ورلڈفری زون آرگنائزیشن جیانگ ڈونگ نیو ایریا، ہائیکو میں ایشیا-پیسفک صدر دفاتر قائم کرے گا

ہائیکو، چین، 21 مارچ 2019ء/سنہوا-ایشیانیٹ/– ورلڈ فری زون آرگنائزیشن (ورلڈ FZO) نے اپنے-پیسفک صدر دفاتر کے قیام کے لیے ہائیکو کا انتخاب کیا ہے، جو ہائنان پائلٹ فری ٹریڈ زون (FTZ) (تیسرے بیچ) کے تعمیراتی منصوبوں میں سے ایک ہے۔ ورلڈ FZO کے ایشیا-پیسفک صدر دفاتر جیانگ ڈونگ نیو ایریا، ہائیکو میں صدر دفاتر کے لیے مخصوص علاقے میں واقع ہونا طے ہے۔

جنیوا میں رجسٹرڈ اور دبئی میں صدر دفاتر رکھنے والی ورلڈ فری زون آرگنائزیشن (ورلڈ FZO) گہرے عالمی اثرات رکھتی ہے۔ ورلڈ FZO کا اجراء 14 FTZs نے کیا تھا بشمول شنگھائی فری ٹریڈ زون اور دبئی ایئرپورٹ فری زون۔ ورلڈ FZO میں لگ بھگ 100 ممالک اور خطوں کے اراکین شامل ہیں اور کئی اہم بین الاقوامی انجمنوں، بشمول ورلڈ ٹریڈ آرگنائزیشن (WTO)، کے ساتھ طویل المیعاد اور مستحکم تعاون رکھتا ہے۔

لی گوانگ لیان، ورلڈ FZO کے چینی دفتر کے ڈائریکٹر جنرل، نے تعارف کروایا کہ ورلڈ فری زون آرگنائزیشن ہائیکو میں قدم جمائے گی، تاکہ چین کے FTZs، بالخصوص ہائنان FTZ اور ہائنان فری ٹریڈ پورٹ، کی ترقی کو بہتر انداز میں مدد دے۔ یہ حکومتوں، اداروں اور سرمایہ کاروں کو متعلقہ خدمات فراہم کرے گا، چین میں متعلقہ صنعتوں کی ترقی میں مدد دے گا، باہمی سرمایہ کاری کو آزاد کرنے اور سہولت دینے کے عمل کو مضبوط کرے گا، اقتصادی عالمگیریت کو فروغ دے گا اور ہائیکو کو دنیا کے دیگر حصوں کے ساتھ چین کی رابطہ کاری اور تعاون کے لیے گزرگاہ بنائے گا۔

انہوں نے مزید کہا کہ، منصوبے کے مطابق، ورلڈ FZO کے ایشیا-پیسفک صدر دفاتر خطے کے لیے انتظامی مرکز ہوں گے، اور دبئی صدر دفاتر کے چند کاروباری معاملات سے بھی نمٹیں گے۔ یہ بین الاقوامی آزاد تجارت کے لیے مرکز قائم کریں گے، اور دنیا کے بڑے FTZs اور متعلقہ اداروں کو یہاں علاقائی دفاتر قائم کرنے کی ترویج دیں گے۔ ایک ورلڈ فری زونز پر ایک تحقیقی مرکز قائم کیا جائے گا جو فری زونز پر تحقیق کرے گا اور تربیت فراہم کرے گا، تاکہ چین کے FTZs کے لیے معیارات مرتب کیے جائیں اور چین کے FTZs پر ڈیٹا جمع اور مرتب کیا جائے۔ یہ جامعات، انجمنوں اور ماہرین کے ساتھ تعاون کرے گا جنہوں نے FTZs پر گہری تحقیق کی ہو،یوں FTZ انجمنوں کے لیے ہائنان اوپن یونیورسٹی قائم کرے گا۔ FTZs پر ایک عالمی ابلاغی مرکز اور ایک انفارمیشن ہب بھی قائم کیا جائے گا۔ ہائیکو میں ایک مستقل ورلڈ FTZ (چین) فورم، اور FTZ ڈیولپمنٹ فنڈ کے قیام کے لیے بھی کوششیں کی جائیں گی۔

