ACCA focuses on building connectivity among bri countries with accounting infrastructure
The first workshop of the China-Central Asia Accounting Elites Exchange Programme officially kicked off at the Shanghai National Accounting Institute.
The programme, proposed jointly by the Shanghai National Accounting Institute (SNAI), the Central Asia Regional Economic Cooperation Institute (CI) and the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA), was announced as one of the important outcomes of the second Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation held in Beijing in April this year.
The programme consists of four workshops in a two-year cycle, targeting officials from departments in the accounting field in China and Central Asia, as well as professionals from companies, industry associations, accountancy firms and other accounting theory and practice circles. It will organise symposia, training sessions and field visits.
Nearly 30 experts from the accounting standards setting departments, accounting regulators, and accountancy profession of all 11 CAREC countries including China, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, and Georgia attended the first workshop.
Li Kouqing, President of SNAI, Iskandar Abdullaev, Deputy Director of CI and Ada Leung, Director of ACCA Greater China attended the opening ceremony and delivered speeches.
Speaking about the programme and ACCA’s continuous role in promoting opportunities around the Belt and Road Initiative, Sajjeed Aslam, head of ACCA Pakistan said, “China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) is a great economic opportunity for Pakistan. The accounting professionals have a duty to promote the ‘Belt and Road’ connectivity to assist governments and businesses to do more trade with other BRI countries. With strong presence in the region, ACCA will continue to play a leading role.”
In his speech, Li Kouqing said that strengthening the construction of ‘accounting infrastructure’ is vital for improving economic development.
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Focus on central asia to improve its accounting infrastructure
This July, Shanghai National Accounting Institute, joining hands with ZTE New Cloud Service Co Ltd and ACCA, and under the auspices of the institute’s ‘Belt and Road’ Accounting Research Centre, conducted research on accounting infrastructure in Central Asia to support the implementation of the programme.
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Join hands to build a knowledge exchange platform for accounting infrastructure
The implementation of the China-Central Asia Accounting Elites Exchange Programme is an achievement of joint efforts.
Iskandar Abdullaev, Deputy Director of CI, a regional international think tank for knowledge cooperation, said that since its establishment, CAREC has promoted trade and transportation in Central Asia, and improved the investment environment in Central Asia. Many efforts have been made to provide financing for some regional projects, making substantial progress and important contributions to the development of Central Asia.
CAREC programme is committed to promoting connectivity and achieving shared prosperity.
As a global professional accountancy body, ACCA also plays a key role as a super connector globally, conducting substantial work on preparation and research for the programme through its international network and expertise.
Ada Leung, Director, ACCA Greater China, said that ACCA is one of the pioneers in exploring the impact of the ‘Belt and Road’ Initiative on China, the global economy and the development of the accountancy profession.
The programme will also hold workshops in China and Central Asian countries in 2020 and 2021.
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PM Imran Khan presents PSX top companies award to Arif Habib Ltd
Arif Habib Limited (AHL), one of Pakistan’s leading and largest Brokerage and Investment Banking firms has been recognized amongst the Top 25 Companies by the Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX).
AHL is one of the six compani8es that have been recognized as a Top company for all of the last three years (2016, 2017 & 2018). The PSX Top 25 Companies award is evaluated based on capital efficiency, profitability, free float of shares, transparency, corporate governance & investor relations, compliance with listing of companies & securities regulations and dividend pay-outs.
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JS Bank and federal government ready to fight environmental pollution
JS Bank distributed canvas bags among the citizens as an alternative to polythene shopping bags to support the federal government implement initiatives aimed at combating climate change and its impacts, the Federal Minister for Climate Change – Zartaj Gul, Islamabad Capital Territory Administration.
The canvas bags distribution initiative was undertaken by Hamza Shafqaat, DC Islamabad, Noman Azhar, Head of Branchless Banking – JS Bank alongside their respective teams.
Hailing the ban on plastic bags, Noman Azhar said, “As a responsible institution, JS Bank wants to make a measurable difference in raising awareness to avoid the use of plastic for the sake of the environment and provide an alternative option to the general public.”
A normal plastic bag takes 400 to 1,000 years to degenerate and almost every piece of plastic ever produced still exists in some form in our environment. The amount of plastic waste has been increasing by 10pc each year for the past 20 years, and its accumulation poses grave threats to the well-being of all people worldwide.
Committed towards its role as a catalyst towards the progress and prosperity of Pakistan, the Bank hopes to continue this journey of impact by driving sustainable growth at all forums.
Hamza Shafqaat, DC Islamabad added “It is hard to get the general population to forgo plastic bags in Pakistan which contributes to ever growing waste problem. This initiative by JS Bank is an effective way to raise awareness among the masses and will help fight environmental pollution.
