Oct 23 - 29, 2000
Information Security Vital for Development of
E-Commerce in Pakistan
Secure transmission of data and information over
the internet is vital for the speedy development of e-commerce in
Pakistan. This was stated recently, at an IT related seminar
"Need for Information Security and Information Security
Solutions" organised by Cylink, at a local hotel.
The seminar was addressed by Mash Khan, Regional
Director; James Wong, Managing Director; Gary Bacon, General Manager
Sales Operations and Rehan Farooqui, General Manager Operations —
Middle East, of Cylink Corporation.
The speakers introduced the concept of information
security to the audience, and its vital nature for the rapidly
expanding e-commerce world. Dilating further upon the topic, they also
addressed the need for information security and the solutions
available for different types of information security problems.
"In this age of exponential growth in
e-commerce and business over the web, it is absolutely essential to
have a secure information transmission network, especially for
fledgling markets like Pakistan, which have just entered the IT
field", said Mash Khan, Regional Director, Cylink Corporation.
Commenting further upon the necessity of total
information security, James Wong, Managing Director, Cylink
Corporation said,, "If e-commerce is to have a successful future
in Pakistan, then a multi-faceted information security network that
provides complete coverage across all platforms is a vital
prerequisite. Cylink is the only company in Pakistan that provides
such a comprehensive solution".
Cylink, a US-based IT firm is the world leader in
information transmission security. It is one of the newest entrants in
the IT field in Pakistan. Since 1983, Cylink Corporation has developed
commercial products that secure electronic business transactions using
public key cryptography. Today, the company develops, markets and
supports the most comprehensive family of secure electronic commerce
and communications solutions in the industry.
Cylink solutions are implemented worldwide by
organisations that must protect and manage the access, privacy and
integrity of transmitted information — regardless of network type or
technology. No other company provides more solutions, higher
confidence or greater trust.
Cathay Pacific to invest over HK$2 billion in
e-Business
Cathay Pacific Airways will invest over HK$2
billion on a range of e-Business projects over the next three years as
part of its aim to become Asia's leading e-Business airline. The
investment is on more than 30 projects, many of which will be launched
over the next six months. They include a range of initiatives to
enhance customer convenience and increase efficiency. The projects
include a new flagship Website, a cargo Website, online travel
exchange, and e-Marketplace.
Cathay Pacific has set up a dedicated e-Business
Programme Office to direct its e-Business efforts. The team includes a
number of the airline's most senior managers and has now been in place
for almost a year. There will soon be more than 150 people working on
the airline's various e-Business projects.
The airline expects its e-Business projects to help
substantially increase revenue and deliver significant cost savings.
The airline believes 25% to 30% of ticket sales will take place online
by 2005, in line with industry predictions. e-Business is expected to
help reduce total expenditure by more than HK$500 million a year by
2003. Much of the savings will come from online purchasing, including
a substantial reduction in inventory carrying costs.
Cathay Pacific's Director and Chief Operating
Officer Philip Chen said: "We are serious about becoming the
leading e-Business airline in Asia and we are well on the way to
making e-Business an integral part of all our operations. e-Business
is enabling us to give our customers greater ease and convenience,
work more efficiently with our partners, and enhance the position of
Hong Kong as Asia's leading aviation centre."
The airline's e-Business projects can be grouped in
five areas: Passengers, Cargo, Procurement, CX team, and Future
opportunities. The passenger area includes the relaunch of Cathay
Pacific's flagship Website www.cathaypacific.com. The Website contains
some groundbreaking new features such as notiFLY, which alerts
passengers on any changes to their flight status, as well as online
mileage checking, real-time flight information, and online booking.
Content is now in eight different languages.
AMEX TRS to receive US Visa applications
Visa applications for the United States can now be
submitted at American Express Bank Ltd. Travel Related Services
offices and Gerry's FedEx offices. This was stated by the US Embassy
in Karachi. The statement further added that applicants should
carefully consider the costs before applying for an America Visa. Due
to changes in the rupee/dollar exchange rate, the US Embassy visa
application fee is now Rs. 2500. However, American Express and Gerry's
may charge an additional service fee. But they will also be offering a
basic drop box service at no additional fee at their Islamabad
offices. The visa fee is not refundable and applicants planning to
live or work in the US on a visitor's visa, their applications will be
refused.
