Latest news with #SMEs
Associated Press
5 hours ago
- Business
- Associated Press
Rising Digital Transformation Fuels Demand for Route Optimization in Logistics and E-Commerce
DUBLIN--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Jul 16, 2025-- The 'Route Optimization Software Market Outlook 2025-2034: Market Share, and Growth Analysis By Solution, By Deployment, By Enterprise Size, By Industry Vertical' has been added to offering. The Route Optimization Software market is projected to grow significantly, from USD 10.3 billion in 2025 to USD 33.5 billion by 2034, at a CAGR of 14.0%. As businesses strive to optimize delivery operations and reduce costs, the demand for sophisticated route planning solutions escalates. This software utilizes real-time data, AI, and GPS to streamline fleet operations across various industries including logistics, retail, and e-commerce. With increasing pressure to meet same-day delivery standards, route optimization has transitioned from a luxury to an essential component of operational strategy. The drive for sustainable practices further enhances the software's role in reducing carbon footprints, positioning it as a critical tool in the transformation of transportation and logistics industries. The year 2024 marked a surge in adoption, especially among SMEs seeking to digitize last-mile logistics. Cloud-based platforms gained popularity for their flexibility and seamless integration capabilities with CRM, telematics, and inventory systems. Advanced AI analytics have positioned themselves as game-changers, offering predictive modeling and dynamic rerouting based on evolving traffic and customer behavior patterns. Food and grocery delivery sectors have embraced route optimization to efficiently manage high volumes and strict time frames, with EV routing gaining traction due to environmental considerations. This has strengthened the software's role in enhancing KPIs like on-time rates, fuel usage, and delivery efficiency. Looking to 2025 and beyond, the market is poised to benefit from expanded AI integration, the rise of autonomous vehicles, and a growing need for real-time obstacle detection. Businesses will increasingly explore integrated solutions encompassing route optimization, warehouse management, and customer communication systems. As electric vehicle adoption grows, demand for smart routing that accounts for factors like charge cycles and vehicle load will rise. Emerging markets in Southeast Asia, Latin America, and Africa offer new growth opportunities as e-commerce infrastructure strengthens. Regulatory mandates on emissions will boost enterprise adoption, emphasizing the software's role in efficient, eco-friendly logistics. Key Insights Into Route Optimization Software Market Market Segmentation Key Attributes: Companies Featured For more information about this report visit About is the world's leading source for international market research reports and market data. We provide you with the latest data on international and regional markets, key industries, the top companies, new products and the latest trends. View source version on CONTACT: Laura Wood, Senior Press Manager [email protected] For E.S.T Office Hours Call 1-917-300-0470 For U.S./ CAN Toll Free Call 1-800-526-8630 For GMT Office Hours Call +353-1-416-8900 KEYWORD: INDUSTRY KEYWORD: SOFTWARE TECHNOLOGY TRANSPORT LOGISTICS/SUPPLY CHAIN MANAGEMENT SOURCE: Research and Markets Copyright Business Wire 2025. PUB: 07/16/2025 11:09 AM/DISC: 07/16/2025 11:09 AM
Yahoo
6 hours ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Time Finance appoints new head of operations in asset finance team
UK-based specialist lender Time Finance has appointed Bethan Holliday as the new head of operations for its asset finance team. The move aligns with the independent lender's goal to expand its reach to more small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) with business finance and increase its lending book to £300m ($401.7m). Holliday brings more than 20 years of experience in financial services, having previously held a senior role at Ultimate Finance. In her new position, she will oversee the operations of the asset finance team, focusing on reviewing systems and optimising processes to enhance the efficiency of business finance for SMEs. Time Finance said that her role is key in ensuring top-tier service to brokers, a core component of the lender's growth strategy and its £300m lending target. Time Finance's asset finance managing director Steve Nichols said: 'I am thrilled Bethan has decided to join Time Finance. Her arrival is at a key time for the business as we embark on our new three-year strategic plan whilst continuing to deliver sustainable growth. 'Bethan will play a key role in making the business more efficient, helping to develop our automation capabilities with the rest of the leadership team, as we strive to offer consistently great service to our brokers, customers, and suppliers.' Speaking on her appointment, Holliday added: 'I am excited to join Time Finance as the business accelerates its growth journey. Having long regarded Time Finance as a challenger and innovator in this industry, to join the team was an opportunity I could not turn down.' Time Finance reported a record gross lending book of £217m for the financial year ending 31 May 2025, marking its 16th consecutive quarter of growth. The company attributed its success to a focus on secured, own-book lending to UK businesses, which led to an 8% increase in lending volumes. Invoice finance and asset finance accounted for more than 90% of new lending volume and now make up 83% of the total lending book. For the FY24/25, Time Finance's revenue increased by 11% to £37m while profit before tax rose by 34% to £7.9m. The profit before tax margin also improved by 300 basis points to 21%, with net tangible assets growing by 14% to £44.1m. Holliday's appointment also follows recent additions to Time Finance's team, including Terry Wolfendale as head of sales and Paul Rice as business development manager, to bolster its invoice finance offering. "Time Finance appoints new head of operations in asset finance team" was originally created and published by Leasing Life, a GlobalData owned brand. The information on this site has been included in good faith for general informational purposes only. It is not intended to amount to advice on which you should rely, and we give no representation, warranty or guarantee, whether express or implied as to its accuracy or completeness. You must obtain professional or specialist advice before taking, or refraining from, any action on the basis of the content on our site.