ذریعہ: شہری حکومت ہائیکو شہر

SSGC signs MoU with top academia to expand R and D domain

Karachi, March 21, 2019 (PPI-OT): SSGC has embarked on an Industry-Academia Collaboration Drive and in this regard signed Memorandums of Understanding with some of Pakistan’s top academic institutions including NED University of Engineering and Technology (NEDUET), Karachi, Dawood University of Engineering and Technology (DUET), Karachi, Mehran University of Engineering and Technology (MUET), Jamshoro, Balochistan University of Information Technology, Engineering and Management Sciences (BUITEMS), Quetta and Sukkur IBA. The objective behind this initiative is to bridge the gap between the Academia and Industry especially in the R and D domain. The MoU signing ceremony was graced with the presence of higher ups from respective Universities including Registrars, Dean of Faculties/Head of Departments and faculty members.

SSGC’s DMD (Corporate Services) Imran Farookhi, inked the MoUs with universities on behalf of SSGC and said that this event has set a significant milestone for a closer research collaboration among the industry and academia. Amir Mumtaz, ASGM (GS) presented the vote of thanks and added that the relationship between Industry and Academia should be a symbiotic one, where two entities would work in close coordination with one another.

In their remarks, representatives from academia highly appreciated this initiative taken by SSGC’s senior management and expressed their commitment to present solutions towards issues it is faced with. They added that over the years, universities have developed a strong foothold in applied research and have highly qualified faculty researchers in their ranks, which, in turn, is a win-win situation for both the universities and academia.

For more information, contact:
Chief Manager (Media Relations)
Sui Southern Gas Company Limited (SSGC)
Corporate Communication Department (Media Relations)
ST-4/B, Block 14, Sir Shah Suleman Road,
Gulshan-e-Iqbal, Karachi
Tel: +92-21-99021773, +92-21-99021000
Fax: +92-21-99231662
Cell: +92-322-2225159
Email: inayatullah@ssgc.com.pk, info@ssgc.com.pk
Web: www.ssgc.com.pk

Civil Society, Youth and Media Join Hands to Step up and Address Climate Change

Karachi, March 21, 2019 (PPI-OT): Oxfam in Pakistan in collaboration with Youth Parliament Pakistan organized a media dialogue to address the issue of climate change and the its effects on urban and rural populations in Pakistan. The dialogue was an opportunity to promote journalists as leaders to raise awareness around climate change, empower people and educate the public on climate change towards shaping public policy. Over 35 renowned climate journalists, editors, anchors and reporters, gathered to discuss, plan and develop a strong partnership to address the issue as Pakistan is the 7th most vulnerable country to climate change according to the Global Climate Risk Index.

In his welcome address, Oxfam in Pakistan’s Country Director, Mohammed Qazilbash said, “Climate change is already forcing millions of people from their land and homes, and putting many more at risk of displacement in the future.

Though Climate Change is a global phenomenon, we need to raise awareness at every level and media plays a significant role in its ability to decode, communicate and highlight the challenges this environmental issue. The aim of our dialogue is to work hand-in-hand with the media, the government and all stakeholders towards an inclusive, sustainable and resilient Pakistan.” He explained how Oxfam in Pakistan works with local groups, media, academia, private sector, think tanks and the government, to improve livelihoods, build resilience, provide humanitarian aid, create safer communities and promote economic and gender justice.

