Indus Motor Company exports
high-quality products to Toyota Egypt
IMC, Toyota Egypt sign agreement; open gates to the global supply chain

on 23/10/2023

Indus Motor Company (IMC) has become the first-ever auto manufacturer to open gates to the global supply chain by signing an agreement with Toyota Egypt to export high-quality products starting July 2023.
Whilst this collaboration is a remarkable achievement for IMC and a significant step towards establishing its global footprint, it is also the first time for any local automotive part to be part of the Toyota Global Supply Chain, opening new horizons and encouraging other such manufacturers to follow suit, says Indus Motor Company in a press release.
The first consignment of semi-processed raw material to be shipped to Toyota Egypt will mark the beginning of era from the export point of view by any OEM in Pakistan and plans are in place to continue in this direction.
This partnership with Toyota Egypt is the first step to meet requirements set under the Auto Industry Development and Export Policy (AIDEP) 2021-2026.
This is a significant milestone that will not only augment IMC’s export capabilities and serve as a testament to IMC’s quality standards but also contribute immensely towards the development of Pakistan’s growing auto industry.
At a small ceremony held at the company’s plant at Port Qasim, its Chief Executive, Ali Asghar Jamali, said, “To see the ‘Make in Pakistan’ dream cross international borders is a big moment, not just for us but the country too. Becoming part of Toyota’s global supply chain is an affirmation of IMC’s commitment to see Pakistan on the world map and strengthening its overall economy. We are looking forward to further enhancing our capabilities with this collaboration but it does not stop here; we plan to go further and beyond this to place Pakistan’s auto industry as a symbol of reliability and quality on the globe.”
He further said, “What’s more, this step will bolster connectivity between Africa and Pakistan and boost trade links under the government’s “Look Africa” policy.”
As a leading player in the Pakistani automotive industry, IMC is committed to providing the best services to its customers while adhering to the highest standards of quality. This partnership with Toyota Egypt is a great global validation to IMC’s unwavering dedication towards innovation and customer satisfaction, which has made it a reliable and trusted brand in the South Asian region.

Financial close for Hyderabad-Sukkur Motorway extended for 4 months

on 23/10/2023

The contractors of Hyderabad-Sukkur Motorway (M-6) have secured an extension for achieving financial close which was supposed to be achieved by June 1, 2023. After getting a 4-month extension, now the company, Techno-CMC-ACC will achieve it by September 30, 2023.
The Executive Board of the National Highways Authority (NHA) approved the extension for the construction of the Hyderabad-Sukkur Motorway (M-6) project to be built on a Build-Operate-Transfer (BOT) basis, reports said.
The authority and Techno-CMC-ACC consortium—the contractor—signed the concession agreement for the construction of the M-6 project which is the largest Public-Private Partnership project costing Rs307 billion.
The Public Private Partnership (P3A) Authority Board had approved the agreement for the construction of the M-6 project with a total cost of Rs307 billion. Pakistan is supposed to contribute Rs9.5 billion while the rest of Rs297.5 billion will be secured by the company.
This 6-lane motorway having a length of 306 kilometers will be operated by the company for a period of 25 years and will link with the north-south (Peshawar-Karachi) motorway network.

Pakistan Cables pledges to support the AKCS-P heritage conservation efforts

on 23/10/2023

Pakistan Cables pledged to support the Aga Khan Cultural Service – Pakistan’s upcoming project on the conservation of historical sites in Pakistan. As part of the project, internship opportunities are being offered by AKCSP to young graduates and students from the related fields of architecture, traditional engineering and construction techniques, material sciences, etc. The students will be provided onsite and hands-on learning opportunities at the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Lahore Fort and the Walled City of Lahore, where AKCS-P is currently working to restore the Mughal-era Wazir Khan Mosque.
Pakistan Cables’ support will help AKCS-P contribute effectively towards capacity building and transfer of knowledge by offering to the youth of Pakistan. The Company has a track record of successively supporting and developing activities and platforms to empower the youth through sharing knowledge.
Founded in 1953, Pakistan Cables is the premiere and most reputable cable manufacturer in Pakistan. Being the only wire and cable manufacturer listed on the PSX since 1955, it is also a member company of the Amir S. Chinoy group. The company has the largest geographical footprint in Pakistan with a presence in over 200 cities. It is ISO 9001:2015, ISO 14001:2015, and OHSAS 18001:2007 certified, and various cables type tested by KEMA, Netherlands.
AKCS-P is the cultural agency of the larger Aga Khan Development Network that is working with an aim to improve the socio-economic conditions in rural and urban communities through heritage conservation. AKCS-P has an exemplary history of working on the restoration of historical monuments employing best practice methods under the supervision of professional experts of international repute.