Cafe Catwalk at the Sheraton
Fanoos Lounge the ultimate cafe at the Karachi
Sheraton goes jazzier, with the introduction of the "Fanoos
Fashion Evenings" where the latest trends in the fashion industry
can be seen. Now one can sit back and enjoy classic hi tea delights
and get updated on what some of our upcoming and established designers
have to offer in casual surroundings of the Sheraton lobby restaurant
Fanoos Lounge every Monday evening from October 16 onwards. Top models
of the industry can be seen displaying exclusive styles in western,
eastern, casuals, evening-wears and formals, be it clothes, jewelry or
fashion accessories.
Karachi Sheraton had invited Ms. Shaheen Saeed to
present her hair & make up styles in the first show on October 16,
after which will be shows by Nazeen Tariq and Kausar of "Chunri"
on Mondays to follow. During the fashion show, these designers will
also be commenting on their creations and their inspirations in the
preparation of this collection. This festival will be on from 1600 hrs
to 1900 hrs on Mondays, with an hour-long presentation of the designs.
Gold Hee Gold 2000
The Gold Hee Gold 2000- Pakistan's premiere gold
jewellery shopping event, has been organised by the World Gold
Council. It will commence on October 16, 2000, and go on till November
15, 2000. With thousands of lucky prizes being given away every day,
it will provide consumers the chance of a lifetime to win gold and
more gold. Upon jewellery and gold purchases of Rs. 5000 or more,
shoppers will be eligible to participate in a lucky draw for one kilo
of gold every third day, thousands of instant Scratch-N-Win prizes
everyday, and a bumper draw for two kilos of gold at the end of the
festival.
This festival, which has been organised by the
World Gold Council, is the largest ever gold jewellery extravaganza in
Pakistan. More than 120 leading jewellers from the main jewellery
markets of Karachi, Lahore, Islamabad and Faisalabad are participating
in it.
The World Gold Council is an international
organisation formed and funded by the leading gold mining companies
from around the world to increase the global demand for gold. Spurred
by the phenomenal success of the Gold Hee Gold jewellery shopping
festival in 1998, WGC has organised Gold Hee Gold 2000 to promote gold
and gold jewellery in Pakistan.
Third quarter revenue a record $8.7 billion
Intel Corporation announced third quarter revenue
of %8.7 billion, a quarterly record, up 19 per cent from the third
quarter of 1999 and up 5 per cent sequentially.
For the third quarter, net income excluding
acquisition-related costs was $2.9 billion, up 52 per cent from the
third quarter of 1999 and down 18 per cent sequentially. Third quarter
earnings excluding acquisition-related costs were $0.41 per share, an
increase of 52 per cent from $0.27 in the third quarter of 1999, and
down 18 per cent sequentially. All second quarter net income and
earnings per share amounts include the previously reported charge to
cost of sales for approximately $200 million to cover costs associated
with the MTH motherboard replacement programme and $2.3 billion of
interest and other income.
Including acquisition-related costs in accordance
with generally accepted accounting principles, third quarter net
income was $2.5 billion, up 72 per cent from the third quarter of 1999
and down 20 per cent sequentially. Earnings per share were $0.36, up
71 per cent fro $0.21 in the third quarter of 1999 and down 20 per
cent sequentially.
Acquisition-related costs in the third quarter
consisted of $8 million in one-time charges for purchased in-process
research and development and $420 million of amortization of goodwill
and other acquisition-related intangibles and costs.
In September, the company said it has been notified
that the investigation by the Federal Trade Commission into Intel's
business practices has been closed.
During the quarter, the company paid its quarterly
cash dividend of $0.02 per share. The dividend was paid on Sept. 1,
2000, to stockholders of record on Aug. 7, 2000. Intel has paid a
regular quarterly cash dividend for eight years.
During the quarter, the company repurchased a total
of 14.3 million shares of common stock at a cost of $1.0 billion,
under an ongoing programme. Since the programme began in 1990, the
company has repurchased 1.4 billion shares at a total cost of $21.2
billion.
Facilitation for rice exporters
M/s. General Shipping Agencies (Pvt) Ltd (agents of
Conti Lines, Antwerp) held a grand dinner at Karachi Boat Club.
