Day: September 23, 2021

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الائٹ نے سوشل انوویٹر، جوزلین ویاٹ کا نئے سی ای او کے طور پر خیرمقدم کیا

ویاٹ نے نئے باب کا آغآز کرتے ہوئے عالمی فلاحی تنظیم کی قیادت سنبھال لی

منیپولیس، 23  ستمبر2021 /پی آر نیوزوائر/ — عالمی فلاحی تنظیم، الائٹ، جوسلین ویاٹ کو نیا  سی ای او مقرر کرنے کا اعلان کرتی ہے۔ویاٹ جو پچھلے 10برس سے IDEO.org  کی سی سی او کے طور پر کام کرتی رہی ہیں،اب باقاعدہ طور پر 15دسمبر 2021 کو آلائٹ کی قیادت سنبھالیں گی ،جہاں پر وہ دنیابھر میں 3500 سے زائد ٹیموں کی سربراہی کریں گی۔https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1193251/Alight_Logo.jpg

بین الاقوامی سطح پر اسٹریٹجک ترقی میں ویاٹ کا وسیع تجربہ دراصل انسانوں پر مرکوز ہے اور اس کام کے ساتھ انکی ہم آہنگی ہے جو الائٹ 20 سے زائد ممالک میں ہر سال 3.5 ملین سے زائد مہاجرین اور بے گھر لوگوں کے لیے باوقار جگہیں اور انسانیت کےلیے موزوں سہولیات تخلیق کرنےکے لیے کرتا ہے۔

الائٹ کے بنیادی مقصد کے ساتھ جڑے ہوئے ، تنظیم کا سی ای او کےتلاش کا عمل دنیا بھر سے ٹیم کے ارکان کو سننے اور ان کے ساتھ تعاون کرنے میں مصروف تھا جنہوں نے الائٹ کی تلاش کے فریم ورک کی تعمیر کے لیے اپنی رائے اور بصیرت کا حصہ ڈالا۔ کئی مہینوں کے محتاط غور و فکر اور درجنوں انتہائی اہل امیدواران کے ساتھ بات چیت کے بعد ، ویاٹ، تنظیم کے لیے ہرفن مولا اور موزوں رہنما کے طور پر ابھریں۔

الائٹ بورڈ آف ڈائریکٹرز کی چیئرمورین ریڈ کا کہناتھا’’ کہ ہم ایسے ایک تخلیقی حکمت عملی تیار کرنے والی  اور بین الاقوامی این جی او کمیونٹی کی انتہائی معزز رکن کا خیر مقدم کرتے ہوئے بہت زیادہ خوش ہیں۔‘‘ان کا مزید کہناتھا ’’ ایک ہمدرد اور تجربہ کار عالمی رہنما  کے طور پر، جوسلین، الائٹ اور اس کے مشن کو بڑی حد تک سمجھتی ہیں کہ وہ بے گھر لوگوں کے لیے اور ان کے ساتھ ایک بامعنی زندگی کی تعمیر کرے ، اور ہر اس شخص میں ترقی کو بڑھائیں جس کے ساتھ ہم کام کرتے ہیں۔ ہمیں فخر ہے کہ وہ ہماری تنظیم کی رہنما کے طور پر ہماری کاوشوں میں شامل ہوئیں۔‘‘

