April 2, 2018

Virgin Hyperloop One solidifies commitment to Vision 2030 through pod unveiling with His Royal Highness Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz and Richard Branson.

Virgin Hyperloop One to accelerate the realization of transformative technology and work with Saudi Arabia in becoming a global powerhouse of trade and innovation.

Mojave Desert, California, April 02, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — APRIL 1, 2018 – Executives from Virgin Hyperloop One (VHO) today hosted His Royal Highness Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz, Crown Prince and Minister of Defense of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia during his visit to Virgin Galactic test site in the Mojave desert. During his visit, HRH the Crown Prince unveiled the Vision 2030 Hyperloop Pod, further cementing the commitment between the Kingdom and VHO to bring hyperloop technology to Saudi Arabia.

“We’re look forward to advancing the relationship between KSA and VHO while we develop innovative transport technologies like hyperloop, accelerating Vision 2030 objectives to transform the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia from a technology consumer to a technology innovator” said His Royal Highness Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz. “Hyperloop is the catalyst to enable all 4^th generation technologies to flourish in the Kingdom while creating a vibrant society and thriving economy through visionary cities and high-tech clusters.”

With speeds 2-3 times faster than high-speed rail and an on-demand, direct to destination experience, hyperloop technology can reduce journey times across the kingdom, exponentially increasing connectivity across not only across KSA but throughout the GCC. Traveling from Riyadh to Jeddah would take 76 minutes (currently over 10 hours) utilizing the land bridge for both passenger and freight movement, positioning KSA as the gateway to 3 continents. Traveling from Riyadh to Abu Dhabi would take 48 minutes (currently over 8.5 hours).

“Our continued support from HRH and collaboration with Vision 2030 will allow the VHO system to connect with cities across the Kingdom turning commute times from hours into minutes” said Josh Giegel, Co-Founder and CTO of Virgin Hyperloop One. “It was an honor to host HRH the Crown Prince and advance our discussions around the implementation of the hyperloop system and Innovation Center facility, enabling Vision 2030 to nurture the nation’s entrepreneurial culture, and grow an innovative highly-skilled workforce through meaningful transfers of knowledge and technology.”

During the visit, Virgin Hyperloop One and HRH discussed how the hyperloop-enabled transportation sector in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia will stimulate economic growth and diversification of Saudi industries, nurture manufacturing and innovation sectors, and spur job growth in support of the country’s Vision 2030 plan increasing the GDP 1-2 percent across the Kingdom.

“We’ve started this journey through Virgin Hyperloop One partnership with the MiSK Foundation supporting bright, young Saudi talent through an internship exchange program at the company’s Innovation Campus in the United States.” said Virgin Hyperloop One CEO Rob Lloyd. “Today’s visit and discussions kick off the next phase that will make VHO a reality in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.”

For the photos, press fact sheet, and b-roll click here. Additional media images can be accessed here.

About Virgin Hyperloop One

Virgin Hyperloop One is the only company in the world that has built a fully operational hyperloop system. Our team has the world’s leading experts in engineering, technology, and transport project delivery, working in tandem with global partners and investors to make hyperloop a reality, now. Virgin Hyperloop One is backed by key investors including DP World, Caspian VC Partners, Virgin Group, Sherpa Capital, Abu Dhabi Capital Group, SNCF, GE Ventures, Formation 8, 137 Ventures, WTI, among others. For more information, visit www.virginhyperloopone.com.

Media Contacts

FTI Consulting

Hani Ukayli

hani.ukayli@fticonsulting.com

+1-617-893-5336, +966503815336

Virgin Hyperloop One

Ryan Kelly

Head of Marketing and Communications

press@hyperloop-one.com

+1-610-442-1896

Attachments:

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at http://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/ccb095e3-fc1f-4795-8456-e64104eb1b98

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at http://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/d4b90cff-7540-4415-b434-561eb415e5b3

Hani Ukayli
FTI Consulting
+1-617-893-5336, +966503815336
hani.ukayli@fticonsulting.com

Ryan Kelly
Virgin Hyperloop One
+1-610-442-1896
press@hyperloop-one.com

April 2, 2018

Telenor Pakistan’s partnership with Inbox Business Technologies advancing digital agriculture in Punjab

Islamabad, April 02, 2018 (PPI-OT): Telenor Pakistan, one of the country’s foremost telecom and digital services providers, and Inbox Business Technologies, a leading provider of technologies ensuring business agility in the digital age, continue to collaboratively lead the way in digitizing the agriculture sector of Punjab. The two organizations, working to achieve a shared mission of digital inclusion in Pakistan, joined hands to launch the Connected Agriculture Platform Punjab (CAPP) in December 2017, as part of the Government of Punjab’s ‘Empowerment of Kissan through Digital and Financial Inclusion’ initiative.

