December 30, 2021

Cloud Kitchen Global Market Forecasts To 2025: New Models And Channels To Drive Profitability And Revenue

Published by
The Street

By PR Newswire DUBLIN, Dec. 30, 2021 /PRNewswire/ — The “Global Cloud Kitchen Market: Size & Forecast with Impact Analysis of COVID-19 (2021-2025)” report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com’s offering. The food service sector has experienced significant growth in recent years, as a result of changing demographics, rising disposable incomes, urbanization, and enhanced lifestyles. Growing population and increasing demand has always necessitated technological advancements in the food service sector. As a result of these improvements, a concept known as cloud kitchen has emerged. A cloud ki… Continue reading “Cloud Kitchen Global Market Forecasts To 2025: New Models And Channels To Drive Profitability And Revenue”

December 30, 2021

Hematology Analyzers And Reagents Global Market Report 2021

Published by
The Street

By PR Newswire DUBLIN, Dec. 30, 2021 /PRNewswire/ — The “Hematology Analyzers and Reagents Global Market Report 2021: COVID-19 Growth and Change to 2030” report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com’s offering. This report provides strategists, marketers and senior management with the critical information they need to assess the global hematology analyzers and reagents market.The report focuses on the hematology analyzers and reagents market which is experiencing strong growth. The report gives a guide to the hematology analyzers and reagents market which will be shaping and changing our l… Continue reading “Hematology Analyzers And Reagents Global Market Report 2021”

December 30, 2021

How can illegal timber trade in the Greater Mekong be stopped?

Published by
Mongabay

Over the past decade, the European Union entered into collaborative agreements with tropical timber-producing countries to fight forest crime and verify the legality of wood imported into the EU. Within the Greater Mekong, Vietnam was the first (and to date, only) country to sign such a voluntary partnership agreement (VPA) with the EU, back in 2018. The VPA is a legally binding trade agreement where both sides commit to trading only in verified legal timber products. Under the VPA, timber-supplying countries have to set up a timber legality assurance system capable of verifying the legality o… Continue reading “How can illegal timber trade in the Greater Mekong be stopped?”

December 30, 2021

AIM 2022 Aims to Spur Growth in Foreign Direct Investments Worldwide

● Developed economies registered a threefold increase in FDIs in 1H21, reaching a total of $424 billion ● The UAE is one of the world’s top 20 economies, in terms of FDI ● AIM 2022’s FDI Pillar aims to explore pivotal themes, including mainstreaming ESG investments, GVCs Optimisation, IPAs as a favourable business environment, importance of SEZs, amongst other relevant topics

Dr. Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi

DUBAI, Arab Emirates, Dec. 29, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Eyeing the augmentation of Foreign Direct Investments (FDI) flows worldwide, The Annual Investment Meeting (AIM) — an initiative by the UAE’s Ministry of Economy — expressed its keenness on continuing to create numerous investment opportunities and innovative economic and business strategies, whilst fully supporting the ensuing macro recovery and subsequent changes to the global economy.

AIM 29-31 March 2022 — global context and focus themes

The AIM’s next edition — to be held from 29 to 31 March 2022, with the theme of “Investments in Sustainable Innovation for a Thriving Future” — will focus mainly on endorsing and boosting investments towards sustainability and innovation through key activities under the FDI Pillar.

Thanks to rising investors’ confidence, FDI flows have rebounded, globally, in 1H21, as per the latest United Nations (UN) report. Developed economies’ FDIs increased more than threefold in the first half of this year, hitting $424 billion. Contrary to previous forecasts, global FDI prospects for the full year have improved, the UNCTAD report indicated. This has also been evident in FDIs into East and Southeast Asian countries, which saw a rise of 25%.

The UAE is one of the world’s top 20 economies, in terms of FDI, indicating the country’s strong economic performance. In response to the pandemic, it was one of the first countries in the world to launch stimulus packages and initiatives to provide the necessary support to the economy’s various sectors and adapt to pandemic-related challenges. The country’s resilience and relentless pursuit of successful economic transformation and sustainability are clearly manifested in the high global rankings it has achieved.

H.E. Dr. Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi, Minister of State for Foreign Trade of the UAE, said:

“With the world’s greatest show, Expo 2020 Dubai, we are now looking forward to collaborating with other organizations and partnering with the best ideas in the world to shape the future. To achieve our goal of attracting foreign direct investment, we offer a number of incentives to investors, such as zero personal income tax, 100% foreign ownership, and a 10-year golden visa. Currently, the UAE is ranked 11^th in the world for Ease of Doing Business and first in the region. Together, we will make the UAE the best investment destination in the world.”

