CBD Punjab Ensures Smooth Traffic Flow and Efficient Drainage Amidst First Monsoon Rain

             

With the onset of the monsoon season and the first rainfall, CBD Punjab administration has promptly completed drainage arrangements at Kalma Underpass and Walton Road.

With the first monsoon rain in Lahore, CBD Punjab administration is proactive. Traffic is flowing smoothly in the CBD project area at Kalma Underpass and Walton Road. All arrangements by CBD Punjab are operational, and pumps are working at full capacity. CEO CBD Punjab, Imran Amin, stated that all CBD Punjab staff are working on drainage at Walton Road and Kalma Underpass to maintain normal traffic flow. Residents of Kalma Chowk and Walton Road will be provided maximum relief during the monsoon. Besides the Walton Road CBD Punjab project area, Cantonment Board staff are working on drainage in the adjacent areas.

CBD PUNJAB READY TO COMBAT MONSOON FLOODING ON WALTON ROAD

           

Punjab Central Business District Development Authority (PCBDDA), also known as the Central Business District (CBD Punjab), proudly announces its comprehensive readiness for the upcoming monsoon season. To combat urban flooding and ensure the timely drainage of rainwater, CBD Punjab has proactively implemented precautionary measures on Walton Road.

As part of the ongoing Walton Road Upgradation Project, CBD Punjab has undertaken initiatives designed to prevent urban flooding during the monsoon season. These efforts reflect the Authority’s unwavering commitment to safeguarding the residents and daily commuters of Walton Road.

In a strategic move to address potential flooding, CBD Punjab has installed two temporary submersible pumps, each with a capacity of 15 cusecs. These pumps have successfully undergone test runs, confirming their readiness to manage excess rainwater effectively. To ensure their operational efficiency even during power outages, all pumps will be supported by an uninterrupted generator supply.

Both submersible pumps are equipped to handle excessive rainwater and the overflow from ADA Nullah, thereby mitigating the risk of flooding in the area. This proactive approach aims to minimize inconvenience for the public and maintain smooth traffic flow on Walton Road.

Imran Amin CEO CBD Punjab expressed his confidence in the authority’s preparedness he said, "As per the directives given by Chief Minister Punjab Maryam Nawaz during her last visit, we are fully prepared for the monsoon and are committed to providing maximum relief to the residents and daily commuters of Walton Road. Our team has worked diligently to implement these measures well in advance of the rainy season."

The comprehensive flood management strategy underscores CBD Punjab’s dedication to urban development and public welfare. By taking these preemptive measures, the authority aims to alleviate the challenges posed by monsoon rains, ensuring a smooth and safe commute for the people of Lahore.

Furthermore, the Walton Road carriageway will be open for traffic by October 2024. This development is part of a broader vision to enhance infrastructure and improve the quality of life for the city’s residents.

Infinix Brand Power on the Rise: Makes Second Appearance in Kantar BrandZ Top 50

          

Infinix, a trendy tech brand crafted for young consumers, has once again been recognized in the Top 50 Kantar BrandZ Chinese Global Brand Builders 2024 ranking by Google and Kantar. This prestigious ranking, often regarded as the "Oscars" of the branding industry, highlights Infinix's continuous enhancement of brand power and global consumer recognition. Infinix climbed to the 44th spot this year, up one rank from last year.

"We are pleased to announce that for the second consecutive year, we have been recognized as one of the Top 50 Kantar BrandZ Chinese Global Brand Builders for 2024. This tribute underscores our unwavering commitment to innovation and technology, earning the trust of worldwide consumers. Our focus remains steadfast on delivering essential products, cultivating brand value, and establishing international influence through differentiation. Infinix has, over time, evolved into a trusted global brand through consistent global localization efforts. We are dedicated to furthering globalization through localization, deepening our understanding of user insights, delivering superior products, and crafting a brand experience that embodies profound value.'" - Lake Hu, Chief Marketing Officer at Infinix.

Kantar BrandZ, the global well-known consumer-focused brand asset insights provider, employs a widely acclaimed brand valuation methodology. This assessment evaluates brand attractiveness based on significance, differentiation, and prominence, ascertained through international user polling. The consistent inclusion of Infinix in this index corroborates its worldwide brand impact and robustness.

Leading with Innovation

Infinix is committed to equipping young individuals in emerging markets with state-of-the-art technology and elegant design. This year, the NOTE 40 series and the GT 20 Pro dual-core gaming flagship have attracted considerable attention. The NOTE 40 series features All-Round FastCharge 2.0, encompassing 100W Multi-Speed FastCharge, Wireless MagCharge, and the Cheetah X1 chip. On the other hand, the GT 20 Pro, powered by the MediaTek Dimensity 8200 Ultimate processor and the Pixelworks X5 Turbo dedicated display chip, offers an eSports-level gaming experience with its robust cooling system and 144Hz FHD+ AMOLED display.

