P@SHA PULSE Vol 8. May 2023 Edition
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Dear Members
May had been a very active month within P@SHA community. There were several events happening around our member community and we saw progress on several fronts. Some key highlights include:
1. We have started an orientation program for our new members joining this community.
2. We partnered with Faisalabad IT Companies Association out of which some companies are already a member and the rest will be joining P@SHA as well.
3. Several sessions happened where P@SHA was involved in pushing our requests to be accommodated in the new budget. Chairman P@SHA took the lead in actively running the PR campaign to help government understand the needs of the IT Industry.
4. We also took on the internet blockage issue very actively and tried to assert our demand for a non-stop internet for the IT sector.
5. Brand and global outreach team was actively involved in coordinating and prepping for several events including GITEX Africa, Dublin Tech Summit, Viva France, and Collision Canada.
We look forward to your support and continuous feedback.
Regards,
P@SHA CEC
By the Members, For the Members
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P@SHA's Membership Orientation Sessions
P@SHA has arranged a special monthly virtual event aimed at maximizing the benefits of P@SHA membership for its members. This event offers a valuable opportunity to engage with the Membership Services team, enabling you to connect and have all your inquiries addressed. The first session was held on May 17.
Register for our next month's session to ensure you don't miss out on this exciting opportunity!
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May 6, 2023
P@SHA Chairman Meeting with Honorary Consul General of Poland in Pakistan
P@SHA Chairman Muhammad Zohaib Khan met Mariusz Stachnik (CEO, Mazovia Cluster ICT) on May 6 at the invitation of the Honorary Consul General of Poland in Pakistan, Mirza Omair Baig, along with Noman Siddiq (CEO, Cloudlead. co) and Syed Azfar Hussain (Project Director, National Incubation Center, Hyderabad).
The Chairman presented an overview of P@SHA and discussed collaboration possibilities between Pakistan and Poland via Mazovia Cluster ICT, which connects 9 research institutes, 6 renowned Polish universities, and 3 investment funds - bringing together 400+ SMEs, enterprises, and business environment institutions.
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May 6 - 7, 2023
Brampton international mission 2023 Meetings
Brampton's international mission in 2023, aimed at promoting its Innovation District BHive and facilitating the growth of startups and companies in Canada, began with Pakistan as its first stop. The initial meeting occurred on May 6th at the PSEB office in Islamabad.
The delegation, led by Mayor Patrick Brown, included City Councillor Rod Power, Director of Economic Development Clare Barnett, Special Advisor Sri Vallipuranathar, Coordinator Yeshwa Younas, BHive/TBDC Program Manager Anum Naseem, and Business Development Officer Umaid Zahid. They engaged with various stakeholders, including P@SHA CEC Member Mohsin Ali, the P@SHA Secretariat team, P@SHA Members, and representatives from the BOARD OF INVESTMENT, Ministry of IT and Telecom Pakistan, and Ignite - National Technology Fund.
Subsequently, on May 7th, the second meeting of the Brampton International Mission 2023 took place in Lahore. Mayor Patrick Brown and his team met with P@SHA CEC Senior Vice Chairman Ali Ihsan, P@SHA CEC Member Mudassir Malik, and key officials from the Punjab Information Technology Board (PITB), including Director General e-Governance Sajid Latif, Chief Technology Officer Adil Iqbal Khan, and Joint Director Hammad Khalique.
The discussions primarily focused on exploring collaboration opportunities in areas such as Supporting Businesses, Knowledge-Economy, Freelancing, and Entrepreneurship, to foster closer ties between the innovation ecosystems of both countries.
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May 8, 2023
P@SHA Chairman Meeting with Honorary Consul General of Kingdom of Morocco
On May 8, P@SHA Chairman Muhammad Zohaib Khan met the Honorary Consul General of the Kingdom of Morocco Mirza Ishtiaq Baig. They discussed P@SHA & Tech Destination Pakistan's upcoming delegation to GITEX AFRICA 2023. The event is scheduled to take place in Morocco from 31st May till 4 June 2023. It has the potential to help Pakistani tech companies to make inroads into Africa's emerging digital economy, which is projected to grow from $115 billion to $712 billion over the next 25 years.