PARC, Chinese research institutes join hands for agriculture research

on 23/10/2023

A delegation, led by Wu Yuelang, Department of Science and Technology, Hubei Province, China visited the National Agricultural Research Centre (NARC) in Islamabad as part of their visit to Pakistan.
Prof. Dr. Iqrar Ahmed Khan, Vice Chancellor University of Agriculture Faisalabad, and Dr Muhammad Jaffar Jaskani, Director ORIC, along with other high official from University of Agriculture Faisalabad were also present at the occasion.
The delegation included Shi Hong, Director of the Social Development Technology Division, Ye Lin, an Officer from Hubei Province, Xiao Xuan, the Deputy Dean of Hubei General Hospital, and other esteemed officials from Hubei Province.
Dr Ghulam Muhammad Ali, Chairman of Pakistan Agricultural Research Council (PARC), extended a warm welcome to the esteemed guests and presented an overview of PARC’s endeavors dedicated to fostering innovation in the agriculture sector.
Dr. Ali highlighted that PARC actively engaged in agricultural research and development across ten distinct agro-ecological regions of the country, forging collaborations with domestic as well as international institutions.
Furthermore, Dr. Ali highlighted the longstanding partnership between PARC and Chinese research institutes in the field of agriculture.
Wu Yuelang conveyed his gratitude to Chairman PARC for the warm reception and highlighted the significant expertise of the Hubei Agriculture Research Institute in areas such as hybrid rice, soybean, citrus, and animal vaccination. In addition, he stressed the institute’s exceptional competence in carrying out scientific research activities.
Yuelang expressed a keen interest in sharing their research findings and fostering collaboration with PARC, aiming to gain insights from the experiences of Pakistani agricultural researchers. Furthermore, he emphasized that fostering collaboration in agricultural research would not only enhance scientific advancements but also reinforce the brotherly ties between the two nations.
During their visit, the delegation had the opportunity to explore the research laboratories at the National Institute of Genomics and Agricultural Biotechnology (NIGAB) and the Plant Genetic Resources Institute (PGRI), where they expressed their admiration for the ongoing research activities.

Dhabeji Special Economic Zone inaugurated; project to have $2 bn impact

on 23/10/2023

PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari inaugurated the Dhabeji Special Economic Zone project in Thatta this month.
As per the papers of Sindh Investment Department, the zone has an economic impact of US$2 billion.
The foreign minister along with the Sindh chief minister inaugurated the project by unveiling the plaque after he was briefed about the benefits and characteristics of the project by the officials concerned.
The project is estimated to generate US$5 billion and will create 100,000 to 150,000 jobs.
The Government of Sindh has allocated 1530 acres of land to be developed as Dhabeji Special Economic Zone (DSEZ) in Thatta, a Priority Project under China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), which will facilitate the potential investors of China and other countries to either start new enterprises or transfer their facilities to Pakistan, says a government paper on the project.
The location of the zone has 3 major advantages: 1. Easy access of Port Qasim enabling raw material import and finished goods export without incurring major inland transportation costs and saving time. 2. Easy access to Karachi Airport (35 Km) via national highway enabling safe travel of foreign workers and management personnel. 3. Direct access to the National Highway enabling the transportation of goods to upcountry and Central Asian nations utilizing the National Trade Corridor.
Dhabeji Special Economic Zone (DSEZ) to be transformed into an Expatriate Enclave with modern infrastructure and tax incentive package which will include exemption of Custom Duties and Taxes on the import of plant and machinery for the developer and the enterprises.
“The Dhabeji Special Economic Zone will be a public-private partnership project which ensures the economic and social development of the country,” the foreign minister said.
The objective of this project was to create a network of industries in Karachi, he added.
One of the important aspects of the project, which was a part of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor, is that it was given the status of a special economic zone by the Board of Investment on June 22.
The project will be developed in two phases in which hundreds of industrial units will be accommodated.
The project is being executed through a public-private partnership mode as the Sindh government has provided land to the contractor/developer Zahid Khan & Brothers while the contractor will not only develop the zone but will pay the cost of the land to the provincial government.
As per Development Guidelines, the Joint Ventures (JVs) with Pakistani Companies will be encouraged, export oriented industries will be prioritized and sectors have been chosen in consultation with Chinese and Pakistani Investors/companies and are in alignment with Pakistani Resource Base.
Infrastructure and Facilities include Steel-Foundries, Automotive and Auto parts, Chemical and Pharmaceuticals, Consumer Electronics Engineering, Textile & Garments, Warehousing, Building Material, FMCG, Technical & Vocational Training Centre, Captive Power Plant, Warehouse/Logistics Park, Waste Water Treatment Plant, 5 Star Hotel, Trauma Centre/Hospital, Restaurants, Business center, Auditorium/Expo Center, Fire Station/ Emergency Response Centre, Residential Zone, Common Machinery Pool, Railway Cargo Terminal, Mosque and Banks.