Mubadala Energy, OMV and PARCO join forces to explore opportunities in sustainable fuels.

Mubadala Energy, the Abu Dhabi-based international energy company, has announced the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with OMV Downstream GmbH (OMV) and Pak-Arab Refinery Limited (PARCO) to explore opportunities in sustainable fuels and feed-stock production in Pakistan.

Under this agreement the companies will explore the possibility of pursuing projects in circular economy initiatives, including plastics production and recycling, sustainable fuels and feed-stock as well as the development of synthetic oil and chemical products. The collaboration builds on a well-established partnership between Mubadala Energy, OMV and PARCO and seeks to utilize cutting edge technologies while leveraging existing infrastructure and market access.

In line with Mubadala Energy’s strategy to pursue opportunities in new energy sectors and low carbon solutions, the agreement also supports its recently launched sustainability strategy that pinpoints three key priorities: Creating a positive environmental impact, supporting responsible operations, and being a partner of choice. Through the MoU the partners also hope to further support efforts to ensure energy security within key customer centers.

Mansoor Mohamed Al Hamed, Mubadala Energy CEO, commented; “we have set out a clear strategy to pursue new energy sectors and low carbon solutions in support of the energy transition. This agreement brings together existing partners to combine leading technology, energy transition expertise and market infrastructure to realize the potential of circular economy solutions, at scale. With the UAE’s commitment to net zero emissions, I am excited to see this collaboration contribute to these goals”.

For OMV, the project supports the company’s net zero emissions targets and is line with a strategy to become a leading, innovative producer of sustainable fuels and feedstock. For PARCO, the agreement has the potential to position the company as an important player in the circular economy and deepen integration into the chemicals & materials industry, while proactively developing sustainable, low-carbon solutions that help diversify its business.

Mr. Shahid Mahmood Khan, Managing Director, PARCO, commented; “as the energy lifeline of the nation, we resolve to secure a sustainable energy future for the Country. Pakistan has immense potential to move towards environmentally friendly fuels. We are glad to collaborate with Mubadala Energy and OMV to accelerate energy transition in Pakistan. Their technology and expertise will play an instrumental role in exploring avenues for circular economy and sustainable fuels”.

Martijn van Koten, Member of the OMV Executive Board and Executive Officer Fuels & Feedstock, said; “we are delighted to participate in this joint activity, which supports our sustainable business strategy. The sourcing of sustainable raw feedstock and plastic waste is key to our intention to expand sustainable fuel production and our ReOil technology. I am convinced that OMV, with its extensive know how in key sustainable technologies, can make a significant contribution to the success of this cooperation”.

About PARCO: PAK-ARAB REFINERY LTD.(PARCO) is a Joint Venture between the Government of Pakistan (60%) and the Emirate of Abu Dhabi (40%). PARCO is a leading integrated energy company with major operations in oil refining, transportation, storage, and marketing. PARCO has the most modern and largest operating refinery in Pakistan having a capacity of 120,000 BPD, strategic storage of over 1.5 million tons, over 2,000 kms of cross-country pipeline network (with its JV subsidiary Pak-Arab Pipeline Company Limited (PAPCO), and a rapidly expanding retail network of TOTAL PARCO (TPPL) – a joint venture with TOTAL of France.

Mira Sethi’s love for literature lands her in at the prestigious ‘Festival of Literature 2022’.

The countdown to the 2022 Emirates Airline Festival of Literature has started! This Festival being one of the world’s leading international literary festivals, will be spread across two weekends from 3^rd – 13^th February 2022, with talks and sessions taking place at Al Habtoor City, Dubai.

The exciting young talent of Pakistan, Mira Sethi will be participating in three different panels at the international Festival of Literature on the 5^th and 6^th of February 2022, taking place in Dubai. She will be sharing one of the panels with some of the well-known and award-winning writers.