The National
6 hours ago
- Business
- The National
Empowering SMEs is key to raising Abu Dhabi's economic competitiveness
The Abu Dhabi emirate continues to make steady progress in diversifying its economy, fostering entrepreneurship and empowering small and medium-sized enterprises, all in alignment with the leadership's vision to enhance economic competitiveness and future readiness. By the middle of last year, the total number of registered companies in the UAE reached more than 1 million, representing an increase of 152 per cent compared to early 2020. SMEs account for more than 95 per cent of all businesses and employ about 86 per cent of the private sector workforce. As of the end of 2024, the UAE's non-oil gross domestic product reached about Dh1.342 trillion ($365.4 billion), representing 75.5 per cent of the country's total GDP. In Abu Dhabi alone, non-oil sectors contributed 55.2 per cent to the emirate's GDP in the second quarter of last year. Within this evolving landscape, enterprise development efforts in Abu Dhabi continue to focus on enabling SMEs through a combination of institutional programmes and collaboration with both public and private sectors. One such initiative is the 'Abu Dhabi SME Champions' programme that reflects the emirate's broader strategy to enhance SME participation in the economy. The programme aims to bridge gaps in access to finance, procurement and skill development by connecting smaller enterprises with opportunities and resources, many of which are facilitated through government platforms such as Tamm. Abu Dhabi continues to solidify its position as a global hub for talent, business and investment. With a future-ready economy, progressive policies and world-class infrastructure, the emirate is shaping the future of global business. The recently released Global Startup Ecosystem Report highlights Abu Dhabi's growing role in the global innovation economy. Based on an analysis of more than 5 million companies across 350-plus ecosystems worldwide, the emirate advanced to the 51-60 ranking range in the 'Emerging Ecosystem' category, rising from the 61-70 range last year. Regionally, the emirate secured the third spot in the Mena Emerging Ecosystem, followed by Dubai and Riyadh, both of which have shown strong startup momentum and international visibility. Abu Dhabi secured third spot in the 'performance' category, which measures startup value through exits and funding. Abu Dhabi ranked fourth in the 'knowledge' category, which measures the number of research patents; fifth in both the 'funding capacity' and 'talent and experience' categories. The emirate also finished in the top 10 in the Bang for Buck Awards. One of Abu Dhabi's standout achievements this year for the GSER edition is the funding success of its Hub71 ecosystem, through which startups raised a record $2.17 billion. This capital inflow has significantly boosted innovation and accelerated growth. Promoting innovation and entrepreneurship as core pillars of economic development will allow SMEs to evolve into key architects of the national economy, not just contributors As someone who closely monitors economic developments, I see the Abu Dhabi SME Champions programme as a key initiative driving entrepreneurial growth in the emirate. The programme not only provides startups with access to funding but also fosters stronger engagement with government bodies and the private sector. More than just financial support, such initiatives deliver capacity-building tools and cultivate an entrepreneurial mindset throughout the community, supporting startups in their journey to success. Since its launch in 2023, the programme has made a remarkable impact. In its second year, it attracted 2,235 companies, marking a significant milestone in entrepreneurial empowerment. Significantly, more than half of these registered companies are microenterprises, highlighting Abu Dhabi's inclusive business environment that welcomes ventures of all sizes. A vibrant SME sector is undeniably the backbone of a resilient and innovative economy, and the numbers speak volumes. Last year, deal values facilitated by the programme exceeded $183 million, reflecting strong collaboration between the public and private sectors. This reinforces the importance of integrated efforts among economic stakeholders in driving sustainable growth. Abu Dhabi's ecosystem benefits from several strategic advantages, including progressive visa policies that attract global talent, extensive government support and a clear leadership position in emerging fields like fintech, Web3 and digital assets. These factors collectively reinforce Abu Dhabi's appeal as a launchpad for global innovation and entrepreneurship. The Abu Dhabi SME programme, with 20 strategic partners on board and 13 training sessions conducted in collaboration with nine key entities, has significantly advanced SME capabilities to meet evolving market needs. These efforts contribute to an innovation-led economy and solidify the UAE's status as a global hub for a knowledge-based economy. Abu Dhabi's investor-friendly frameworks and forward-looking regulatory environment continue to instil confidence among global businesses and venture capitalists. With its future-ready economy, ambitious policy reforms and growing innovation ecosystem, Abu Dhabi is not merely keeping pace but emerging as a global centre for entrepreneurship and next-generation economic development. Looking ahead, the focus must remain on deepening these efforts for promoting entrepreneurship, not only by increasing financial support but also by expanding public-private partnerships and ensuring equitable access to opportunities for SMEs. Promoting innovation and entrepreneurship as core pillars of economic development will allow SMEs to evolve into key architects of the national economy, not just contributors. The future is promising. SMEs are set to play a central role in shaping the UAE's economic trajectory. Investing in this sector is not a choice but a strategic necessity to ensure long-term national prosperity and achieve the ambitious vision of the UAE.