The purpose of the function was to introduce Conti
Lines to the rice exporters of Karachi. Conti Lines of Antwerp were
founded in Antwerp in the year 1921 and act as maritime operator
active in 10 regular liner services all over the world, for example,
in the Baltic, Black Sea, Caribbean, Central and Latin America, etc.
All these lines primarily carry conventional cargo and Conti have
invested a lot of resources to develop the skills and talent necessary
to cater for the carriage of break bulk cargoes for our valued
customers. In this part of the world, Conti Lines have operated a
regular break bulk liner service (called Conti Asian Lines) from
Europe to Pakistan since 1976.
Mr. Mohammed Rajpar, Managing Director of General
Shipping Agencies (Pvt) Ltd, announced the launching of a new service
by Conti Lines: "Henceforth, we will accept Bagged Rice from
Pakistan to West African ports, namely Douala, Dakar, Lagos, Tema,
Freetown, Conarky, Abidjan, etc." He informed that these cargoes
will be accepted on parcel/inducement basis for the destination
region.
He added "with regular vesseles, we hope to
generate the requisite interest from exporters, especially since they
will no longer have to work only full ship loads or search for
trampship positions. Thus, parcels of 3-5000 tonnes will be executable
promptly instead of having to be delayed for want of balance cargo.
Thus, this service will boost the export performance of the
country".
Mr. Mohammed Rajpar also introduced the two
exclusive cargo brokers selected for this service, namely Mr. Akbar
Kamani of M.S. Shipping Agencies (Pvt) Ltd and Mr. Zafarullah Khan of
Aqua Maritime (Pvt) Ltd.
Prominent amongst those attending the function were
Mr. Shahid Garib, Mr. Fuad Garib and Mr. Faisal Garib of Garibsons (Pvt)
Ltd, Mr. Sheikh Arshad Mehmood of ASK Traders, Mr. Zulfikar Thaver of
SZT Corporation, Mr. Hamayun Qutab of Andre Group and Mr. Shahid
Tawawalla of Meslay & Femtee (Pvt) Ltd.
British Oil and Gas firms here to build contacts
Representatives of seven British companies from the
oil and gas sector are visiting Pakistan from 22-28 October. Many of
the companies hope to build upon existing relationships and develop
new contacts with customers. Those visiting Pakistan for the first
time hope to establish links with representatives in the oil and gas,
and related industries here.
The visitors are looking forward to their meetings
in Karachi, Lahore and Islamabad with experts from the leading oil and
gas companies. The British representatives hope to learn much from the
expertise and creativity within the Pakistan oil and gas sector and it
is hoped that technological developments in the UK will be of local
interest.
The British representatives are coming under the
auspices of a Trade Mission organised by the Society of British Gas
Industries. It is supported by Trade Partners UK and the offices of
the British High Commission in Islamabad, Karachi and Lahore.
The companies supply goods and services such as
state of the art turbo burner systems, micro-turbine co-generation
systems, advanced controls systems, portable gas detectors and fixed
alarm systems, compressor systems, industrial control and safety
systems, anti-corrosion and water sealing systems, and corrugated
metallic and composite flexible hose systems.
Pakistan's leading software firms team up with ACER
Pakistan's leading software firms, Micro
Innovations & Technologies (MIT) and Ora-Tech System have
established an alliance with Acer, Asia's leading software and
hardware house. This was stated recently, at a presentation dinner
held at a local hotel.
The occasion was addressed by representatives of
Micro Innovations and Technologies (MIT) (Pvt.) Ltd., Ora-Tech Systems
(Pvt.) Ltd. and Acer, Oracle and Microsoft.
Both MIT and Ora-Tech are currently Pakistan's
leading software houses, their partnership with Acer, Asia's leading
IT hardware manufacturer will provide consumers a one-stop shop for
all their hardware, software and information technology requirements.
To demonstrate to customers the synergistic power
of the alliance, MIT/Ora-Tech is organising an exhibition of Acer's
product range at the Marriott Hotel, Karachi, on October 19, 2000.
This exhibition will not only have the full product lines of the three
market leaders on display, but will also include live demonstrations
of computer hardware and peripherals as well as IT solutions and
software programmes.
It will also show live demos of Mazimo (Plant
Management System), IBS (Complete Banking Software), Oracle
Financials, Oracle Database Tools as well as Micrsoft's complete
product range. Furthermore, consumers will also be offered free
giveaways and special discounts on all the MIT, Ora-Tech and Acer
products at the exhibition.
