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Business Upturn
3 days ago
- 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.
Indian Express
26-05-2025
- Business
- Indian Express
How e-governance advances India's Viksit Bharat goal
— Kannan K As India remains committed to achieving the goal of Viksit Bharat by 2047, efforts to strengthen governance through collaborative federalism and technological integration have acquired greater momentum. During the NDA Chief Ministers' conclave, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the commitment to effective governance and best practices was reiterated. In this pursuit, e-governance has emerged as an effective tool as it helps promote transparency, efficiency, and citizen-centric service delivery through digital tools. E-governance, or electronic governance, refers to using digital technologies such as the internet and other Information and Communication Technology (ICT) tools by governments to deliver public services, provide information and communication, conduct transactions, and promote active citizen participation in governance. The most important goal of e-governance is to improve transparency, accountability, and responsiveness. The ultimate aim of e-governance is to bridge the gap between the state and society by creating an effective, participatory and inclusive system of administration. This goal is operationalised through different features of e-governance such as the creation of single-window access to services, simplified communication and coordination between different departments, real-time information dissemination, and platforms for citizen feedback and grievance redressal. These features create a seamless, efficient, and user-friendly governance ecosystem. Premised on the idea of SMART governance (Simple, Moral, Accountable, Responsive, and Transparent), the success of e-governance rests on four fundamental pillars: people, process, technology, and resources. People are both the beneficiaries of and the driving force behind e-governance initiatives. The digital literacy, adaptability, and willingness of the public to make use of new digital platforms have a direct impact on the reach and impact of all e-governance systems. The process component refers to the re-engineering and redesigning of government procedures to make them more efficient, transparent, and citizen-centric. Technology serves as the backbone of all e-governance mechanisms, providing all the infrastructure and tools necessary for a digital transformation of administrative functions. Resources refer to both financial capital and human expertise and intelligence, both of which are essential for the implementation and sustainability of e-governance projects. Notably, the scope of e-governance extends beyond mere service delivery. It enables direct communication of the government with various entities through multiple channels of interaction such as: — The Government-to-Citizen (G2C) approach enables direct communication with the public via services such as online bill payments, certificate and permit applications, etc. — The Government-to-Business (G2B) link facilitates interactions and transactions between the government and businesses, simplifying processes such as licensing, permits, and other agreements. — The Government-to-Government (G2G) is the exchange of information, data and other communications between different arms of the government. G2G communication has significantly improved interdepartmental efficiency and addressed the delays in initiatives that require approvals from multiple government bodies. — The Government-to-Employee (G2E) interaction pathway uses technology to manage services and communications for government employees such as salaries, HR management such as transfers, promotions and granting of leave, facilitating training, etc. Thus, the advent of electronic governance, and the pathways it has created, has transformed the way governments interact with their citizens and with the various branches of the administration. This transformation, however, has evolved over decades, marked by key institutional and technological developments. Although the concept of e-governance and its potential to transform the interaction between the state and citizens emerged later, India's journey towards e-governance can be traced back to the computerisation of government offices in the 1970s. The establishment of the National Informatics Centre (NIC) in 1976 laid the foundation for the integration of ICT into public administration. During the 1980s and 1990s, India witnessed steady progress in the automation of government processes and the networking of administrative offices. A major turning point came with the launch of the National e-Governance Plan (NeGP) in 2006. The plan aimed to make government services more accessible to the public through 27 Mission Mode Projects (MMPs), which covered a wide range of government functions. An important and successful component of NeGP was the establishment of Common Service Centers (CSCs), which helped enhance public access to these services. In 2015, e-Kranti, or NeGP 2.0, was initiated, which provided another framework for further digitisation with a focus on initiatives such as Digital India, Mobile First, and Cloud First. The Digital India Mission in particular