Latest news with #Partnerships
Business Upturn
4 days ago
- Business
- Business Upturn
Dole Advances Public-Private Partnerships to Expand Access to Essential Services for Agricultural Workers
Costa Rica & San Jose, United States: Dole (NYSE: DOLE) today announced the signing of new public-private agreements to advance its award-winning Information and Wellbeing Centers (IWCs), a workplace-based initiative pioneered by Dole designed to deliver vital public and private services directly to the workplace, improving quality of life for agricultural workers in Costa Rica's rural areas. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: A panel discussion was held to discuss Public-Private Partnerships among business representatives and public organizations, including the CCSS (Costa Rican Social Security System) Financial Director, Gustavo Picado (second from left). The announcement was made during the forum 'Information and Wellbeing Centers: Public-Private Partnerships that Improve Lives,' hosted by Dole Fresh Fruit. During the event, Dole signed memorandums of understanding with two key national institutions—Caja Costarricense de Seguro Social (CCSS) and Banco Popular—further strengthening its commitment to inclusive development and equitable service access. Launched in 2020, Dole's IWC model has redefined how rural workers access healthcare, social security, education, and financial tools. By integrating these essential services directly into the workplace, IWCs eliminate major barriers such as distance, cost, and time. Currently, IWCs directly benefit over 3,300 individuals across four of Dole's pineapple farms: Santa Fe, El Bosque, La Virgen, and Muelle, thanks to the collaboration of 38 public and private sector partners. The new agreements with CCSS and Banco Popular—two pillars of Costa Rica's public infrastructure—signal an expansion of the IWC network: CCSS (Caja Costarricense de Seguro Social): As Costa Rica's universal public healthcare and social insurance provider, CCSS plays a central role in delivering medical and social protection across the country. Banco Popular: A state-owned bank with a social mission focused on financial inclusion and community development, serves working populations and grassroots enterprises across the country. By formalizing their engagement, these institutions have committed to deepening their participation in the IWC network, advancing broader access to equitable solutions that uphold citizens' rights and promote long-term well-being. 'This is a concrete example of how public-private partnerships can close gaps and generate real well-being,' said Rudy Amador, Regional Vice President of Social Responsibility, Sustainability, and Communications at Dole Fresh Fruit. 'Inter-institutional coordination has been key to making the Information and Wellbeing Centers a powerful driver of inclusion.' The forum convened national government leaders, business executives and international institutions to reflect on the success and scalability of the IWC model. The Aliarse Foundation, a Costa Rican NGO specializing in cross-sector partnerships, presented a case study during the event, followed by a panel discussion highlighting the social and economic benefits of collaborative development models. In 2022, the IWC program received the Grand Prize for Social Responsibility in Action from the Costa Rican-American Chamber of Commerce (AMCHAM), recognizing its innovation and measurable impact. To date, the IWC program has reached 14,947 individuals, with continued expansion planned for the years ahead. The initiative is increasingly recognized as a replicable blueprint for sustainable development. The event concluded with a collective call to action: when the public sector, private enterprise, and civil society work together with intention, the result is a more just and connected society—one where access to essential services is not a privilege, but a right realized. About Dole Food Company Dole Food Company, part of Dole plc, is one of the world's largest producers and marketers of high-quality fresh fruit and fresh vegetables. Dole is an industry leader in many of the products it sells, as well as in nutrition education. For more information, please visit View source version on Disclaimer: The above press release comes to you under an arrangement with Business Wire. Business Upturn takes no editorial responsibility for the same.
Indian Express
30-05-2025
- Business
- Indian Express
Knowledge Nugget: Why is Urban Challenge Fund important for your UPSC exam?
