Connect with us

Business

Gamer Pakistan and Click IPO offering coincides with Esports rage

Spread the love

Market boost can bring more attention to burgeoning industry, indirectly benefitting the talented players from Asian country

Published

on

Team Pakistan lifted the Tekken 7 Nations Cup in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, last month.
Spread the love

Recent developments in the burgeoning Esports industry are seen as a welcome infusion in providing a platform to world-class gamers, especially in Pakistan and the UAE.

Coming up this month in the United States is a public listing from Gamer Pakistan Inc, a month after the rising youth Esports icon Arsalan ‘Ash’ Siddiqui talked about the problems faced his ilk from the Asian country. A three-member team from Pakistan, including Ash, defeated South Korea to win Gamers8 Tekken 7 Nations Cup in Saudi Arabia in early July.

UAE companies have invested or sponsored rising Esports talent from Pakistan and continue to do so. In June, the second edition of Dubai Esports and Gaming Festival concluded with more than 26,000 spectators visiting. But the platform of opportunities has some catching up to do, according to Ash who told Geo TV: “Even with all the talent in the world, we don’t have anyone pushing individuals to take that leap of faith to enter the global arena.” The Tekken champion’s meteoric rise started from the UAE in 2018 when he won the OUG Tournament, his first career win, and was sponsored by an Emirati Esports company Vslash before Red Bull signed him up.

On the financial markets front, the IPO listing can be seen in the same context as a unique boost. Managed by Click IPO, US brokers licensed from the Securities Exchange Commission, the listing will, for the first time in history, allow investors access to a Pakistani business on the Nasdaq exchange.

The company’s name is K-2 Private Limited and is funded and owned by the US parent Gamer Pakistan Inc. The company produces Pakistan’s largest National University & college tournaments broken down into geographical regions culminating in one national championship team.  K-2, in affiliation with Esports Exclusive, has its teams compete against India’s top team through the Rival Nations Network.

According to a Forbes report last year in America, the top 10 ranked teams in the world are worth $1/4 billion USD each.  Pakistan already has 2 players ranked in the top 25 in the world. Recently the Pakistan government recognized Esports as an identifiable sport and business area for growth.

Esports is one of the fastest growing sports regarding participation and viewership in the history of the world. Microsoft’s $69-billion deal to purchase US gaming giant Activision Blizzard is going ahead, it was confirmed in July after clearing legal hurdles.

Past precedent in the US has Esport stocks enjoy meteoric first-day pops – 507 percent in one example of Esports Technologies in 2021, and going further up to 700% – with Asian markets commanding a dominant share. A 2022 Statista report studied first-day IPO stock performances from 2008 to 2021 and observed the majority rate of positivity around them.

Up until recently, the public common investor typically did not have access, nor could purchase IPO shares.  These New Issue shares were typically reserved for very large retail investors with accounts of $10 million or more – or Institutional Investors. Today, thanks to the internet and the rise of the fin-tech industry, companies like Click IPO have emerged. Through the mobile application of Click IPO, any investor can download and purchase shares of companies going public.

 

 

 

Business

Skip the flight, catch the ferry: Pakistan–Oman set to launch sea service

Published

on

Spread the love

Pakistan and Oman are moving closer to launching a direct ferry service between Gwadar and the Sultanate, as part of renewed efforts to strengthen maritime cooperation, enhance trade, and build regional connectivity.

The developments came during a high-level meeting on Thursday between Pakistan’s Federal Minister for Maritime Affairs, Muhammad Junaid Anwar Chaudhry, and the Ambassador of Oman to Pakistan, Fahad bin Sulaiman bin Khalaf Al Kharusi.

Maritime Trade in Focus

Both sides reaffirmed their deep-rooted diplomatic, economic, and cultural ties and discussed plans to accelerate cooperation in the maritime sector. Minister Chaudhry highlighted that Pakistan’s exports to Oman via sea ports reached $224 million in 2024, but stressed the potential to significantly increase this figure through joint initiatives.

Gwadar-Oman Ferry Could Unlock Billions

A major highlight of the meeting was the proposal to launch a direct ferry service from Gwadar to Oman, which Chaudhry said could unlock $10–15 billion annually for Pakistan through trade expansion, transit revenue, and investment inflows.

Potential New Ferry Routes

  • Based on current and past plans, potential ferry routes from Pakistan include:
    • Karachi to Gwadar
    • Gwadar to Muscat (Oman)
    • Karachi to Muscat (Oman)
    • Karachi to Chabahar (Iran)
    • Gwadar to Chabahar (Iran)
    • International excursion tours
    • Local city operation within Karachi 
    • Past Sea Routes that Were Proposed
  • There have been past discussions and reports about ferry services between Pakistan and other regions but they have yet to become a reality:
    • Dubai-Karachi Ferry Service: A luxury ferry service between Karachi and Dubai was approved in 2006, with Gulf Dream Cruise being the first operator. This service was planned to take two days and cost $549 for a round trip. However, the feasibility of a regular ferry service for fast passenger transfers was questioned due to the affordability of flights.
    • India-Dubai: The Indian government had granted permission for the launch of a cruise ferry service connecting Kerala and Dubai in 2023. The ferry service operating on the Beypur-Kochi-Dubai route, would prvide connectivity between Dubai and Kochi, within just three days and enable expats in the UAE to carry 10 times more luggage and travel at a lower cost than airlines. The ticket was expected to cost at around Dh450.
    • Iran Ferry Service: There was a plan to launch a ferry service between Karachi/Gwadar and Chabahar in Iran, primarily to facilitate pilgrims and offer a safer alternative to road travel.