has played a key role in enhancing digital infrastructure for governance and empowerment. Several flagship initiatives under this mission have shaped the e-governance scenario in India. Aadhaar, the world's largest biometric identification system, has streamlined the welfare delivery process and reduced leakages. The UMANG (Unified Mobile Application for New-age Governance) platform offers single-window for accessing a range of government services. The BharatNet initiative, which aims to connect all Gram Panchayats with high-speed broadband, is expected to considerably bridge the rural-urban digital divide following its full implementation. The Government e-Marketplace (GeM) has brought transparency to public procurement, while initiatives like e-Courts, and e-Office have increased efficiency and accountability in various domains. Various state governments have also implemented e-governance initiatives at the local level. These initiatives have demonstrated the transformative potential of e-governance – though not without certain challenges. The establishment of an e-governance system has brought about a number of benefits. Digital platforms have considerably reduced arbitrary actions from officials, making government functioning more open and transparent. It has enabled citizens to obtain key services such as licenses, certificates, and subsidies without physically visiting government offices, saving time and resources. The Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) mechanism has ensured that subsidies and other payments from the governments reach intended beneficiaries, avoiding leakages and promoting financial inclusion. Moreover, e-governance has given the marginalised sections of society – including women, oppressed communities, and the rural population – new avenues for participating and benefitting from government programmes and thereby contributing to empowerment through digital inclusion. Despite its several benefits, e-governance faces some important challenges. The State of India's Digital Economy (SIDE) Report 2025, published by the Indian Council for Research on International Economic Relations (ICRIER), indicates that while India is the third largest digitalised economy in the world, it ranks only 28th in terms of per capita digitalisation. This highlights the persistence of a large digital divide, particularly in rural areas where the lack of access to digital infrastructure limits the reach and positive impacts of e-governance. In addition, the digitalisation of sensitive data raises concerns regarding cybersecurity, privacy and data protection. Low levels of digital literacy among both citizens and government personnel are another factor that limits the effective use of e-governance platforms. Most platforms operating primarily in English and Hindi cause non-Hindi/English speakers to have limited access. Further, resistance to change within the bureaucracy, along with technical issues such as limited power supply and poor connectivity, also affect the optimal implementation of e-governance across the country. To attain the full potential of e-governance, a multipronged approach seems to be essential. Initiatives to bridge the digital divide through last-mile connectivity and ensuring affordable access to the internet and digital devices are the need of the hour. Raising digital literacy through targeted training programmes for both citizens and officials would help advance the process of e-governance. Initiatives such as BHASHINI and the development of multilingual platforms would be important steps to increasing digital literacy and overcoming linguistic barriers. Moreover, the establishment of avenues for citizen feedback can further help democratise the governance process and make it more inclusive. There is also a need for regular capacity building and policy reforms that keep pace with technological advancements to ensure a sustainable e-governance ecosystem. To sum up, India's drive towards e-governance is proof of its commitment to a transparent, accountable and citizen-centric governance system. As the nation moves towards the goal of Viksit Bharat by 2047, e-governance will remain a key pillar in shaping the future of Indian governance. What is e-governance? Describe its four pillars of e-governance evaluating how they interact to make governance more efficient. E-governance has the potential to bridge the gap between the state and society. Evaluate in the context of rural-urban digital divides. How far has e-governance addressed the issue of corruption and inefficiency in Indian public administration? Explain with examples. Evaluate the role of initiatives like Digital India, UMANG, and BharatNet in enhancing the reach and effectiveness of e-governance. How does the emphasis on governance and best practices during recent meetings such as NDA conclaves reflect the growing importance of e-governance in India's development model? (Kannan K is a doctoral candidate in Political Science at the Centre for Economic and Social Studies, Hyderabad.) Share your thoughts and ideas on UPSC Special articles with Subscribe to our UPSC newsletter and stay updated with the news cues from the past week. Stay updated with the latest UPSC articles by joining our Telegram channel – IndianExpress UPSC Hub, and follow us on Instagram and X.
