November 16, 2020

Across China: Physically challenged share in China’s livestreaming boom

LANZHOU, China, Nov. 16, 2020 /Xinhua-AsiaNet/ — Shi Zaohua, a 29-year-old wheelchair user, has garnered a huge following of 200,000 fans since finding her niche in livestreaming e-commerce.

Shi Zaohua, a 29-year-old wheelchair user, has garnered a huge following of 200,000 fans since finding her niche in livestreaming e-commerce.

One of a growing number of livestreamers, Shi is now fully occupied by China’s largest annual online shopping event, known as Singles’ Day or Double Eleven, which fell on Wednesday.

Early in the morning, she prepared for the event and headed to her office in the city of Longnan, one of the least developed areas in northwest China’s Gansu Province.

On her virtual store, she sells local specialties from Sichuan pepper to traditional Chinese medicinal materials to customers across the nation.

Shi became wheelchair-bound following a car accident in 2013. Before discovering livestreaming, she used to spend her days inside without the opportunity to work.

Yet an opportunity came knocking the next year when Longnan native Du Guiying returned to her hometown, establishing a farmers’ cooperative under the call of the local government to promote e-commerce as a means to alleviate poverty in rural areas.

Du invited Shi, who can speak standard Mandarin without a regional accent, to help manage her online store and advised her to try livestreaming e-commerce.

“I was astonished,” Shi said. “I felt nervous when talking to the people around me, let alone a live audience.”

But Shi finally conquered her fear. In early March, Shi made her successful livestreaming debut, selling products worth a total of around 30,000 yuan (4,548 U.S. dollars) in one day.

Shi represents a new way of shopping in China, which sweeps retailers into a boom of “live commerce” based on the convergence of e-commerce and livestreaming.

E-commerce has injected new impetus into people’s lives, said Mao Jinhuang, professor with the Institute of County Economic Development under Lanzhou University, adding that more and more people living deep in the mountains of China have benefited from e-commerce and filled their pockets.

Livestreaming has been a big help to physically challenged people like Shi, who could have been left behind if not for the new business model.

In Longnan, a total of 366 online stores are now run by people with physical disabilities, and jobs have been created for more than 670 such workers.

“E-commerce livestreaming has not only brought us fortune but also dignity and hope,” said Shi.

Source: The Publicity Department of Longnan Municipality

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November 16, 2020

APAC Insider selects APR for Best PR Agency 2020 Award

Karachi, November 16, 2020 (PPI-OT): Asiatic Public Relations Network (Pvt.) Ltd. – APR, established 28 years ago and one of the pioneers of PR in Pakistan, has been named the Best PR Agency in Pakistan by APAC Insider for its annual Business Awards 2020, out of 7 agencies that were evaluated.

APR was selected for this award after an independent evaluation conducted by APAC Insider’s judges’ panel, through publically available information and based on APAC Insider’s rigorous internal vetting. The extensive research and judging process is driven by merit and centred around an in-depth evaluation of skills and services on offer. Awardees must demonstrate expertise within their field, dedication to customer service and a commitment to promoting excellence. This approach enforces APAC Insider’s stance that victors are not determined by popularity of votes, but by their contributions to their industry.

Sharing his thoughts on this major win, Zohare Ali Shariff, CEO of APR stated, “An international award, which is transparent and merit-based, and which did not require payment of any fee of any sort, is a true recognition of our capabilities. This win is dedicated to all the people in APR, who are undoubtedly our greatest strength. We were judged winners on a set of strict criteria which included business performance, longevity, diversification, growth, significant innovations and feedback from stakeholders.”

Last year, APR was shortlisted for the prestigious Gold Standard Awards 2019, in the Issues Management and Crisis Communications category. Previously, APR was the winner of the Social Media Campaign category in the 2016 Gold SABRE Awards South Asia, for its entry: The Coca-Cola Book Bank, a unique PR activity conceived and executed by the agency for its client, Coca-Cola Pakistan, and which targeted collecting donation of books from the public, to be given over to students of schools operated by The Citizens Foundation (TCF) and other NGOs operating schools for less-privileged children.