Senator (R) Mr. Javed Jabbar stressed the importance of all sectors of the government, civil society and NGOs working together to combat the negative impacts of climate change. He stated, “Constructive cooperation between media channels is needed. One channel should focus on pollution, while another covers deforestation, so that there is no duplication of efforts and all environmental issues are addressed. There is a direct impact of population on the environment and media should highlight this topic. If the media focuses on two areas water and waste, then the impacts of climate change will be addressed.”

The need to integrate the efforts of the government, media and civil society organizations at the district, provincial and national level was raised during the dialogue. Participants stressed the need to establish mechanisms, lifestyle changes and mindsets that guarantee that the issue of climate change is not only emphasized but mitigation measures are executed as well.

The Chairman of the Youth Parliament Rizwan Jaffar emphasized the role of youth in many events, projects and television shows on climate change. He announced the launch of the second annual Conference of Youth on Climate Change – COY2 Pakistan from 18th March to 22nd March in Karachi, Lahore, Islamabad, Peshawar, Quetta, Muzaffarabad and Hyderabad. Mr. Jaffar said “Over 200 youth from all over the county will join together with leading government authorities, environment experts, Oxfam and intellectuals to create awareness on Climate Change in Pakistan and work together for a better future.”

The event culminated with the formation of a media on climate change. Journalists have the unique ability to help accelerate climate action through advocacy and education, but their potential to help achieve the global climate goals remains largely untapped. A number of important organizations have recognized the need to educate and empower a broad range of journalists to be more effective at communicating about the complexities of climate science and about the societal and economic impacts of a warming climate.

Oxfam believes in the reportage of key development issues and enhancing the capacity of media to talk about these issues. Practical strategies, insightful tips and professional resource networking remained the key elements of the dialogue which included reporting, engaging in active field work, fact checking, creating human interest stories around climate change and social issues, sustaining discussions on identified challenges, and pushing for policy change and its implementation through investigative reporting for more meaningful and enduring impact.

For more information, contact:
Oxfam International
Oxfam House, John Smith Drive,
Oxford OX4 2JY, United Kingdom
Phone: +44-1865-780-100
Website: www.oxfam.org

Standard Chartered launches first-ever global Running event along the Belt and Road

Karachi, March 21, 2019 (PPI-OT): Standard Chartered announced the launch of the Standard Chartered Belt and Road Relay, the first-ever global running event spanning the Belt and Road initiative, with the aim of highlighting the Bank’s continued commitment to Belt and Road, and the positive impact of the initiative to communities and businesses globally.

The Relay will be led by eight staff athletes from Standard Chartered, selected from the Bank’s diverse footprint in Asia, Africa, the Middle East, and Europe and the Americas. These athletes will participate in running events across 44 Belt and Road markets within a 90-day period.

Commenting on the launch, Bill Winters, Group Chief Executive, Standard Chartered, said, “The Belt and Road Initiative is the most ambitious and far-reaching project of its kind in the world today. We are present in two-thirds of Belt and Road markets, and our rich heritage, deep local knowledge and unparalleled connectivity mean that we’re ideally placed to help our partners, clients and communities to make the most out of the initiative. By traversing these markets on foot and engaging local clients, governments, media and communities, our Standard Chartered Belt and Road Relay athletes will showcase our commitment to be the One Bank for the Belt and Road.”

The Standard Chartered Belt and Road Relay kicked off in Hong Kong on 17 February, in conjunction with the Standard Chartered Hong Kong Marathon, which is one of the biggest sports events in the city with over 74,000 runners, and will end in China on 11 May after the Belt and Road Forum.

Shazad Dada, Chief Executive Officer, Standard Chartered Pakistan commented, “We are very proud to host the Belt and Road Relay in Pakistan. The Bank has been in Pakistan and China for more than 150 years. Our longstanding and deep-rooted presence in both countries along with 70 per cent of footprint overlap with B and R countries equips us with in-depth knowledge of prevailing political, economic and cultural environments making us an indispensable partner in this extra ordinary progress. It is therefore incumbent upon us to assist our valued clients to capitalize on these enormous trade opportunities created through better connectivity between them and the rest of the world.