AIM 2022 activities are designed to boost investment opportunities extensively in various sectors. Participants can explore lucrative investment prospects and ideas under the FDI Pillar as global markets offer new investment opportunities to spur economic growth.

H.E. Dr. Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi added that:

“For the past 10 years, the Annual Investment Meeting has played a crucial role in bringing in foreign investment to the UAE. Our focus is now on enhancing UAE’s international reputation as an investment hub and mobilizing concrete investments, along with bringing in solutions for sustainable economic growth. I believe the next edition of the Annual Investment Meeting will bring positive economic change achieving new milestones in the FDI world.”

AIM 2022 will recognize the best Investment Promotion Agencies across the globe through the AIM Awards, giving tribute to the best FDI projects in regions that have contributed significantly to their markets’ growth and expansion.

AIM’s FDI Pillar will present and discuss key topics. These include:

“Less than a decade away from SDGs 2030, where are we now, in terms of sustainable investments?” will explore the concerns and action plans to foster inclusive economic development and resilient societies.
“How FDIs must drive change towards mainstreaming ESG investments”: Experts from global investment agencies will provide their insights and engage in thought-provoking discussions.
“Global Value Chains (GVCs) Optimisation” is also especially relevant, as developed and emerging economies are urged to reposition and optimize their supply chain systems, not only in terms of cost-effectiveness but, more importantly, from the perspective of logistical expertise and long-term regional stability. As GVCs are revisited, redesigned and transformed, this will be reflected in investors’ preferences, in addition to all the complementary initiatives that are implemented by regulatory authorities.
Establishing a digital competitive investment infrastructure has now become mandatory for positioning Investment Promotion Agencies (IPAs) as favourable business environments, which was evident in the global economic recovery pattern. This issue will be explored in the session “Accommodating Virtual FDIs: No Longer a Far-Fetched Concept, but a Requisite.”
According to UNCTAD, only half of the IPAs worldwide acknowledge the impact of FDI attraction in their country zones. The Special Economic Zones (SEZs) session, “Walking the Talk Beyond Fiscal Incentives,” will discuss the rationality of establishing SEZs: what makes them mutually prosperous and sustainable in today’s business context; and how to best strategize their development through constructive partnerships.
When selecting an FDI location, countries with higher-skilled and better-educated workforces tend to attract more greenfield FDI projects (UNCTAD, WIF). In the wake of workforce flexibility, countries are increasingly promoting diverse and digitally adept talent pools to leverage FDIs. The session “Seizing the Opportunity to Attract & Retain the Talent Pool” will present an opportunity where policymakers and employers will gather to tackle the issue of the remotely functional and resilient workforce in today’s fragmented global economy.
Focused on three regional topics that examine the economic landscapes of Africa, Asia and Latin America, Day 3 of the FDI Pillar’s activities will explore the regions’ risks, challenges and opportunities for growth that call for increased regional cooperation.

Mr. Dawood Al Shezawi, President of the AIM’s Organising Committee, stated that:

“Since the global pandemic, the Annual Investment Meeting has undertaken several innovative and technologically driven initiatives to transform the economy towards an upward direction. The platform has continued to drive investments through smart solutions. It has also pushed for the development of several projects that add value to investors and the economy in general. AIM recognises the UAE’s continued success and will serve as an instrument to further establish future economic developments and boost FDI flows worldwide.”

The Annual Investment Meeting continues to gain support from several ministries and government departments, Special Economic Zones (SEZ), smart city solution providers, venture capitalists, angel investors and several financial institutions to provide SMEs and start-ups with an abundance of opportunities. Apart from AIM’s FDI Pillar, the Annual Investment Meeting consists of five more pillars: i) the 50 Initiatives Pillar; ii) The Small Medium Enterprises (SME’s) Pillar; iii) The Future Cities Pillar; iv) The Start-ups Pillar; and v) the FPI Pillar.

For more information on AIM 2022, please visit www.aimcongress.com.

About the Annual Investment Meeting

Annual Investment Meeting (AIM) is the world’s leading platform for Foreign Direct Investment (FDI), aimed at facilitating strategic networking and promoting investments. It is the largest gathering of the international investment community, policymakers, business leaders, regional and international investors, entrepreneurs, leading academics and experts showcasing up-to-date information and strategies on attracting FDI.

It convenes key decision-makers from around the world, bringing together businesses and countries willing to engage in sustainable partnerships with investors. It offers a variety of features aimed at facilitating strategic networking and promoting investments while providing a worthwhile learning experience.