ویاٹ IDEO.orgکی شریک بانی اور سی ای او کے موجودہ عہدے سے آلائٹ میں تشریف لائی ہیں،جو ایک عالمی ڈیزائن اسٹوڈیو ہے جو این جی اوز کے ساتھ شراکت داری کرکے مصنوعات اور خدمات کو ڈیزائن کرتا ہے جو ایک زیادہ منصفانہ اور جامع دنیا بناتی ہے۔ وہاں انہوں نے اپنے دورمیں، ڈی ایف آئی ڈی (برطانیہ کا محکمہ برائے بین الاقوامی ترقی) ، بل اینڈ میلنڈا گیٹس فاؤنڈیشن ، پی ایس آئی (سابقہ ​​پاپولیشن سروسز انٹرنیشنل) ، اور الائٹ سمیت بہت سی دوسری تنظیموں کے ساتھ دنیا بھر میں تعاون کی قیادت کی،جس میں آلائٹ بھی شامل تھا۔ گزشتہ ایک دہائی کے دوران، ویاٹ نے الائٹ کے کچھ انتہائی مؤثر اور اہم اقدامات کی تشکیل میں مدد کی ، جیسے: آئی ایم اے سٹار مہم ، اسیلی ، کوجا کوجا ، دی کلر موومنٹ ، اِن آور ہینڈز ، اور بیکمنگ الائٹ۔

آنے والی سی ای او ویاٹ  کا کہنا تھا’’ دنیا بھر میں 82 ملین مہاجرین اور بے گھر لوگوں کے ہوتے ہوئے ، برادریوں کے ساتھ نئے حل بنانے کا موقع پہلے سے کہیں زیادہ اہم ہے ، الائٹ کوشش کرتا ہے کہ اسٹیٹس کو، پر دوبارہ غور کریں ، اور تنظیم کے اندر متنوع اور مختلف آوازوں کو شامل کرکے دنیا کے بے گھر ہونے کی داستان کو تبدیل کرنے میں مدد کریں۔”

ویاٹ کی پہلی ترجیحات میں سے ایک،الائٹ اور اس سے وابستہ تنظیموں کے عالمی مشاورتی  دورے کا آغاز کرنا ہے، اس ارادے کے ساتھ کہ وہ ہراس شخص کو میز پر مدعو کریں گی جس کے ساتھ گفتگو ہوسکے،اس کی بات سنی جائے اور ملکر سیکھا جائے۔

الائٹ کے بد لاوٗ لانےکے کام اورانکی خدمت کرنے والے  لوگوں کے نیٹ ورک کے بارے میں مزید جاننے کے لیے وزٹ کریں: www.wearealight.org.

الائٹ کے بارے میں

الائٹ کو 1978 میں اس کے بانی نیل بال نے قائم کیا ، الائٹ ، جو پہلے امریکی پناہ گزین کمیٹی کے نام سے جانا جاتا تھا ، سالانہ 20 سے زائد ممالک میں 3.5 ملین سے زائد لوگوں کو صحت عامہ ، صاف پانی ، پناہ گاہ ، تحفظ اور معاشی مواقع فراہم کرتا ہے۔ الائٹ بے گھر افراد کی ناقابل یقین تخلیقی صلاحیت ، استعداداور آسانی پر یقین رکھتا ہے اور ان کی انسانیت کو اجاگر کرنےکا کام کرتی ہے، جو کام پہلے ہی زبردست طریقے سے ہورہاہے اور مزید کام کرنے کے امکانات ہیں۔ ایک دہائی کے اثرانگیز کام کی کامیابی کو مناتے ہوئے 2020 میں، الائٹ نے مسلسل دسویں سال چیریٹی نیویگیٹر کی طرف سے زبردست 4 اسٹارریٹنگ حاصل کی ہے۔

لوگو:  https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1193251/Alight_Logo.jpg

 

 

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Global Law Firm Launches International Arbitrator Firm in Canada

Wasel & Wasel Arbitrator Services Inc. is the first firm established in Canada focusing on promoting arbitrators in international markets

TORONTO, Sept. 23, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Wasel & Wasel Arbitrator Services Inc. (WWAS) is the world’s first provider of arbitrators focusing on the Canadian and Middle Eastern markets, providing unfettered access to arbitrators, and high-end services to arbitrators.

Operating out of Toronto, Canada, WWAS has become home to elite and specialized arbitrators with the roster consisting of current and former judges, world-class arbitration lawyers, expert witness arbitrators, and arbitrators that have presided over 500+ disputes and counseled on disputes exceeding half-billion Canadian Dollars.