This Belt and Road Relay emphasises our promise to be ‘Here for good’, while demonstrating our capabilities in providing comprehensive set of products, services and solutions to our existing as well as prospective clients who are looking to embark upon their growth journeys along the Silk Road.”

China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) is a flagship project of China’s ‘One belt, One Road’ (OBOR) initiative which will connect Western China to Gwadar Port in Arabian Sea – forming a network of road, rail links to boost trade. Involves variety of energy and infrastructure projects worth $62billion. Standard Chartered has already secured a few major mandates for onshore and offshore banking relationships for these projects in Pakistan essentially providing all services including debt and equity proceeds, FX flows, working capital requirements.

The Belt and Road initiative is core to Standard Chartered. In 2017, the Bank committed additional financing for Belt and Road projects of at least USD 20 billion by 2020, and was involved in more than 50 Belt and Road deals worth more than USD 10billion across a range of products and services. To follow the progress of the Standard Chartered Belt and Road Relay, or for more information on the Belt and Road initiative, please visit www.sc.com/beltandroadrelay

For more information, contact:
Head of Corporate Communications
Standard Chartered Bank (Pakistan) Limited
1st Floor, New Jubilee Insurance Building,
I.I.Chundirgar Road, Karachi
Tel: +92-21-32450239
Cell: +92-334-3239399
Email: Farhan.ahmed@sc.com
Website: www.sc.com

P and G announces ‘Paak Saaf Pakistan’ initiative commitments in support of ‘Clean Green Pakistan’ movement

Islamabad, March 21, 2019 (PPI-OT): The President of Pakistan, Dr. Arif Alvi has said that safe drinking water and sanitation are the key priority areas of the ‘Clean Green Pakistan’ Movement. The President was the Chief Guest at the inaugural ceremony of Procter and Gamble (P and G) Pakistan’s Paak Saaf Pakistan initiative announcement in support of Prime Minister’s ‘Clean Green Pakistan’ Movement.

The President further said on the occasion, “Ensuring the health of our people requires that we invest in adequate infrastructure to increase access to safe and affordable drinking water as well as sanitation facilities. It is also very important to create awareness about conservation of water, sanitation and good health and hygiene practices at the grass-root levels. P and G deserves to be commended for making continued efforts to help improve health and hygiene of Pakistani communities. The reach and impact of its programs to date and P and G’s continued commitment towards this cause will continue to make a meaningful difference in the lives of the Pakistani people.”

P and G Pakistan has announced commitments for its Paak Saaf Pakistan initiative over the next three years. Under this, it will i) provide 50 million liters of clean drinking water, helping an estimated 250,000 people in need via its Children Safe Drinking Water program and ii) create cleanliness and hand-washing awareness amongst 5 million children via its Safeguard School Education Program.

The announcement was made by Sami Ahmed, Vice President P and G Pakistan, at a local hotel in Islamabad. Ms. Zartaj Gul, Minister of State for Climate Change was the Guest of Honor. P and G was joined by its community partner HOPE, represented by Chairperson, Dr. Mubina Agboatwalla, for the third consecutive year leading up to World Water Day, to raise awareness about the clean drinking water crisis and help save lives through the P and G Children’s Safe Drinking Water Program.

An MoU was also signed between the Ministry of Climate Change and Procter and Gamble Pakistan on this occasion, reiterating P and G’s commitment to play an active role in supporting the ‘Clean Green Pakistan’ campaign to achieve shared goals.

Minister of State for Climate Change, Zartaj Gul shared her views, “Only together can we create a strong positive impact. It is deeply encouraging to note that Procter and Gamble Pakistan has been dedicated to the cause of safe drinking water and health and hygiene awareness for over a decade and will continue to create further awareness about this cause. The powerful work undertaken via P and G’s Children Safe Drinking Water and its Health and Hygiene programs, will have a lasting impact on our society. I applaud and congratulate the company for its efforts and encourage other industry leaders to also play their part.”

