Amsterdam, Dubai, Islamabad, November 2024 – VEON Ltd. (Nasdaq: VEON, Euronext Amsterdam: VEON), a global digital operator, today announced a strategic collaboration between Jazz, its digital operator in Pakistan, and Standard Chartered Bank (SCB). The partnership, facilitated through Jazz’s enterprise solutions arm, Garaj, aims to enhance SCB’s operational resilience by establishing a regional availability zone in Pakistan. This will bolster SCB’s customer experience and improve banking operations across various regions.
The collaboration, formalized by Aamir Ibrahim, CEO of Jazz, and Rehan Sheikh, CEO of Standard Chartered Bank Pakistan, positions Garaj to support the bank by providing advanced data center services through its state-of-the-art, Tier 3 Data Center. This facility, built to adhere to Global TIA-942 standards, will host SCB’s core IT and banking systems, ensuring high availability and robust data security. Additionally, Garaj will deliver disaster recovery, backup, and continuity services to help SCB maintain seamless, secure banking operations.
Strengthening Operational Resilience and Customer Satisfaction
As part of the agreement, Garaj will offer round-the-clock operational support to SCB through a dedicated Network Operations Center (NOC) and a helpdesk staffed by certified engineers. This support will ensure maximum uptime and uninterrupted services, safeguarding SCB’s critical banking operations and enhancing customer satisfaction by providing a smooth service experience.
Asif Aziz, President of Enterprise Solutions at Jazz Business, emphasized the importance of the collaboration, stating, “This partnership enhances SCB’s operational resilience and ensures secure, uninterrupted services for its customers. Garaj’s advanced infrastructure and cybersecurity solutions lay a strong foundation for the financial services sector and reflect our dedication to reliability and innovation.”
Rehan Shaikh, CEO of Standard Chartered Pakistan, noted the significance of the partnership, saying, “This strategic collaboration strengthens our technology infrastructure and furthers our leadership in digital banking. By utilizing Garaj’s purpose-built data center, we ensure secure and accessible digital banking solutions for our customers. This partnership marks a key step in our journey towards accelerating digital transformation and contributing to a more inclusive financial landscape in Pakistan.”
Garaj’s Expanding Cloud and IT Capabilities
Garaj, which serves over 400 enterprise customers, offers a comprehensive suite of IT and IT-enabled solutions, including cloud infrastructure, cybersecurity, and managed services. With two operational cloud availability zones and a commitment to data residency, Garaj ensures critical data remains secure within Pakistan. Earlier this year, Garaj achieved Premier Partner status with VMware and strengthened its position as an Operator Cloud Solution Provider with Microsoft, solidifying its ability to deliver resilient, scalable cloud infrastructure.
Jazz’s enterprise division, which includes Garaj, serves 98 of the top 100 companies listed on the Pakistan Stock Exchange, underscoring its leadership in the market. This collaboration is in line with VEON’s broader strategy to expand connected digital services for individuals and enterprises, furthering Jazz’s commitment to scaling its cloud services and IT solutions beyond Pakistan.