Under CAPP, a set of digital applications were launched in Urdu, Punjabi and Saraiki including CAPP Registration, Zarrai Mushwara, Zarrai Jantri, Mukaami Mosam and Kisaan TV. While additional applications such as Crop Calculator, Subsidy, Farm Supplies, and Mandi applications are under development and will be rolled out in coming months.

As part of the CAPP program, 110,000 plus eligible farmers will get 3G/4G enabled smartphones along with free SIMS and data bundles in the first phase. furthermore, Telenor and Inbox are jointly developing several of the critical applications and have established 72 fixed and mobile facilitation centers and booths in 36 Districts of Punjab to train and facilitate the farmers on application usage, as well as a call center to support farmers along with an ongoing ‘Most Connected Farmer (MCF)’ program to encourage farmers on how to maximize benefits from the digital platform.

CAPP’s results so far have been very encouraging. In the first two months alone, farmers have held over half a million sessions on the app with an average session length of over 40 minutes. Almost 20,000 farmers have registered on CAPP with over 200 more joining daily. Commenting on the partnership, Mr. Bilal Kazmi, CMO Telenor Pakistan, said, “Inbox is our strategic partner and has been instrumental in making this program become a reality. We are happy to be collaborating with technology leaders in Pakistan whom we share our social empowerment and digitization goals with.”

He further added that CAPP’s initial results are promising, giving Telenor the satisfaction that its efforts are coming to fruition and that the company is making a positive impact on Pakistan’s agriculture sector which remains the backbone of country’s economy and the key source of livelihood for millions of associated households.

Sharing his thoughts on the collaboration for CAPP, Mr. Mir Nasir, CEO Inbox Technologies, said, “The platform is revolutionizing the agriculture value chain in Pakistan. We have taken a user experience centric approach for the digital platform and its applications, enabling the farmer to get easy access to information and at the same time providing extensive visibility to the Department of Agriculture, Punjab. We are seeing more and more farmers getting on board, engaging with the platform and getting the benefits of digital inclusion.”

Lack of reliable information and unpredictable market forces means that there is immense potential for the industry to provide services which supplement growth of Pakistan’s rural segment. This technology-enabled mobile ecosystem built around accurate and timely information and genuine services would result in better farming practices leading to improved yield, water conservation and market-based economic growth and sustainable development which is the need of the hour.

CAPP will be rolled out to millions of farmers across Pakistan over the coming years, bringing critical mass to the digital agriculture revolution in the country and set the standard for using digital solutions to achieve the UN sustainable development goals (SDG’s) in Pakistan.

For more information, contact:
Corporate Communications Department
Telenor Pakistan
13-K, Moaiz Center, F-7 Markaz,
Islamabad, Pakistan
Tel: +92-51-111-345-700
Fax: +92-51-2651923
Email: press.center@telenor.com.pk
Website: www.telenor.com.pk

April 2, 2018

OPPO to launch F7 with 25MP front camera in Pakistan

Karachi, April 02, 2018 (PPI-OT): OPPO, the Selfie Expert and Leader is all set to introduce the new OPPO F7, powered by Artificial Intelligence (AI) as the latest addition to its Selfie Expert series. Focusing on innovative technology the new OPPO F7 is packed with a vast array of new features and benefits, further strengthening the company’s leadership position as the Selfie Expert and Leader amongst the Pakistan youth. The F7 will be launched on third week of April.

Commenting on the upcoming launch, Mr. George Long, CEO OPPO Pakistan, said, “As an evolving smartphone brand, OPPO aims to provide its users with something which is amazing and unique. We are confident that OPPO F7 featuring a 25 MP front camera with AI beautification technology will allow OPPO users to experience outstanding photography and will prove to be a game changer for the smartphone industry.”