The service offering is user friendly and focuses on ensuring the market can access arbitrators and arbitrator details without difficult. Those in need of an arbitrator for their disputes can browse the W&W Arb roster and select the arbitrators that are most optimal for their dispute.

WWAS was established by Wasel & Wasel, one of the leading disputes law firms in the Middle East which services multinationals, governments, and Fortune 500 companies, and has been recognized as Arbitration Law Firm of the Year 2021 (finalist) by Thomson Reuters amongst other prestigious international awards.

Mahmoud Abuwasel, Chief Executive Officer of WWAS, commenting on the establishment of WWAS said:

“Arbitration has seen tremendous growth and rapid success in the public and private sector, domestically and internationally as an alternative form of dispute resolution. We are extremely excited for Canada to be the home to this groundbreaking new global service and look forward to promoting Canada in the international arbitration world. We are also thrilled to be operating out of Toronto, the second largest financial market in north America increasingly being seen as one of the top cities in the world to conduct arbitration.”

WWAS will work with Middle East focused organizations in Canada, and their counterpart Canadian focused organizations in the Middle East, to bridge arbitrators between Canada and the Middle East, provide best-in-class support and market exposure for arbitrators, and support in promoting Canada and Toronto’s offerings in international arbitration.

To read more about WWAS, explore services to arbitrators, and browse the roster of arbitrators, visit the firm’s website at www.waselandwasel.ca

For further information please contact:

Mr. Abdulla A. Wasel
Director of Operations
Wasel & Wasel Arbitrator Services Inc.
[email protected]
+1 (416) 900-1213


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Upfield announces commitments to reduce world hunger by supporting smallholder farmers

At the same time the world’s largest plant-based foods company launches its first ESG report

Amsterdam, Sept. 23, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Ahead of the UN Food Systems Summit in New York City, Upfield, the world’s leading producer of plant-based butters, margarines, creams and cheeses, has announced its commitment to enhance the livelihoods of 140,000 smallholder farmers and plant-based entrepreneurs. As part of this commitment, Upfield has become a signatory of the Zero Hunger Pledge, led by the Global Alliance for Improve Nutrition (GAIN). This coordinated private sector pledge aims to tackle the global hunger crisis which is unfortunately rising unabated with up to 811 million1 hungry people in the world in 2020 – that’s one in ten people suffering because they did not have access to a most basic need and fundamental right of food. COVID-19 health crisis has made the issue even worse.

As part of its pledge commitments, Upfield is investing in two projects in rural Kenya – focusing on the peanut and canola (rapeseed) supply chains. These projects support the ambition of the Zero Hunger Pledge; to eradicate world hunger by 2030.

Commenting on Upfield’s commitment to the Zero Hunger Pledge, David Haines, CEO Upfield Group said, “Transforming food systems is essential to achieve food security, improve nutrition and put healthy diets within reach of all. At Upfield, we believe that a collective shift to a more plant-based diet is the shift we need to achieve food system transformation and improve access to affordable nutritious foods. That’s why our newly launched ESG report addresses the areas where we believe we can make the biggest impact, at pace.”

Increasing the resilience of canola supply chains

Upfield is expanding its support for local Kenyan smallholders by helping them to grow canola as a rotational crop, which increases their incomes and improves the resilience of their supply chains. The project has grown from 500 farmers in 2015 to 7,500 farmers today and is still expanding. The project includes a training programme for farmers on climate-smart agriculture to secure their livelihoods amidst the challenge of global warming. Canola oil is a core ingredient in Upfield’s Blue Band™ spreads. Currently, 80% of the canola oil in Upfield’s Blue Band spreads in East Africa comes from this local sourcing initiative, and Upfield has a goal to achieve 100% in 2023.