On behalf of Mr. Aspi Fatakia, Mr. Iqbal Alam and
Mr. S. Gulzar, and members of the Board of MIT/Ora-Tech Group, Mr.
Ebrahim Subhani, Managing Director, said, "The partnership
between MIT/Ora-Tech and Acer, has created a valuable synergy for
customers. We have organised this exhibition to demonstrate to
customers, the efficacy and convenience our partnership brings to
their desktops".
Mirco Innovations and Technologies (Ptv) Ltd.
belongs to a new breed of high technology companies, which focus on
effective information management for corporate clients. It is one of
the few companies in Pakistan that are capable of providing complete
information management solutions to both public and private sector
organisations.
Greenwich University first Karachi Inter-University
debate the qamar ara shield
As a part of the co-curricular program, Greenwich
University is holding its First Karachi Inter-University Debating
contest for award of the 'The Qamar Ara Shield' on Saturday, October
28, 2000 at 04:30 pm. This is just a beginning to promote
communication skills, critical and analytical thinking and
channelising the students energy towards healthy activities and
creative thinking.
12 Universities will participate; in all there will
be 24 speakers each in English and Urdu debates and each speaker will
be allowed to speak 31/2—41/2 minutes.
The topics for the debates are:
English: 'There are no heroes today only
celebrities'
Urdu:
To provide an apropriate incentive, Greenwich
University has decided to award cash prizes to the top there positions
in both English and Urdu Debates. Running Trophy 'The Qamar Ara
Shield' will be awarded to the team with the highest points.
Prizes
First Prize — Rs. 15,000/=
Second Prize — Rs. 10,000/=
Third Prize — Rs. 5, 000/=
THRIVING AS AN E-BUSINESS IN A DRAMATICALLY
CHANGING BUSINESS WORLD
BITS Club at Institute of Business Administration,
Karachi, organized an interactive session on the topic of
'E-Government' on Wednesday, October 18, 2000. Mr. Shoib Khan, country
manager for IBM in Pakistan spoke on the occasion. He has been working
with IBM for the past 22 years playing a key role in "IT
AWARENESS" in Pakistan.
The topic of his presentation was "THRIVING AS
AN E-BUSINESS IN A DRAMATICALLY CHANGING BUSINESS WORLD".
According to him by 2003, half a billion people will be on the
internet buying different products which will cause a negative impact
on the middleman since the consumers will be buying directly from the
manufacturers. He said that with the passage of time the customers are
becoming more agile and intelligent. To attract such customers on the
website, which is an 'e-market', customer expectations and
personalization should be kept in mind. The effect of e-business is
that cost of going into business is decreasing. Also e-business is
giving rise to 'globalization' because the 'e-markets' are reachable
from anywhere in the world. He explained the characteristics of an
agile e-business are that there are no boundaries, customer has direct
relationship with the customers. Such factors not only enhances the
e-business but also give rises to new commerce models.
The organizers of the event are Zubair Naseer,
Faraz Haider, Khurram Mahboob and Imran Yousaf.
Zubair Naseer
BITS Club Press & Media Secretary
IBA
Pakistan's First tea consignement leaves for U.A.E
The first export consignment of Tapal Tea (Private)
Limited left the Karachi port. The container is loaded with great
tasting Tapal Danedar, bound for the UAE. Tapal Danedar will be the
first Pakistan branded packaged tea to make it to the shelves in
various parts of the world including USA, Australia, Europe & the
Middle East.
The product however will not be a new name in the
foreign market,, as it was reaching Grocery Stores in the Middle
East,, Australia, Europe and U.S. The company was receiving many
import queries from all corners of the world and it was this rising
demand for the product that prompted Tapal Tea to take a bold step and
reach out to tea lovers all over the world. Tapal Tea takes great
pride in the fact that Danedar will not just be a carrier of the
company's name to the global markets but also Pakistan's goodwill
ambassador, abroad. Being the first and only Pakistani Tea company
enjoying the highest global quality standards award ISO 9002, Tapal
Tea has always done the nation proud and this project is no exception.
Once again the company has created a history by exporting
non-traditional value added products to contribute to the national
economy. This is yet another proof of Tapal Tea's attachment to its
soil and its people.
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