Business Wire
08-05-2025
- Business
- Business Wire
Tariff Uncertainty Leads IDC to Downgrade Global IT Spending Forecast, IDC Now Says Between +5% and +9%
NEEDHAM, Mass.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Join International Data Corporation (IDC) for its latest State of the Market discussion, where leading analysts will examine the economic impact of newly imposed tariffs, the resulting shifts in global supply chains, and the revised global IT spending outlook—now forecast to grow between 5% and 9% amid rising uncertainty. Tariff Uncertainty Leads IDC to Downgrade Global IT Spending Forecast, IDC Now Says Between +5% and +9% Share Key questions analysts will address: How could new tariffs and other economic policies impact global IT spending in 2025 and 2026? Which countries and market sectors will be most affected in terms of slower investment growth or declines? When and where will supply chain transformation take hold, and how will it reshape the structure of the global Information and Communication Technology (ICT) industry? What can technology vendors do now to position themselves for success amid today's chaos, uncertainty, and industry transformation? Event & Registration Details: Date & Time: Where to Register: 'Consumers are likely to feel a significant pinch from these tariffs. We anticipate increased costs for popular tech like iPhones and earbuds, with potential 'collateral' price hikes for PCs due to component sourcing. Beyond price, expect supply chain disruptions leading to limited product selection and potential delays. While not immediate, long-term infrastructure investments in servers could also slow, eventually impacting service performance and new feature rollouts for consumers,' said Crawford Del Prete, president of IDC. "The 90-day delay on tariff implementation has left the global economy mired in uncertainty, at least until the second half of 2025. We at IDC are explaining what this all means, from short-term spending forecasts to long-term supply chain transformation. Regarding IT spending forecasts, the impact of tariff uncertainty on business conditions, and overall market transformation, our updated Black Book summary indicates we're seeing tariff uncertainty already impacting business conditions in North America, leading to a decrease in our baseline IT spending forecast,' said Stephen Minton, group vice president, Data & Analytics, IDC. IDC Analysts & Key Focus Areas Available for Interviews: With more than 1,000 analysts spanning over 110 countries, IDC's award-winning team of researchers can speak on technology and trade with respect to tariffs from nearly every angle. IT and Consumer Spending Trends Crawford Del Prete, IT Trends, Worldwide Stephen Minton, ICT Spending & Macroeconomics Kitty Fok, IT Market and Emerging Technologies, China Praveen Datta, Canadian Communications Market Drivers and Strategies Tetsuya Maruyama, IT Spending Guide, Data & Analytics, Japan Mobile Phones, PC Monitors & Consumer Devices Ryan Reith, Worldwide Device Tracker Nabila Popal, Mobile Phones & Consumer Devices, Worldwide Bryan Ma, Devices Research, Asia Pacific Kiranjeet Kaur, Devices Research, Asia Pacific Manufacturing & Automotive Simon Ellis, U.S. Manufacturing Insights and Global Supply Chain Strategies Kevin Prouty, Tech Buyer Business Semiconductor Mario Morales, Enabling Technologies and Semiconductors Helen Chiang, Semiconductor Research, Asia Pacific Media & Entertainment Alex Holtz, Worldwide Media & Entertainment Digital Strategies Lewis Ward, XR, Gaming, and Interactive 3D Software About IDC International Data Corporation (IDC) is the premier global provider of market intelligence, advisory services, and events for the information technology, telecommunications, and consumer technology markets. IDC offers global, regional, and local expertise on technology, IT benchmarking and sourcing, and industry opportunities and trends. IDC's analysis and insight helps IT professionals, business executives, and the investment community to make fact-based technology decisions and to achieve their key business objectives. Founded in 1964, IDC is a wholly owned subsidiary of International Data Group (IDG), the world's leading tech media, data, and marketing services company. To learn more about IDC, please visit Follow IDC on Twitter at @IDC and LinkedIn. Subscribe to the IDC Blog for industry news and insights.
Zawya
01-05-2025
- Business
- Zawya
Nigeria: Aiyedatiwa harps on digital economy
Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa of Ondo State on Wednesday urged youths in the state to leverage technology to upscale their skills in the field of Information and Communication Technology (ICT). Aiyedatiwa, who made this call during the flag-off ceremony for the training of 500 youths organized by the Ondo State Government in collaboration with GIZ-ZME, said the initiative would further position them to benefit from the opportunities and deliverables in the ICT sector. Represented by his deputy, Dr. Olayide Adelami, Aiyedatiwa reiterated his administration's commitment to fostering a revolutionary digital economy, technological advancement, and industrialization. He emphasized that ICT knowledge has the potential to transform the lives of young people and contribute significantly to the state's development. According to him, the digital transformation journey for Ondo youths remains a top priority in achieving a collective vision of a technology-driven state. He appealed to the trainees to embrace the opportunity to sharpen their ICT skills and assured that the government would continue to implement policies and programs aimed at addressing unemployment, bridging the skills gap, and ensuring prosperity for all. He said, 'This training, an innovative initiative of the Ondo State Government in collaboration with the Nigerian-German Centre for Migration and Development (GIZ-ZME), is a testament to the power of collaboration in achieving transformative change. It represents a bold and forward-thinking step toward equipping our young people with the requisite skills to thrive in today's fast-evolving digital economy. 