had been years in the making. Infinix has once again pioneered the industry norms by offering the most premium devices equipped with cutting-edge technology and trendy design elements to its valued users across the globe.”

The Infinix ZERO 5G showcases a Uni-Curve design with a large 6.78 inch FHD+ 1080*2460 ultra-smooth display. In addition to being integrated with a 6nm MediaTek’s Dimensity 900 master processor, the ZERO 5G has a refresh rate of 120 Hz and a touch sampling rate of 240 Hz. This ensures superior performance of the ZERO 5G and gives users a smooth experience and a quicker response to touch input when browsing webpages, scrolling through social media, or playing action-packed games. The Wi-Fi 6 and 2x2 MIMO technology offers about 1.2Gbps connectivity speeds, allowing a greater gaming experience.

The Uni-Curve design is made up of a composite material that imitates the look and feel of glass, creating a device that feels premium to touch yet comfortable to hold. The ZERO 5G comes in three exciting colors: Cosmic Black, Horizon Blue, and Skylight Orange. It supports the Android^TM 11 operating system, with 6 GB Ram and 128 GB ROM.

The ZERO 5G features a crisp 48MP main camera with 30x ultra-zoom comprising of a 13MP portrait camera and 2MP virtual camera. The 30X 48MP zoom camera allows users to capture high-quality photos from a distance. With its 960 fps slow motion capabilities in video mode, the handset allows users to capture moments that even the human eye can miss. The front camera is 16MP Dual Flash Light coupled with enhanced artificial intelligence (AI) shooting technology that makes users look flattering in all angles and lighting conditions.

Infinix is committed to bringing its users a high quality smartphone experience, by prioritizing ease, innovation, and affordability in all of its tailored devices. The ZERO 5G carries a 5000mAh battery that lasts all day long, with a 33W super-fast charging capacity that is TUV-Certified for safe charging. 

Infinix ZERO 5G can now be booked for pre-order at Infinix’s official online store https://pk.xpark.com/

LCBDDA Receives 700 Million USD Investment Proposal of Pakistan’ First LNG Based Power Plant

 

Lahore Central Business District Development Authority (LCBDDA) also known as Central Business District (CBD) Punjab receives 700 million USD investment proposal from an engineering giant, Techno Engineering Services (TES) to build Pakistan’s first LNG based power plant.

The captive power plant is an embedded generation of uninterrupted power supply for Pakistan’s most anticipated business hub. The engineering firm tends to install 150 MW LNG plant which will use "waste heat recovery" process by reusing heat energy.

CBD Punjab has always backed cost effective and ecofriendly initiatives and LNG power plant fulfills theme of CBD Punjab ecofriendly approach. LNG is considered to be the cleanest fueling source which doesn't emit soot, dust or fumes and produces insignificant amount of sulfur dioxide making it very environment friendly.

Imran Amin – CEO LCBDDA stated, “Our aim is to provide best possible ecofriendly utilities to residents across CBD Punjab. Acquiring investment proposal from renowned engineering firms like TES is laudable. It is evidently visible that CBD Punjab has paved the road to enlist Pakistan in first world countries. CBD Punjab is dynamic in contributing to country’s economic growth. Keeping insight the deteriorating air index these ecofriendly utilities are a step towards a greener and breathable Punjab’’.

The canvas of CBD Punjab is massive which will be colored by sky scrapers, ultra-high-rise buildings and architectural masterpieces. Considering the weather conditions of Lahore, District Cooling System (DCS) is also proposed in the proposal.