For press inquiries, please contact Angie.Mahran@aimcongress.com.

Minister of State for Foreign Trade and Minister in charge of Talent Attraction and Retention at Ministry Of Economy, UAE

This content was issued through the press release distribution service at Newswire.com.

Attachment

Dr. Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi

December 30, 2021

Ministry includes stunting in pre-marriage guidance module

The Religious Affairs Ministry has said it is committed to ensuring couples are psychologically prepared for running a household through initiatives such as including stunting in the pre-marriage guidance curriculum, or Binwin.

“The goal of Binwin is to prepare future families that have the skill in psychology, social, and family law,” Religious Affairs Vice Minister Zainut Tauhid Sa’adi said in a written statement released here on Thursday.

Family resilience is an important issue that continues to be the ministry’s concern, he explained.

The pre-marriage guidance, counseling, and health examination process is also a part of the ministry’s work program, the vice minister affirmed.

The Binwin program is targeting couples who have registered for marriage and people of marriageable age (19–25 years), he informed.

“We are ready to collaborate to prevent early stunting. We have a network of 5,901 district KUAs (Religious Affairs Office) who are collaborating with the BKKBN (National Population and Family Planning Agency),” Sa’adi informed.

“Of course, we will promptly synergize this program so that its execution can align with the target,” he added.

The ministry has periodically conducted evaluation and improvement of pre-marriage guidance, he informed. There are three steps that the ministry has carried out to bolster pre-marriage guidance, he said.

First, it has improved facilitator capacity by edifying Binwin facilitators equally in all provinces, he informed. Second, it is expanding collaboration for conducting Binwin, he said.

“Currently, the number of marriages has reached 1.9 to 2 million couples per year. This figure (all these couples) have not yet fully received Binwin’s service from KUAs,” Sa’adi highlighted.

“To this end, we will continue to develop collaboration with Islamic organizations, universities, and other institutions,” he elaborated.

The third step concerns the fulfillment of KUA infrastructure through the KUA revitalization program, which is the ministry’s priority program, Sa’adi said.

This year, 106 KUAs have been revamped, he informed. From next year, the ministry is aiming to revitalize one thousand KUAs each year, he said.

“We welcome the unveiling of guidance, counseling, and health examination program within three months of pre-marriage. We are ready to continue to synergize for a better future generation,” Sa’adi affirmed.

Source: Antara News

December 30, 2021

Solo a reference city for BTS program: Transportation Ministry

The Transportation Ministry has designated Solo as a reference city for the buy the service (BTS) concept that encompasses a system of services purchased by the government that involve operators or transportation service entrepreneurs.

“Currently, 10 cities in Indonesia have developed this concept for mass transportation. Many people and local governments are keen to learn about the management of the BTS program,” Director of Road Transportation at the Directorate General of Land Transportation of the Transportation Ministry Suharto stated during the launch of Corridor five and six of Batik Solo Trans (BST) here, Thursday.

He assessed that Solo City remained firmly committed to developing the concept. In fact, Solo has been able to integrate the transportation master plan, land use arrangement, and the public’s attention to the importance of mass transportation.

Suharto highlighted the importance of the public being kept abreast of the importance and the optimization of means of mass transportation through the concept of BTS.

“Using public transportation is more efficient than using a private car that includes fuel, parking, and other expenses,” Suharto explained.

The ministry drew attention to an average annual growth of 13 percent in the number of private vehicles, while infrastructure growth was below one percent per year. In fact, several regions have recorded infrastructure growth of just 0.01 percent.

“With a concept that competes with the growth of vehicles, infrastructure often falls short. With such scale of growth of vehicles while the vehicle capacity remaining quite the same, what will happen is density, with the queues being quite long,” he pointed out.

“The growth in the number of vehicles is not in line with the extent of infrastructure growth. Eventually, it will create traffic,” he emphasized.

Meanwhile, Suharto stated that the BST mass transportation applying the BTS concept also contributed to community empowerment in the Solo region.

“With six corridors and 130 operating vehicles, from the perspective of human resources, 700 people are already involved. This will empower people in Solo,” he noted.

On the same occasion, Surakarta Deputy Mayor Teguh Prakosa noted that the Surakarta city government remained committed to providing affordable and efficient means of mass transportation to support environment-friendly transportation.

“This service also encourages people to reduce the use of private vehicles. The BTS service is a form of the government’s concern to serve the public with means of transportation that are safe, comfortable, and affordable,” Prakosa emphasized.

He highlighted that the pros to buying the service program are being able to provide service certainty to passengers, both in terms of the efficiency of travel time at each corridor and the certainty of one-time payment during multiple rides.