Zawya
7 hours ago
- Business
- Zawya
The International Islamic Trade Finance Corporation (ITFC) Signs EUR 15 million Master Murabaha Agreement to Support Türkiye's Private Sector
The International Islamic Trade Finance Corporation (ITFC) ( a member of the Islamic Development Bank (IsDB) Group, has signed a EUR 15 million Master Murabaha Agreement with Ak Finansal Kiralama A.Ş. (Aklease), one of Türkiye's leading leasing institutions and a subsidiary of AkBank. The two-year facility aims to expand access to Shariah-compliant trade finance solutions for Türkiye's private sector, including small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), enabling the import and pre-export of essential goods and services. The partnership reflects ITFC's ongoing commitment to supporting economic development across member countries. Commenting on this partnership, Mr. Nazeem Noordali, COO of ITFC, stated: 'This agreement underscores our long-term commitment to supporting Türkiye's private sector. By partnering with leading institutions such as Aklease, we are furthering ITFC's mandate to promote trade and foster economic growth.' From his end, Mr. Eser Okyay, General Manager, AKLease, commented,"This partnership contributes to the development of innovative financing models in the leasing sector while also reinforcing our vision of providing resources for projects that prioritize sustainable development. This agreement, which marks ITFC's first contract signed with ITFC in Türkiye's leasing sector, brings a fresh perspective to the industry. We believe that this approach, which centers on sustainability, green financing, and accessibility for SMEs, offers a valuable alternative for the real sector." This agreement is aligned with ITFC's broader strategy in Türkiye, where the Corporation has committed significant resources to supporting the private sector through targeted trade finance and capacity-building initiatives. Distributed by APO Group on behalf of International Islamic Trade Finance Corporation (ITFC). Contact us: Tel: +966 12 646 8337 Fax: +966 12 637 1064 E-mail: ITFC@ Social media: Twitter: ( Facebook: ( LinkedIn: International Islamic Trade Finance Corporation (ITFC) ( About the International Trade Finance Corporation (ITFC): The International Islamic Trade Finance Corporation (ITFC) is the trade finance arm of the Islamic Development Bank (IsDB) Group. It was established with the primary objective of advancing trade among OIC member countries, which would ultimately contribute to the overarching goal of improving the socio-economic conditions of the people across the world. Commencing operations in January 2008, ITFC has provided more than US$83 billion of financing to OIC member countries, making it the leading provider of trade solutions for these member countries' needs. With a mission to become a catalyst for trade development for OIC member countries and beyond, the Corporation helps entities in member countries gain better access to trade finance and provides them with the necessary trade-related capacity-building tools, which would enable them to successfully compete in the global market.