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May 17, 2023
P@SHA Cyber Security Webinar Series
P@SHA recently hosted a webinar series dedicated to Cybersecurity, offering valuable insights and practical strategies from infosec experts to safeguard yourself and your business against cyber threats.
The first episode, titled "API Security for Software Engineers," was conducted by cybersecurity expert Noorudadin Surrani Noor (CISA) and received excellent feedback.
Episode 1: https://youtu.be/zZzfm36MPPY
Ensure you stay up-to-date with the latest cybersecurity trends and best practices by joining our upcoming sessions.
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May 20, 2023
Eid-ul-Fitr CXO Meetup
Our Eid-ul-Fitr CXO Meetup took place at Ghauri Farm, Lahore. Powered by NETSOL Technologies Inc. this meetup invited not just our members but also their spouses for an enjoyable evening of post-Eid catch-ups alongside high-powered networking with industry insiders & leaders.
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May 25, 2023
Faisalabad CXO Meetup
The first Faisalabad CXO Meetup for the Summer 2023 cycle was successfully held in collaboration with Faisalabad I.T Companies Organization (FITCO). Taking place at the Circle Club in Faisalabad on May 25, the event gathered key industry leaders and members from P@SHA CEC and FITCO leadership.
Sponsored by PrimeHRMS and co-sponsored by Content Arcade, NetixSol, RankSol, Brickclay, UNIAL, BlocTech Solutions, and Invictus Solutions, the meetup provided a platform for networking, discussion, and strategizing. During the event, an MOU was signed between P@SHA and FITCO, solidifying their commitment to transforming Faisalabad into a thriving tech hub.
The meetup showcased the collective effort of P@SHA and FITCO in creating an ecosystem that fosters innovation, entrepreneurship, and technological advancement in Faisalabad and beyond. It marked an important step towards nurturing collaboration and driving the growth of the tech industry in the region.
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May 8 & 24, 2023
P@SHA X Salesforce Free Panel Series
P@SHA has organized a free panel series on Salesforce for Success. The first two sessions have been completed.
The first session, titled "The Salesforce Ecosystem: Tapping into a USD 1.6 Trillion Market Opportunity," was led by esteemed Salesforce experts and insiders from the USA and UK. The expert panelists included Salman Sheikh (Enterprise Architect, Salesforce), Faruk Bhagani (Senior Vice President of Sales, Element Blue), Sultan Ali (Lead Software Engineer, Salesforce), and Sadiya Hameed (Principal Software Engineer, Salesforce). The session was moderated by Jamil Goheer (CEO, Kualitatem, P@SHA CEC).
In the second session, titled "Salesforce Career Path: How to Hack It in 3 Months," Salman Sheikh, the Enterprise Architect at Salesforce, shared invaluable insights on rapidly upskilling to enter the Salesforce ecosystem. This session provided participants with practical tips and guidance for navigating a successful career in Salesforce.
Session 1: https://youtu.be/dADQ7mBMHZY
Session 2: https://youtu.be/OaJwuWG8qxo
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May 8, 2023
Partnership: P@SHA X Daftarkhwan
Now your P@SHA membership brings you even more benefit!
As part of our commitment to provide exclusive perks to our members, P@SHA has partnered with Daftarkhwan to offer up to 30% off on Daftarkhwan facilities - only for P@SHA members.
Proof of membership required to avail discounts.
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May 18, 2023
Partnership: P@SHA x COSPACE
On 18th May, Chairman P@SHA Muhammad Zohaib Khan and Dr. Nousheen Zakaria (Ph.D) (CEO, CoSpace) signed the partnership agreement to offer 5% off on all private offices of CoSpace facilities located across Karachi. - only for P@SHA members.
Visit https://cospace.pk/pasha/ to claim your discount.
Proof of membership is required to avail discounts.
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May 18, 2023
Partnership: P@SHA x Smartbenefits
On May 18, P@SHA Chairman Muhammad Zohaib Khan and Sibtain Jiwani (CEO, Smartbenefits) signed the partnership agreement to offer up to 40% off on healthcare and lifecare benefits for P@SHA members.
Visit https://smartbenefits.pk/pasha... to claim your discount.
Proof of membership is required to avail of discounts.