Founded in 1963 within Asiatic Advertising (now JWT Pakistan), APR has been functioning as an independent PR agency since 1992. Affiliated internationally with H+K Strategies, APR is now one of the largest and most experienced PR agencies in the country with offices in Karachi, Lahore and Islamabad, and representatives in Multan, Peshawar and Quetta. APR’s retainer clients include 15 renowned national and multinational organisations from diverse sectors such as food and beverages, communications and technology, chemicals and fertilizers, banking, insurance and aviation.

APAC Insider is published by AI Global Media, a UK based publishing group launched in 2010. Now in its fifth year, APAC Insider Business Awards celebrate the very best businesses and individuals from across the Asia Pacific region. This programme was launched to represent and recognize these achievements and to showcase those companies who can truly be described as paragons on the greater professional landscape.

For more information, contact:
Head Office,
Asiatic Public Relations Network (Pvt.) Limited
13-A, Hasan Homes, Block 5, Clifton, Karachi, Pakistan
Tel: +92-21-35837674, +92-21-35867576, +92-21-35372402
Fax: +92-21-35867103
Email: info@apr.com.pk
Website: http://www.apr.com.pk/

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November 16, 2020

Turkish Companies delegation keen to setup industrial units in Pakistan

Islamabad, November 16, 2020 (PPI-OT): A delegation of Turkish companies visited Islamabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry and showed keen interest to set up industrial units in Pakistan to start production activities to meet the needs of the construction industry. Mustafa SAK, President, ADO Group, Kamil Arsalan, Chairman of the Board, Bricks Plus and Mustafa Orhon, Area Manager, NG Kutahya Seramik Porselen Turizm were in the delegation. Shafiq Akbar, Chairman, Imarat Group of Companies also accompanied the Turkish delegation. M. Ejaz Abbasi former President ICCI, Ch. Naseer, Aslam Khokhar and others were also present at the occasion.

After giving a warm welcome to the Turkish delegation, Sardar Yasir Ilyas Khan, President, Islamabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry briefed them about the potential business and investment opportunities in Pakistan’s real estate and construction sector. He said that Pakistan was a big market with huge demand for housing units and commercial buildings. He said that the current government has announced a very attractive construction package to boost construction activities in the country and it was the right time for foreign investors to explore Pakistan’s real estate and construction industry for JVs and investment.

He said that the Turkish investors should bring technology and expertise and set up industrial units in Pakistan to capitalize on the emerging investment opportunities in construction and other sectors that would also help in maximizing economic growth and increasing exports of our country. He assured that ICCI would extend all possible assistance and facilitation to Turkish investors for JVs and investment in Pakistan.

Speaking at the occasion, Mustafa SAK, President, ADO Group said that they have seen huge potential for investment in Pakistan and they wanted to set up industrial units to produce construction material and products to meet the needs of the local construction industry. They said that their collaboration with Pakistani counterparts would be beneficial for both Pakistan and Turkey. He said that Pakistan and Turkey have worked to negotiate a preferential trading agreement, aiming to considerably increase trade and investments, especially in transport, telecommunications, manufacturing, tourism and other industries and hoped that its finalization would further increase the volume of bilateral trade between the two countries.

Shafiq Akbar, Chairman, Imarat Group of Companies said that Pakistan has limitless potential in construction and other sectors of its economy, which must be fully tapped by the Turkish investors. He also highlighted the benefits of such business initiatives for Pakistan and the industries connected to real estate and construction. He said that Imarat Group was working to bring more investors from Turkey to Pakistan that would not only benefit them, it would also further strengthen the bonds of friendship between Turkey and Pakistan.

Ms. Fatma Azim, Senior Vice President and Abdul Rehman Khan, Vice President ICCI thanked the Turkish delegation for visiting ICCI and hoped that their investment in Pakistan would encourage more Turkish investors to tap Pakistani market for JVs and investment.

