Winning diversity awards

A total of 46 Pakistani organisations have won the Global Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Benchmarks (GDEIB) annual award 2022. HR Metrics conducts GDEIB awards annually through a merit-based process in which organisations are given the opportunity to disclose their diversity, equity, and inclusion accomplishments with reference to Global DEI benchmarks standards, with a focus on the social and economic impact on relevant stakeholders.

Based on 2022’s assessment, Habib Bank Ltd was declared Pakistan’s most inclusive company in 2022. Based on a six-year cumulative score, Nestlé Pakistan stands at the top.

Turkish Commerical Attache visits TDAP

Eyyup Yildrum, Commercial Attache Consulate General of Turkiye, visited the Trade Development Authority of Pakistan (TDAP) on January 4 for a meeting with CEO TDAP Muhammad Zubair Motiwala and a trade delegation comprising exporters from Turkiye. Both sides discussed at length areas of mutual interest, especially enhancing the bilateral trade between the two countries and highlighting the great potential in various fields.

The Turkish Commercial Attache informed that a trade delegation comprising 40 delegates and 30 companies from textiles, furniture, chemicals, agri machinery etc is visiting Pakistan on January 23, 2023, for B2B meetings with Pakistani businessmen.

ICI changes name to Lucky Core Industries

We are pleased to announce that the name of ICI Pakistan Limited has changed to ‘Lucky Core Industries Limited’ as disclosed to the Pakistan Stock Exchange on December 23, 2022.

Drawing on its core strengths, the company’s new name embodies its central role in delivering enduring value through a diverse portfolio of essential products that are at the ‘core’ of almost every industry and a part of every home in Pakistan.

Transitioning to its new identity, Lucky Core Industries further aligns the organisation with its holding company, Lucky Cement Limited — a part of the Yunus Brothers Group (YBG) — a progressive and diversified Pakistani conglomerate.

With a legacy spanning over seven decades, the origins of the company predate the formation of Pakistan itself, evolving from a small trading concern with a single manufacturing unit to its current standing as one of the more recognised industrial conglomerates in the country.

Transforming over the decades under the ownership of ICI PLC UK and AkzoNobel, the company was acquired by the YBG in 2012.

State Life to continue digital innovation

As we start 2023, Shoaib Javed Hussain, Chairman of the State Life Insurance Corporation (SLIC) of Pakistan, would like to wish everyone a happy and healthy new year. The chairman said that a leadership team’s vision and a board of directors’ direction could only be achieved by the consistent hard work of SLIC’S workforce.

He recognised State life’s marketing force, staff and officers for delivering excellent and record-breaking results once again. He further thanked SLIC’s policyholders, customers and partners and more than 150m Pakistanis, who have made State Life’s 50th year a truly special year.

State Life is focused on making 2023 an even more special year, ensuring innovative and digital solutions for greater care and services to our policyholders and growth to contribute furthermore to our national economy.

SSGC, FFBL renew GSA

The Managing Directors of Sui Southern Gas Company Limited (SSGC) and Fauji Fertilizer Bin Qasim Limited (FFBL) signed the Third Addendum to the Gas Supply Agreement (GSA) on January 4, 2023, at SSGC’s Head Office in Karachi. Arif-ur-Rehman, MD, FFBL and Imran Maniar, MD, SSGC inked the GSA on behalf of their respective organisations. The GSA for the supply of 68 MMCFD gas for feedstock purposes to FFBL’s plant in Karachi has been renewed up to December 31, 2025. The gas supply is on an “as and when available basis.”

Syed Yawar Ali presented with award

The Life-Time Achievement Award was presented to Syed Yawar Ali, Chairman Nestle, by the Institute of Cost & Management Accountant of Pakistan for his outstanding contributions in the corporate sector on January 7 2023, in Lahore.

Mr Ali is currently Chairman of Nestlé Pakistan Limited, Wazir Ali Industries Limited, and Prime Genetics (pvt) Ltd. He has also been on the board of directors of the State Bank of Pakistan and Pakistan International Airlines, chairman of Lahore Electric Supply Company, chairman of the Agricultural Development Bank of Pakistan and Chairman of Pakistan Dairy Association and Pakistan Business Council.

Published in Dawn, The Business and Finance Weekly, January 9th, 2023