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Time of India
3 days ago
- Business
- Time of India
NCAER pitches for investment in skilling to increase jobs
New Delhi: A paper by economic think tank NCAER has made a case for investment in skilling of workforce to increase employment in the labour intensive sectors by 2030. The paper titled 'The Landscape of Employment in India: Pathways to Jobs' said inter-sectoral linkages can have a multiplicative effect on employment in the aggregate economy, increasing employment by up to 200 per cent relative to existing scenario. "On the supply side, we show that increasing the share of skilled workforce by 12 percentage points through investment in formal skilling could lead to more than a 13 per cent increase in employment in labour intensive sectors by 2030," it said. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like a adad Undo On an average, the paper said labour-intensive manufacturing accounts for 44.1 per cent of total manufacturing employment, while labour-intensive services account for 54.2 per cent of total services employment. "Our demand-side simulations indicate that we can significantly bridge the employment gap by increasing the size of the manufacturing and services sectors, particularly through a focus on labour intensive industries therein," the paper said. Live Events Outlining some of the policy prescriptions, the paper's author Farzana Afridi said there is need for a multi-pronged approach to increase production capacity in labour-intensive manufacturing and services sectors, including stimulating domestic demand through higher government expenditure and lowering of taxes. The paper also laid stress on adoption of international best practices and implementation of national quality benchmarks for training and reskilling or upskilling existing workers. Referring to the Production-Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme, the paper pointed out that it is primarily focused on expanding production of high value products with backward linkages which require high-skilled labour. "But the highest number of jobs under the scheme has been created in the food processing and pharmaceuticals industry. This reflects a mismatch between budgetary allocation under PLI and potential for employment creation," the paper said adding productivity and quality of workforce have to be increased significantly to improve labour quality. It cited the Future of Jobs Report 2025 which highlights that 63 per cent of India's workforce will need reskilling or upskilling by 2030 to remain competitive. Among others, the paper suggested incorporating soft skills, digital literacy and Information and Communication Technology ( ICT ) skills into training programmes to enhance employability, particularly within services sub-sectors. "Improving training quality, along with increasing the share of formally trained workers, can lead to higher employment gains," it added. Since labour-intensive manufacturing and services sectors account for over half of total employment in India, the paper advocated significant policy focus on expanding labour-intensive manufacturing and services, along with a systemic overhaul of the education system to enhance the human capital of the labour force.
Fibre2Fashion
23-06-2025
- Business
- Fibre2Fashion
Global FDI falls 11% in 2024 amid mounting uncertainty: UNCTAD
Global foreign direct investment (FDI) fell by 11 per cent in 2024 to $1.49 trillion, marking the second consecutive year of decline and confirming a deepening slowdown in productive capital flows, according to the UN Trade and Development (UNCTAD). Although headline FDI appeared to rise by 4 per cent to $1.5 trillion, the increase was largely due to volatile financial conduit flows through several European economies, which often serve as transfer points for investments, as per the World Investment Report 2025 released by UNCTAD. Investment dropped sharply across developed economies, particularly in Europe. Developing countries appeared broadly stable, with a marginal 0.2 per cent rise. However, this concealed a deeper crisis, as capital is stagnating or bypassing sectors that matter most—such as infrastructure, energy, and technology. Global FDI fell 11 per cent to $1.49 trillion in 2024, marking a second year of decline, as per UNCTAD. While Africa saw strong growth due to a large project, Europe's inflows plunged. Investment in key sectors like energy and infrastructure dropped. Digital FDI rose 14 per cent but remained concentrated. UNCTAD urges coordinated reforms to close a $4 trillion sustainable development financing gap. 'Too many economies are being left behind not for a lack of potential—but because the system still sends capital where it's easiest, not where it's needed,' said Rebeca Grynspan, UN Trade and Development secretary-general . 