OPPO introduced AI Beauty Recognition technology with the F5, making selfies more real, natural and personalized. Now, the OPPO F7 will further advance the technology with second-generation AI Beauty 2.0. It features a 25 MP front camera with real-time High Dynamic Range (HDR) technology, plus new features including AI Beauty 2.0, Cover Shot, and AR (Augmented Reality) Stickers. The OPPO F7 will not only take selfies to the next level, producing the most refined and vibrant photos, but also make them a lot more fun.

An Industry Leading 25 MP Front Camera

With the 25MP AI Beauty Front Camera and Real-time HDR Technology, images taken with the OPPO F7 will have a greater range of luminance levels when shot both in bright sunlight and shade. The contrast and colour range of the pixels are expanded to reveal more detailed, brighter and more vibrant selfies.

Sensor HDR Technology

Along with the power packed 25Mega Pixel front camera comes an industry first, inbuilt Sensor HDR feature. Taking the perfect selfie has never been easier with this attractive feature. The Sensor HDR technology is a default feature in the new OPPO F7 which will help you in clicking flawless selfies as it’s a combination of impeccable colours and incredible contrast. For the youth who is always busy uploading pictures on social media, the powerful hardware of OPPO F7 plays a major role as the imaging speed is faster resulting in a more colourful, clearer picture in varied light conditions. The HDR feature can also be used along with the A.I beauty mode for the consumers who are looking for the ideal selfie. This feature can be used both in taking a picture or capturing a video.

Other fun features on OPPO F7

The OPPO F7 introduces a lot many AI powered features which will make it your best accessory.

The AI Album which will automatically group photos by faces, places, and scenes on the basis of multiple search tags and editing tools. The other part of the AI Album is the new Moments feature will help the user quickly recall precious moments a photo was taken, for example, birthdays.

The AI Board feature which is a split-screen feature where the user can place his favourite apps. It intelligently sorts out key meetings and schedules, travel or movie tickets and e-commerce order status by recognizing emails and text messages.

The AI technology also powers F7 system management. The AI Manager allocates the processing power of the 64-bit 4GB Octa-core processor (6GB for the 128GB version) intelligently, making sure the phone runs at its best, 80 percent better than its predecessor – the F5. The AI also manages power usage, to allow for longer battery life.

For more information, contact:
OPPO Mobile Pakistan
Tel: +92-0800-06776
Media Queries: media@oppo.pk
Service: service@oppo.pk
Website: www.oppo.pk

April 2, 2018

Telenor Microfinance Bank partners with Thardeep Microfinance Foundation for advanced Disbursement/Repayment of loans

Karachi, April 02, 2018 (PPI-OT): Pakistan’s leading microfinance institution, Telenor Microfinance Bank, has entered into a partnership with Thardeep Microfinance Foundation (TMF), a leading Pakistani non-profit working for poverty alleviation, for swift and secure digital disbursals and repayment of credits to the beneficiaries in rural areas of the Sindh province.

Under the agreement, loan disbursements and repayments could now be conducted swiftly and securely over-the-counter through Easypaisa in such marginalized districts of the Sindh province as Tharparkar, Umerkot, Dadu, Jamshoro, Mirpurkhas, Sanghar, Hyderabad, Nawabshah, Naushahro Feroze, Tando Allahyar, Sujawal and Badin.

“We have always focused on empowering and financially including the marginalized segment of the Pakistani population at Telenor Bank,” said Mr. Shahid Mustafa, President and CEO – Telenor Microfinance Bank, “We recognize Thardeep as one of the leaders of digital transformation in the Microfinance sector and we are happy to work closely with them to try to move their loan disbursal and collection to the Easypaisa platform. Through this partnership we will be bringing underserved people into the fold of financial inclusion and freeing them of the conventional hassle associated with monetary transactions in these poorly connected areas.”

“We are pleased to have partnered with Telenor Bank to facilitate the people of rural Sindh in fast and hassle-free disbursal and repayment of loans,” said Dr. Sono Khangharani – CEO, Thardeep Microfinance Foundation. “As we work with a mission to enhance the choices of marginalized people achieve greater impact on reducing poverty by working with all stakeholders, this partnership will expedite our pursuit to these goals by bringing formal financial solutions to the previously unserved people.”

