K-Electric wins Best Corporate Solar Sustainability Program Award in Abu Dhabi
K-Electric (KE) won the best project award in the category of ’Corporate Solar Sustainability Program of the year’ at the Middle East Solar Industry Association’s (MESIA) Solar Awards 2018 as part of World Future Energy Summit held in Abu Dhabi.
KE is the first Pakistani company to receive this prestigious award, a testament to the power utility’s efforts in implementing alternate-energy efficient policies and using effective solar technologies as part of its energy efficiency and conservation initiative.
The ceremony was jointly organized by MESIA and World Future Energy Submit (WFES) as part of the Abu Dhabi Sustainability week which was held this year from Jan 15th to 19th at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Center.
Over two hundred and fifty industry professionals from across the MENA region were present to celebrate the innovation and advancement in the solar industry and appreciate companies for taking steps towards sustainable energy. K-Electric’s Head of Energy Conservation department Syed Faisal Ahmed was present at the event along with the KE project team to receive this prestigious award.
Mr. James Stewart Acting President of the Middle East Solar Industry Association while recognizing the efforts of K-Electric said, “The Middle East Solar Awards are the industry’s premier awards that serve as a platform to highlight achievements in the MENA region’s solar market. K-Electric has taken the lead in implementing sustainable and environmental friendly solar practices which is appreciable and exemplary for other companies in Pakistan and the MENA region.” This year was the sixth annual event serving as a platform to recognize and celebrate exceptional talent and achievements in the MENA solar market.
The annual World Future Energy Summit (WFES) is the foremost platform dedicated to the innovation and digitalization trends that are key to transformation in the global energy mix and attracts project developers, distributors, innovators, investors and purchasers from across the globe to come together and discover new solutions to the world’s growing energy challenges.
Spokesperson K-Electric added, “We are honored to see that our efforts have been endorsed by esteemed international organizations and appreciated by regional stakeholders. This award will further encourage us to implement practices in compliance with international safety and environmental standards under the ISO 50001 Energy Management System and promoting Solar Photovoltaic technology.”
In line with its commitment of diversifying the power generation pool, KE recently initiated the Energy Purchase Agreement (EPA) for the 50MW solar power project with Oursun Pakistan, while adapting PV solar power generation implementation, which is environment friendly and will be a good mix to the overall power generation capacity of KE.
KE is committed to ensuring the provision of affordable and reliable energy solutions and actively promotes use of renewable energy for its own usage. The power utility has invested USD 1.4 billion and added 1,057 Megawatts in its generation capacity since 2009.
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IBA Holds Lecture on ’Business Cycle: Expectations and Fallouts’
The Institute of Business Administration (IBA), Karachi organized a lecture with Dr. Carmelo Ferlito, as a part of its Distinguished Lecture Series last Wednesday. He shared his views on the topic “Business Cycle: Expectations and Fallouts”.
Dean & Director IBA, Dr. Farrukh Iqbal welcomed the chief guest and audience and highlighted the significance of the lecture session.
Dr. Carmelo Ferlito (Verona, Italy, 1978) is a Senior Fellow at the Institute for Democracy and Economic Affairs (IDEAS) in Kuala Lumpur and an Adjunct Faculty Member at INTI International College Subang in Subang Jaya.
He has earned a Master in Economics (2003) and a Ph.D. in Economic History (2007) from the University of Verona in Italy. Dr. Ferlito has authored five books and more than thirty scientific papers. He is not only a scholar, but has also developed a strong business background, working in Southeast Asia, enhancing the regional business for multinational companies producing equipment for the poultry industry.
Dr. Ferlito discussed concepts related to the topic which included the perception of people of the economic policies and the future speculation and their effects on the business cycle. He also discussed the effects of interest rates on the saving propensity of the public and as a result the level of inflation in an economy.
He shed light on the expectations and assumptions regarding people’s reaction towards uncertainties and objective facts. He talked about his papers and publications. Furthermore, he also expressed his thoughts about the redundancy of the Central Banks and how it’s going to solve a lot of economic issues.
The ceremony concluded with a vote of thanks by the Dean & Director IBA, Dr. Farrukh Iqbal.
