Latest news with #Zong
Business Recorder
18-05-2025
- Business
- Business Recorder
World celebrates WTISD 2025 under theme ‘Gender equality in digital transformation'
ISLAMABAD: As the world celebrates World Telecommunication and Information Society Day (WTISD) 2025 under the theme 'Gender equality in digital transformation,' Zong reaffirms its commitment to ensuring that every Pakistani woman has equal access to the benefits of digital technology. To bridge the digital divide, Zong continues to expand its 4G network to underserved areas while offering affordable data packages, tackling access and affordability, particularly for women in rural regions. In the rapidly evolving digital world, equitable access to connectivity is not only a matter of convenience, it is a key driver of inclusion and sustainable development. However, barriers to digital access continue to disproportionately affect women and girls globally, restricting their participation in the digital economy and limiting their opportunities for growth. This year's WTISD also marks the 160th anniversary of the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), which continues to highlight the transformative role of Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) in shaping a better and more connected world. Despite progress, around 2.6 billion people remain offline, with women making up the majority. Challenges such as affordability, lack of skills, and unsafe digital environments must be tackled collaboratively to achieve inclusive digital transformation. In 2024 alone, over 8 million women in Pakistan came online, and the gender gap in mobile internet usage decreased from 38% to 25%, reflecting collective progress by regulators, telecom providers, and civil society. Pakistan now leads South Asia in digital inclusion, with 45% of women connected; surpassing India and Bangladesh. Despite this progress, 55% of women remain offline, with 40% citing barriers such as handset affordability, data costs, literacy gaps, and lack of digital skills. Aligned with its vision to become Pakistan's leading information services and technology innovation company Zong has implemented a series of strategic programs to address digital inequality and create lasting impact through innovation, education, and partnerships. These initiatives focus on access to connectivity, digital skills development, financial platforms, and fostering a safe and inclusive digital ecosystem for women. Zong has partnered with government bodies, non-profits, and digital learning platforms to launch targeted literacy programs that equip women with essential ICT skills, from basic internet usage to e-commerce and online safety. It has also established digital learning centers and telecenters that provide safe spaces for women to build skills and confidence, extending learning beyond traditional classrooms and fostering career readiness. The Zong Digital Scholars Programme, developed with Knowledge Platform, is a strategic initiative to prepare young women in CPEC corridor communities for the digital future through interactive classrooms and AI-enhanced learning. Building on this foundation, Zong is launching specialized digital literacy programs for 5,000 young women aged 18-24, equipping them with career-ready skills in an increasingly digital economy. Zong is driving inclusive growth by ensuring technology enables and uplifts all, especially marginalized groups. By embedding inclusion into every layer of its strategy, Zong is not only advancing digital gender equality but also paving the way for a more connected, just, and sustainable Pakistan. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
Yahoo
27-02-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
As trade war escalates, economists bet on China resilience
By Ankika Biswas and Bansari Mayur Kamdar (Reuters) - With China at the forefront of U.S. President Donald Trump's tariff agenda, domestic economists expect a combination of policy measures, supply chain adjustments and strengthened global partnerships to cushion the world's second-largest economy as the trade war intensifies. "We (China) have taken proactive steps to mitigate the impact of the trade war," Zong Liang, chief economist, Research Institute at state-owned Bank of China, told the Reuters Global Markets Forum. "We've made it easier for other countries to do business with us, strengthening trade relationships beyond the U.S.," Zong said. Minutes after Trump's 10% tariff on Chinese imports took effect on Feb. 4, Beijing announced retaliatory tariffs on some U.S. energy products and autos along with a range of measures against Google and other U.S. firms. Trump has also announced a 25% tariff on all steel and aluminum imports into the U.S., which was eventually followed by multiple countries including Vietnam, South Korea and India unveiling their own measures on Chinese steel and steel-related imports. "Despite this, (China's) share of global exports has remained strong," Zong said, adding that he expected China to adopt a more aggressive fiscal policy this year along with additional measures to stabilise domestic demand. Alex Hongcai Xu, deputy director of the Economic Policy Committee at the China Association for Policy Sciences, said Chinese companies are diversifying their export markets and broadening overseas investment cooperation, which will help mitigate trade war costs and risks. In order to further safeguard itself, Xu expects China to provide financial subsidies and tax breaks to the tariff-hit agriculture and manufacturing sectors. Both economists also noted that the U.S.