To ensure smooth operations, a comprehensive training session for Thardeep Microfinance Foundation field employees was also recently conducted by the Easypaisa team in Karachi. Up to 80,000 beneficiaries in the target districts will benefit from the partnership and So far 20,000 beneficiaries are targeted in the pilot disbursement. They will be converted into M-Wallet.

For more information, contact:
Head Office,
Telenor Microfinance Bank Limited
15-A Block 7-8 Central Commercial Area,
K.C.H.S Union, 75350, Karachi, Pakistan
UAN: +92-21-111-111-004, +92-21-111-826-337
Email: info@telenorbank.pk
Website: www.telenorbank.pk

April 2, 2018

Lahore Chamber to continue its untiring efforts to resolve issues of withholding tax on bank transactions, difficult taxation system, etc

Lahore, April 02, 2018 (PPI-OT): President of the Lahore Chamber of Commerce and Industry Malik Tahir Javaid has said that Lahore Chamber will continue its untiring efforts until and unless major hurdles like withholding tax on bank transactions, difficult taxation system, misuse of discretionary powers and traffic are resolved. He said that business community must have representation in parliament and national assembly that would be equally beneficial for both traders and economy.

He was talking to the delegation of traders, led by Baber Mahmood, here at the Lahore Chamber of Commerce and Industry. The LCCI Senior Vice President Khawaja Khawar Rashid also spoke on the occasion. Malik Tahir Javaid said that representation of business community in Parliament and National Assembly will ensure formulation of trade and industry friendly policies and help economy flourish with quicker pace.

The LCCI President termed the withholding tax on banking transaction a threat for trade and economic activities and once again demanded its withdrawal in the larger interest of the businessmen. He said that withholding tax on banking transactions is doing more harm than good and continuously affecting the business atmosphere in the country. “Issue of withholding tax is top of the list in the other miseries like disparity in taxation system, dual taxation, high input cost and delay in refunds that must be resolved according to the demand of the business community.

He said that business community has rejected withholding tax on banking transactions from the first day but concerned authorities are not ready to realize the ground realities. Malik Tahir Javaid said that though expansion of tax net is need of the hour but government would have to find out new ways to bring the untaxed sectors into the tax net. He said that measures like imposition of withholding tax on bank transactions are not doing any service to the economy as it has been observed that tax collection machinery has no authentic data to specify difference between filers and non-filers.

The LCCI President said that tax on all bank transactions has been imposed forcefully, that is not only hampering the trade and economic activities but is also tarnishing the soft image of the government. He said that a number of trade and industrial associations have approached to the LCCI and informed that imposition of tax on all banking transactions has caused unrest and put the interests of business community on stake. He said that imposition of this tax has forced business community to conduct its monetary transactions in cash that is promoting undocumented economy. Head of the delegation Baber Mahmood lauded the efforts of the Lahore Chamber of Commerce and Industry for the cause of business community and assured his best cooperation.

For more information, contact:
Information Department
Lahore Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI)
11-Shahrah-e-Aiwan-e-Tijarat,
Lahore -54000, Pakistan
Tel: +92-42-111-222-499
Fax: +92-42-36368854
Website: www.lcci.org.pk

April 2, 2018

All Pakistan Business Forum disappointed as OGRA advice of 6% oil rate cut rejected

Lahore, April 02, 2018 (PPI-OT): The All Pakistan Business Forum (APBF) president Ibrahim Qureshi has expressed its serious concern for not passing on full relief to the public of oil price cut in global market as the government rejected the OGRA’s recommendation of reducing petrol rate by Rs5.26, slashing the price by just Rs2 per litre.

He said that the OGRA had recommended in a summary to the government that the price of petrol be reduced by Rs5.26 per litre (6%), which could bring the rate down from Rs88 to Rs82 per litre. But the government unfortunately has reduced the prices of petrol and diesel by Rs2 per litre for the month of April 2018. It has maintained the prices of kerosene oil and LDO at the same level as in the month of March instead of announcing any decline in their rates.

He said that the domestic petroleum product prices in the country remained fluctuated upward and downward due to international oil pricing trend during the tenure of the present government and it failed to provide relief of reduction of the prices to the consumers and always tried to gain maximum benefit of the changes of these prices.