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IBA in Collaboration with Martin Dow Inaugurates Health Centre
The Institute of Business Administration (IBA), Karachi in collaboration with Martin Dow inaugurated a dedicated health facility at its main campus on Tuesday. The Health Centre has been set up to provide quality healthcare facilities for IBA staff, students and faculty alike and will be operational six days a week.
Dean & Director IBA, Dr. Farrukh Iqbal welcomed the chief guest and audience and highlighted that IBA is more than just a business school. For the past 20 years the IBA has a strong Computer Science department and recentlythe varsity has diversified to become a premier institution of higher education in many other disciplines as well.
Mr. A. Sattar Akhai, Group Chairman Martin Dow, graced the occasion as the chief guest and inaugurated the facility by unveiling the plaque followed by ribbon cutting and recitation of holy verses. The event was attended by prominent personalities from the corporate world, the IBA graduates, faculty and students.
Acknowledging the generous contribution of Rs. 30 million from Martin Dow in setting up the clinic, Dr. Iqbal said: “The Health Centre is already making a difference to the care and comfort of staff and faculty.”
Mr. Sattar Akhai Group Chairman Martin Dow said: “I am honored to be opening this Health Centre for the members of the IBA family. I understand that the routine in educational institute can be rigorous and can easily take a toll on your health. Hence it will take care of first-aid, emergency and the counseling needs here at IBA.”
Martin Dow, one of the largest locally owned pharmaceutical groups in Pakistan, has collaborated with Pakistan’s top business school, IBA, to provide quality healthcare facilities for its students, faculty and staff. The clinic will provide the students of IBA with high quality medical facilities at the campus which will address the concern of medical needs during the rigorous academic schedules of the students throughout the study years.
Providing first aid, emergency services and counselling sessions, the Health Centre became operational on August 18, 2017 and has served hundreds of incoming patients since then. Having more than 16 years of medical experience, Dr. Shakeel Rao of Rajput General Hospital, Karachi remains available at the clinic from 9am till 5pm from Monday to Friday.
The ceremony concluded with a memorabilia presentation to Mr. A. Sattar Akhai and vote of thanks by the Dean & Director IBA, Dr. Farrukh Iqbal.
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Dubai tourism and Shah Rukh Khan recreate the #bemyguest magic
(Dubai’s Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing (Dubai Tourism) proudly revealed last week the much-awaited #BeMyGuest campaign video, featuring Bollywood Baadshah Shah Rukh Khan. While the first video, which took YouTube by storm last year, featured Shah Rukh Khan surprising residents and visitors around Dubai, this year Shah Rukh Khan explores what he considers to be his second home and takes viewers on a fascinating, multi-faceted journey through the city of endless possibilities.
Marking the first-ever collaboration between Shah Rukh Khan and acclaimed Bollywood director Kabir Khan, the newly launched 2.0 #BeMyGuest portrays Shah Rukh Khan’s journey across a series of short films that see him taking visitors to Dubai through a multifaceted destination that holds global brand appeal in much the same way he does as an actor. Shah Rukh Khan reaches out to his legions of fans across the globe, and introduces them to the lives of four different characters, and how he personalises each of their experiences of Dubai by injecting the warmth and spirit of the city that resonate with him, yet each customised to the needs of every visitor. The stories allow audiences to explore Dubai and its variety and diversity of stunning tourist offerings, with SRK in his signature style leading them to create new memories and rekindle old ones in the city.
The miniseries with a hero compilation has been shot across picturesque and iconic locations in the city, including Dubai’s incredible range of theme parks – specifically covering LEGOLAND® Dubai and Bollywood ParksTM Dubai; signature locations such as the Dubai Aquarium, Dubai Fountain and The Palace Downtown Dubai; and reveals secret treasures that showcase the stunning range of Dubai’s liberating land scapes, such as the mountainous Hatta region.
Shah Rukh Khan commented, “Last year I invited my fans around the world to “Be My Guest” while giving them a glimpse into my Dubai, as part of this exciting partnership with Dubai Tourism. This year, along with one of Bollywood’s most recognised directors, Kabir Khan, we’re taking that partnership further to exploring new places and attractions but with the signature essence of Dubai that truly makes it a place where every visitor can feel like they belong to even greater heights. I love this amazing city and I’m really looking forward to once again sharing my experiences with my fans.”