Expressing his views, Sami Ahmed, Vice President, P and G Pakistan said “P and G’s Paak Saaf Pakistan umbrella brings together our efforts to help create a healthy and hygienic Pakistan through P and G corporate and brand community programs. In living up to our purpose of improving Pakistani lives, our community programs to date have improved quality of life for over an estimated 46 million Pakistanis.” He further added, “I am pleased to share that today we celebrate a new milestone of delivering 15 billion liters globally through our Children’s Safe Drinking Water program fulfilling our global 2020 commitment a year early.”

According to Water Aid, in Pakistan around 22 million people do not have access to clean water and 19,500 children under 5 years of age die every year from diarrhea caused by dirty water and poor toilets.

Through its non-profit Children’s Safe Drinking Water Program, P and G has made available over 875 million litres of clean drinking water to Pakistani communities in need to date. This is enough to provide nearly 5.7 million people with clean drinking water for 3 months. This World Water Day, P and G celebrates the achievement of its 2020 global goal of delivering 15 billion liters of clean drinking water through its Children’s Safe Drinking Water Program. P and G is now accelerating its efforts to help provide clean drinking water to even more people by delivering 25 billion liters – more than 100 billion glasses of water – worldwide by 2025.

P and G announced that it would also continue to play an active role in empowering children across the country to become health and hygiene champions. Safeguard’s “Healthy New Year 2019” campaign has educated young children on the importance promoting a clean, green country by engaging school children to conduct cleanliness drives across 10 major cities of Pakistan.

Since 1998, Commander Safeguard, Pakistan’s first super hero – has become an icon for children and has encouraged them to live a healthy lifestyle. In 2004, P and G launched the Safeguard School Education Program which has so far reached over an estimated 19 million children, creating handwashing awareness across the country.

P and G’s efforts in this area support the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal # 6 – to ensure access to water and sanitation for all. The company remains committed to expanding the reach of its programs in partnership with the government, NGOs, companies and consumers.

For more information, contact:
General queries
Procter and Gamble Pakistan (Pvt.) Limited
P.O. Box 20047, Karachi – 75400
Tel: +92-800-72634
Email: infopk.im@pg.com
Website: www.pg.com

PCMA urges local Stakeholders Involvement in petrochemical projects under Saudi Investment

Lahore, March 21, 2019 (PPI-OT): Pakistan Chemical Manufacturers Association (PCMA) has urged the Government to have active consultations with local enterprises for investing and developing Pakistan’s petrochemical sector under the umbrella of Saudi Arabia’s recently announced investments.

Mr. Iqbal Kidwai, Secretary General PCMA, in a press statement issued here today, informed that during the recent visit of Saudi Crown Prince, an MoU for $10 billion investment was signed for building a refinery and petrochemical complex at Gwadar. The work on the project, he said, will start soon once necessary formalities are completed and the facility would become operative in four to five years.

He acknowledged that Saudi Arabia has large refining capacities globally, above 5 million barrels per day and being the largest producer of crude oil and petroleum feed stocks, they have technical and competitive advantage over others in oil refining and producing basic petrochemicals and their derivatives.

He hoped that the move to develop a world-class oil refinery in the coastal area of Balochistan will intuitively mitigate Pakistan’s increasing trade deficit, mounting foreign debt, and depleting foreign exchange reserves. The Gwadar project, led by the state-owned Saudi Aramco, will be Saudi Arabia’s one of the biggest investments in South Asia. He further added that Saudi Arabia wants to stabilize Pakistan’s economic development through large investments in energy and mining sectors as it gears up for the China Pakistan Economic Corridor. To pursue Kingdom’s interest, Saudi Arabia’s Energy Minister who is also the Chairman of the Board for Saudi Aramco, Eng. Khalid A Al-Falih has already visited Gwadar in January and hoped the project will be highly beneficial for both Pakistan and Saudi Arabia.