For more information, contact:
Islamabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ICCI)
Chamber House, Aiwan-e-Sanat-o-Tijarat Road,
Mauve Area, G-8/1, Islamabad, Pakistan
Tel: +92-51-2250526, 2253145, 8432676
Fax: +92-51-2252950
Email: icci@brain.net.pk, info@icci.com.pk
Website: www.icci.com.pk

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November 16, 2020

FIEDMC to support ICCI for establishment of new industrial estate in Islamabad

Islamabad, November 16, 2020 (PPI-OT): Mian Kashif Ashfaq, Chairman, Faisalabad Industrial Estate Development and Management Company (FIEDMC) said that his company was specialized in developing and managing industrial zones and would extend all possible support to the Islamabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ICCI) for the establishment of a new industrial estate in the federal capital. He announced to set up a facilitation desk of FIEDMC at ICCI to brief the foreign delegations and diplomats visiting ICCI about potential investment opportunities in SEZs of FIEDMC. He stated this while giving a presentation about FIEDMC projects to the business community at Islamabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry. Aamir Saleemi, CEO and other officers of FIEDMC were also present at the occasion.

Mian Kashif Ashfaq stated that FIEDMC has set up M3 Industrial City at 4356 acres to house medium and large scale industries. He said that Allama Iqbal Industrial City was being set up at an area of 3217 acres for medium and large scale industries. Similarly, Value Additions City has been set up at 225 acres for SMEs. He said that FIEDMC Business Zone was being set up at 250 acres for commercial activities besides establishing CPEC and Bond to Bond model as a supply chain. He said an Agro Zone would also be set up at 1500 acres for SMEs and agro businesses.

He said that Health City, Apparel City, Light Engineering and Furniture City would also be set up in SEZs to promote industrialization. He said that FIEDMC was constructing state-of-the-art infrastructure in its SEZs and a grid station would be set up to provide 15-20% cheap electricity to industries. A shuttle train would also be launched for labour.

He said that FIEDMC would set up a one window service centre to facilitate the local and foreign investors for investing in its SEZs. He said that FIEDMC SEZs were providing a 10-year tax holiday and land could be purchased with 15% deposit with rest payment spread over 4 years. He further stated that blocks of Turkish, Chinese, Asian, Saudi and European investors have also been set up in Allama Iqbal SEZ.

Speaking at the occasion, Sardar Yasir Ilyas Khan, President, Islamabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry lauded the efforts of FIEDMC Chairman for promoting industrialization, which would strengthen our economy. He said that Pakistan needed an industrial revolution to emerge as a strong economy of the region for which the government should provide full support to the private sector in setting up more SEZs in the country including Islamabad.

He said that given the potential and size of the market, Pakistan could enhance its exports up to US$300-400 billion per annum, but lack of industrialization has held back the country from realizing its actual export potential. He said that industrialization was the future of Pakistan and added that ICCI was also making efforts for a new industrial estate in Islamabad for which it needed the technical support of FIEDMC. He assured that ICCI would play a role in encouraging foreign and local investors to explore JVs and investment in FIEDMC SEZs.

Ms. Fatma Azim Senior Vice President ICCI, Khalid Javed and M. Ejaz Abbasi, former Presidents ICCI speaking at the occasion appreciated the efforts of FIEDMC for setting up modern SEZs that would promote industrialization and generate employment. They stressed that the government should announce an amnesty scheme for all industries on the pattern of construction package that would bring an industrial revolution in the country, create thousands of jobs, improve tax revenue and put the country on sustainable economic growth. At this occasion, Sardar Yasir Ilyas President ICCI and Mian Kashif Ashfaq Chairman FIEDMC signed an MoU of cooperation to promote industrialization with joint efforts.