The three panels where Mira Sethi will be speaking are ‘The Strongly Worded Letters’ alongside Annabel Kantaria, Ben Miller, and Marina Wheeler, ‘Peeling the Onion’ with Avni Doshi, Farah Ali, and Selma Dabbagh and one panel is called ‘Are You Enjoying?’ where Mira Sethi will be the only one speaking.

These renowned writers will be talking about their literary journey and discussing the craft and inspiration behind their stories.

Mira Sethi was the former books editor at The Wall Street Journal with op-ed pieces in The New York Times, a well-known actress with regular appearances on Pakistani television and is now the author of a debut short story collection ‘Are You Enjoying’.

Link – https://tickets.emirateslitfest.com/search.aspx?SearchTerm=mira+sethi

The “Ninety-90 Bash” – International Cricket League with striking new format to be staged in U.A.E

The Chairman of the Emirates Cricket Board, His Highness Sheikh Nahyan Bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, sanctioned a new international cricket league in the UAE at signing ceremony held in Abu Dhabi. Along with His Highness Sheikh Nahyan Bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, the signing ceremony was attended by Vice Chairman of Emirates Cricket Board (ECB) Mr. Khalid Zarooni, Mr. Salman Iqbal of the ARY Group, Mr. Abdul Rehman Bukhatir & Mr. Khalaf Bukhatir from Bukhatir Group and Mr. Aref Al Awani General Secretary of Abu Dhabi Sports Council. 

The agreement signed between Sharjah based Century Events & Sports FZC and Emirates Cricket Board is launching a first-of-its-kind, exciting 90-ball an inning, annual cricket league to be held in Sharjah – the home of international cricket in the Middle-East. The inaugural tournament is scheduled for 2022, to be held under the auspices of the Emirates Cricket Board (ECB).

With an aptly named working title, the “Ninety-90 Bash”, is the collective brainchild of three leading regional entrepreneurs; Abdul Rahman Bukhatir (Chairman of the Bukhatir Group), Salman Iqbal (Founder & President of ARY Digital Network and owner of the Pakistan Super League’s Karachi Kings team) and Imran Chaudhry (Managing Director of the Cinergie Group of Companies). The trio is based in the U.A.E and each one captains successful and diversified enterprises. The three leaders all share a common passion for the game of cricket, and they have come together to put their considerable weight behind this exciting new cricket tournament.

Globally recognized and acknowledged as the pioneer and founding father of international cricket in the Middle-East Abdul Rahman Bukhatir is the Chairman of the Bukhatir Group, a long established and diversified business conglomerate based in Sharjah. A visionary with a great deal of passion for the game, he has fostered the sport’s growth in the U.A.E for decades and is looking forward to leading a new era for cricket here. He said; “I have been a part of cricket’s journey here in the United Arab Emirates from the very beginning, and it is my endeavor to continue to give cricket a home here in the Emirates, while finding ways in which to grow the game and keep it healthy”.

Abdul Rehman Bukhatir added; “this new exciting format could be instrumental in creating a brand new fan base for the sport, not just in the UAE, but across the globe.”

Salman Iqbal, the Founder & President of ARY Digital Network and owner of the Pakistan Super League’s Karachi Kings team is one of the region’s most successful entrepreneurs.

Iqbal believes Ninety-90 cricket is just what the game needs and he said; “the sport has evolved over the years and the time has come for cricket to take another leap of faith. We believe we have something brand new to offer and the entire team expects the tournament to be a grand success.”

Completing the trio is Imran Chaudhry, managing director of the Cinergie Group of companies, and a renowned businessman with a diverse portfolio of corporations ranging from trading in oil field supplies, industrial equipment and metals, to department stores, hospitality and real estate. Imran Chaudhry said; “the proposed Ninety-90 format will be shorter than Twenty20 cricket, with the aim of making every contest sharp, edgy and action-packed, while retaining the importance of cricket skills at the core of its success.”

Mr. Khalid Zarooni, Vice Chairman of the Emirates cricket board (ECB) was looking forward to the new tournament and said; “we are very proud to sign this deal and look forward to an annual tournament that is entertaining.”