Malay Mail
9 hours ago
- Business
- Malay Mail
SY Holdings Issues Positive Profit Alert for 1H 2025: Net Profit Expected to increase by approximately 20%, Platform-Based Tech Revenue Share Surpasses 50%
SHENZHEN, CHINA - EQS Newswire - 16 July 2025 - SY Holdings Group Limited ("SY Holdings" or the "Group", Stock Code: a leading digital-intelligence technology company focused on "AI + Industrial Supply Chains", today announced a positive profit alert for the six months ended 30 June 2025. Net profit is expected to rise by approximately 20% expected increase is mainly attributable to the following:Through its platform-based development strategy, SY Holdings leverages cutting-edge technologies such as AI Agent to deeply connect industrial ecosystem and data network. By capitalizing on its differentiated risk control model featuring "transaction-focused, entity-light", SY Holdings delivers "abundant, fast, high-quality and cost-effective" platform-based services to support clients' needs in working capital. As at 30 June 2025, the Platform has cumulatively facilitated over RMB277 billion in working capital solutions for its clients, representing a year-on-year growth of over 29%, while the cumulative number of clients served exceeded 19,100, with a year-on-year growth of over 14%. Among them, small and medium enterprises ("SMEs") clients accounted for over 97% of the total, with first-time borrowers making up more than 30%. The Platform has also helped clients reduce financing costs by at least 30%.Through its self-developed "SY Cloud Platform" (the "Platform"), SY Holdings has built an efficient intelligent bridge between the industrial and capital sides, accelerating the expansion of its asset-light operating model. On this basis, the company's platform-based facilitation business accounted for 88% of total volume, while the proportion of revenue contributed by platform-based technology services has exceeded 50%. As of 30 June 2025, the Platform has connected with over 180 funding partners, representing a year-on-year increase of more than 30%. The Platform has become a key strategic partner for financial institutions in advancing their inclusive finance Platform is deeply integrated with open-source artificial intelligence ("AI") large models such as DeepSeek, Qwen and Doubao. Having undergone training and optimization with high-quality industrial data, the Platform can intelligently match project orders and procurement information based on clients' product characteristics, sales records, production capacity and performance. Meanwhile, leveraging its industrial ecosystem and international market networks, SY Holdings assists ecosystem participants in precisely connecting with overseas demand, enabling them to efficiently carry out marketing, customer acquisition, opportunity seizing, and accelerating their integration into the global industrial supply chain. As of June 30, 2025, SY Holdings leveraged AI technology to deliver value-added services to its clients. Notably, by using AI agents to support clients in securing orders, SY Holdings achieved its first milestone of generating over RMB400,000 revenue through AI-assisted order Holdings has successfully achieved a breakthrough from scratch in the new e-commerce sector in a short period of time. The company have successfully established a presence on five top-tier e-commerce platforms, unlocking a market with potential exceeding RMB10 trillion and access to over 10 million merchants. Leveraging its robust data connectivity and processing capabilities, SY Holdings empowers emerging businesses by providing actionable insights into key metrics such as sales performance, traffic trends, and inventory turnover. This enables merchants to stay ahead of the curve, predict consumer demands, and identify potential bestsellers with precision. Meanwhile, the company offers flexible working capital facilitation services based on real-time transaction data, helping merchants capitalize on every opportunity to drive growth and create blockbuster products. Additionally, SY Holdings has introduced Be Friends Holding Limited (Stock Code: 1450) as a strategic investor, enabling a rapid entry into the live-streaming e-commerce space. As at 30 June 2025, the cumulative amount of working capital facilitation in e-commerce segment has exceeded approximately RMB2.8 billion, representing an almost eightfold growth harnessing the data processing and logical reasoning capabilities of AI large models, combined with ample computing power support from Wuxi Economic Development Zone, SY Holdings integrates and analyses vast volumes of unstructured data such as contracts, documents and public opinions in real time, dynamically generating the enterprise and transaction profiles. This significantly enhances risk control efficiency and avoiding transaction fraud risks. With the strategic investment from a subsidiary of XtalPi Inc. (Stock Code: 2228), SY Holdings receives strong technical support for the development of industrial AI Agents, while deploying innovations such as AI-powered document classification and smart contract review to drive cost reduction and efficiency improvements in collaboration with ecosystem partners. As at 30 June 2025, the per capita working capital facilitated for clients grew by nearly 27%.SY Holdings is a digital intelligence technology company focusing on "AI + Industrial supply chain". In the face of the continuously growing service demand, the company is actively expanding into new tracks such as e-commerce, robotics and AI applications, it aims to assist SMEs in both precisely matching orders and providing differentiated working capital facilitation services. In the robotics sector, SY Holdings has established a strategic collaboration with Stand Robots (Wuxi) Co., Ltd. which is one of the global leaders in industrial intelligent robotics. This forward-looking initiative positions us to swiftly enter emerging industries, laying a solid foundation for sustained growth and innovation over the next the same time, SY Holdings continues to increase research and development investment and talent cultivation, and has obtained nearly 90 national invention patents and computer software copyrights, covering areas such as data verification, repayment prediction and risk control to now, SY Holdings has maintained profitability for 11 consecutive years and implemented a high dividend policy for 7 consecutive years, and has committed to a dividend payout ratio of not less than 90% conduct declaration and payment of dividends with payout ratio of no less than 90% for the financial years ending 31 December 2025 and 31 December 2026. Including the special dividend, the total dividend payout for the financial years ending 31 December 2025 is expected to reach approximately RMB950 million, implying a dividend yield exceeding 8.5%.Moving forward, SY Holdings will strengthen its industrial ecosystem and data connectivity, continuously enhancing the commercialization of AI Agent and its platform-based technology service #SYHoldings The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