Maritime Training & Human Capital Development

Chaudhry also proposed offering specialised training and scholarships for Omani students at the Pakistan Marine Academy, which is being upgraded to university status. The goal: to foster long-term maritime collaboration and build shared human capital in marine sciences and navigation.

Strong Cultural Ties and Diaspora Links

Ambassador Al Kharusi welcomed the proposals and highlighted the strong cultural connections between the two nations. He noted that Urdu remains widely spoken and understood in Oman, reflecting historic social bonds, and praised the Pakistani community’s role in Oman’s development.

The ambassador also backed greater B2B (business-to-business) engagements to unlock new trade and investment opportunities between the two countries.

Continue Reading

Business

How Millennials and Gen Z are powering UAE’s mobile shopping boom

Published

on

Spread the love

Millennials and Gen Z are leading a retail revolution in the UAE, turning their smartphones into their go-to shopping destination. According to the newly released 2025 Global Digital Shopping Index – UAE edition, the country’s youngest consumers are driving the UAE to the top of the global mobile shopping leaderboard.

The report, commissioned by Visa Acceptance Solutions and conducted by PYMNTS Intelligence, surveyed 1,679 consumers and 329 merchants across the UAE. The findings reveal a dramatic rise in mobile-first shopping habits, with Millennials and Gen Z leading the charge.

Mobile is the New Mall

A whopping 67% of UAE consumers used their phones as part of their most recent retail purchase, a 23% increase since 2022. But it’s the younger generations setting the pace:

  • 73% of Millennials shopped using their phones during their last purchase
  • Gen Z isn’t far behind, proving that mobile shopping is second nature to digital natives

These generations are not just buying, they’re reshaping the entire shopping experience, demanding speed, security, and flexibility at every step.

Tech-Savvy, Security-First Shoppers

Younger UAE shoppers are also embracing biometric authentication, like fingerprint or facial recognition, more than ever. 32% of UAE consumers used biometrics in their latest online retail transaction, nearly double the global average of 17%.

What Young Shoppers Value

Millennials and Gen Z in the UAE expect more than just fast checkouts. Their top demands include:

  • Rewards programmes (75%)
  • Free shipping (73%)
  • Price matching (70%)
  • Cross-channel flexibility (53%)—blending in-store, mobile, and desktop shopping

They’re also more likely to shop online for home delivery, with 38% of UAE consumers choosing this convenience in their most recent purchase.

Setting a Global Standard

The UAE now has the highest rate of mobile-based online shopping globally (37%), outpacing Singapore, the UK, and Brazil. Industry experts attribute this to a strong digital ecosystem backed by collaborative efforts between the UAE government, retailers, and fintech partners.

“Millennials and Gen Z are shaping this future—and we’re proud to support it through innovations like Click to Pay,” said Salima Gutieva, Visa’s Vice President and Country Manager for the UAE.

Future of Retail: In Their Hands

The takeaway? Mobile-first isn’t coming, it’s already here, thanks to the tech-savvy preferences of the UAE’s younger generations. Whether it’s a tap, swipe, or biometric scan, Millennials and Gen Z are making mobile shopping the new normal in the Emirates.

Continue Reading

Real estate

Dubai real estate firm names Afghan cricket star Rashid Khan as brand ambassador

Published

on

Spread the love

Afghan cricket sensation Rashid Khan has been named the new brand ambassador for Dubai-based MH Developers, a leading real estate firm making major strides in the emirate’s booming property sector.

The announcement comes at a time when Dubai’s real estate market is hitting new highs, with the first half of 2025 showing a 15% year-on-year rise in property prices and a 20% increase in transaction volumes, driven by strong investor confidence, economic stability, and world-class infrastructure.

Cricket and Construction Come Together

Known for his record-breaking feats on the pitch, including being the fastest bowler to reach 100 wickets in T20 internationals, Rashid Khan brings his global appeal and winning mindset to the real estate arena.

“The UAE has always been a second home for Afghan cricket, offering support and opportunity during difficult times,” said Khan. 

“This collaboration with MH Developers is a natural fit for me, professionally and personally, as it reflects shared values of resilience, growth, and building a better future.”

A Strategic Move by MH Developers

Murtaza Hashmi, CEO of MH Developers, said the partnership with Khan is part of a broader strategy to connect with new audiences and tap into Dubai’s rising profile as a global hub for luxury living and smart investment.

“Dubai offers a secure, well-regulated environment that continues to attract buyers and investors from around the world,” said Hashmi. 

“Rashid Khan’s international reputation and unwavering pursuit of excellence align perfectly with our mission to deliver top-tier real estate solutions during this exciting time for the market.”

What’s Next for MH Developers?

With this partnership in place, MH Developers plans to roll out signature projects that blend sophisticated design with solid investment potential, tailored to the modern lifestyle demands of Dubai’s growing resident and investor base.

Continue Reading

Popular

© Copyright 2025 HEADLINE. All rights reserved

https://headline.ae/