'But we can change that. If we align public and private investment with development goals and build trust into the system, domestic and international markets will bring scale, stability and predictability. And today's volatility can become tomorrow's opportunity.' Regionally, Africa surged 75 per cent due to a major Egyptian project. Asia retained its top position despite a 3 per cent dip, and Latin America declined by 12 per cent. Among vulnerable groups, FDI rose in least developed countries (9 per cent) and small island states (11 per cent) but fell 10 per cent in landlocked nations. Investment in development-critical sectors showed worrying signs. International project finance dropped 26 per cent, with renewable energy (-31 per cent), transport (-32 per cent), and water/sanitation (-30 per cent) most affected. Despite a 14 per cent rise in digital economy FDI—driven by Information and Communication Technology (ICT) and semiconductors—80 per cent of new digital projects were concentrated in just 10 countries, leaving many developing nations behind due to gaps in infrastructure, policy, and skills, added the release. UNCTAD stressed that bridging the estimated $4 trillion annual financing gap for sustainable development in developing economies requires coordinated reforms and long-term, inclusive capital. It proposed a seven-point agenda focusing on better governance, digital infrastructure, innovation ecosystems, skill-building, and global digital investment standards. Fibre2Fashion News Desk (SG)
Eyewitness News
10-06-2025
- Business
- Eyewitness News
Opposition parties reject establishment of another state-owned company
CAPE TOWN - Opposition parties have rejected the launch of another state-owned company that will consolidate and control all digital assets across the state. The Communications and Digital Technologies Committee received a briefing on the consolidation of fibre networks from all State-Owned Enterprises (SOEs) to form the South African State Digital Infrastructure Company. But the move has been criticised by some parties who say there's no need for another state company that will be poorly managed and drain the fiscus. The committee heard on Tuesday how the new state-owned entity would be a merger of state telecoms company Broadband Infraco (BBI) and government-owned signal distributor Sentech. READ: Bill seeking to incorporate all SOEs into 1 holding company open for public participation The company would have control of all fibre networks and digital infrastructure, including those owned by other SOEs that aren't in the Information and Communication Technology (ICT) sector, like Transnet and Eskom. "There is a very clear proposal or recommendation and therefore adopted position of the country, that we should look at streamlining the digital assets of the country in a wholesale provider of broadband connectivity," said committee chairperson, Khusela Diko. But the official opposition MK Party's Colleen Makhubele said she doesn't understand the business case for the new entity. "Is it just not another financial burden for taxpayers? Why do we keep creating state-owned entities when we fail to manage the current ones?" BBI CEO, Gift Zowa said there is a need for the state company to go to areas where the major networks refuse to go, such as rural and remote areas, to give the poor greater connectivity.
New Straits Times
06-06-2025
- New Straits Times
MCMC: Mobile data used only for anonymised national statistics
CYBERJAYA: The Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) has clarified that no Personally Identifiable Information (PII) from telcos has been accessed, processed or disclosed. In a statement posted on social media today, the commission said mobile phone data (MPD) collected under its programme is fully anonymised and used solely to produce official statistics to support policymaking in the Information and Communication Technology (ICT) and tourism sectors. It said the data is limited to aggregate metrics such as active broadband subscriptions and domestic visitor trends by region. "Telcos either process the anonymised data internally or submit it to MCMC without any information that could identify individual users. In both cases, no individual subscriber can be identified," it said. MCMC added that the data programme was developed in line with international best practices, in collaboration with the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) and the United Nations Committee of Experts on Big Data and Data Science. The initiative reportedly underwent two years of engagement with mobile network operators (MNOs), government ministries and statisticians. A national workshop held in September 2024 included participation from the Department of Statistics Malaysia (DOSM), the International Trade and Industry Ministry (Miti), the Tourism, Arts and Culture Ministry (Motac), and major MNOs including CelcomDigi, Maxis, TM Tech, U Mobile and YTL. MCMC said the use of MPD as a new source of national statistics is part of the government's strategy to enhance the quality and timeliness of data for policy and planning. The commission noted that similar models are already in place in countries such as Indonesia and Brazil, where anonymised telecommunications data is used to improve statistical systems while safeguarding user privacy. Earlier today, the South China Morning Post reported that two industry sources confirmed the government had, in April, sent a letter to telcos directing them to submit detailed records of calls and internet use for the first quarter of 2025. The letter, issued under the government's Mobile Phone Data project, reportedly warned that non-compliance would be an offence under the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998 (CMA).