Supporting farmers to grow high-quality peanuts

Upfield supports NAFAKA, a Kenyan farmer co-operative, providing a new source of income in peanut growing and helping to supply the resources needed to successfully grow high-quality peanuts. In Kenya, a common problem with growing peanuts is Aflatoxins, which can damage peanut yields. Upfield is working to provide a discounted rate for the agricultural inputs needed to achieve aflatoxin-free supply chains and guarantees an income in peanut-sourcing for the smallholder farmers involved. The high-quality peanuts produced by NAFAKA Co-operative are to be used in Upfield’s Blue Band™ Peanut Butter product, which is popular in Kenya and other East African markets.

Both projects form part of Upfield’s broader ESG strategy, which outlines a suite of other initiatives and targets all designed to support the sustainable transition to ‘A Better Plant-Based Future’, with the aims of:

  • Encouraging 1 billion people choose delicious plant-based products by committing to driving plant-based adoption through investment in purposeful brands, innovation, naturalness and category expansion.
  • Positively impacting 200 million lives by providing healthier, more affordable and more accessible products that are equivalent, if not better than their dairy counterparts in both taste and performance.
  • Enhancing 140,000 livelihoods and reaching 5 million chefs by committing to programs, grants and initiatives that will support them to drive towards a plant-based future.
  • Achieving “Better than net zero” by 2050 and committing to 95% of our packaging being free from plastic by 2030, as well as responsibly sourcing 100% of our ingredients with no deforestation or exploitation.

You can read more about Upfield’s commitments at www.upfield.com/purpose

 

Notes for Editors

ABOUT UPFIELD

At Upfield, we make people healthier and happier with great tasting, plant-based nutrition products that are better for the planet. As a global plant-based company, Upfield is the #1 producer of plant-based spreads and cheeses with more than 100 brands, including iconic brands FLORA, RAMA, BLUEBAND, PROACTIV, BECEL, I CAN’T BELIEVE IT’S NOT BUTTER, COUNTRY CROCK, and VIOLIFE. With headquarters in Amsterdam, we sell our products in over 95 countries and have 14 manufacturing sites throughout the world. The company employs over 4200 Associates. Since 1871, we have been the authority in the spreads category which gives us unmatched experience, know-how and inspiration. We are focused on leading in this new era focused on delivering healthier products that are great tasting, have superior quality and help us deliver on our vision to create “A Better Plant-Based Future.” For more information, please visit our website at www.Upfield.com.

About the pledge

The Zero Hunger Private Sector Pledge is a multi-stakeholder platform of cooperation and action with a single objective of ending hunger for good. It involves businesses supported by civil society, member state governments, and international organisations. Each of the actors provides a commitment within the remit of its organisation. The flexible and voluntary character of the Pledge is its strength as it creates a platform for cooperation for actors who wouldn’t have necessarily worked together in the past.

1 State of Food Security and Nutrition in the World (SOFI 2021) report

Susannah Moore
Upfield Europe BV
07909686870
[email protected]
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Rupee Set to Break All-Time Record Against the US Dollar

Continuing with its declining dynamism, the Pakistani Rupee (PKR) lost 35 paisas against the US Dollar (USD) on Thursday to close at 169.03.

The currency depreciated by 16 paisas against the USD and closed at 168.68 on September 22. It is nearing the all-time low of 169.12 against USD that it crashed to on 15 September.

In a bid to better forecast imports and indirectly address the PKR depreciation, the State Bank of Pakistan has directed banks to share a five-day schedule of upcoming import payments.

The central bank also ordered commercial banks to seek authorization for import payments valued at over $500,000 per transaction. With this directive, the central bank lowered the prior payment cut-off of $1 million per transaction.

The government raised Rs. 842.3 billion for three-month treasury bills at an auction held on September 22, in which the cut-off yields on treasury bills were increased by up to 49 basis points.

The PKR has also depreciated against other major currencies. It has lost 1 paisa against the Euro, 68 paisas against the Pound Sterling (GBP), 1.42 paisas against the Canadian Dollar (CAD), and 45 paisas against the Australian Dollar (AUD).