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KEC celebrates Quaid-E-Azam birthday, holds seminar on ‘salute to a great leader’
Karachi Editors Club (KEC) celebrated 144th Birthday of Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah (RA) in a befitting manner, this Wednesday. During the visit to Mazar-e-Quaid, various KEC members were wearing Jinnah Caps & Sherwanis. They paid homage to the Quaid with flower rings.
In the evening, the KEC organized a seminar titled “Salute to a Great Leader” at Beach Luxury Hotel Karachi to highlight Quaid’s vision, particularly to the young generation. On this occasion, KEC introduced “Quaid-e-Azam Excellence Awards” first time in the history of Pakistan. This year KEC awarded 12 Awards to different personalities and organizations to promote Quaid’s vision in addition to 20 mementos to acknowledge the services of individuals and media organizations for their cooperation in organising this event.
Mubasher Mir President KEC, Khawaja Razi Haider, Imran Samad President Sindh Bank, Mukhatr Aqil Senior Vice President KEC, Mian Abdul Majeed, Brig (Retd) Tariq Khalil, Dr Aliya Imam, Anwar Aqeel Jafri, Prof Syed Ali Abbas Abisi, Prof Saima Zaidi and Ustad Mazhar Umrao Bundu Khan addressed the seminar.
Cake-cutting ceremony was also performed by Indonesian Envoy Herian Yuliansyah along with Imran Samad President Sindh Bank, Senator, Abdul Haseeb Khan, Imran Rana Head of Corporate Communications PSO, Syed Ibne Hassan Head of Communication NBP and various other dignitaries on this occasion.
Manzar Naqvi Secretary General KEC, in his interviews on the occasion with various electronic media, said that KEC was formed three years before and started celebrations to pay homage to the Great Quaid and to spread vision of the Quaid to our young generation. He said the KEC will continue improved its activities in a more & more befitting manner on every following year, In Sha Allah. He thanked Pakistan State Oil (PSO), National Bank of Pakistan(NBP) and Engro Corporation Limited sponsored the event this year.
Khawaja Razi Haider, Sultana Siddiqui, Hum News, National Bank of Pakistan, Abdul Majeed, Dr. Aliya Imam, Anwar Shaoor, Renowned Poet, Senator Abdul Haseeb Khan, Yawar Mehdi, Engro Corporation, Pakistan State Oil (PSO) and Imran Samad, President Sindh Bank Limited were awarded “Quaid-e-Azam Excellence Awards” for promoting Quaid’s vision on this occasion while Brigadier (Retd) Tariq Khalil, Ustad Mazhar Umrao Bundu Khan, Prof Syed Ali Abbas Abidi, Prof Saima Zaidi, Anwar Aqeel Jafri, MD Pirana Advertising, Iqbal Sehwani, Home TV, Faiz Brohi, Awaz TV, Ghulam Nabi Morai, Mehran TV, Shaikh, Dharti TV, Sattar Habib, TNN Asia, Muhammad Tariq Ghouri, Reporter Dunya TV, Kamran Chouhan, Special Correspondent Abb Takk News, Yasir Saleem, Reporter News One TV, Kishman Sharif, Arena Multimedia, Adnan Malik, MD K-21 Network and Sayidah Fizzah Shakil, were presented Mementos to acknowledged their contribution in organising this prestigious ceremony.
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OLX and Bank Alfalah partner to promote auto and home financing
OLX, Pakistan’s number one marketplace has announced a strategic partnership with Bank Alfalah in the online car and real estate market with the aim to promote financing with the integration of a financing widget on OLX. A memorandum of understanding (MoU) was signed between the two companies at the OLX head office in Lahore.
Through this partnership the OLX customers will be able to apply and generate quotations instantly on auto and home finance packages offered by Bank Alfalah.
The MoU was signed by Bank Alfalah’s Head of Consumer Finance, Arif Raza and OLX CEO, Bilal Bajwa. This venture will expand the outreach of Bank Alfalah in the online car and real estate market and automate the purchase journey. The combined expertise of the companies will help save time, reduce hassle and create a seamless purchase & financing experience for customers.
The ceremony was also attended by Bank Alfalah’s Syed Muhammad Asif– Business Head, Unsecured Business Segment, Muhammad Waqas Rana– Head of Secured Product Management, Muhammad Shafique Nawaz– Head of Secured Portfolio, Javed Amir– National Sales Manager, Auto Loan, Ahmed Hassan– Manager Product Development, Auto Loan and Adil Zaidi– Manager, Auto Loan Product Management. Representing OLX were Farhan Khan– Head of Sales, Waheed Ibrahim– Monetization Manager and Muhammad Anwer Khawaja– Manager, Digital Sales and Partnerships.
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PMEX signs accord with cloudasset to digitize payments
Pakistan Mercantile Exchange (PMEX), country’s first and only multi-commodity futures exchange, signed an agreement with Cloudasset on December 16, 2019. Under this agreement, Cloudasset will provide a unified digital transaction service platform to PMEX. This platform will be based on cloud native technologies that will seamlessly integrate all forms of financial systems, methods and tools to rapidly enable digital payments initiation and acceptance services.