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May 22, 2023
Partnership: P@SHA x RESOURCEINN
On 22nd May, P@SHA Chairman Muhammad Zohaib Khan and Noman Hassan (Co-Founder, ResourceInn) signed the partnership agreement to offer 50% off on annual subscriptions & implementation/training charges for P@SHA members
Visit: https://resourceinn.com/specia... to claim your discount.
Proof of membership is required to avail of discounts.
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May 16, 2023
Engagement with State Bank: Progress Update on the SBP directives ICT Exports
In a recent meeting on the progress of ICT exports and the PM's directives, key industry demands including fast-track opening of FCY accounts, issuance of FCY debit cards, and improved accessibility to digital banking platforms for international transactions were discussed. Other important issues such as the impact of the March 31st deadline were discussed with State Bank and Commercial Banks. As a way forward, it was agreed to nominate focal persons to address outstanding issues on forex retention.
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May 19, 2023
Ministry of Planning & Special Initiatives: Meeting of the Task Force on Human Resource & Skill Development
On May 19th, 2023, in a meeting with the Ministry of Planning, attended by key stakeholders including P@SHA, PSEB, HEC, OEC, and NAVTTC, P@SHA highlighted its role in skills development and training to tackle the shortage of resources in the IT Industry. Chairman presented the success of the TechLift program, which has successfully trained 4,000 graduates to be placed directly into the IT industry through the first-of-its-kind, industry-led Training Program. The aim now is to scale up the Tech Lift program for broader impact. The Ministry of Planning put forward its aim to establish a task force to address short, medium, and long-term goals for skills and human resource development. The meeting highlighted that the IT industry with sufficient human resources and manpower export has the potential to become a significant source of remittances, contributing to the country's economic growth.
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May 2023
MoITT & Ministry of Finance: Budget Proposal for IT & ITeS Sector
A series of meetings were held this month on the budget proposal for the IT& ITeS. MoITT and Ministry of Finance sector. sought P@SHA’s proposals for the upcoming budget changes. CEC and industry leaders were consulted. Interventions such as tax exemptions on income tax, dividend tax, and others were suggested. Others included a dedicated revenue stream for industry skill development, cash rebate, infrastructure enablement, and local industry promotion.
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May 2023
Board of Investment
P@SHA's input proposed enhancing the ease of doing business by allowing seamless digital payments and reducing the cost of doing business. P@SHA advocated for a Tax Exemption on Income Law and suggested measures related to Export Refinancing to support export-oriented enterprises. Further proposals included interventions including skills development, infrastructure enhancement, brand Pakistan, streamlined costs and taxes, and promoting local IT procurement. The aim is to create a favorable business environment, attract investments, and position Pakistan as a leading technology destination.
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May 2023
Engagement with STZA
In a recent meeting, Chairman STZA highlighted the potential of the IT industry and emphasized its strategic priority. P@SHA provided a recap of their prior engagements with STZA, underscoring the need to operationalize STZs across Pakistan. The importance of supporting SMEs through rent control measures was highlighted, with ideas discussed at both the building and zone levels. Also, a joint workgroup between P@SHA and STZA will be formed to facilitate ease of doing business for the IT industry, focusing on policy formation and advocacy for STZ benefits. Additionally, the establishment of a virtual zone committee was proposed, requiring further deliberation on its definition and legal implications.
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May 10 - 19, 2023
Internet Campaign
P@SHA's condemned the internet blockage and broadband subscription done by the government in the recent past. Pakistan's IT industry faced a significant setback due to ongoing internet blockage, resulting in daily financial losses estimated at USD 3-4 million. P@SHA demanded immediate action to resolve the issue, recognizing the potential long-term consequences for the industry's growth and the country's economic development. It was crucial to restore uninterrupted internet access to protect the industry, which plays a vital role in generating employment, fostering technological advancements, and attracting foreign investment.
Following the blanket ban on the internet, P@SHA initiated a campaign to restore services nationwide. It highlighted the losses suffered by the IT/ITeS sector due to internet disruptions which made national and international headlines and P@SHA’s voice was heard in the policy circles. P@SHA’s voice against internet disruption has gained significant traction across various media platforms. Chairman P@SHA Zohaib Khan's advocacy efforts to combat internet disruptions have been widely covered by major news outlets, raising awareness and amplifying our message.
