Tuesday, January 15, 2019

Saudi, Pakistan Trade Mission begins in Jeddah

Saudi, Pakistan Trade Mission begins in Jeddah

Saudi, Pakistan Trade Mission begins in Jeddah


JEDDAH, JAN 15 - In line with the Saudi-Pakistani business and economic relations, the Saudi-Pakistani trade mission has started in Jeddah on Sunday.

30 Pakistani and 86 Saudi food and building material companies met to discuss and explore opportunities to export Saudi products to Pakistan

This trade mission is organized by Saudi Export Development Authority “Saudi Exports”.

The Pakistani delegation, upon his arrival in Jeddah on Saturday, had a meeting with His Excellency the Deputy Minister of Energy, Industry and Mineral Resources Eng. Abdul Aziz Al-Abdulkarim and the Secretary General of Saudi Export Development Authority Eng. Saleh Al-Solami. 

The two sides discussed aspects of joint cooperation and ways to enhance trade and economic relations between the two countries. 

Then, a dinner was held in the presence of His Excellency with the Pakistani delegation, concluding with taking memorial photographs.

The Trade mission ceremony started on Sunday, with a speech from Eng. Saleh Al-Solami welcoming Pakistani brothers in their second country, saying: “I am pleased to welcome you to this special meeting, which reflects the strategy of enhancing economic and trade relations and investment cooperation between Saudi Arabia and the Islamic Republic of Pakistan

It also highlights the strong relationship between the two countries, As the leaders in both countries are keen to consolidate this relationship for the benefits of both countries and people”
“In addition to our relations with our brothers in Pakistan, this participation of Saudi Arabia represented by “Saudi Exports”, opens many export opportunities. 

Which emphasizes the strength of trade relations and keenness to increase economic cooperation between the two countries. 

I would like to thank you for attending and hope that our efforts will succeed in achieving the aspirations of both countries” said Al-Solami.

Then, the Deputy Chairman of Jeddah Chamber Eng. Ziad Al Bassam welcomed the Pakistani delegation and praised the trade mission which will lead to various investment opportunities.

Afterwards, the Pakistani Commercial Consul in Saudi Arabia, Mr. Shahzad Khan, delivered a speech in which he referred to the depth of the Saudi-Pakistani relations and the contribution of this trade mission in enhancing trade exchange, activating partnership and encouraging mutual investments between the two countries. 

Mr. Khan also praised the hospitality that the Pakistani delegation received, and thanked "Saudi Exports" for their efforts and organizations for the cooperation between both countries.
Business matching meetings between Saudi exporters and potential buyers from Pakistan began after that. 

Meetings will continue until Monday (January 14th), which is an opportunity for companies to have many deals to develop their businesses.

This trade mission is an extension of the historical economic and trade relations between the two countries. 

The total non-oil exports from Saudi Arabia to Pakistan during the past five years has reached SR17 billion, with over SR191 million for food exports and more than SR365 million for building materials during the same period.

This trade mission reinforced “Saudi Exports” efforts to support local exporters and promote their products and services to expand in international markets, reflecting the Saudi 2030 vision and its objectives to increase non-oil exports from 16% to 50% of total GDP and diversify sources of income for the national economy.

It is worth mentioning that "Saudi Exports" invests all its capabilities to improve the efficiency of the export environment, overcome the obstacles that exporters may face, raise awareness about export practices, and develop human competencies in the field of export.

It is also working to raise the export readiness of the targeted enterprises through an assessment of the export readiness and consultation services to improve the export capacity of the target enterprises. 

"Saudi Exports" is also working to facilitate the creation of suitable opportunities and export markets suitable for enterprises by preparing the manuals of market access and market studies on demand. 

"Saudi Exports" contributes to the emergence of Saudi products to the target groups through participation in international exhibitions. 

"Saudi Exports" also provide a service to facilitate linking exporters with buyers and potential partners through trade missions and bilateral meetings on the sidelines of international exhibitions. 

The work of the "Saudi Exports" reflects the Kingdom’s vision 2030 and meets the aspirations of the wise leadership in order to diversify sources of income for the national economy.

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Ukraine embassy hosts Ukrainian Diaspora in Pakistan to celebrate winter festivities

Ukraine embassy hosts Ukrainian Diaspora in Pakistan to celebrate winter festivities

Ukraine embassy hosts Ukrainian Diaspora in Pakistan to celebrate winter festivities



ISLAMABAD, -  The Embassy of Ukraine in Islamabad celebrated “Happy Malanka” and this event offered excellent opportunity of festivity to children, young and not very young participants.

Happy Malanka in the Embassy of Ukraine in Islamabad was celebrated in connection with New Year and Winter Season`s Festivities together with Ukrainian citizens and Pakistani alumni of Ukrainian Universities.