What is the Urban Challenge Fund? Take a look at the essential concepts, terms, quotes, or phenomena every day and brush up your knowledge. Here's your knowledge nugget for today. (Relevance: Government initiatives and schemes are important for your exam. Questions have been asked around themes related to urbanisation in both Prelims and Mains, making it an important topic for your preparation.) While presenting the Budget 2025-26, Nirmala Sitharaman announced that the government will set up the Urban Challenge Fund of Rs 1 lakh crore to implement the proposals for 'Cities as Growth Hubs', 'Creative Redevelopment of Cities', and 'Water and Sanitation.' 1. The Urban Challenge Fund is designed to address three aspects. First, to make cities productive and efficient centres of economic growth (cities as growth hubs); second, to develop and redevelop them in a creative way (creative redevelopment of cities ), and third, to improve infrastructure. (Water and sanitation). 2. The fund will provide 25 per cent financing for bankable projects, with a stipulation that at least 50 per cent of the cost will be raised through bonds, bank loans, and Public-Private Partnerships (PPP). 3. Under the fund, while the government plans to give Rs 10,000 crore, cities are expected to get the remaining Rs 40,000 crore from floating municipal bonds, entering into private-public partnerships, and taking loans, according to a Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs source. 4. Under 'creative redevelopment of cities', existing cities with high levels of congestion could be refurbished. This fund would encourage cities to raise market finances, as opposed to the Rs 10,000 crore Urban Infrastructure Development Fund (UIDF) announced in the Budget 2023-2024. What is urbanisation? Urbanisation is the process of transformation that occurs as a society evolves from predominantly rural to predominantly urban areas. It involves the increase in the proportion of a country's population residing in urban areas, leading to the expansion and growth of cities and towns. Additionally, it encompasses not only the physical expansion of cities but also their social, economic, and cultural transformations. The Indian Census identifies two categories of 'urban' areas: 1. Statutory towns — those which have urban local bodies like municipal corporation, municipality or municipal committee. 2. Census towns — All those places satisfying the following 3 criteria: a) Population of atleast 5000 persons. b) Minimum population density of 400 persons per sq. km. and c) 75 per cent of the male workforce is employed in non-agricultural activities 📍Megacities are cities with exceptionally large populations, often exceeding ten million inhabitants. These cities face unique challenges due to their scale, such as traffic congestion, inadequate housing, and strained infrastructure. 📍Gentrification refers to the transformation of a space or region with the displacement of people belonging to a certain class due to the influx of investment and affluent classes into that area. 📍Urban Sprawl refers to the unplanned and uncontrolled expansion of cities and towns, often resulting in the encroachment of urban areas into surrounding rural or undeveloped areas. Challenges of urban expansion 1. The major concerns in cities like Delhi, Mumbai, and Kolkata are overcrowding, inadequate infrastructure, housing shortages, and traffic congestion. The demand for water, sanitation, transportation, and healthcare is outpacing the capacity of urban systems, leading to inefficient service delivery and environmental degradation. 2. Millions live in slums without access to basic amenities. Social inequality remains a critical issue, with marginalised groups often excluded from growth opportunities. 3. The lack of private investment has been a major concern for the government. At present, the central and state governments finance over 75 per cent of city infrastructure, while ULBs finance 15 per cent through their own surplus revenues. Only 5 per cent of the infrastructure needs of Indian cities are currently being financed through private sources. 1. As per the latest report on municipal finances by the RBI (November 2024), municipal corporations (MCs) generate feeble revenue collection, adding up to merely 0.6 per cent of GDP for FY24. The revenue receipts are not just puny when compared with the receipts of the Centre (9.2 per cent) and state governments (14.6 per cent) but are also heavily dependent on property tax as the prime source of revenue. 2. The report also highlighted the undue overreliance on the central and state governments for transfers. For FY23, cumulative grants from the Centre and the states increased by 24.9 per cent and 20.4 per cent, respectively, with central transfers accounting for 2.5 per cent of the MCs' total revenue receipts. 3. According to the World Bank report, over 600 million people are expected to live in Indian cities by 2036, signalling an extensive urban expansion. A World Bank report estimates that India will need to invest $840 billion (Rs 70 lakh crore) over the next 15 years — or an average of $55 billion (Rs 4.6 lakh crore) per annum — into urban infrastructure if it is to effectively meet the needs of its fast-growing urban population. Municipal Bonds Muni bonds are seen as one of the ways for MCs to raise funds. These are debt securities issued by local governments and MCs to raise funds to fulfil their financial obligations. Investors facilitate the working of a muni bond by lending money to the local government in return for interest for a specific period of time. The creation of the Urban Challenge fund recognizes the potential of Muni bonds. 5. The Bangalore Municipal Corporation issued the first muni bond in 1997 to raise Rs 125 crore. As per SEBI, since 2017, merely 17 muni bonds have been issued, with an amount hovering around approximately Rs 2,800 crore. To render these bonds safe for investors, SEBI came up with guidelines for the issuance of municipal bonds in 2015. Post read question Consider the following statements: 1. Gentrification is the uncontrolled expansion of cities and towns, often resulting in the encroachment of urban areas into surrounding rural or undeveloped areas. 2. The Mumbai Municipal Corporation issued the first municipal bond. Which of the following statements is/are correct? (a) 1 only (b) 2 only (c) Both 1 and 2 (d) None Subscribe to our UPSC newsletter. Stay updated with the latest UPSC articles by joining our Telegram channel – IndianExpress UPSC Hub, and follow us on Instagram and X. 🚨 Click Here to read the UPSC Essentials magazine for May 2025. Share your views and suggestions in the comment box or at Khushboo Kumari is a Deputy Copy Editor with The Indian Express. She has done her graduation and post-graduation in History from the University of Delhi. At The Indian Express, she writes for the UPSC section. She holds experience in UPSC-related content development. You can contact her via email: ... Read More