PCMA Secretary General lamented that currently around 85% of Pakistan’s petroleum consumption of 22 million mt/year is being met via imports. Since 2016, an increasing share of Pakistan’s natural gas demand is also being met via LNG imports, which is set to hit nearly 16 million mt/year by 2024. He appreciated the present Government’s initiatives for addressing the needs of petrochemical industry.

He informed that besides Saudi Investment in petroleum sector, the present government had also awarded a tax incentive package to Abu Dhabi’s State Investment Company, Mubadala to establish an oil refinery in the Hub Area (Balochistan) with a production capacity of about 250,000 barrels per day. Amid these investments, PCMA suggested that the Government

should preferably engage chemical industries and potential investors in the country for taking stake holding in these projects as these local players have long shown interests in building a Naphtha Cracker Facility in the country from PCMA platform. The PCMA Secretary General suggested to have active participation of local industries for this mega petrochemical project.

For more information, contact:
Pakistan Chemical Manufacturers Association (PCMA)
407-Eden Heights, Jail Road, Gulberg, Lahore, Pakistan
Tel: +92-42-35786867
E-mail: bds@pcma.org.pk
Website: www.pcma.org.pk

Nestle Kabirwala Factory announces the AWS certification on World Water Day

Karachi, March 21, 2019 (PPI-OT): On the World Water day (WWD), Nestle Kabirwala factory is the third factory in Pakistan to be awarded the Alliance for Water Stewardship (AWS) certification. Nestlé’s Sheikhupura and Islamabad Factories were already certified by the AWS in 2017 and 2018 respectively. AWS is an international standard, which guides companies and organizations on how to improve their water efficiency, not just onsite, but also offsite.

Only twenty-four sites in the world in fifteen different countries have achieved AWS certification so far. Out of twenty-four, fifteen are Nestlé’s facilities around the world including three sites located in Pakistan. Globally, Nestle plans to have 20 factories certified by the end of 2020. The Company’s goal is to have all its sites certified by the end of 2019 in Pakistan. Nestle Pakistan aims to be a responsible water steward by working hard to achieve the ambition for “zero impact” in its direct operations to improve water efficiency.

Waqar Ahmad, Head of Corporate Affairs, Nestle Pakistan, said, “To mark the WWD, we’re pleased to be awarded the AWS certificate for our Kabirwala Factory. Realizing the importance of collective action approach, Nestle Pakistan introduced its ‘Caring for Water’ initiative for bringing different stakeholders together to help tackle the water stress. This is also in line with United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goal 6 on water and sanitation. The AWS Standard is the perfect roadmap for us; allowing us to consolidate things under one umbrella, helping us view and tackle this issue as a whole instead of working in silos.”

Adrian Sym, CEO AWS, said: “Nestlé’s strategic commitment to implementing the AWS Standard sets an example, demonstrating the importance of water stewardship in delivering benefits for communities, nature and business. Through our global membership, we will be calling on and supporting other major businesses to follow Nestlé’s lead in making meaningful and independently verifiable contributions to our shared water challenges through implementation of the AWS Standard.”

Hammad Naqi, CEO, WWF Pakistan, said: “In a reiteration of our purpose on this World Water Day, WWF-Pakistan aims to promote environmental conservation and the efficient use of our shared resources. Through the implementation of Alliance for Water Stewardship (AWS) Standard, we are helping redefine the role of private sector in advocating, supporting and promoting better basin governance for the benefit of people and nature.”

For more information, contact:
Corporate Media Relations Manager
Nestle Pakistan
308 Upper Mall, P. O. Box 874, Lahore, Pakistan
Tel: +92-42-35988119, +92-42-111-Nestle (637853)
Cell: +92-342-6662999
Email: aatekahahmad.mirkhan@PK.nestle.com
Website: www.nestle.pk