MSME Day 2024: Alibaba.com Commits to Scaling AI Tools for MSMEs

                                            

Alibaba.com, a leading platform for global business-to-business (B2B) e-commerce and a unit of Alibaba International Digital Commerce Group, today honored businesses in their pursuit of success and global growth ahead of Micro-, Small and Medium-Sized Enterprise (MSME) Day on June 27. Reaffirming its dedication to supporting MSMEs, Alibaba.com said it has been rolling out artificial intelligence (AI) tools for global suppliers, which have so far attracted adoption by around 30,000 businesses on its platform.

This year’s MSME Day marks the seventh anniversary of the United Nations’ designation to recognize the vital role played by MSMEs in achieving the UN Sustainable Development Goals and the contributions of MSMEs to the global economy. On this meaningful occasion, Kuo Zhang, President of Alibaba.com, participated in a panel discussion on the topic of global trade during the World Trade Organization’s (WTO) bi-annual Global Review of Aid for Trade. Together with four MSMEs from Ethiopia, Vietnam, Italy and India, Zhang also joined a session held by the United Nations International Trade Centre (ITC) to celebrate MSME Day.

 

Emphasizing the importance of ensuring that no MSMEs in underdeveloped countries are left behind in the era of AI, Zhang mentioned that among the top 20 countries making the most frequent use of Alibaba.com’s AI tools, approximately 10 are developing countries.

“As a member of the private sector, we are honored to have worked alongside international agencies such as ITC and supported MSMEs worldwide over the past 25 years,” said Zhang. “As we promote wider adoption of our AI tools amongst MSMEs, we also hope to expand our global supplier base to cover 100,000 suppliers in the next three years. In a nutshell, we are building a global supply chain by and for MSMEs leveraging AI.”

 

MSMEs Embrace the Power of AI

A recent survey conducted by Alibaba.com of MSMEs that utilize its platform showed that they are regularly seeking out innovative solutions and offerings like AI. In fact, 25%-30% of the MSMEs surveyed use AI on a daily basis.

On Alibaba.com alone, approximately 30,000 MSMEs globally are using the platform’s AI tools. As a result of leveraging these tools, the companies surveyed saw a 37% increase in product exposure, creating greater opportunity for new business deals and growth. Additionally, those MSMEs surveyed that are already utilizing Alibaba.com’s AI tools are furthering their businesses through AI’s expertise, as they have collectively accepted 70% of the optimization suggestions from the tools.

“Using AI has helped put my Alibaba.com store on autopilot and saved us a lot of time since it’s just me and one employee managing our business,” said Sieu To, Deputy Managing Director of Hanh Sanh Co., Ltd, a Vietnam-based electric fan company. “For many business owners who are new to e-commerce, I think AI tools will draw them closer to the platform.”

MSMEs Have Growing Access to Global Suppliers

In addition to a growing suite of innovative solutions to support their businesses, MSMEs on Alibaba.com can diversify their product sources by connecting with suppliers with specific industry and product focuses. These key global digital supply chain clusters include the following:

·         In Northeast Asia, buyers can connect with natural ingredient skin care suppliers out of Korea and partner with home furniture and camera, photo and accessory manufacturers in Japan.

·         In Southeast Asia, Vietnam is the supplier hub for seasoning and condiments, as well as home and outdoor furniture. Buyers can also seek out expert suppliers in India and Pakistan for loose gemstones and horse racing gear.

·         In West Asia and Europe, carpets, men’s clothing and construction and building machinery suppliers can be found in Türkiye. Buyers are able to tap into suppliers in Germany for industrial machinery and suppliers of wine, textile machinery and women’s apparel from Italy.

“As one of the first Italian businesses on Alibaba.com’s platform, I have always had faith in our quality Italian supplements products. Alibaba.com has helped me expand my business beyond Europe into markets like China, Vietnam, Bangladesh and Ghana,” said Maria Francesca Aceti, CEO of Deltha Pharma.

Alibaba.com Expands Supplier Support in Developing Countries

As Alibaba.com seeks to expand its supplier base, it is stepping up its efforts to onboard suppliers in developing countries. Of note, Alibaba.com is setting out to help 100 MSMEs across Africa establish a presence on its platform to sell their products globally. Additionally, of the 500 events and seminars Alibaba.com is rolling out this fiscal year (April 2024 to March 2025) for global suppliers, about 300 are set to be held in developing nations.

“Starting with brick-and-mortar and transitioning to e-commerce has been a strategic journey for my business,” said Dagmawit Abebe, owner of Ethiopian coffee brand Kedemt Coffee. “Leveraging e-commerce platforms like Alibaba.com has been crucial in overcoming local market challenges and expanding our reach.”

Alibaba.com connects more global MSMEs now than ever before, serving more than 48 million buyers and more than 200,000 suppliers on its platform worldwide. Alibaba.com will continue to place MSMEs at the forefront through innovation and new solutions focused on simplifying global sourcing and selling.

