Latest news with #OASES
Time of India
02-08-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Jagdeep Dhankar forced out by government as he decided to go by book: Mallikarjun Kharge
NEW DELHI: Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge on Saturday claimed that former vice-president Jagdeep Dhankhar was forced out by the Modi govt because after years of "harassing" the opposition, he suddenly decided to move by the book. The decision to admit the notice to remove Justice Shekhar Yadav, along with the one against Justice Yashwant Varma, riled the govt, and PM Narendra Modi gave Dhankhar the option of either withdrawing his order or face action, Kharge alleged. He said Dhankhar opted to resign. Speaking at Congress's annual legal conclave, Kharge recounted the "harassment" of the opposition at the hands of Dhankhar. He mentioned that Dhankhar had suspended a record number of MPs from Rajya Sabha, while Congress MP Rajni Patil was suspended for seven months, lamenting "this is their democracy". But then, he said, Dhankhar one day woke up to his constitutional role because he realised that his tenure would be remembered in history if he worked as per rules, rubbing the PM and BJP the wrong way. The Congress brass, including Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, attended the conclave themed "Constitutional Challenges: Perspectives & Pathways". A message from Congress parliamentary party chairperson Sonia Gandhi was read out by senior leader Salman Khurshid. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like OASES drives growth in Hong Kong's innovation landscape by guiding tech companies into the city OASES Undo "Today, the Constitution is under siege. BJP-RSS, which never fought for freedom or upheld equality, now uses its power to dismantle the very framework it long opposed," Sonia Gandhi said. "Now, they seek to erase socialism and secularism, pillars of Ambedkar's vision of equal citizenship. This is not reform but an ideological coup replacing our democratic republic with a theocratic corporate state serving the powerful few," she added. "We will oppose every attempt to undermine the Constitution, in Parliament, in courts, and on the streets. Our mission is clear - to reclaim the republic and protect the rights of each and every person," Sonia Gandhi said. Kharge alleged that when Dhankhar started asserting that he was independent and allowed a notice for the opposition's motion to remove Varma, he was "threatened and pressured" by the govt. This is the first time that the Congress brass linked Dhankhar's resignation, which it called sacking, to govt pressure on constitutional offices. Earlier, whenever Kharge was asked about the reason for Dhankhar's resignation he would respond saying he had no information and it was for Dhankhar to tell what happened since it was a matter between him and Prime Minister Modi.
South China Morning Post
28-07-2025
- Business
- South China Morning Post
OASES drives growth in Hong Kong's innovation landscape by guiding tech companies into the city
Hong Kong has long been recognised as a global financial hub, but in recent years, it has also rapidly emerged as an innovation and technology (I&T) centre. The unique combination of world-class research and development (R&D) facilities, government initiatives aimed at developing I&T-related industries, and strategic connectivity to both mainland China and the rest of the world positions the city as an ideal launch pad for companies specialising in fields such as green technology and smart logistics solutions. The Hong Kong government is actively fostering an ecosystem tailored to grow the city's I&T prowess. Last September, the Innovation and Technology Commission introduced a HK$10 billion (US$1.27 billion) funding programme, the New Industrialisation Acceleration Scheme (NIAS), for enterprises in the fields of life and health technology, artificial intelligence (AI) and data science, and advanced manufacturing and new energy technology that plan to set up smart production facilities in the city. Besides funding, Hong Kong's innovation infrastructure continues to expand, with facilities like the Advanced Manufacturing Centre (AMC) at Tseung Kwan O InnoPark offering cutting-edge prototyping and production capabilities. This complements existing I&T hubs, including Cyberport and the Hong Kong Science Park, to collectively reinforce the city's commitment to hi-tech industrialisation. The Office for Attracting Strategic Enterprises (OASES) serves as a cornerstone of Hong Kong's I&T strategy. Established in 2022 following Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu's policy address, OASES focuses on attracting promising strategic enterprises from five industries, namely advanced manufacturing and new energy technology, AI and data science, financial technology, life and health technology, and cultural and creative. As of April, the office has successfully attracted 84 strategic enterprises, which are expected to invest HK$50 billion and create over 20,000 jobs in Hong Kong in the next few years. OASES actively engages with these companies before they enter Hong Kong and also offers various types of support during and after their entry. Such support can range from connecting companies with potential clients and partners to help grow their businesses to providing insights on the latest market trends and relevant government policies. Fourteen of these enterprises belong to the advanced manufacturing and new energy technology industry. Among them is Gotion, a company specialising in battery technology for electric vehicles (EVs) and energy storage systems. First established in 2006 in Hefei in eastern China's Anhui province, Gotion has since expanded its operations to eight R&D centres worldwide, including in the United States, Singapore and Japan. It is one of the largest EV battery manufacturers in the world and ranks sixth in the industry in terms of market share.
South China Morning Post
26-02-2025
- Business
- South China Morning Post
Net for foreign firms in Hong Kong cast wider by OASES
It is no secret Hong Kong's economy has slowed. A key part of its growth strategy is to attract outside companies offering innovation and advanced technology. Since the end of Covid restrictions, dozens of firms, enticed by the city's myriad advantages, have set up shop here. They include such big names as food delivery giant Meituan and British-Swedish pharmaceutical powerhouse AstraZeneca. Advertisement That is mostly thanks to the efforts of the government's Office for Attracting Strategic Enterprises (OASES). Most of these companies, though, have been from the mainland. Recognising the need to diversify its pool of outside firms, OASES officials are off to Europe, especially the United Kingdom and France. They have picked an opportune moment to promote the city. When OASES was set up in 2022, there were concerns its work would be hampered by geopolitical tensions between China and the West. This was especially so with hostile rhetoric frequently coming from leaders of the European Union and the UK against Beijing. But the return of Donald Trump to the White House and his less sympathetic stance have forced many European leaders to reassess their positions vis-a-vis China. They now need to hedge against an uncooperative, perhaps even hostile Washington not only geopolitically but also economically. France under President Emmanuel Macron has enjoyed good ties with China. Taking over from the less friendly Conservative government, British Labour Prime Minister Keir Starmer looks willing to reboot bilateral relations. In this changed climate, OASES has its work cut out with those two countries, and Europe as a whole. Both sides need to recalibrate their business and strategic relations with Washington. And it is not just Europe. OASES is casting its net widely over the Middle East as well as countries involved in the Belt and Road Initiative in Asia and Africa. Advertisement While Beijing is building on global goodwill and promoting industries from artificial intelligence to 5G telecommunications worldwide, the US is sounding more confrontational by the day. Hong Kong can ride on this momentum. As a springboard to the tech-oriented Greater Bay Area and beyond, it's time for our city to welcome the world back and shine again.
South China Morning Post
17-02-2025
- Business
- South China Morning Post
Hong Kong pushes on with efforts to woo top European firms despite challenges
Hong Kong authorities are pressing on with efforts to attract European companies in the UK and France to set up in the city, despite heightened global geopolitical challenges. The government's Office for Attracting Strategic Enterprises (OASES), created to attract firms in targeted fields, also confirmed it was approaching several top-tier pharmaceutical firms overseas, with at least one seeing promising results. In an exclusive interview, OASES director general Peter Yan King-shun told the Post that some were keen on the potential for collaboration between Hong Kong and the Greater Bay Area, which includes Macau and nine cities in Guangdong. British-Swedish pharmaceutical multinational AstraZeneca had already established its Hong Kong headquarters, he said. As part of his unit's efforts to woo companies from other countries, Yan will be visiting the United Kingdom and France in the coming months. 'They seem to have more incentives for economic development to venture out more,' he said.