Business Upturn
31-05-2025
- Business
- Business Upturn
EAT & BEYOND ANNOUNCES PROPOSED NAME CHANGE AND UPDATED INVESTMENT POLICY
VANCOUVER, BC, May 30, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Eat & Beyond Global Holdings Inc. (CSE: EATS) (OTCPK: EATBF) (FSE: 988) ('Eat & Beyond' or the 'Company'), is pleased to announce that it is proposing a name change and an expansion of its Investment Policy to reflect a change in strategic focus. Proposed Name Change Subject to shareholder approval, the Company intends to change its name from 'Eat & Beyond Global Holdings Inc.' to 'Digital Asset Technologies Inc.'. The proposed name change is intended to represent the Company's forward-looking focus on emerging digital and blockchain technologies, while maintaining its core mission of investing in innovative and impactful businesses. Concurrently with the completion of the proposed name change, the Company's trading symbol on the Canadian Securities Exchange is expected to change to 'DATT'. Further details regarding the name change – including the effective date, new CUSIP and ISIN numbers for the Company's common shares, and the date on which trading will begin under the new ticker symbol – will be provided in a subsequent news release. 'The proposed name change marks a meaningful step in the Company's continued evolution,' said Young Bann, CEO of Eat & Beyond. 'The proposed transition to Digital Asset Technologies Inc. reflects our expanded focus on digital innovation, including blockchain technologies and responsible AI solutions. We believe this new identity better represents the direction of the Company and our broader investment objectives.' The Company believes that the new name aligns with its updated Investment Policy and long-term strategy to build a diversified portfolio of companies operating at the forefront of emerging technologies. While the Company will continue to support its legacy investments in the food tech and sustainability sectors, it is now placing increased emphasis on opportunities in blockchain infrastructure, asset tokenization, and ethically grounded AI applications. Updates to Investment Policy The Company has historically focused on investments in the food technology and sustainability sectors. These investments form a key part of the Company's foundation and will remain in place going forward. To complement its existing portfolio, the Company pleased to announce that it has amended and updated its Investment Policy to include a focus on blockchain and related technologies. This includes investments in: Real-World Asset Tokenization: Projects that use blockchain to digitally represent physical or traditional assets. Decentralized Infrastructure: Technologies supporting open, distributed systems. Advanced Trading Analytics: Tools and platforms that support improved data analysis and decision-making in financial markets. The Company's updated investment strategy focuses on supporting ventures that advance innovation in AI, Blockchain, Web3, Fintech, and the broader Information and Communication Technology (ICT) sectors. It aims to invest in technologies that demonstrate solid technical foundations, adhere to ethical practices, incorporate user-focused design, and offer potential long-term societal benefits. The Company intends to support solutions that contribute to the development of digital infrastructure, financial systems, decentralized platforms, and intelligent technologies. The Company is committed to identifying ventures that combine technological advancement with practical, real-world impact. The Company targets both early-stage and growth-stage investments and seeks to provide the capital and strategic support needed for these companies to succeed in a rapidly changing technology landscape. To view the Company's updated Investment Policy, please visit its website at . The proposed name change and amended Investment Policy are subject to approval by the Canadian Securities Exchange and the Company's shareholders. About Eat & Beyond Eat & Beyond (CSE: EATS) is a publicly traded investment issuer that identifies and makes equity investments in global companies that are developing and commercializing innovative food tech, sustainability and technology. Led by a team of industry experts, Eat & Beyond provides retail investors with the unique opportunity to participate in the growth of a broad cross-section of opportunities in the alternative food, sustainability and technology sectors. Through its wholly owned subsidiary, Liquidlink AI Corp., the Company has entered the blockchain technology sector with a focus on real-world asset tokenization, decentralized infrastructure, and advanced trading analytics. Learn more: The Canadian Securities Exchange does not accept responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release and has neither approved nor disapproved the contents of this press release. For further information: For further information, please contact Young Bann, CEO, [email protected]. Cautionary Note regarding Forward Looking Statements This press release contains forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of words such as, 'subject to', or variations of such words and phrases or state that certain actions, events or results 'may' or 'will' be taken, occur or be achieved. Forward-looking statements in this news release include, but are not limited to, statements regarding the Company's business strategy, current and future investments, the proposed name change, the updated Investment Policy, and the Company's ability to obtain the necessary shareholder and regulatory approvals in connection with the proposed name change and updated Investment Policy. Forward-looking statements are based on assumptions, but the actual results may be materially different from any future expectations expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements. The forward-looking statements can be affected by known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors, including, but not limited to, the equity markets generally and a failure to obtain the necessary approvals from the Canadian Securities Exchange. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. Disclaimer: The above press release comes to you under an arrangement with GlobeNewswire. Business Upturn takes no editorial responsibility for the same.