Conceptualised with the aim to strengthen the connection and cultural links between Dubai and the subcontinent, the video underlines the importance of the audiences from the subcontinent and the vast Diaspora as the top source markets for inbound and repeat visitation to the emirate. Dubai hopes to use this campaign to further drive first-time visits from the market bases, as well as increase the propensity of those that have visited to come more often by showcasing an ever evolving tourism proposition.
Issam Kazim, CEO, Dubai’s Corporation for Tourism and Commerce Marketing (DCTCM), says, “We are delighted to partner with Mr. Shah Rukh Khan once again for the new edition of this very special project, #BeMyGuest. There is no one quite like him – with his charisma, global appeal, and most importantly because he truly considers Dubai to be his second home and shares so many similarities with what Dubai stands for. Our video last year that saw Shah Rukh surprise and delight people in Dubai, garnered great response from across the world, but that was only the beginning of our journey.”
He continued: “This time around, we continue to celebrate this strong bond by capturing Shah Rukh Khan directly exploring the city and what it has to offer to audiences across different age groups and demographics. We are also very pleased to work with Mr. Kabir Khan for the first time, as he has brought to life Dubai’s extensive tourism proposition, while weaving in Shah Rukh’s unique relationship with the city. We look forward to sharing this series with our global audiences and the international dispora as well as the wider global fanbase of Shah Rukh Khan.”
Talking about this collaboration, director Kabir Khan added, “It’s been an absolute dream come true to work on this campaign with such power house names. I have always aspired to work with Shah Rukh, the charisma he brings to every shot is admirable, while Dubai has been one of my favourite cities to visit. In these films, we’ve done our best to capture the essence of Dubai, from its stunning locations to its welcoming hospitality. After working so closely with both Dubai Tourism and Shah Rukh Khan, I can confidently call Dubai my home and cannot wait to be back.”
To celebrate #BeMyGuest collaboration with Shah Rukh Khan, flydubai has a special offer for flights to Dubai.
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First 1st Chinese conference on skill & vocational trainings in Karachi
The First Conference & Expo on Chinese Higher Education and Skill & Vocational Training is being held on 24th, 25th & 26th April, 2018, at the Pearl-Continental Hotel Karachi. Government officials and stakeholders in both countries believe that the Pakistan’s skill-training institutions & infrastructure can benefit tremendously, by introducing the advanced Chinese methodology and resources, to modernize their programmes and achieve optimum results.
The “China Pakistan Business & Investment Promotion Council” and “Ecommerce Gateway Pakistan (Pvt.) Ltd” are major partners in this mega initiative, which is being orchestrated by China’s Top-50 Chinese institutions, specializing in workforce training and development. This is the first of its kind event in which China’s top ranking trainers and institutions present their strategies and seek joint-ventures with Pakistani Institutes and organizations. For more details, please visit: www.chinatechedu.com.
As China has launched a global initiative named ’One Belt One Road’ (OBOR) – It is working with Pakistan to develop a trans-national infra-structural project named: ’Pak-China Economic Corridor’ (CPEC). As part of this corridor, nearly a dozen ’Special Economic Zones’ (SEZ) are being built in Pakistan. Abundant qualified workforce will be nurtured through the vocational training initiative, to manage smooth and uninterrupted operations along the CPEC route.
Chinese OBOR has officially announced that CPEC is now a part of China’s national strategy. Nearly 80% of all employments in 9 Special Economic Zones (SEZ) will have to be filled by Pakistani workforce. Hence, more than 800,000 fresh employment-opportunities for skilled manpower will be created in these projects, over the coming years.
The President of E-commerce Gateway – Dr Khursheed Nizam stated that: According to a comprehensive research conducted by Chinese TVTC experts; the current status of Vocational and Skill training is not good enough, to meet the high standards & pace of development required by the Chinese government. Therefore, at this juncture, it is very important to improve and create skill-development facilities in Pakistan, by engaging Chinese Trainers and experts. Special focus should be on major cities like; Karachi, Hyderabad, Gawadar, Quetta, Lahore, Gilgit and Islamabad.