The campaign led to a meeting with MoITT, PTA, PSEB, and P@SHA to restore internet and broadband services and deliberate options to avoid future blockades.
P@SHA is grateful for the support and contributions from our community. P@SHA continues to amplify collective voices for an open and accessible internet.
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May 19, 2023
Pakistan Telecommunication Authority: Impact of Internet Blockages and VPN Registration
In a meeting with Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA), P@SHA, PSEB, and MoITT highlighted that the ease of doing business is severely affected by internet blockades and disruptions in broadband services. P@SHA emphasized that the damage to the perception of ease of doing business in Pakistan is being magnified by internet blockages. P@SHA further stated that IT companies' IP addresses should not be blocked during blanket blocking. It was clarified that the blocking of VPNs is not at the discretion of the PTA but a policy matter determined by the government.
To ensure that similar blanket bans (internet bans and content blocking) are prevented in the future, a meeting will be arranged with the Ministry of Interior, involving PTA and other relevant authorities to restrict similar measures.
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Central Executive Committee
P@SHA Chairman at the Business Forum of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Business Council
P@SHA Chairman Muhammad Zohaib Khan spoke as a panelist at the Business Forum of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Business Council on May 2nd. SCO is the world's largest regional organization by geography and population, representing 20% of the global GDP. The Chairman was joined by representatives from four other member economies - Russia, China, India, and Kazakhstan.
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Central Executive Committee
CEC Meeting Lahore
P@SHA's Central Executive Committee (CEC) held a major board meeting on 21st May in Lahore, led by Chairman Muhammad Zohaib Khan. Keenly focused on promoting Pakistan's IT industry the CEC gathered to discuss and share updates regarding key initiatives to boost the growth & success of our member companies. With a shared vision of elevating Pakistan's tech industry, the CEC explored collaboration, innovation, and global outreach opportunities to position Pakistan as a leading technological hub. Harnessing the diverse expertise & experience of our respected CEC, everyone passionately contributed their insights & ideas toward a productive strategy & planning session. Following this high-level meeting, the CEC enjoyed an intimate dinner to celebrate accomplishments & milestones achieved so far and as an opportunity for fostering stronger bonds among the committee members.
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AGG Committee
Orientation Sessions for Green Alliance: Gaming Challenge Awards
With P@SHA as a Strategic Partner, USAID Investment Promotion activity conducted orientation sessions for their Green Alliance: Gaming Challenge Awards. The award ticket size is up to 25 Million PKR and commercially viable games developed through these awards will increase U.S-Pakistan bilateral trade through partnerships with U.S-based game publishers and create investable opportunities to leverage Foreign Direct Investment in Pakistan. The overall initiative aims to substantially help in growing the capacity of the gaming sub-sector of Pakistan.
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Skills Committee
P@SHA Skills x UNDP
On May 5, 2023, the P@SHA Skills team (Ilhan and Aleem) met UNDP Peshawar and Islamabad Teams to discuss the overarching objectives of both organizations and to understand the potential areas of collaboration. The UNDP Stabilisation and Development Programme works in Sindh and KP. The program has worked previously in areas including digital skills development, enterprise development, training boot camps, and promoting freelancing.
P@SHA and UNDP are considering signing an MOU for a partnership that can foster collaboration and knowledge sharing between both organizations.
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TechLift Updates
Placement Portal
P@SHA Skills Pillar is excited to announce that P@SHA, as a Strategic Partner in the TechLift Program, has helped develop a Placement Portal to assist the industry in hiring skilled professionals in the most sought-after and advanced technologies.
Visit hire.techlift.pk to sign up and find trained graduates across Karachi Lahore and Islamabad. Once you select or hire a candidate, they will appear in your dashboard.
For the time being, the portal is limited to P@SHA Members only.
TechLift is a result of the combined efforts of the Skills Committee and the Skills Pillar team in the Secretariat who have worked closely with the Joint Venture led by Contour Software to successfully implement the program.