Children had several games to show their creativity while parents had opportunity to tell their children that they have a young child still alive inside them.


What is Happy Malanka?


Malanka (Ukrainian: Маланка) is a Ukrainian folk holiday to be celebrated on 13 January, which is New Year’s Eve in accordance with the Julian calendar.

The Ukrainian New Year obtained the name Malanka from a Christianized folk tale of pagan origin, as collected and published by a Ukrainian ethnologist.

According to available information, the story is based on the creator god Praboh, and his four sons and one daughter. One of his sons was the Devil, the second son was St. George (Yar-Yarylo), the third St. John (Rai), and the fourth was Lad or Myr (Peace).

Ukraine embassy hosts Ukrainian Diaspora in Pakistan to celebrate winter festivities
Ukraine embassy hosts Ukrainian Diaspora in Pakistan to celebrate winter festivities


The one daughter is an earth goddess named Lada, who had two children: a son called the Moon and a daughter “Spring-May”, later referred to as Mylanka because she was loving (мила).

As mother Earth, she was responsible for the blooming of flowers and the greenery of spring. In a version of the myth of Hades and Persephone, Mylanka’s evil uncle (the Devil) desired her presence in the underworld and abducted her one-day when the Moon was hunting.

While she was gone, the Earth was left without spring and once she was released from the vices of the Devil, flowers began to bloom and greenery spread around the world.

In simple words, Malanka is celebration of beginning of Spring and change of weather from worse to normal.

In Indo-Pak subcontinent, this event is also celebrated but with different mythological background and this is called Basant Bahar. Throwing wheat to doorstep is also an important ingredient of celebration of Basant Bahar in Indo-Pak celebration, particularly in Punjabi traditions.


How do Ukrainians celebrate Happy Malanka?


Therefore, Ukrainians celebrate Malanka to symbolize the onset of spring and they dress in traditional Ukrainian clothing and holding props such as the star and go door to door to their neighbours, nearest friends and family.

This is called a Koliada, which starts on 6 January, Christmas Eve (Sviaty Vechir) and ends on 19 January.

Ukraine embassy hosts Ukrainian Diaspora in Pakistan to celebrate winter festivities
Ukraine embassy hosts Ukrainian Diaspora in Pakistan to celebrate winter festivities

Traditionally, the first thing to do when you are invited into the family’s house is to have the eldest male throw wheat grains around the entrance, which gifts the family with happiness, health, love, luck and more. 

As the male is throwing the wheat grain, he is saying a verse (вірш).

Once this is completed, the rest of the carolers join in. Each person sends wishes to the family through these verses, they perform little skits and in between each of these, they sing traditional Ukrainian carols (Kolyadka).

The Embassy of Ukraine in Islamabad is actively celebrates different traditional festivities in embassy to promote Ukrainian culture and invite Ukrainian families living in and around Islamabad.

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USUF’s travel to Ukraine Initiative at NYT Travel Show 2019

USUF’s travel to Ukraine Initiative at NYT Travel Show 2019

USUF’s travel to Ukraine Initiative at NYT Travel Show 2019


KIEV,  - For the third year in a row, the U.S.-Ukraine Foundation (USUF) will be promoting Ukraine as an attractive travel destination through its participation in the New York Times Travel Show, January 25-27, 2019.  

The exhibition, now in its 16th year, is considered the largest and most prestigious gathering of its kind, with a record 32,000 visitors in 2018.

The featured participants of USUF’s Travel to Ukraine booth (#478) are Vacanture Ukraine travel agency and the Agency of Regional Development of Ivano-Frankivsk Oblast, the latter of which is highlighting tourism opportunities in the Carpathian Mountains. 

Ukraine, with its rich history, beautiful architecture, vibrant culture and hipster restaurant and pub scene, continues to draw accolades as a largely undiscovered “must see” travel destination in Europe.

Please do stop by our Travel to Ukraine booth and talk to our experts about why Kyiv, Lviv, Odesa, Ivano-Frankivsk and other Ukrainian cities have become a magnet for hundreds of thousands of foreign tourists annually.

The New York Times Travel Show will be held at the Jacob Javits Center in New York City.  For exhibit times and ticket information visit the exhibition’s website.

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AIOU places assignments’ marks at website

AIOU places assignments’ marks at website

AIOU places assignments’ marks at website


ISLAMABAD, - Allama Iqbal Open University (AIOU) on Monday put academic assignments’ marks of Matric program relating to Semester Spring, 2018 on its website for information of the enrolled students.

The concerned students have been advised to visit the website to check their marks. In case of any error or laps they may contact the University’s Examination Department.

