Zouhair Khaliq becomes Managing Director, GSMA Mobile for Development | InfoZonePK

Well known telecoms specialist Zouhair A. Khaliq, who served and played a pivotal roleZuhair-Khaliq in the development and growth of the Pakistan telecom sector, has joined the GSM Association as Managing Director, GSMA Mobile for Development.

The GSMA represents the interests of mobile operators worldwide. Spanning more than 220 countries, GSMA unites nearly 800 of the world’s mobile operators with 250 companies in the broader mobile ecosystem, including handset and device makers, software companies, equipment providers and Internet companies, as well as organizations in industry sectors such as financial services, healthcare, media, transport and utilities. The GSMA also produces industry-leading events such as Mobile World Congress and Mobile Asia Expo.

Commenting on his appointment as MD, Zouhair Khaliq said, “GSMA Mobile for Development brings together the mobile operator members, the wider mobile industry and the development community to drive commercial mobile services for underserved people in emerging markets.  We identify opportunities for social, economic and environmental impact and stimulate the development of scalable, life-enhancing mobile services.”

“We work with industry partners and donors such as the Rockefeller Foundation, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, the Mastercard Foundation, DFID, NORAD, USAID and many others to bring Mobile Money for the Unbanked, Mobile Health, Mobile Enabled Community Services, Green Power for Mobile, Mobile for Development Impact, Disaster Response, GSMA mWomen and Mobile for Employment as some of our programmes,” he added.

Elaborating further, he opined, “Mobile is the predominant infrastructure in emerging markets.  We believe it is the transformative technology that enables us to put relevant, impactful services into the hands of underserved people. Since the creation of GSMA Mobile for Development it has partnered with 50 mobile operators, rolling out 104 initiatives, impacting tens of millions of people across 49 countries. My aim will be to expand and grow this area and maximize the impact on these communities.