KARACHI: FINCA Microfinance Bank, one of the fastest growing microfinance banks in Pakistan, in partnership with Finja, internationally funded FinTech startup, announced the movement to make digital commerce and payments free in Pakistan. SimSim, a mobile payment platform, was introduced atits launch event last night at Mohatta Palace, Karachi. The event was attended by major industry stakeholders, government officials, artists, …

News Desk DUBAI: A record total of 8.06 million international overnight tourists arrived in Dubai during the first six months of 2017, reflecting a stellar 10.6 per cent increase over the same period last year. Figures released by Dubai’s Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing (Dubai Tourism) affirm the foundational strength, and sustained acceleration of the emirate’s tourism sector, as …

MANAMA: Gulf Air, the national carrier of the Kingdom of Bahrain, has joined Saudi Arabian telecommunications services company Etihad Etisalat (Mobily) as its newest Neqaty program partner, in a move that enhances the diversity of the program’s partnership base. Through this new partnership with Gulf Air, Mobily customers can now redeem their points for Gulf Air FalconFlyer miles when the …

DUBAI: Emirates has been recognised in the Future Travel Experience Airline Passenger Experience Power List 2017. Adel Al Redha, Emirates’ Executive Vice President and Chief Operations Officer was ranked in the top 5 global airline executives for his leadership in directing the airline’s consistent delivery of superior services on the ground, and in the air. The Future Travel Experience Airline Passenger …

LONDON: Since The First Wing opened on April 5, the new exclusive check-in area for British Airways’ First, Gold Executive Club and oneworld Emerald customers at Heathrow Terminal 5 has welcomed nearly 200,000* travellers through the dedicated security channel leading directly into the Galleries First lounge and Concorde Room. That’s around 1,800 customers a day transferring through The First Wing …

DOHA: The premium all-new Azera from Hyundai Motor Company has arrived in Qatar. Exclusively engineered for the Middle East, with a luxury specification and a more powerful V6 engine option unique to the region, the Azera is available only at Skyline Automotive. The all-new Azera large sedan offers buyers a car that is not only bigger and significantly more advanced …

KARACHI: The 1st meeting of Federation of Pakistan’s Chamber of Commerce and Industry (FPCCI)’s standing committee on “Standards, Compliances, Inspections and Certifications” Presided by Mirza Ishtiaq Baig, a leading Industrialist and Vice President FPCCI held on Tuesday, 25th July 2017 at FPCCI Head Office. FPCCI has grand and long term plans to eradicate sub standard goods from Pakistan and this was the …

DOHA: Qatar Airways continues its growth and expansion plans as it announces the launch of Canberra, Qatar Airways’ fifth Australian destination, in 2018. This launch follows a year of success and announcements from the World’s Best Airline, including the launch of a brand new Business Class offering, the announcement of 26 new destinations for 2017/2018, impressive financial profits released in June, …

DUBAI: Vision Concept Aviation Training Institute (VCATI), set up in Dubai in 2013 as an independent aircraft maintenance training and examination organisation is launching its education programme for students in September 2017. The first programme to be delivered to students is an internationally recognised licence for Aircraft Maintenance Engineers (AMEs). The 2-year course, due to start in September, has been …

DOHA: Vodafone Qatar P.Q.S.C. (“Vodafone Qatar” or the “Company”) announced its financial results for the three months ended 30 June 2017. Financial Highlights: Total Revenue was QAR 516 million, an improvement of 3.1% compared to Q1 2017. EBITDA at QAR 139 million, an increase of 38.6% year-on-year with a 6.9pps improvement in EBITDA margin to 26.9%. Net Profit (excluding amortization) …