Preparations for the Ninety-90 Bash are in full swing. Several well-known global business houses and cricketing icons, players are already set to sign on; bringing together a heady mix of iconic cricketing stars and emerging players to be a part of this 90 ball an inning tournament. 

The Ninety-90 Bash offers local cricket fans in the Emirates a timely, fantastic and undoubtedly thrilling tournament.

Tennis & Country Club Fujairah to present an Art Exhibition “Different Vision” from 20th May 2021.

Tennis & Country Club Fujairah will be presenting an Art Exhibition titled as ‘Different Vision’, which will be inaugurating on from 20^th May 2021 and will go on till 26^th May 2021. The motto behind hosting the exhibition is to promote the idea that ‘Art is beyond the form of entertainment and can be a source of creativity and thought-provoking ideas as well’.

The event’s main exhibitors are Dr. Awatef Salah from Egypt and Bojana Marinkovic Bachelet from Croatia. The event is expected to be attended by media representatives, management members and all creativity enthusiasts within social distancing regulations.

When asked to say a few words about the exhibition Bojana Marinkovic Bachelet from Croatia said; “a few years ago, I was encouraged by a friend to start painting as a form of therapy since I was having a lot of stress at work. I enjoyed painting so much, that I started painting up to 8 hours straight. I loaded my friends’ homes with paintings. People started asking me to paint for them. It is rewarding and motivating to be recognized by your work; I am so very grateful”. 

She further added by saying that; “I started taking art courses and having consultations with professional artists. During one course, I met my dear friend Dr. Awatef. We are so different in many ways; from completely diverse cultures and worlds, yet we share the same passion for art and that made us close. I am very honored to have had the chance to make an exhibition with such a talented artist. I hope that you will enjoy our paintings as much as we enjoyed making them”.

About Dr. Awatef Salah: Dr. Awatef Salah is an Egyptian Cairo-based multi-award-winning visual artist. She holds a PH.D in Environmental Decoration Projects from the Faculty of Applied Arts, Helwan University. She works as Assistant professor at the Faculty. She is also a painter who at times moves to photography. Her work has been exhibited at galleries, festivals, and museums locally and internationally. She has many group exhibitions and scholarships from different institutions in Egypt and abroad.

About Bojana Marinkovic Bachelet: When asked to say something about herself she said; “am I an artist? I am still very shy to say that as the first thing about myself, but art is a huge part of my being. I was born in Croatia in 1981, but most of my life and education were spent in Serbia. When I started university, it was during a war. My whole youth I spent in poverty. However, as poor as we were in one sense, we were also rich in culture, spirituality, and relationships. I did not have a chance to argue with my parents to study art. They are pragmatic people. Instead of art, I received my Master’s in Economics. For 13 years I was chasing a career in multinational co-operations as a data analyst. Climbing higher and higher, I loved my job and never thought that I would be more satisfied and fulfilled with painting (@paintings4i) and photography (@babyphotobyb)”. 

Hamad Buamim, President & CEO of Dubai Chamber of Commerce and Industry (DCCI) congratulates China on 71st National Day.

His Excellency Hamad Buamim, President and Chief Executive Officer of Dubai Chamber of Commerce and Industry congratulated China on the occasion of its 71st National Day. He expressed his views in his statement released to press.

Commenting on the occasion of China’s 71^st National Day H.E Hamad Buamim, President and Chief Executive Officer of Dubai Chamber of Commerce and Industry (DCCI), said that; “UAE-China relations continue to develop and flourish after the comprehensive strategic partnership between the two countries ushered in a golden era for bilateral economic cooperation”.

His Excellency Hamad Buamim said; “China is a market of strategic importance to Dubai and Dubai Chamber is playing an active role in building bridges between the UAE and Chinese business communities”.  