Pakistan’s largest exhibition-organizer – “Ecommerce Gateway” has played a key role in inspiring the relevant Chinese Institutions to work in Pakistan, by creating linkages between academia of both countries. During their numerous visits they have devised a strategy to deploy advanced technologies & knowledge to create better human resources in Pakistan, for managing the operational and manufacturing sectors. The Chinese TVTC authorities have agreed that the first step is to have a chain of exhibitions and conferences. Currently, E-commerce Gateway Pakistan already invites more than 7,000 Chinese businessmen and trade visitors every year, for its different exhibitions and conferences.
The key organizers of this event includes: the Rizhao Polytechnic college and the Binzhou Polytechnic institution. Rizhao Polytechnic is an award-winning college of higher vocational & technical training in China, since 1988. Built on 384,300 square meters in China, it has also established 541 Off-campus bases, by collaborating with 12 countries and 21 foreign universities. It has already trained more than 84,000 personnel, with its graduates having an average employment rate of over 94 percent.
The Binzhou Polytechnic is the leading institution in Shandong, with a vast campus built on an area of 803,500 sq.meters, to teach practical and valuable subjects, covering; technology, agriculture, vocational skills, etc.
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NBP Distribution of Profit on PLS Deposits/Other Deposits for the half year ended December 31, 2017
Profit for the half year ended December 31, 2017 on Profit & Loss sharing Deposits and Other Deposits has been distributed at the following rates: –
1. PLS Deposits: | |||||
Title of Accounts | Declared Rates (01-07-2017 to 31-12-2017) | ||||
1) Special Notice Deposit’s 7 to 30 days’ Notice | 3.75% p.a. | ||||
2) Saving Account’s | 3.75% p.a. | ||||
3) Term Deposit’s | |||||
a) Three months | 3.75% p.a. | ||||
b) Six months | 3.85% p.a. | ||||
c) One year | 4.15% p.a. | ||||
d) Two years | 4.35% p.a. | ||||
e) Three years | 4.65% p.a. | ||||
f) Four years | 4.95% p.a. | ||||
g) Five years | 5.15% p.a. | ||||
h) Above five years | 5.55% p.a. | ||||
4) NIDA | 3.75% p.a. | ||||
2. NBP Premium Aamdani Certificate: | |||||
Monthly Income Scheme Period | Declared Rates (01-07-2017 to 31-12-2017) | ||||
1st Year (from 1 to 12th months) | 5.80% | ||||
2nd Year (from 13 to 24th months) | 6.10% | ||||
3rd Year (from 25 to 36th months) | 6.30% | ||||
4th Year (from 37 to 48th months) | 6.95% | ||||
5th Year (from 49 to 60th months) | 7.50% | ||||
3. NBP PLS Plus Term Deposit Certificate: | |||||
“Annual profit rates with payment at maturity” | |||||
Period | Rs.1 to Rs.499,999 | Rs.0.5 M to Rs.99.99 M | Rs.100 M to Rs.499.99 M | Rs.500 M to Rs.999.99 M | Rs.1,000 M to 5,000 M |
01 Year | 5.75% | 5.80% | 5.85% | 5.90% | 5.95% |
2 Years | 6.05% | 6.10% | 6.15% | 6.20% | 6.25% |
3 Years | 6.80% | 6.85% | 6.90% | 6.95% | 7.00% |
4 Years | 7.80% | 7.85% | 7.90% | 7.95% | 8.00% |
5 Years | 8.65% | 8.70% | 8.75% | 8.80% | 8.85% |
6 Years | 9.30% | 9.35% | 9.40% | 9.45% | 9.50% |
7 Years | 10.30% | 10.35% | 10.40% | 10.45% | 10.50% |
8 Years | 11.30% | 11.35% | 11.40% | 11.45% | 11.50% |
9 Years | 12.30% | 12.35% | 12.40% | 12.45% | 12.50% |
10 Years | 13.30% | 13.35% | 13.40% | 13.45% | 13.50% |
4. NBP Premium Saver Account: | |||||
“As per Product Policy” | |||||
Description | Declared Rates From 01-07-2017 to 31-12-2017 | ||||
Up to Rs. 1,000,000 | 4.75% p.a. | ||||
Above Rs. 1,000,001 | 3.75% p.a. |