For further details or queries about TechLift, please visit techlift.pk
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Count of Bootcamps
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Completed
91
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In Progress
26
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Grand Total
117
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Count of Bootcamps By Status & City
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City
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Completed
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In-Progress
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Planned
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Total
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Lahore
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43
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12
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4
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55
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Islamabad
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36
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9
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1
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45
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Karachi
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12
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5
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1
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17
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Grand Total
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91
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26
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6
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117
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May 17, 2023 |
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Zindigi (powered by JS Bank) and DAO PropTech set to revolutionize the PropFinTech landscape in Pakistan |
DAO PropTech has formed a collaboration with Zindigi (powered by JS Bank) - forming the first PropFinTech partnership in Pakistan. By integrating their worlds, they are unlocking a range of convenient solutions for real estate investments and associated financial products, tailored to meet the specific needs of the Pakistani market and beyond.
View Website
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May 17, 2023 |
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Tech giants unite! BearPlex and Bineyes team up to revolutionize the IT industry 🚀🌟 |
The partnership is poised to shake up the technology industry, with both companies bringing a wealth of experience and knowledge to the table. BearPlex is renowned for its cutting-edge software development solutions, while Bineyes has built a reputation as a leading provider of cloud computing and cybersecurity services.
View Website
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May 19, 2023 |
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RedMarker Systems in Collaboration with Karandaaz Pakistan trained 1300 females and financially empowered 700 females across Pakistan |
RedMarker Systems in Collaboration with Karandaaz Pakistan trained 1300 females and financially empowered 700 females across Pakistan.
View Website
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May 27, 2023 |
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To assist businesses in making more data-driven choices, our business intelligence integrates business analytics, financial analytics, Business application through power application, created portal for DME clients for reporting, data mining, visualization of data tools and construction projects and best practices. Flexible self-service analysis, controlled data on reliable platforms, empowered business users, and speed to insight are given top billing by advanced BI systems.
View Website
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May 30, 2023 |
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10Pearls Acquires Oiga Technologies, a Colombia-based High Tech Product Development Company |
10Pearls, a prominent digital transformation company, has recently acquired Oiga Technologies, a Colombian-based high-tech product development firm specializing in artificial intelligence, machine learning, big data, and blockchain. This strategic move enhances 10Pearls' expertise in emerging technologies and product development, enabling them to offer innovative solutions to clients across various industries.
View Website
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May 30, 2023 |
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Avanza Solutions' Novus Suite Transforming Premier Bank Kenya's Banking Experience! |
Premier Bank Kenya has partnered with Avanza Solutions to implement its Novus Suite, an advanced switching solution that integrates seamlessly with any financial institution's core system. Novus centralizes transaction processing, improves security, lowers operational expenses, and will enable Premier Bank Kenya to offer customers more convenient banking options, resulting in an enhanced banking experience across all alternate delivery channels (ADCs).
View Website
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May 30, 2023 |
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NorthBay Launches New offer for Financial Services Companies |
NorthBay is partnering with Financial Services companies to modernize their analytics platform to accelerate the insights from their data and begin to leverage technologies like generative AI.
View Website
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May 30, 2023 |
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Empowering the future of tech, the InvoZone-Enablers MOU drives innovation through enhanced skills and industry-academia partnerships |
Exciting Collaboration: InvoZone and Enablers Join Forces to Propel Technological Innovation and Foster Industry-Academia Partnership. With a shared vision to empower the future of tech, this strategic alliance aims to drive skills development, facilitate knowledge exchange, and fuel transformative solutions.
View Website
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12 - 16 June , 2023
London Tech Week 2023
London Tech Week is a global celebration of tech, uniting tomorrow's most innovative thinkers and talent in a week-long festival. Showcasing how tech is transforming business and society, London Tech Week drives thought-provoking conversations around innovation, diversity, and transformation, providing a platform for the tech ecosystem to come together to drive change.
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14 - 17 June, 2023
Viva Tech France
VivaTech is one of Europe’s leading technology conferences, bringing together startups, investors, and corporate leaders to showcase the latest innovations and discuss the future of technology.
The event aims to promote start-ups and companies in championing digital transformation for the common good. With massive international support, VivaTech offers vast opportunities for emerging markets in the IT sector.
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26 - 29 June, 2023
Collision Canada
Experience the Tech Olympics at Collision Canada, which attracts people and companies from all over the world to redefine the tech industry. Taking place in Toronto from June 26th to 29th, 2023, this exhibition offers remarkable growth and networking opportunities for the Pakistani tech industry. In addition to showcasing your competencies in front of a global audience you can make valuable connections with international leaders in the technology industry.
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