President & Chief Executive Officer of (DCCI), further said; “bilateral non-oil trade has expanded following the opening of Dubai Chamber’s representative offices in Shanghai and Shenzhen in 2016 and 2019, respectively. With the opening of these offices the number of Chinese companies registered with Dubai Chamber has risen steadily to reach 3,019 today”.

H.E. Buamim revealed that; “Dubai Chamber members’ exports and re-exports to China reached AED 2.4 billion (US$ 653.4 million) during the January-August 2020 period, marking 50% growth compared to the same period in 2019. These figures reflects growing demand among Chinese consumers for UAE products and underline Dubai’s position as a preferred trade hub”.

He added that; “the Chamber’s international offices are focusing their efforts on facilitating Dubai-China trade and investment by capitalising on bilateral business opportunities, attracting Chinese companies to Dubai and identifying opportunities in the Chinese market that offer potential to member companies”.

His Excellency Hamad Buamim, President and Chief Executive Officer of Dubai Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

Nominees of first ever ‘Pakistan International Screen Awards’ PISA 2020 announced.

The much awaited nominees list for the first Pakistan International Screen Awards 2020 (PISA2020) has been announced and there are some awfully talented contestants in each category. To find out about who has been selected for the different categories visit www.pisa.com.pk.

Please vote for your favorite stars from film, television to social media personalities, fashion designers and top models here http://voting.pisa.com.pk/

An honorable panel of jury members will pick the winners in the critics’ choice categories whilst other categories will be open to the public for voting with all winners being presented their awards at the grand Coca Cola Arena.

On 07^th February 2020 in Dubai at the Coca Cola Arena, the star-studded Pakistan International Screen Awards will also present not only one but eight Life-time Achievement Awards for film and television icons to show gratitude towards them. This includes Barbra Sharif, Anjuman, Shabnum, Nadeem Baig, Mustafa Qureshi, Bushra Ansari and legendary singers Abida Parveen, Ghulam Ali and Ataullah Esa-kehlvi.

From the likes of film, television to social media personalities, fashion designers and top models, PISA will be a grand celebration of contemporary arts and culture awarding the best of talent in all domains including script-writers, sound-tracks, direction, fashion and cinematography in addition to the glamorous and unforgivably talented actors and actresses.

An astonishing figure of 10,000 is expected in the audience from UAE and GCC. This event is being organized by ‘Mesmerise Events’, which is turning out to be the most awaited award ceremony with performances by the top divas and their un-matched performances. This will include, Urwa Hocane, Hareem Farooq, Momina Mustehsan, Emaan Ali, Aima Baig, Mustafa Khan, Farhan Saeed plus many more.

Flashy red carpet moments to this much awaited awards ceremony is packed with entertainment and with series of celebration, the three-and-half-hour packed extravaganza will also feature Javed Sheikh, Adnan Siddiqi and Pakistani mega band Strings.

You don’t want to miss this night. So book your tickets right away for this glorious extravaganza and come down to see your favorite stars up close in all their glory!

 

Consulate General of UAE of Karachi celebrates 48th Union Day / National Day of United Arab Emirates.

On 02^nd December His Excellency Dr. Salem Al-Khadeim Al-Dhanhani, Consul General of United Arab Emirates in Karachi held a grand reception at Pearl Continental Hotel Karachi to commemorate occasion of 48^th Union / National Day of United Arab Emirates. 02nd December marks the union of six arab-emirates which was followed by the joining of the seventh emirate, Ras-Al-Khaimah, in 1972.

 

Chief Guest on this occasion was His Excellency Mr. Imran Ismail Governor Sindh who was greeted on arrival by His Excellency Dr. Salem Al-Khadeim Al-Dhanhani, Consul General of United Arab Emirates in Karachi Pakistan. This grand reception was attended by Ministers from Government of Sindh, from Government of Baluchistan along-with accredited diplomatic corps, businessmen, socialites, celebrities, selected media-personnel (including electronic-media, print-media & social-media), personnel’s from UAE organizations and UAE nationals.

Formal proceedings of this grand reception started-off with recitation of some verses from Holy Quran after which national anthem of both the countries UAE and Pakistan were played.