The correction could be done before the announcement of the final exams’ result that is expected to be announced next week.

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UNGA President Maria Fernanda Espionosa to visit Pakistan on Jan 18

UNGA President Maria Fernanda Espionosa to visit Pakistan on Jan 18

UNGA President Maria Fernanda Espionosa to visit Pakistan on Jan 18


ISLAMABAD, JAN 14 - At the invitation of the Government of Pakistan, President of the UN General Assembly, Maria Fernanda Espionosa, will arrive in Islamabad on 18-22 January 2019.

This visit to Pakistan is the first to any country in the Asia-Pacific region by the President of the General Assembly (PGA), after her election.

Ms. Espionosa will call on the President and the Prime Minister. The Foreign Minister will hold a meeting with the visiting dignitary.

Apart from official engagements, the PGA will also meet members of the Women Parliamentary Caucus, Chairperson of the Benazir Income Support Programme (BISP) and visit Pakistan’s Peacekeeping Training Center. Ms. Espionosa will also address members of academia, think tanks and students.

This marks the second visit by the President of UN General Assembly since 2010.

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Monday, January 14, 2019

AB de Villiers ready to play PSL Matches in Pakistan

AB de Villiers ready to play PSL Matches in Pakistan

AB de Villiers ready to play PSL Matches in Pakistan

LAHORE,  JAN 14  - Former South African skipper, AB de Villiers, who is one of the most prolific cricketers in the cricketing world, is ready to play Pakistan Super League (PSL) matches in Pakistan.

De Villiers will represent Lahore Qalandars for the fourth edition of the league.

The news was announced on Monday.

De Villiers also confirmed the news by saying he was looking forward to performing in front of Lahore’s crowd in March.

“I am delighted to confirm that I will represent Lahore Qalandars in front of our home crowds on 9 and 10 March, during the HBL PSL 2019,” de Villiers announced.

He was optimistic about the return of international cricket to Pakistan and felt that he could play a part in helping the cause.
“I feel I have a role to play in helping international cricket return to Pakistan,” Mr 360 expressed.
The former South African batsman was hopeful that his presence would help Qalandars get the missing piece in their squad.

“I look forward to revisiting the Gaddafi Stadium and aim to play my part in helping Lahore Qalandars achieve something they have been aspiring for since the inception of this tournament in 2016,” he added.

This would be De Villiers’ second visit to Lahore as he has previously been part of the South African squad that visited Pakistan in 2007. He scored an important, unbeaten 45-run innings to draw the Lahore Test.

The right-arm power-hitter then smashed, 103 not out, 35 and 17 in the first, second and fifth ODIs, respectively.

I still remember the support and appreciation we received in 2007. Furthermore, I feel I have a role to play in helping international cricket return to Pakistan. 

These have been some of the motivating factors for me to return to Lahore,” said de Villiers.

Elated by his announcement, franchise owner Rana Fawad said:
I am certain he will further brighten the Gaddafi Stadium with his amazing talent and skills on 9 and 10 March.
Team’s captain Mohammad Hafeez also welcomed de Villiers’ move and said:
 I am confident that AB will take home memories.
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Azerbaijan embassy to organize seminar on independence

Azerbaijan embassy to organize seminar on independence

Azerbaijan embassy to organize seminar on independence


ISLAMABAD, JAN 14 - The Embassy of the Republic of Azerbaijan to Pakistan and IQRA University are organizing a Seminar titled “From Martyrdom to Independence” in Islamabad on January 17.

The Seminar will be held at IQRA University, Islamabad Campus from 15:00 to 16:30 hours.

The Vice President IQRA University Dr. Mohammad Islam will deliver the opening remarks followed by a short video on the topic.

The former Special Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs & Ex-Ambassador of Pakistan to Afghanistan, Kuwait and Nepal Syed Abrar Hussain, the Chancellors, Iqra National University Obaid Khan, and the Chairman Senate Standing committee and Convener of Pakistan-Azerbaijan Friendship Group in Senate Senator Talha Mahmood will also address the participants.
The Azerbaijan in embassy holds, on regular basis, such seminars and interactions in order to highlight various issues.The Azerbaijan in embassy holds, on regular basis, such seminars and interactions in order to highlight various issues.Besides, the embassy under the aegis of the Hyder Aliey Foundation, also carries out charity and humanitarian work in various parts of Pakistan.
Besides, the embassy under the aegis of the Hyder Aliey Foundation, also carries out charity and humanitarian work in various parts of Pakistan.

While Ambassador of Azerbaijan Ali Alizada will also deliver a speech on the occasion and highlight various aspects of the topic.


Likewise, the embassy every year dedicates full day with persons with disabilities besides distributing sacrificial meat among the needy on every Eid ul Adha.

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