Mr. Ejaz Ali Shah, Managing Director of PMEX, speaking on the occasion said, “We are delighted to collaborate with Cloudasset for digitising all aspects of payments at the Exchange. This will help our market participants to settle transactions in real-time and track credit and debit flows with end-to-end transparency and convenience domestically and internationally. We are confident that this initiative will boost the confidence of the market participants to invest, trade and hedge in futures commodities at a regulated platform.”
Commenting on the occasion, Mr. Hasan Malik, CEO Cloudasset, said, “We are proud to work with the Pakistan Mercantile Exchange to digitize their global payments and the flow of funds. P3 global platform will provide real time payments with international fulfillment and settlement making transactions carried out at the exchange and its partners faster than ever before. P3 provides PMEX enhanced control over costs with complex orchestration of payment flows extending their reach to new markets, international exchanges as well as domestic payment processing.”
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SSGC-behbud joins hand for funding vocational training project
SSGC has joined hands with Behbud Association to help develop the skills of its students by providing monetary support to the reputed NGO to facilitate its students in development vocational training skills.
The monetary assistance provided by SSGC, as part of its CSR initiatives, would help fifty of its students to develop proficiency in computers and sewing and knitting skills.
In this regard, a cheque handing over ceremony was held at the Behbud School. Imran Farookhi, SSGC’s DMD (Corporate Services) presented the cheque to the Behbud President Naheed Viqar Salahuddin. The event, organized by the CSR team of SSGC, kicked off with a Back to Basics awareness session conducted by the Company’s Corporate Communications team for the students of Behbud Association. The session aimed at imparting the knowledge needed to not only conserve gas but also use it wisely given the widening demand-supply gap.
Speaking on the occasion of the ceremony, Imran Farookhi DMD (CS), SSGC emphasized on conserving gas while communicating the current situation of depleting gas reserves due to gas wastage as well as theft. He said that it is the responsibility of each citizen to use gas in a responsible manner. In his remarks, Shahbaz Islam, GM (Corporate Communications) stressed on the importance of developing the right mindset and skills of the younger generation, who would become the influencers of tomorrow. The SSGC team commended the entire team of Behbud for the remarkable work they have been doing and encouraged the youngsters present to continue working hard and to make the most of the opportunities they have been blessed with. The Behbud management later took the SSGC team on a guided tour of the facility.
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Thuraya Signs Strategic Partnership Agreement with Rockville Technologies to Boost Satellite IoT & M2M Communication Services
Thuraya Telecommunications Company, a subsidiary of the Al Yah Satellite Communications Company (Yahsat), last week announced it has signed a Service Partner agreement with Rockville Technologies (Pvt.) Ltd, one of the leading system integrators and IoT/M2M solution providers in Pakistan. The partnership will expand the availability of Thuraya’s products and services across key vertical markets within the country.
Headquartered in Islamabad, Pakistan with offices in Kuwait, UAE, KSA, Sri Lanka, Bulgaria and Turkey, Rockville has developed a diversified portfolio of technologies and telecom solutions since its founding in 2002. The company is already associated with more than 25 top telecom GSM operators and now its first-class integration capabilities complement Thuraya’s renowned satellites and network portfolio of M2M, IoT and Data services.
Shawkat Ahmed, Chief Commercial Officer of Thuraya, said: “Thuraya is pleased to welcome Rockville Technologies as a Service Partner. Nowadays, customers demand solutions that go beyond standard connectivity enabling seamless services without any coverage gaps. Pakistan is opening up to Foreign Direct Investment, with a number of important projects earmarked for the next 5 years in maritime, energy, transportation, tourism and logistics sectors. Offering uniform connectivity across 160 countries, Thuraya is best positioned to tap into this fast growing market. The partnership with Rockville will further enhance our commitment to key sectors, including M2M/IoT and Maritime.”
On this Agreement signing ceremony Abrar Ali Khan who is the Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Rockville Technologies said: “We have always tried to come up with unique solutions by using cutting edge technologies to address market need as well as solve day-to-day unique challenges faced by our customers. We are very positive that this collaboration will add significant value for our customers and will help us drive innovation in the Pakistani market. There is a dire need of satellite as well as hybrid (GSM-Satellite) monitoring and tracking based solutions in the region considering the scale of mega projects such as CPEC. By joining hands with Thuraya we will be able to tap this huge segment and become market lead solutions provider when it comes to provisioning of a Satellite based monitoring and tracking solutions.”
The strategic agreement is a key milestone in Thuraya’s plans to drive growth in its M2M and IoT business. It will further expand market potential by offering bespoke satellite communication solutions to a diversified customer base.