TDAP signs MoU with Japanese counterpart

The Trade Development Authority of Pakistan (TDAP) and the Japan External Trade Organisation (Jetro) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) of cooperation on trade promotion during the 9th Pakistan — Japan Business Dialogue, according to a press release.

The MoU will facilitate deeper linkages between the two trade promotion organisations by enhancing the exchange of economic and commercial information and publishing both institutions’ promotional materials. The MoU will encourage participation in trade fairs and exhibitions in both countries and allow for technical exchanges to promote bilateral trade.

“The MoU renews our commitment to development through trade with the people of Japan and has been specifically formulated to cater to the dynamic requirements of the post-Covid era of trade promotion,” stated Secretary TDAP during the MoU signing ceremony.

The MoU will allow TDAP to invite business delegates from Japan to participate in exhibitions held in Pakistan and to host delegations for business-to-business meetings. Participation by Pakistani businesses in exhibitions in Japan will be encouraged to explore the Japanese market. The MoU will pave the way for further collaboration via online channels such as webinars and online B2B meetings.

Bestway Group raises $2m

The Bestway Group organised a fundraiser for the victims of the Pakistan floods at a hotel in London. The fundraising dinner was attended by over 650 guests, including the Lord Chancellor, the Deputy Governor State Bank of Pakistan, UK Ministers and Members of Parliament, according to a press release.

The fundraiser continued the efforts of Bestway Group and Bestway Foundation to assist the people of Pakistan as they grapple with the worst humanitarian disaster in the country’s history. The recent floods have affected over 33m people, with one in seven Pakistanis living without food or shelter.

Earlier in the month, Lord Choudrey, on behalf of Sir Anwar Pervez, had announced a $1m towards the Pakistan Flood Relief; with the culmination of this successful event, the total funds raised through Bestway’s efforts stand at $2m.

During the evening, Bestway Group CFO Haider Choudrey detailed Bestway Foundation’s plans to build homes or shelters for 5,000 families, provide usable water for 100,000 individuals, and provide food and medical supplies to over 20,000 people. He also donated $400,000 worth of medicine from Well Pharmacy.

The Lord Chancellor Rt Hon Brandon Lewis MP said that the British Government has committed funds of £16.5m for Pakistan.

Pfizer Foundation donates over Rs33m

Pfizer Foundation, the charity arm of the world’s leading biopharmaceutical company Pfizer Inc, announced that it is donating Rs33m towards flood relief efforts in Pakistan. The funds will be disbursed to the UN World Food Programme (WFP), supporting the relief efforts by the National Disaster Management Authority across Pakistan, according to a press release.

“These are trying times for the people of Pakistan. First, the Covid-19 crisis and now the floods. Both have had a devastating impact on all of us. Pfizer stands firmly committed to supporting efforts towards bringing normalcy to the lives of the people of Pakistan,” said S M Wajeeh, Country Manager Pfizer Pakistan.

Already, WFP has reached more than 600,000 people with food assistance in Balochistan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Sindh and continues to scale up its emergency response.

PHMA elections

Pakistan Hosiery Manufacturers & Exporters Association (PHMA) Election results were announced in its Annual General Meeting whereby Muhammad Babar Khan, Naseer Ahmad Butt and Khizer Mehboob have been elected unopposed as central chairman, senior vice-chairman and vice-chairman respectively. They will serve the association for the 2022-23 tenure, according to a press release.

Medical and food aid by JS Bank

JS Bank has set up mobile clinics and daily food ration distribution drives catering to thousands of people in flood-impacted areas, according to a press release.

It has joined hands with partners such as the Sindhi Association of North America (SANA) to ease the difficulties being faced by people in the rain-affected areas through a team of qualified doctors, paramedic staff, and volunteers led by Jamil Memon — Head of Admin and Corporate Social Responsibility, JS Bank.

Activities are taking place in Districts Jamshoro (Sehwan), Dadu & Larkana and surrounding areas. These include villages, Mirzapur, Bubak Band Manchar, Arazi, Warrah, Lakki Shah Saddar, Kai, Bago Sher, Nawab Khan Rind, and Hajji Khan Noohani, amongst others. The estimated outreach of this program will be over 20,000 people and is expected to grow as the efforts are expanded to further areas.

Published in Dawn, The Business and Finance Weekly, October 3rd, 2022