'Our administration is committed to technological advancement and industrialization, which form an integral part of the 'OUR EASE' policy thrust of the state.' 'We have partnered with federal government institutions and private organizations to provide our youths with the required ICT skills to make them competitive in an increasingly digitalized world. 'To achieve this overarching goal, we partnered with the Federal Ministry of Communications and Digital Economy to organize the Build-A-Thon digital skills training program for secondary school students in 2024.' 'Through the State Information Technology Agency (SITA), we have also expanded access to internet connectivity, including in rural areas, by facilitating speedy permits for telecommunications masts and the deployment of Fibre-to-the-Home.' 'Efforts are also underway to establish technological and innovation hubs in our tertiary institutions, starting with the Olusegun Agagu University of Science and Technology in Okitipupa.' 'In line with modern trends, we are also promoting e-governance by issuing an executive order to centralize ICT projects and programs under SITA. This agency is now mandated to develop websites for MDAs and digitalize government activities to improve public service efficiency.' 'These efforts and more are why Ondo State was chosen as the Southwest regional host for the Space-Technology and Virtual Satellite Aperture Terminal (VSAT) Hackathon Training by the Nigerian Communications Satellite Company (NIGCOMSAT), scheduled for May.' The Senior Special Assistant to Governor Aiyedatiwa on ICT, Tomide Akinribido, and the Senior Special Assistant on Youth Empowerment and Job Creation, Benedict Gbayesemore, revealed that over 2,000 youths in the state expressed interest in the training. They assured that those who were not selected for the initial batch would be accommodated in upcoming programs. The governor maintained that ICT is a valuable tool with a vast value chain capable of addressing youth unemployment and restiveness. Also speaking, the Controller of the Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment in Ondo State, Mrs. Nike Mogboruko, commended the state government and its partners for bringing the initiative to life. She emphasized that the digital economy represents the new frontier. 'This initiative aligns with the federal government's policy direction, particularly the National Employment Policy, which highlights the need for strategic interventions in technical and vocational education, ICT, and entrepreneurship to reduce unemployment and promote decent work,' she said. 'With the right skills and attitude, you can compete globally, innovate locally, and transform your communities. I wish you all a productive and enriching training experience.' Ayomikun Olugbode, Facility Manager of the Nigerian-German Centre for Migration and Development (GIZ-ZME), said, 'It is crucial to bridge the skills gap among young people, which is why we provide ICT upscaling training. 'Young Nigerians, whether they choose to migrate or stay, deserve the right skills to thrive either locally or globally.' He added that the four-week training program, organized in collaboration with the Ondo State Government through SITA, marks another milestone in their five-year partnership with the state, expressing hope for continued collaboration. Copyright © 2022 Nigerian Tribune Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc. (
The Hindu
24-04-2025
- Science
- The Hindu
Karnataka to set up i-Code Labs to ensure computer education for students of govt school
The Department of School Education and Literacy (DSEL) has taken steps to start 'i-Code Labs' in select government schools across Karnataka to provide computer education to students right from the school level, from the academic year 2025-26. The i-Code Labs will be set up in collaboration with Agasthya Foundation to introduce coding for students of government schools to keep pace with the changing technology. Currently, almost all private schools are providing computer education and training to students with good computer labs. However, students in government schools are being deprived of computer education due to lack of computers, internet facilities, electricity and other facilities. Out of about 43,000 government schools across Karnataka, only about 1,500 schools have full-fledged computer labs. Computer education is not being systematically taught to students of these schools. Budget announcement To ensure free computer education to all children in government schools, Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah had made this announcement in the State budget for 2025-26. Under this project, 63 select schools with Information and Communication Technology (ICT) facilities will be identified as 'hubs', benefiting 756 'spoke schools', which will be directly connected to the central 'hub' school. Implementation for classes 6 to 10 students K.V. Trilok Chandra, Commissioner of Public Instruction, told The Hindu, 'As announced by the Chief Minister, steps have been taken to set up i-Code Labs in select government schools. An order will be issued soon. The project will be implemented from the academic year of 2025-26. 'In the first phase, computer education will be provided to students from classes 6 to 10. Students will be taught computer basics, coding, and de-coding. Coding is basically logical thinking, which will help the students think logically in other subjects as well. Currently, about 1,500 government schools across Karnataka have computer labs with ICT systems, and the programme will be gradually extended to these schools as well,' he added.