Al Bawaba
20-05-2025
- Business
- Al Bawaba
Islamic Development Bank Institute Releases 2024 Annual Report during the Islamic Development Bank (IsDB) Group Annual Meetings
The Islamic Development Bank Institute (IsDBI) ( the knowledge beacon of the IsDB Group, is pleased to announce the issuance of its 2024 Annual Report, officially released during the 2025 Annual Meetings in Algiers, Algeria. The Annual Report highlights the Institute's major contributions to the development of Islamic finance as a tool to foster sustainable economic progress of IsDB Member Countries and Muslim communities worldwide. Key highlights of the report include achievements in the main programs and significant progress of the Institute's flagship projects, which seek to leverage emerging technologies and Islamic finance to deliver solutions to the most pressing development challenges. The report details IsDBI's efforts in leading the transformation of the Islamic finance sector within the IsDB Special Allocation Program to Support Islamic Finance Industry. The Institute successfully approved 24 new technical assistance projects valued at US$4.17 million, the highest level since the inception of the Special Allocation Program in 2013. The Institute made significant progress in its projects integrating knowledge technologies with Islamic finance, including developing a functional demonstration of the Smart Stabilization System and transitioning the Islamic Finance Artificial Intelligence Assistant to a no-code platform. In the area of global outreach, IsDBI continued to strengthen its strategic partnerships with global and regional institutions, contributing to the delivery of major initiatives in knowledge creation and human capital development. Capacity building programs, through the multi-modal delivery of diverse training courses in Islamic finance, benefitted professionals and online learners from 130 countries. Feasibility studies were commissioned on the game-changing flagship projects, namely the Awqāf Free Zones, Smart Countertrade System and Digital Postal Islamic Financial Services. Th outcome of the studies will lead to pilots in partnership with the relevant Member Countries and industry players, before the subsequent full-scale implementation of the projects. On this occasion, Dr. Sami Al-Suwailem, Acting Director General of IsDBI, expressed delight in the Institute's accomplishments and reaffirmed its commitment to the delivery of knowledge-based solutions to support the sustainable economic advancement of Member Countries and Muslim communities worldwide. The 2024 Annual Report is available on IsDBI website here: Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Islamic Development Bank Institute (IsDBI).
Sharjah 24
19-05-2025
- Business
- Sharjah 24
Fourth 'Make it in the Emirates' kicks off in Abu Dhabi
The event runs until 22nd May at the ADNEC Centre Abu Dhabi The event runs until 22nd May at the ADNEC Centre Abu Dhabi, with broad local and international participation from decision-makers, officials from both public and private sectors, entrepreneurs, investors, industrialists, experts, innovators and financial institutions. Spanning four days Spanning four days, Make it in the Emirates 2025 will explore key topics including AI-driven manufacturing, smart industrial transformation and national content, advanced manufacturing and industrial entrepreneurship, along with major announcements and offtake deals expected across each track. The UAE's Vision – Shaping the Future of Manufacturing The day-one events will commence under the title The UAE's Vision – Shaping the Future of Manufacturing. The day will also include a ministerial keynote highlighting the redefinition of industry, trade and investment, and a ministerial leadership panel on Integrating Transnational Supply Chains: International Industrial Alliances & Partnerships. This year's edition features 720 exhibitors This year's edition features 720 exhibitors across a space of 68,410 square metres, more than 300 speakers, and showcases over 3,800 products. The event also includes announcements of new projects, initiatives and investment opportunities across 12 vital sectors. Winners of the third edition of the Make it in the Emirates Awards will be honoured, followed by a Trailblazers Talk session sharing a notable success story. Other sessions include panels exploring What it Takes to Take the Made in the Emirates Brand Globally and The Future of Supply Chains: Strategic Investments and Regional Hubs.
Business Mayor
09-05-2025
- Business
- Business Mayor
YouTube Outlines Advanced Creator Collaboration Tools at NewFronts 2025
YouTube's announced some new tools to help brands collaborate with creators on promotions, including an AI-powered search option that will help brands find relevant creators on any given topic. The feature is a new element of YouTube's 'Insights Finder' (currently in beta), which provides advanced discovery options, using Google's latest tech. The new creator discovery element aims to connect brands and agencies with relevant creators, based on conversational queries. Enter in your search terms, and the system will produce a listing of YouTube creators in your chosen subject niche. There's a range of customization filters for your searches, so you can drill down to the exact right match for your campaigns. And once you find the right influencers for you, you can reach out direct from the listings. It's not available to everybody just yet, but YouTube's hoping that its advanced creator matching tools will soon provide more capacity to link brands up with the most relevant creators in very specific niches. YouTube's also announced some updates to its Creator Partnerships Hub, including improved campaign performance metrics, and updated creator profile displays. It's also launching a new API that'll be 'focused on connecting brands with creators,' As per YouTube: ' Soon, eligible influencer agencies and SaaS platforms will be able to supercharge their creator tools with creator insights.' That'll give more third parties the tools they need to facilitate branded content opportunities. YouTube's also bringing Partnership Ads to Display and Video 360 campaigns, while it's also expanding its creator Takeovers offering, which provides more opportunity to maximize your messaging by aligning your promotions with select creators. Takeovers enable brands to pay for custom messages from creators that are shown ahead of their videos. So you can have, say, MrBeast endorse your product directly, giving you direct, focused reach in popular clips. Read More Bluesky Adds Trending Topics, Exceeds 25 Million Users YouTube first announced Takeovers last year, but it's now expanding them to more brands and creators.
