
FBL and Fauree launch Islamic digital supply chain platform
The MoU was signed by Altaf Hussain Saqib, Head of Commercial Banking Small Business Enterprise (CBSME), Fleet & Agri, Faysal Bank Ltd., and Azhar Tasadduq, Co-Founder and CEO, Fauree.
Commenting on the development, Yousaf Hussain, President & CEO, Faysal Bank said, 'As pioneers in Agri-Digitization within Pakistan's Islamic banking sector, this partnership reinforces our commitment to expand and enhance predictive, paperless Islamic financing solutions across Pakistan. With best-in-class technology embedded into our CBSME & Agri verticals, we are poised to offer innovative, real-time financing for crops, livestock, and supply chains, in line with Shariah principles.'
Speaking on the occasion, Azhar Tasadduq, Co-Founder and CEO of Fauree, commented, 'This collaboration is a remarkable step forward in Pakistan's agricultural economics. The integration of an advanced digital platform with Faysal Bank's Islamic finance expertise is poised to establish Pakistan's first Shariah-compliant digital SCF ecosystem. By integrating a multi-product approach, we aim to digitize entire Agri-value chains and SME supply networks, from farm-level financing to working capital support for exporters.'
Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


Express Tribune
17 hours ago
- Express Tribune
Pak-Kyrgyz trade target set at $100m
Trade between the two nations has declined from $11.2 million in 2022-23 to $5.18 million in 2024-25. Leghari stressed the need to reverse this trend.. photo: file Pakistan and Kyrgyzstan have pledged to expand bilateral trade to $100 million and signed multiple agreements to boost cooperation in trade, energy, health, investment, and education during the 5th Session of the Inter-Governmental Commission (IGC) held in Islamabad. According to an official statement released on Monday, the meeting, co-chaired by Federal Minister for Power Sardar Awais Ahmed Khan Leghari and Kyrgyz Deputy Chairman Edil Baisalov, marked a renewed push to strengthen economic, scientific, and technical collaboration between the two countries. Trade between the two nations has declined from $11.2 million in 2022-23 to $5.18 million in 2024-25. Leghari stressed the need to reverse this trend. "We acknowledge the pressing need to revitalise our trade engagement and reaffirm our shared aspiration to elevate bilateral trade up to $100 million," he said. Both sides agreed to diversify exports and imports, revive the Pakistan-Kyrgyz Joint Business Council, and organise B2B exchanges, business forums, and trade fairs. Three Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) were signed. The first was between Kyrgyzstan's Centre for Standardisation and Metrology and Pakistan's Standards and Quality Control Authority to collaborate on conformity assessment, metrology, and quality systems. The second MoU was between Kyrgyzstan's National Investments Agency and Pakistan's Board of Investment to promote investment, especially in textiles, minerals, IT, pharmaceuticals, and tourism. The third MoU involved Halal trade cooperation between Pakistan's Halal Authority and Kyrgyzstan's Halal Development Centre. Energy and environmental cooperation were also discussed. Kyrgyzstan proposed joint work on a power transmission line linking Kyrgyzstan, China, and Pakistan. Both sides agreed to explore electricity imports, renewable energy, hydrocarbons, mining, and institutional partnerships. Connectivity and logistics were key themes. Both sides agreed to strengthen postal services, cargo, civil aviation, and rail transport. Pakistan urged Kyrgyz airlines to shift from charter to scheduled flights. Kyrgyzstan proposed a new air route via China and invited Pakistani participation in a high-speed fibre-optic cable project. On finance, the State Bank of Pakistan and the National Bank of the Kyrgyz Republic agreed to cooperate on Islamic banking, financial innovation, and training programmes through Pakistan's National Institute of Banking and Finance. Health and pharmaceutical cooperation were also advanced. The sides agreed to support Pakistani pharmaceutical exports to Kyrgyzstan, ease medicine registration, and explore joint vaccine production with the National Institute of Health. Discussions also focused on public procurement participation and regulatory alignment. Cultural exchange was highlighted as essential to people-to-people ties. Both sides agreed to increase cultural events, sports participation, and content sharing between media outlets. Cooperation in cinema and broadcasting training was proposed. Education and scientific collaboration were emphasised. Pakistan pledged continued support to Kyrgyz students through the Pakistan Technical Assistance Programme (PTAP). Joint research, academic exchanges, and training in STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics) will be encouraged. The two countries also agreed to explore labour cooperation through a Joint Working Group. Tourism and hospitality also featured in talks. Both nations agreed to finalise an MoU and promote tour operator exchanges, joint exhibitions, and marketing of natural and cultural heritage. Agriculture cooperation gained momentum with the signing of an MoU on trade in Kyrgyz legumes and Pakistani Basmati rice. Veterinary and phytosanitary control collaboration will ensure food safety and efficiency in trade. Pakistan welcomed Kyrgyz interest in investing in its mining sector, especially in copper and gold. Discussions also included digital commerce and implementing cargo operations under a 1995 transportation agreement. Leghari called the At-Bashi Logistics Centre offer to Pakistan's National Logistics Corporation a model of enterprise-level cooperation and proposed enhancing online visibility of investment opportunities through updated SEZ and tax incentive information. On energy, Pakistan reiterated its interest in the proposed 500 kV TorugartXUARGilgit Baltistan transmission line as part of a KyrgyzstanChinaPakistan electricity corridor. In conclusion, both sides agreed to hold the 6th IGC session in Kyrgyzstan, with dates to be decided through diplomatic channels. The Ministry of Economic Affairs called the session a key milestone in Pakistan's engagement with Central Asia. "These initiatives will contribute to sustainable development, shared prosperity, and stronger people-to-people ties," the ministry stated. Leghari echoed this vision in his concluding remarks: "Let us reaffirm our commitment to fostering a stronger, integrated, and resilient partnership anchored in mutual respect, cooperation, and regional peace."