 

Dr. Salem Al-Khadeim Al-Dhanhani, Consul General of United Arab Emirates in Karachi during his welcome speech congratulated His Highness President of the UAE, His Highness Vice President of UAE, Prime Minister of UAE, Ruler of Dubai & their fellow Highness-es, Members of the Supreme Council, rulers of the all Emirates and UAE Citizens on this 48^th Union/National Day of United Arab Emirates, he also thanked the honorable chief guest Mr. Imran Ismail Governor Sindh, all the present diplomats, official dignitaries, delegates and all those who were present.

 

The Consul General and the chief guest Governor Sindh honored UAE-Pakistan volunteer medical team headed by Dr. Adil Al-Shammari working under the humanitarian campaign of Her Highness Sheikha Fatima-binte-Mubarak by presenting them shields for their efforts in charitable work at the occasion. On this auspicious event the Consul General and the chief guest Governor Sindh also presented commemorative shield to chief executive officers and heads of major UAE organizations operating in Sindh and Baluchistan for their efforts in supporting the economy and development in Pakistan.

 

Representatives of different religions were also invited on stage to promote inter-faith harmony as UAE is celebrating year 2020 as “Year of Tolerance”, which is as per initiatives of His Highness President of UAE and in accordance with the teachings of Sheikh Zayed-bin-Sultan-Al-Nahyan.

 

This Grand National Day reception also had an art gallery where rare pictures of Sheikh Zayed-bin-Sultan-Al-Nahyan were displayed. Next to it was paining display which had focus on Pakistani and Emirati heritage. A big screen was also on display which was showing a documentary about history of UAE. One of the biggest exhibition of all time Expo 2020 was also promoted.

 

Cultural music of both the countries was then performed by Al-Awayed of UAE and Hamza Qawal from Pakistan.

 

Dinner was served immediately after musical performances and some of the dishes were prepared exclusively by Consulate General of UAE in Karachi. One of them was camel karhai prepared exclusively to match Pakistan taste-buds.

 

Final event of the evening was the raffle draw for guests, which had gifts of night stays at some of the top properties in UAE and air-line tickets to Dubai / Abu Dhabi.

Pakistan International Screen Awards (PISA 2020) in Dubai aims at show-casing Pakistani talent on a global level.

Coca-Cola Arena will play host to the first ever Pakistan International Screen Awards (PISA 2020) on 07^th February, 2020. This star-studded event will not only include awards for film and television screen artists but social media personalities will be present to receive their accolades on stage. It is in light of bringing forth and exhibiting the endless talent that prevails in Pakistan including both established and emerging individuals.

Executive Producer, Faisal Khan shared his thoughts and said, “over the last few years Pakistan has been lucky and grateful to have come across such diversity in talent from both men and women. It gives me great pleasure to have a platform to showcase the progress of our film fraternity and in a time and age of a digital world it is time to stand up for what one believes in. Patriotism is at an all-time high and we all can’t wait to showcase our best”.

He further added; “this event is like none other and will bring forward not just outstanding performances but also the experience it has to offer with the best of the best, showcasing electronic and social talent“.

We are expected to see new and old stars from the likes of Ushna Shah, Hareem Farooq, Sarwat Gilani, Imran Abbas, Javed Sheikh, UmairJaswal, Mustafa Khan, Junaid khan, Sara Loren, WaqarZaka, Shehryar Munawar, Affan Waheed, Ayesha Omer, Muneeb Butt, Wasay Choudary, Faiza Saleem, Mooro, Alyzeh Gabol, Bilal Saeed, Mawra Hocane, Urwa Hocane,  Farhan Saeed and Strings.

In addition, the eccentric hosts for the evening would include Javed Sheikh, Adnan Siddqui, Wasay Choudhry, Hareem Farooq, Ayesha Omer and Ushna Shah.

We’re looking forward to witness glitz and glamour in the heart of the metropolitan city in the world.