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November 16, 2020

Cotton crop failure to cost $10 billion

Islamabad, November 16, 2020 (PPI-OT): The Pakistan Economy Watch (PEW) on Saturday said the failure of the cotton crop will cost ten billion dollars to the country. The cotton production stands at five million bales against the target of fifteen million bales which will require import of ten million bales, it said. Cotton import is necessary to keep the textile sector running, therefore, all the taxes and duties should be waived, said Dr. Murtaza Mughal, President PEW.

He said that the government should resolve the issues confronting the cotton sector and discourage trend among farmers to switch to sugarcane crop. Dr. Murtaza Mughal said that licences should not be issued for new sugar mills as the production is already more than required and area under cultivation for cotton should be increased. He said that Pakistan used to import LNG at much lower prices during 2017 and 2018 than now despite the fact that now international prices are depressed which were normal a few years ago.

Most expensive gas import contracts have been finalised at rates ranging between 16 to 18 percent of Brent crude while the gas purchased through the long-term supply arrangements by the previous government was around 13 percent. The government should not buy costly LNG as it will hit the industrial sector and exports, he said.

For more information, contact:
President
Pakistan Economy Watch (PEW)
402, 4th Floor, Gulistan Khan House, Fazal-e-Haq Road,
82-East, Blue Area, Islamabad
Tel: +92-51-2510375
Fax: +92-51-2802449
Cell: +92-321-5157671
Email: president@pakistaneconomywatch.com
Web: www.pakistaneconomywatch.com

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November 16, 2020

Government importing costly LNG

Islamabad, November 16, 2020 (PPI-OT): The Pakistan Economy Watch (PEW) on Sunday said the government is importing costly gas which will hit masses and industrial sector. Expansive gas will add to the problems of masses and the dejected business community while it will double the volume of the circular debt in the gas sector, it said. Expensive gas import contracts have been finalised at rates ranging between 16 to 18 percent of Brent crude while the gas purchased by the previous government was around 13 percent, said Dr. Murtaza Mughal, President PEW.

He said that the former government purchased gas at a lower price despite stable market but now it is being purchased at a higher cost when the market is down which is amazing. He noted that the failure of the cotton crop will cost ten billion dollars to the country. The cotton production stands at five million bales against the target of fifteen million bales which will require import of ten million bales, it said.

Cotton import is necessary to keep the textile sector running, therefore, all the taxes and duties should be waived. He said that the government should resolve the issues confronting the cotton sector and discourage trend among farmers to switch to sugarcane crop.

Dr. Murtaza Mughal said that licences should not be issued for new sugar mills as the production is already more than required and area under cultivation for cotton should be increased. He said that Pakistan used to import LNG at much lower prices during 2017 and 2018 than now despite the fact that now international prices are depressed which were normal a few years ago.

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November 16, 2020

Government has realised negative impact of subsidies

Islamabad, November 16, 2020 (PPI-OT): The Pakistan Economy Watch (PEW) on Monday lauded Prime Minister Imran Khan for taking note of the wastage of precious resources in the name of subsidy. The government is doling out an annual subsidy of Rs 4 trillion which is not affordable therefore this practice should be stopped without delay, it said.

How come Pakistan afford to waste 4.5 percent of its GDP to please influential which is not possible for many developed nations, said Chairman Pakistan Economy Watch Brig. (retd) Aslam Khan. He said that many countries have the subsidy regimes to benefit masses but we have a very flawed system which benefits influential involved in energy, industry and agriculture sector while masses get a very insignificant share of the subsidies.

Aslam Khan said that subsidies are also used to keep inefficient and corrupt enterprises running on the cost of poor which include PIA, Railways and Pakistan Steel Mills etc. Subsidies add to the money and influence of the superior businessmen who then use their power to skin masses as evident from the continued food crisis, he observed.

The mafia is plundering masses while the regulators are weak enough to play the role of silent spectators, therefore, the government must spring into action after realising the wastage of scarce resources. He noted that all of the successful countries have reversed unnecessary subsidies and subjected their commodities and utilities to market dynamics resulting in price stability and an end to shortages and hoarding.

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