EPESOL bags Lahore Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI) Export Trophy 2017 for Engineering Services

on 28/09/2018

LCCI 2nd Export Trophy Ceremony buzzes with the unique acheivement of EPESOL;
Aimed at new horizons, says CEO.

Since its inception in 2009 introducing tremendous engineering talent of Pakistan to the world has been foremost mission of EPESOL.

Lahore Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI) recently honoured EPESOL with the Export Trophy for Best Engineering Services Export in recognition of its superior services and major contributions towards the exchequer of Pakistan and Pakistan’s image worldwide. The trophy was awarded to Akhlaq Ahmad, CEO EPESOL, at LCCI 2nd Export Trophy Ceremony at Chief Minister House Lahore. He was accompained by Mr. Mubasher Ahmed and Mr. Khawaja Asif Naeem. The bustling ceremony was attended by the entrepreneurs and tycoons of Punjab from different walks of life. Punjab’s finance minister Dr. Aisha Ghaus Pasha presided the ceremony and lauded the august contributions of exporters towards economy. Dr. Aisha, President LCCI, Abdul Basit, and Senior Vice President, Amjad All Jawa, expressed their surprise and cheered the unique contribution of EPESOL and exchanged the details of business dynamics with CEO. In his address CEO EPESOL attributed the success wholy to the blessings of Allah SWT and the trust of customers. “To grow, but for the country and countrymen at large is our mission for which we tirelessly striving for”, concluded Mr. Akhlaq.

DOLFI: Next Generation Washing Device – By Abbas Mansoor

on 28/09/2018

Dolfi – It is rightly said, “Technology is everywhere”. Washing clothes is the necessity of each and every house in this entire world. But this process was done by hands in the earlier days and now a days this process is done by using washing machines. Washing clothes in washing machine is easier as compare to washing clothes by hands but still washing clothes using machines is a bit cost effective which includes electricity, detergents, washing powder and etc.

          Now a day’s technology has gone so fast. Can any simple non-technical person imagine that his/her clothes can be washed without using any washing machine? The simple answer is a “BIG NO!”, but this is now possible. A company in Switzerland named “MPI Ultrasonic engineering laboratories” developed a hand held device called “DOLFI-‘Next Gen Washing Device’”. For many of us, a laundry machine that is actually in your home can only be considered as a luxury.

          Using the power of ultrasonic technology, Dolfi, which uses 80 times less energy than a standard washing machine, cleans even the most delicate of fabrics without damaging clothes or discoloring of clothes. With its no rubbing, whirling, stretching and fading qualities, this little device cleans fabrics from the inside, which means your threads (including lace, silk and cashmere) are left odor and dirt-free. It can be very useful in travelling or for any person who is away from home. It can prevent an individual for carrying multiple clothes while leaving home. Some clothes can be carried and washed using Dolfi easily without any struggle or expenses.

How to Use Dolfi?

1- Fill a sink or any other waterproof container with water and place your clothes or anything you want to wash inside. The clothes should float freely in the water.

 

2- Add detergent and give it a slight swirl to mix detergent in the water. Use high quality detergent in order to achieve better result.

3- Put the dolfi device inside the water with the logo facing upward. It should be placed at the bottom of the container under washing clothes.

4- Plug dolfi in the power outlet and the washing process will start automatically. The full cycle takes 1 hour. Each 10 minutes are indicated with one light dot. When full cycle is completed the device will switch of automatically. And the dirt free clothes can be seen.

Dolfi is the best device to get your clothes dirt free. Its use is easy, it is handheld and can be carried everywhere and it uses less electricity than a simple washing machine.

Specifications of Public Procurement – By Shehzad Memon

on 28/09/2018

Specifications means precise requirements of goods, works and services sought through a solicitation process. A specification sets limits and thereby eliminates, or potentially eliminates, items that are outside the boundaries drawn.

The specifications of public procurement are very important therefore remained a frequent cause of discussion. Entire procurement process depends on how well specification has been drafted. The overall purpose of a specification is to provide a basis for obtaining goods, works or service that will satisfy a particular need at an economical cost and to invite maximum reasonable competition.

From the plain reading of rules of specification in public procurement rules of Pakistan (federal and provinces), it appears that the texts are similar. However Sindh Public Procurement Rules, 2010 and Balochistan Public Procurement Rules, 2014 have restricted the use of used or reconditioned equipment, plant or machinery. Sindh Public Procurement Rules, 2010 does not provide any exception regarding procurement made by public sector commercial concerns on the demand of private sector client. Under the procurement laws of the World Bank and Asian Development Bank, a reference to international standards is compulsory. However, when standards are silent, local standards may be referred.