Source: Pro Pakistani

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ECC Approves Kamyab Pakistan Program

The Economic Coordination Committee (ECC) of the cabinet has approved different important summaries, including the summary of Kamyab Pakistan Program (KPP), which is deemed to be the most ambitious micro-credit program ever planned in Pakistan.

The ECC meeting was presided over by Federal Minister for Finance and Revenue Mr. Shaukat Tarin on Thursday. It also gave the nod to the summaries about disbursement of salaries to Pakistan Steel Mills (PSM) employees, and purchase of 40,000-metric ton (MT) wheat by the World Food Programme (WFP) from Pakistan Agricultural Storage & Services Corporation (PASSCO).

The Finance Division presented an updated summary regarding KPP before the ECC. It was revealed that the program had been streamlined in consultation with stakeholders to disburse microcredit for uplifting marginalized segments of society. The KPP has five components namely: Kamyab Karobar, Kamyab Kissan, Naya Pakistan Low-cost Housing, Kamyab Hunarmand, and Sehatmand Pakistan.

The Committee was briefed that under the first three components, micro-loans shall be disbursed among eligible persons registered with Ehsaas Data through the National Socio-Economic Registry (NSER) having a family income of up to Rs. 50,000 per month. The last two components of KPP will be integrated with the existing programs. The KPP is aimed to integrate with the government’s ongoing skill development program for imparting educational and vocational training.

As per the revised framework of KPP, the selection of Wholesale Lenders (Banks) will be through competitive bidding in line with PPRA rules. The Micro Finance Providers (MFPs) will be selected by the wholesale lenders. The government will provide two guarantees:

i. 10% first loss guarantee to MFPs

ii. 50% guarantee to Wholesale Lenders (WLs) on pari-passu/ risk-sharing basis

During the first phase, the KPP will be launched in Balochistan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Gilgit-Baltistan, AJK and a few other poorest districts of Sindh and Punjab. Eventually, KPP will be extended to the whole country. On the implementation side, the Kamyab Pakistan Information System (KPIS), a digital portal, is being established. It is fully integrated with telecommunication companies, NTC, Ehsaas/NSER, and NADRA for verification of beneficiary’s eligibility.

After due deliberation, the ECC approved the KPP for onward submission to the cabinet. The members of ECC commended the salient features of the program and regarded it as a flagship initiative of the present government to empower the under-privileged population.

The ECC considered and approved another summary by the Finance Division regarding the fixation of dividends at the rate of 10% on the face value of State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) shares for the financial year ended on June 30, 2021.

The Ministry of Industries and Production presented a summary regarding approval for disbursement of salaries to PSM employees for FY 2021-22. After due deliberation, the ECC accorded approval for payment of salaries to the employees on monthly basis till the implementation of a complete human resource retrenchment plan.

The Secretary Ministry of Industries and Production briefed the Committee on availability of sufficient stocks of sugar. He further apprised the ECC of the steps being taken to import sugar for building strategic reserves. After a detailed discussion, the ECC approved to import sugar in three segregated tenders of 50,000 MT each so that there is more participation and increased competition when international prices fall down. The Committee emphasized the need for ensuring a smooth supply of sugar throughout the country. It directed for initiating crushing by the sugar mills at the beginning of November 2021 as done last year.

The ECC considered and approved a Technical Supplementary Grant (TSG) in favor of the Ministry of Interior for construction of Frontier Constabulary Training Center, Michni, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa amounting to Rs. 50 million during FY 2021-22.

Besides, the ECC accorded approval for the lowest bid received for award of fourth international wheat tender for the FY 2021-22 to import 120,000 MT of wheat as tabled by the Ministry of National Food Security & Research.

On the occasion, the Finance Minister stated that mutual consultation would pave the way for collective decision-making under the umbrella of cabinet committees. “This facilitates the process of decision-making in the public sector.”