Business Recorder
3 days ago
- Business Recorder
Power-intensive items: PPRA seeks registration data from NEECA
ISLAMABAD: The Public Procurement Regulatory Authority (PPRA) has directed the National Energy Efficiency & Conservation Authority (NEECA) to provide detailed registration data of five power-intensive items that require regulatory oversight. This directive was issued during a meeting between representatives of PPRA, Power Division, NEECA, and the Pakistan Standards and Quality Control Authority (PSQCA), convened to discuss reform measures agreed under the International Monetary Fund's (IMF) Resilience and Sustainability Facility (RSF). The primary objective of the meeting was to facilitate information sharing for advancing regulatory enhancements aimed at mandating compliance with Minimum Energy Performance Standards (MEPS) in public procurement. PPRA approves new set of rules A Policy Specialist from PPRA highlighted that the authority is still awaiting the necessary information from NEECA, which is a prerequisite for initiating any regulatory enhancement. The Director of Strategy Management Office (SMO) at NEECA informed the participants that under the Pakistan Energy Labels Regulations 2023, NEECA has registered 32 LED manufacturing companies and 62 fan manufacturing companies. He added that data on the total number of makes and models from these companies is currently being compiled digitally. Deputy Secretary Power Division Sami Ullah Khan stressed the importance of a comprehensive market assessment by NEECA regarding the availability of MEPS-compliant companies and products. He emphasised that such an assessment is crucial before enforcing MEPS-compliant procurement to prevent market monopolization. Director General Legal at PPRA noted that as the government-mandated body, NEECA must formally communicate to PPRA the market readiness of the five MEPS-compliant power-intensive items. He further stated that any regulatory enhancements must ensure the principles of fair competition and equal opportunity are upheld. After detailed deliberations, it was agreed that NEECA would formally submit to PPRA, by August 15, 2025, the following: (i) registration details of the five power-intensive items registered under the Pakistan Energy Labels Regulations ;(ii) key considerations for regulatory enhancement ; and (iii) recommendations including proposed Star Label Categories and other relevant measures. Upon receipt of the information, PPRA will initiate the necessary steps toward regulatory enhancement, in coordination with the Power Division, PSQCA, and NEECA. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025


Express Tribune
4 days ago
- Express Tribune
Rating upgrade sparks Eurobond rally
Listen to article Pakistan's international bonds surged on Friday, following Standard & Poor's upgrade of the country's sovereign credit rating to 'B-' with a stable outlook, marking Pakistan's return to this rating level for the first time since July 2022. The upgrade, driven by improving macroeconomic fundamentals and reduced sovereign default risk, sparked strong investor interest across the yield curve, with notable gains in longer-tenor bonds. According to data from Arif Habib Limited, the 30-year bond maturing in April 2051 led the rally, rising 4.4% day-on-day to trade at $87.10, with a yield-to-maturity (YTM) of 10.3%. The bond has gained 10.9% month-to-date (MTD) and 11.1% calendar year-to-date (CYTD). Similarly, the 30-year March 2036 bond rose 3.9% day-on-day, reaching $87.80, with MTD and CYTD gains of 11.1% and 12.8%, respectively. Among shorter maturities, the seven-year Sukuk (January 2029) rose 2.3% to $91.60 (YTM 7.1%) and the 10-year bond (December 2027) gained 1.5%, closing at $98.02 (YTM 7.8%). Shorter-dated bonds recorded more modest improvements. The five-year bond (April 2026) rose 1.2%, trading at $100.12 with YTM of 5.8%, while the 10-year bond (September 2025) edged up 0.2% to $100.36. This rally continues the upward momentum observed in recent months, reflecting a broader recovery in investor confidence as Pakistan progresses on key macroeconomic fronts, such as external account stabilisation, fiscal consolidation and IMF programme compliance. The Eurobond price trends show a steady recovery from mid-2023 lows, aided by improved external inflows and successful debt rollovers. Meanwhile, the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) injected a total of Rs2.667 trillion into the financial system through open market operations (OMOs). The liquidity injection primarily consisted of conventional reverse repo operations, amounting to Rs2.345 trillion, with 23 quotes accepted at a rate of 11.01%. In contrast, the Shariah-compliant Mudarabah-based OMO accounted for a smaller share of Rs322 billion, with only two quotes accepted at a higher rate of 11.13%, possibly reflecting different demand dynamics or risk pricing. All accepted bids were for the seven-day tenor, as no bids were received for the 14-day option. This indicates the SBP's focus on short-term liquidity support to manage immediate government fiscal needs. Overall, the conventional operations made up 87.9% of the total injection, while the Islamic liquidity operation contributed 12.1%, highlighting the central bank's dual approach in managing system liquidity while catering to both conventional and Islamic banking sectors. Furthermore, gold prices in Pakistan fell for the second consecutive day on Friday, tracking losses in the international market, where prices dipped amid a stronger US dollar and easing geopolitical concerns following progress in US-EU trade talks, which dampened demand for safe-haven assets. According to the All Pakistan Sarafa Gems and Jewellers Association, the price of 24-karat gold per tola declined Rs2,300 to settle at Rs356,700, while the 10-gram rate dropped Rs1,972 to Rs305,812. The downward movement follows Thursday's sharp drop, when gold per tola lost Rs5,900, closing at Rs359,000. Meanwhile, the Pakistani rupee appreciated 0.27%, or 77 pasia, against the US dollar in the inter-bank market on Friday, closing at Rs283.45 compared to Rs284.22 a day earlier, according to data released by the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP).