Amsterdam, Dubai, Islamabad, 07 November 2024 – VEON Ltd. (Nasdaq: VEON, Euronext Amsterdam: VEON), a global digital operator, today announced a strategic collaboration between Jazz, VEON’s digital operator in Pakistan, and Standard Chartered Bank (SCB). Through Jazz’s enterprise solutions arm, Garaj, the partnership aims to establish a regional availability zone for SCB, reinforcing the bank’s operational resilience and bolstering its customer experience across multiple regions.
The agreement, formalized by Aamir Ibrahim, CEO of Jazz, and Rehan Sheikh, CEO of Standard Chartered Bank Pakistan, positions Garaj to support Standard Chartered Bank with advanced data center services from its state-of-the-art, Tier 3 Data Center that adheres to Global TIA-942 standards. Located within Pakistan, this facility will host SCB’s core IT and banking systems, ensuring high availability and enhanced data security. Garaj will also provide SCB with robust disaster recovery, backup, and continuity services, strengthening the bank’s capacity to deliver seamless and secure banking operations to its customers.
Enhanced Infrastructure and 24/7 Operational Support
As part of the agreement, Garaj will deliver 24/7 operational support to SCB through a dedicated Network Operations Center (NOC) and a helpdesk staffed by certified engineers, aiming for optimal uptime and uninterrupted services. This support is intended to safeguard SCB’s critical banking operations and enhance customer satisfaction by providing a seamless service experience.
Asif Aziz, President of Enterprise Solutions at Jazz Business, remarked on the significance of the collaboration: “Our partnership with Standard Chartered Bank is expected to enhance operational resilience and ensure secure, uninterrupted services for its customers. Garaj’s critical infrastructure and advanced cybersecurity solutions provide a robust foundation for our customers in financial services and underscore our commitment to reliability and innovation.”
Rehan Shaikh, CEO of Standard Chartered Pakistan, shared his thoughts on the collaboration’s impact, stating, “This strategic partnership strengthens the bank’s technology infrastructure and advances our digital thought leadership. By leveraging Garaj’s state-of-the-art purpose-built data center, we are reinforcing our commitment to providing secure, robust, seamless, and accessible digital banking solutions to our customers. This alliance represents a significant step forward in our mission to accelerate digital transformation, remain agile, and contribute towards a more inclusive financial landscape in Pakistan.”
Garaj’s Growing 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 that critical data remains securely within Pakistan. Earlier this year, Garaj achieved Premier Partner status with VMware and further strengthened its position as an Operator Cloud Solution Provider with Microsoft, reinforcing its capacity to deliver resilient, scalable cloud infrastructure.
Jazz’s enterprise vertical, including Garaj, serves 98 of the top 100 companies listed on the Pakistan Stock Exchange, reflecting its market leadership. This collaboration aligns with VEON’s broader digital operator strategy, which focuses on expanding connected digital services for both individuals and enterprises. Jazz’s commitment to scaling its cloud services and IT solutions is set to propel its enterprise business beyond Pakistan.
About Jazz
Jazz is Pakistan’s leading digital operator, boasting over 71.4 million cellular subscribers and 63.3 million monthly active users of digital services. Jazz’s comprehensive digital portfolio includes JazzCash, Pakistan’s top fintech solution; Garaj, the largest onshore cloud and cybersecurity platform in Pakistan; and Tamasha, the country’s most popular homegrown OTT video streaming platform.
About VEON
VEON is a digital operator serving nearly 160 million customers across six countries, transforming lives through technology-driven services that empower individuals and drive economic growth. Listed on Nasdaq and Euronext, VEON operates in markets covering over 7% of the world’s population. For more information, visit: https://www.veon.com.