The ECC considered and approved the summary presented by the Ministry of National Food Security and Research regarding the purchase of 40,000 MT of wheat from PASSCO by WFP.

The Ministry of Energy presented a summary regarding financial support to power generation companies (GENCOs). The ECC approved Rs. 500 million as a Technical Supplementary Grant out of the total budget allocated to the Power Division.

Moreover, the ECC also considered and approved the Power Division’s summary regarding 40% payment of the total amount payable to IPPs of 2002 policy.

The meeting was attended, among others, by Federal Minister for Planning Asad Umar, Federal Minister for Energy Hammad Azhar, Federal Minister of National Food Security & Research Syed Fakhar Imam, Federal Minister for Railways Azam Khan Swati, Minister of State for Information and Broadcasting Farrukh Habib, Federal Secretaries, and Governor State Bank.

Source: Pro Pakistani

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Minister for Industries Directs SMEDA to Expedite Finalization of New SME Policy

Federal Minister for Industries and Production Makhdum Khusro Bakhtiar has directed the Small and Medium Enterprises Development Authority (SMEDA) and provincial departments concerned to finalize the new SME policy in the light of Prime Minister Imran Khan’s vision to promote cross-sectoral small businesses across the country.

Speaking at a meeting of the National Coordination Committee, held with Mr. Bakhtiar in the chair on Thursday to deliberate on the framework of the proposed National SME policy, he said the government was working on a comprehensive policy for cross-sectoral development of SMEs, particularly export-oriented businesses in the country.

The Committee Chairman was briefed on the salient features of the proposed policy framework, entailing financial incentives (enhancing SMEs access to collateral-free lending), fiscal incentives (simplified taxation regime for SMEs), SME registration portal, formation of common facility centers and warehouses, and guillotine/regulatory simplification for SMEs countrywide.

The Minister said the development of SMEs was imperative for sustainable economic growth in the country. He highlighted that the government was focusing on enhancing credit-financing to tax filer SMEs as well as increasing credit limit to collateral asset-owning enterprises for expansion of existing businesses. He said the new policy would focus on the enlargement of bandwidth of micro-financing and the venture investment for SMEs with the help of international donors.

Mr. Bakhtiar noted that the new SME policy would outline incentives for women-oriented businesses, thus reducing the gender gap in financial inclusion by mainstreaming the role of women in the economy. He said his Ministry would allot land to SMEs on a rental-lease model in the Special Economic Zones. He called for a specialized lending scheme for the garment sector and IT-enabled services within the purview of the SME policy.

Mr. Jawwad Raffique Malik, Secretary Industries and Production, along with senior officials of the Ministry, and Mr. Hashim Raza, CEO SMEDA, were also present in the meeting. Chief Secretary Punjab Mr. Kamran Afzal, representatives of the State Bank of Pakistan, Board of Investment, Ministry of Finance, and provincial departments also participated in the meeting.

Source: Pro Pakistani

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K-Electric Requests NEPRA to Raise Electricity Prices

Karachi’s power distribution company, K-Electric (KE), has requested the National Electric Power Regulatory Authority (NEPRA) to increase the price of electricity by Rs. 0.97 per unit for the month of August.

A notification revealed that KE has sought Rs. 1.76 billion for monthly fuel adjustment. In this regard, the notification says, a hearing to determine the tariff for the month of August will be held on September 29.

The notification by NEPRA explains that two issues have been framed for discussion during the hearing — whether the requested fuel price variation is justified, and whether the KE has followed the merit order while giving dispatch to its power plants as well as power purchase from external sources.

“The calculation for the month of August 2021 is based on CPPA-G’s latest fuel cost determined by NEPRA for the month of July 2021 and it is subject to adjustment based on the determination for August 2021 to be issued by NEPRA,” KE stated in its request to the authority.

Source: Pro Pakistani