ACCA highlights importance of empathy, flexibility and innovation to SMEs as UN celebrates small businesses

                                                

  Empathy, adaptability and the human touch are vital to SMEs navigating through today’s dynamic and challenging business landscape, according to a new report launched by ACCA (the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants). 

This collection of stories and a toolkit brings together real-world experiences from finance leaders, entrepreneurs, and business support organisations across the globe, showcasing the role of accountants in guiding SMEs through the challenges and opportunities of today's dynamic business landscape. 

Aleksandra Zaronina-Kirillova, ACCA's Head of SME Professional Insights, says: “In a world where SMEs are confronted with rapid change, from navigating digital transformation and sustainability, to managing talent shortages and inflation, the role of accountancy professionals as empathetic and indispensable partners has never been more vital.” 

“Accountants, with their unique blend of financial expertise, strategic vision, and human understanding, are the listeners, the problem-solvers, and the trusted advisors who stand alongside entrepreneurs, offering not just financial guidance, but also emotional support and a deep understanding of the human stories behind the businesses they serve. This collection of stories celebrates successes from around the world.” 

The report, Accountants at the heart of SME resilience and growth, includes a range of stories from around the world – in written and video formats - designed to be a useful resource for SMEs and the accountancy professionals who support them. It also includes a toolkit offering practical tools and insights on a range of topics of interest to SMEs.  

To support the launch, ACCA is hosting a webinar on June 27, providing a platform for discussion and deeper insights into the toolkit. Participants will have the opportunity to engage with experts, ask questions, and learn more about the strategic role of accountancy professionals in empowering SMEs. Register here. 

Beme Unveils Beme Hush Headphones: Elevating Your Sound Experience to New Heights

    

                                 

 Beme. is thrilled to announce the launch of the Beme Hush headphones on June 26, 2024. These headphones are designed to take your listening experience to the next level with exceptional sound quality and comfort, making them perfect for music lovers and everyday use.

The standout feature of the Beme Hush is its advanced ANC Hybrid Technology. This technology uses deep learning to block out background noise, allowing you to enjoy your music with incredible clarity and depth.

Whether you're into bass-heavy beats or soothing melodies, the Beme Hush delivers stunning sound that brings your music to life. The headphones are also designed for long listening sessions, with a comfortable fit that you can wear all day.

Style is also a priority with the Beme Hush, available in four colors: Sand, Black, Blue, and Grey. You can choose a color that suits your personal style.

Key technical specifications include:

• Bluetooth Version: Bluetooth 5.3 for seamless connectivity

• Frequency Range: 2.402-2.480GHz

• Working Range: Up to 10 meters (33 feet)

• Standby Time: Up to 100 hours

• Music Play Time: Up to 6 hours

• Talk Time: Up to 6 hours

• Charging Time: About 2 hours

"We're excited to introduce the Beme Hush headphones, designed to offer both outstanding sound quality and comfort," said Rahmeen Syed, Marketing Manager of Beme. "With our latest ANC technology and stylish design, we're confident that users will love the immersive experience these headphones provide."

The Beme Hush headphones will be available for purchase starting June 26, 2024, on the Beme.pk and Saamaan.pk website. For more information about the Beme Hush and other Beme products, visit Beme.pk.

 

Exploring Pakistan's Top-Tier Gaming Phones in 2024

                                         

In recent years, the demand for high-performance smartphones capable of handling intensive gaming has surged dramatically. However, Pakistan's market has always been devoid of specialized gaming phones, leaving enthusiasts to rely on high-end flagships that are not specifically designed for gaming. Fortunately, the landscape is changing with the introduction of the GT 20 Pro, Pakistan's first dedicated gaming phone. Before we delve into the unique attributes of the GT 20 Pro, let us examine the top flagship smartphones presently available in Pakistan, favoured for gaming on account of the limited choices for gaming phones within the 100,000 to 200,000 price range.

While the flagship above smartphones offer competent specifications, the Infinix GT 20 Pro distinguishes itself through its singularly focused design for mobile gaming.  This dedication manifests in the GT 20 Pro's superior processor, the fastest refresh rate display amongst the compared models, and the inclusion of a dedicated gaming chipset, cooling technology, and high-fidelity audio. These features, combined with the potential to unlock 120 FPS gameplay for PUBG Mobile, position the GT 20 Pro as the preeminent choice for Pakistani mobile gamers seeking an optimized and impactful gaming experience
In conclusion, while other phones offer strong gaming capabilities, the GT 20 Pro stands out for its dedicated gaming features and optimizations tailored to the growing Pakistani mobile gaming market. Additionally, its superior hardware makes it an excellent choice for everyday use. If you're looking for a phone that excels at everything you do, from dominating leaderboards to breezing through daily tasks, the GT 20 Pro is the perfect choice for you.