The rule No.10 of Public Procurement Rules-2004 deals with the specification. It explains the requirements and the approaches for drafting the specifications of the object to be procured. For the sake of clarity, the rule may be divided into following three parts:

a. Widest Possible Competition
b. Reference to brand name/catalogue
c. Exception

a. Widest Possible Competition

The specifications cannot be made in a manner which can come out to be restrictive and support single bidder. The specification must be written to encourage competition consistent with seeking overall economy for the purpose intended. Further, it should include only standards that are supported by the market and that are recognized by a formal standardization organization(s).

b. Reference to brand name/catalogue

– It has been specifically stressed that procuring agency must avoid referring to proprietary products such as brand names, trademarks and patents as the use of references to proprietary items restricts the ability to participate in bids because only certain vendors or suppliers will be in a position to provide the specific product. It also makes the public authority too dependent on a single vendor for systems, potentially reducing competition for the provision of these systems and its likelihood to be further used. Therefore public procurements should not make reference to proprietary products, brand names, trademarks, patents, and similar items.

– Under the exceptional circumstances, If it is necessary to mention the brand names, catalogue etc, it must be made with the words “or equivalent”. It means that the bidder may quote for an object which is equivalent to the brand name or catalogue number mentioned in the specification. However, the burden of proof lies on the bidder to prove equivalency and all cost to be incurred in this regard would be borne by the bidder.
– Some procuring agencies/consultants have added the word “approved” and use “or approved equivalent” instead of “or equivalent”.

– It is important to note that the request for new solutions to be compatible with previously purchased proprietary products or systems can favor the original suppliers and thus restrict competition, increasing the risk of vendor lock-in. The consequences of such a scenario are that only a limited number of suppliers or providers might be favored for the provision of a given product or service. In order to minimize the risk of long-term dependence on a single supplier or service provider, specifications must be drafted not to request compatibility with previously purchased proprietary solutions. Rather it is recommended to request for their interoperability. This approach increases the freedom of future procurement choices because it enables full compatibility across multiple vendors and producers.

c. Exception

An exception has been provided that if a procuring agency deals in manufacturing and selling of equipment, plants, and machinery, it can procure a particular brand, model or classification of equipment, machinery or other objects on the request of private sector client. This exception is not provided under Sindh Public Procurement Rules, 2010.
While drafting the specifications, procuring agency must keep in mind that procurement does not aim for the best in the market. The best quality may have adverse implications on cost, technical aspects, maintenance, and operations. Therefore, procurement tries to get the just right quality that suits the need-no more and no less. (The writer is a Procurement & Contracts Specialist. Email:mshehzadmemon@hotmail.com)

UMT founder dies in car crash

on 24/09/2018

The founder and chairman of the University of Management and Technology (UMT) Professor Hasan Sohaib Murad died in a car accident on September 10.

Murad met an accident on his way back from the Khunjerab border, where he had gone to attend a seminar. Shabir Ahmed, the deceased’s son, has also sustained serious injuries in the accident.

Murad was a renowned scholar of management, philosophy and inventive business studies.

He had 25 years of practical and diverse experience as he strived to build world-class business support units in the areas of finance, sensitive and defense technology, mobile technology, leadership, supply chain, entrepreneurship, and innovation.

Efficient Management May Save Water Equivalent to One Dam

on 24/09/2018

A USAID-sponsored water center in Sindh has claimed that an efficient management and improvement in the irrigation system can save water equivalent to one dam.

Dr. Bakhshal Lashari, the project director USPCAS-W MUET who presented a set of 32 recommendation at a two-day water conference held in Mehran University.

Recommended to develop policies for regulating the use of groundwater, effective implementation of national water policy be made, to bring improvement in the irrigation system which, he said would save water equivalent to one dam.

While sharing the recommendation, he stressed on the institutional audit of the water resources be conducted on a periodic basis to help planners and administrative bodies to make informed decisions and on irrigation infrastructure be modernized and equipped to manage water resources properly.

He also recommended for the promotion of behavioral change to reduce wastage of water by raising public awareness through media campaigns and incorporating water conservation lessons in syllabi/curricula at primary, secondary and tertiary levels.

All the industries should install their waste treatment plants and water Conservation Technology may be adopted to save the water.

Earlier, Nisar A. Memon, the former Federal Minister & Senator said only a knowledge-based society can bring socio-economic development with a people-centric approach where our National Water Policy 2018 and Climate Change Policy 2013 is thoughtfully and meticulously implemented and this is the way forward for us to be not only secure but sovereign country.

He said that water and environment is part of un-conventional security along with the energy and food; as such it requires national focus like the conventional security i.e. defense and defense production.

He opined that globally, the water-environment-food nexus had assumed importance due to its role in the well-being of the people and living beings. “The security of people of Pakistan requires greater investment in all water environment institutions and infrastructure with merit-based governance,” he added. Mr. Memon said that Pakistan currently has the largest youth population of its history and quoting the United Nation’s Human Development Report said that, it has 64% of its 207 million population below the age of 30 and 29% between 15-29 years. “But our challenge is to nurture the youth and offer them the opportunities,” he observed.

 He said that the conference paved the way for the youth researchers to present their research work, learn from peers and participate in national research endeavors. Further he elaborates the exercised youth scientists will preserve, protect and promote the water and environment assets of about 7,250 glaciers and Indus basin the largest irrigation system in the world. He continued and said even though we contribute less to global warming of the environment, but we are a 10th most vulnerable country in the world regarding climate change effects. – By a special correspondent, Hyderabad.