“The route for the six corridors will continue to be improved, starting from Solo-Sukoharjo-Wonogiri to Solo-Karanganyar-Klaten-Sragen and to Boyolali. Thus, regional heads in the Solo area are optimistic that the addition of this corridor would be conducted immediately in order to facilitate people and support tourism,” he added.

Source: Antara News

December 30, 2021

Jakarta air quality improves noticeably with fewer unhealthy days

Jakarta’s air quality from 2012 to 2021 has continued to show a marked improvement as was apparent from a downward trend in terms of the number of unhealthy days, according to the Jakarta provincial government.

As per Jakarta’s Air Pollution Standard Index during the January-December 2021 period, no day was recorded as having fallen in the very unhealthy category, Head of Environmental Impact Control at the Jakarta Environment Office, Yusiono Anwar, stated during a virtual discussion titled “Reduce Emissions for Pollution-Free Jakarta” here on Thursday.

Anwar remarked that 218 days were recorded at the moderate level; 138 days, unhealthy level; and six days, good level.

“From our observation, the dominant parameter from January to December 2021 was blue, which meant it was moderate, and outdoor activities were safe,” Anwar stated.

However, he affirmed that the number of moderate days was still lower than that of last year when 244 days were recorded in the moderate category, 90 days in unhealthy, 29 days in good, and three in very unhealthy.

“The trend of unhealthy and very unhealthy days had decreased each year, especially in 2021, when there were 151 unhealthy days and 116 very unhealthy days,” he stated.

Six parameters of air pollution sources were calculated: sulfur dioxide (SO2), nitrogen oxides (NOx), carbon monoxide (CO), 10 µm-particulate matter in the air (PM10), 2.5 µm-particulate matter (PM2.5), and black carbon (BC), five of which came from transportation.

Meanwhile, Anwar noted that the manufacturing industry caused the highest SO2 pollution.

Some regulations, such as the motor-vehicle free day and emission test on motor vehicles, have been enforced to improve the air quality. The Jakarta administration also needs to formulate a roadmap and master plan to be free from pollution, he stated.

In addition, the sources of air pollution should be addressed, such as developing transportation modes with transit location facilities, he highlighted.

Moreover, other endeavors that should be bolstered comprise a lifestyle leaning toward the use of means of public transportation and greening optimization by planting large trees, increasing the number of green open spaces, and developing more limitations to the mobility of motor vehicles in the city (Kota Tua, Ancol, Monas, GBK, Kemayoran, TMII) and residential areas (Menteng, Kebayoran Baru, Pondok Indah, PIK and Kelapa Gading).

Anwar also proposed to include the obligation of buying, planting, or donating trees in some administrative matters.

“Hence, the target of planting 10 million trees can be achieved by 2030,” he affirmed.

Source: Antara News

December 30, 2021

BRGM exceeds 2021 mangrove rehabilitation target

The National Peatland and Mangrove Restoration Agency (BRGM) has said it managed to rehabilitate 34,911 hectares of mangroves in 2021, well above its target of 33 thousand hectares.

At the BRGM’s ‘Year-End Reflection’ event here on Thursday, BRGM’s people empowerment deputy Gatot Soebiantoro informed that the initial target for the mangrove rehabilitation in 2021 was 83 thousand hectares.

However, the COVID-19 pandemic forced the government to revise the target to 33 thousand hectares, he said.

The government determined nine provinces as priority areas for mangrove rehabilitation: North Sumatra, Riau, Riau Islands, Bangka Belitung, West Kalimantan, East Kalimantan, North Kalimantan, Papua, and West Papua, he added.

The mangrove rehabilitation target was 29,500 hectares for the nine priority provinces and 3,500 hectares for 23 other provinces, he said.

Soebiantoro highlighted several problems that emerged during mangrove rehabilitation, including the lack of species diversity due to seed limitation and the need for adjusting the program’s execution with the planting season.

He spoke of the necessity for designing seed provision to ensure that seeds are ready when the planting season arrives and to prepare the provision of local seeds.

In addition, he emphasized the importance of supporting regulations for protecting mangroves from land-use changes.

Meanwhile, head of BRGM Hartono affirmed that the peatland restoration and mangrove rehabilitation achievement will be improved in the future through collaboration with other stakeholders.

He noted that earlier, when the agency was called the National Peatland Restoration Agency, it successfully carried out its job to restore peatlands.

The result of this could be observed in the decline in fire frequency in peatlands, he said.

Meanwhile, peatland restoration this year has managed to reach the target of 300 thousand hectares, he added.

Source: Antara News