Ibrahim Qureshi said that the prices at the international level keep fluctuating in the last couple of years due to disturbance in the oil-producing countries and converting from oil to the other alternative sources of energy but the government in Pakistan only passed on hike in rates. Whenever prices came down the full benefit was not passed on to the public.

At present, two types of taxes are being charged from consumers – petroleum levy and general sales tax. The government is charging higher rate of general sales tax at 31% on high-speed diesel, which is widely used in agriculture and transport sectors, while 17% is being charged on other petroleum products. In addition, the government is charging Rs8 per litre petroleum levy on HSD, Rs10 per litre on petrol, Rs6 per litre on light diesel oil (LDO) and Rs3 per litre on kerosene oil.

Ibrahim Qureshi said that petroleum products rates were raised by over Rs19 per litre during last seven months consecutively on the recommendations of the regulators blindly but when it suggested the reduction it was not implemented fully.

He said that back in August 2017, the Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority had recommended the government to reduce the prices of petrol and high speed diesel by Rs 3.67 and Rs 5.07 per litre respectively for the month of August but the govt maintained the rates at previous level, instead of passing on benefit to the public. In the past too, the government did not pass on the full benefit of declining oil prices to the public by imposing heavy taxes.

For more information, contact:
Manager Admin,
All Pakistan Business Forum (APBF)
Suite # 908, 9th Floor, EDEN Heights,
6-Main Gulberg, Jail Road, Lahore, Pakistan
Tel: +92-42-35786767, +92-42-35088717
Cell: +92-321-4000479
E-mail: info@apbf.com.pk
Website: www.apbf.com.pk

April 2, 2018

Various Opportunities Available for the Promotion of Halal Tourism in Pakistan: Zubair Mughal

Lahore, April 02, 2018 (PPI-OT): Halal tourism is rapidly growing all over the world and facilitating the Muslim and non-Muslims on the Islamic principles. Halal Tourism volume will reach To 222 billion dollars by 2020. It was said by Mr. Muhammad Zubair Mughal, Chief Executive Officer, Halal Research Council during his speech at World Halal Summit 2018 at Manila – Philippines. The summit was organized by Ministry of Science and Technology Government of Philippines. More than 500 delegates participated in the event from all over the world.

While talking to the opening session of the summit, Mr. Muhammad Zubair Mughal said that tourism is the 4th largest industry in the world. There are various departments rapidly growing within the tourism industry i.e. Medical tourism, religious tourism, Agricultural, social and educational tourism. Above all, Halal tourism is the industry which is most rapidly increasing all over the world. According to the World Tourism Organization (WTO) tourism industry is growing 4% per annum.

Various other statistics forecast more than the above annual increase in the sector. Therefore, Halal tourism consists of 12% within the total Halal industry and Malaysia, UAE, Turkey, Indonesia and Thailand are categorically on top five countries. Non-Muslim countries are also working hard on their Tourist infrastructure to come into and to excel into Halal tourism market. Singapore, Thailand, UK, South Africa and Japan are on the top of the list.

He further added that in order to promote Halal industry the facilities are important like Halal hotels, food of the airlines, Halal tourism operators, Halal food in hotels, Mosques in the hotels, separate swimming pools for males and females etc. He said that Halal tourism is facing a few challenges i.e. Islam phobia in non-Muslim countries, non-availability of Islamic economic system, unavailability of international standards for halal tourism and infrastructure and enabling environment.

While talking at the summit, he added that there are ample opportunities available for the growth of halal tourism in Pakistan. There is full fledge Halal infrastructure available and ample natural beauty in the country. He said that tourism is rapidly increasing in Pakistan where 965,498 international tourists visited in 2016 to explore the country. And the number of tourists increased to 1,750000 in 2017 the figure is 80% more than the previous year. Halal tourism can further increase the figure.

For more information, contact:
Manager Communication
AlHuda Centre of Islamic Banking and Economics
1st Floor, 160-B, Ahmed Block, New Garden Town,
Lahore – Pakistan
Tel: +92-42-35913096-8, +92-42-38407850
Fax: +92-42-5913056
Cell: +92-332-4546946
Email: shaguftta.perveen@alhudacibe.com
Website: www.alhudacibe.com