HBL will provide Multinet with 7-year long-term funding of PKR 2.1 billion (US$10.1 million) for its ‘Digital Infrastructure Facility’ backed by a PKR 1.57 billion (US$7.6 million) credit risk guarantee by InfraZamin Pakistan to bolster fibre optic network for greater digital reach and transmission across Pakistan
KARACHI - InfraZamin Pakistan’s partial credit risk guarantee cover of PKR 1,575 million (US$7.6 million) on the Digital Infrastructure Facility will effectively de-risk the majority of credit risks of this project expansion. This is InfraZamin’s first transaction in Pakistan and paves the way forward for deeper market development via credit guarantees.
HBL will facilitate Multinet to access 7-Year long-term funding in expanding their fibre optic network to under-served cities and populations, enable a wider reach for internet access via fibre for Small and Medium Enterprises and reduce the cost of carrying broadband traffic from one city to the other thereby improving cost-effective data and broadband penetration in Pakistan.
In addition to these positive developmental impacts, the project is also expected to create additional jobs of which 20% will be allocated specifically to women. Multinet has also chosen to adopt best practices in Health and Safety standards and will work on a long-term basis with an independent Health and Safety advisor to ensure worker safety and protection during network rollout. The company will continue to engage with InfraZamin to ensure continued capacity building and training in this area.
The project also envisages improved corporate governance, disclosure and transparency standards for Multinet which is a welcome step towards better governance standards in private unlisted companies.
Commenting on the occasion, Aamir Irshad, Head Corporate, Commercial & Investment Banking Group – HBL, said, “HBL is a strong advocate for technological advancements and has shown its continued support for the development of digital infrastructure by extending an Infrazamin credit guarantee backed loan facility of PKR 2.1 billion to Multinet. We believe this facility will go a long way in augmenting internet and data access to second and third tier cities of Pakistan along with improving the capacity and quality of internet for Mobile Network Operators, Internet Service Providers and SMEs.”
Commenting on the occasion, Maheen Rahman, CEO - InfraZamin, said, “The transaction is one step further towards mobilising investments from the private sector for boosting economic growth and covering the infrastructure gap in frontier markets. We are grateful to HBL Bank for their vision and support throughout this transaction process and look forward to seeing Multinet achieve its business expansion goals. This project caters to Pakistan’s dynamic and growing digital sector and we are happy to lend our support towards realising Pakistan’s vision towards greater digital access and inclusion.”
Commenting on the occasion, Adnan Asder, CEO - of Multinet, said, “IZP credit guarantee facility played an instrumental role in obtaining PKR 2,100 mln long-term loan facility from Habib Bank Limited. The said funding will assist Multinet in doubling its data centres capacity, enhancing long-haul network transmission capacity, expanding metro footprint for tower fiberization and meeting SMEs ICT services requirements. This transaction will help Multinet in achieving its strategic goals by expanding the telecom infrastructure in the country. This would lead to the enhancement of state-of-the-art facilities of fibre infrastructure to the customers and support other stakeholders for 5G inclusion in Pakistan. We are appreciative of InfraZamin for extending their support along with HBL Bank who share a similar vision for the growth of the digital sector in Pakistan”
Daily Pakistan Global Web Desk
KARACHI - Following are the foreign currency exchange rates for US Dollar, Saudi Riyal, UK Pound Sterling, U.A.E. Dirham, European Euro, and other foreign currencies in Pakistan open market on March 31, 2023 (Friday).
Source: Forex Association of Pakistan. (last update 09:00 AM)
Currency | Symbol | Buying | Selling |
US Dollar | USD | 283.8 | 286.6 |
Euro | EUR | 306 | 309 |
UK Pound Sterling | GBP | 347.5 | 351 |
U.A.E Dirham | AED | 77.2 | 79.9 |
Saudi Riyal | SAR | 75.6 | 76.4 |
Australian Dollar | AUD | 187.5 | 189.9 |
Bahrain Dinar | BHD | 753.99 | 761.99 |
Canadian Dollar | CAD | 206.5 | 208.7 |
China Yuan | CNY | 41.25 | 41.65 |
Danish Krone | DKK | 41.26 | 41.51 |
Hong Kong Dollar | HKD | 36.11 | 36.46 |
Indian Rupee | INR | 3.45 | 3.56 |
Japanese Yen | JPY | 2.15 | 2.22 |
Kuwaiti Dinar | KWD | 925.67 | 934.67 |
Malaysian Ringgit | MYR | 62.85 | 63.45 |
New Zealand Dollar | NZD | 175.57 | 177.58 |
Norwegians Krone | NOK | 26.33 | 26.63 |
Omani Riyal | OMR | 736.34 | 744.35 |
Qatari Riyal | QAR | 77.92 | 78.62 |
Singapore Dollar | SGD | 209.5 | 211.5 |
Swedish Korona | SEK | 26.5 | 26.8 |
Swiss Franc | CHF | 308.25 | 310.75 |
Thai Bhat | THB | 8.28 | 8.43 |
KARACHI - The price of a single tola of 24-karat gold in Pakistan is Rs 208,200 on Friday. The price of 10 grams of 24k gold was recorded at Rs178,500.
Likewise, 10 grams of 22k gold were being traded for Rs163,624 while a single tola of 22-karat gold was being sold at Rs 190,849.
Note: The gold rate in Pakistan is fluctuating according to the international market so the price is never been fixed. The below rates are provided by local gold markets and Sarafa Markets of different cities.
City | Gold | Silver |
Lahore | PKR 208,200 | PKR 2,470 |
Karachi | PKR 208,200 | PKR 2,470 |
Islamabad | PKR 208,200 | PKR 2,470 |
Peshawar | PKR 208,200 | PKR 2,470 |
Quetta | PKR 208,200 | PKR 2,470 |
Sialkot | PKR 208,200 | PKR 2,470 |
Attock | PKR 208,200 | PKR 2,470 |
Gujranwala | PKR 208,200 | PKR 2,470 |
Jehlum | PKR 208,200 | PKR 2,470 |
Multan | PKR 208,200 | PKR 2,470 |
Bahawalpur | PKR 208,200 | PKR 2,470 |
Gujrat | PKR 208,200 | PKR 2,470 |
Nawabshah | PKR 208,200 | PKR 2,470 |
Chakwal | PKR 208,200 | PKR 2,470 |
Hyderabad | PKR 208,200 | PKR 2,470 |
Nowshehra | PKR 208,200 | PKR 2,470 |
Sargodha | PKR 208,200 | PKR 2,470 |
Faisalabad | PKR 208,200 | PKR 2,470 |
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