-Sino trade war opens up opportunities for China to deepen relationships with Southeast Asian nations, the European Union and other tariff-hit countries, strengthening partnerships such as the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). Kishore Mahbubani, veteran Singaporean diplomat and distinguished fellow at the National University of Singapore, said BRI will gain momentum as countries look outside for help after the U.S. has shut down aid. Trump has halted most U.S. government-funded aid globally for 90 days, while moving to dismantle the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), as part of his effort to cut the federal government workforce and curb spending it considers wasteful. "There are very few countries that can be as generous as the U.S. at that scale ... and, that is China," said Mahbubani, who was also the president of the UN Security Council in 2001 and 2002. (Join GMF, a chat room hosted on LSEG Messenger: ) Sign in to access your portfolio
Zawya
27-02-2025
- Business
- Zawya
As trade war escalates, economists bet on China resilience
With China at the forefront of U.S. President Donald Trump's tariff agenda, domestic economists expect a combination of policy measures, supply chain adjustments and strengthened global partnerships to cushion the world's second-largest economy as the trade war intensifies. "We (China) have taken proactive steps to mitigate the impact of the trade war," Zong Liang, chief economist, Research Institute at state-owned Bank of China, told the Reuters Global Markets Forum. "We've made it easier for other countries to do business with us, strengthening trade relationships beyond the U.S.," Zong said. Minutes after Trump's 10% tariff on Chinese imports took effect on Feb. 4, Beijing announced retaliatory tariffs on some U.S. energy products and autos along with a range of measures against Google and other U.S. firms. Trump has also announced a 25% tariff on all steel and aluminum imports into the U.S., which was eventually followed by multiple countries including Vietnam, South Korea and India unveiling their own measures on Chinese steel and steel-related imports. "Despite this, (China's) share of global exports has remained strong," Zong said, adding that he expected China to adopt a more aggressive fiscal policy this year along with additional measures to stabilise domestic demand. Alex Hongcai Xu, deputy director of the Economic Policy Committee at the China Association for Policy Sciences, said Chinese companies are diversifying their export markets and broadening overseas investment cooperation, which will help mitigate trade war costs and risks. In order to further safeguard itself, Xu expects China to provide financial subsidies and tax breaks to the tariff-hit agriculture and manufacturing sectors. Both economists also noted that the U.S.-Sino trade war opens up opportunities for China to deepen relationships with Southeast Asian nations, the European Union and other tariff-hit countries, strengthening partnerships such as the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). Kishore Mahbubani, veteran Singaporean diplomat and distinguished fellow at the National University of Singapore, said BRI will gain momentum as countries look outside for help after the U.S. has shut down aid. Trump has halted most U.S. government-funded aid globally for 90 days, while moving to dismantle the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), as part of his effort to cut the federal government workforce and curb spending it considers wasteful. "There are very few countries that can be as generous as the U.S. at that scale ... and, that is China," said Mahbubani, who was also the president of the UN Security Council in 2001 and 2002. (Join GMF, a chat room hosted on LSEG Messenger: (Reporting by Ankika Biswas and Bansari Mayur Kamdar in Bengaluru; Editing by Divya Chowdhury and)
Reuters
27-02-2025
- Business
- Reuters
As trade war escalates, economists bet on China resilience
Feb 27 (Reuters) - With China at the forefront of U.S. President Donald Trump's tariff agenda, domestic economists expect a combination of policy measures, supply chain adjustments and strengthened global partnerships to cushion the world's second-largest economy as the trade war intensifies. "We (China) have taken proactive steps to mitigate the impact of the trade war," Zong Liang, chief economist, Research Institute at state-owned Bank of China, told the Reuters Global Markets Forum, opens new tab. "We've made it easier for other countries to do business with us, strengthening trade relationships beyond the U.S.," Zong said. Minutes after Trump's 10% tariff on Chinese imports took effect on Feb. 4, Beijing announced retaliatory tariffs on some U.S. energy products and autos along with a range of measures against Google (GOOGL.O), opens new tab and other U.S. firms. Trump has also announced a 25% tariff on all steel and aluminum imports into the U.S., which was eventually followed by multiple countries including Vietnam, South Korea and India unveiling their own measures on Chinese steel and steel-related imports. "Despite this, (China's) share of global exports has remained strong," Zong said, adding that he expected China to adopt a more aggressive fiscal policy this year along with additional measures to stabilise domestic demand. Alex Hongcai Xu, deputy director of the Economic Policy Committee at the China Association for Policy Sciences, said Chinese companies are diversifying their export markets and broadening overseas investment cooperation, which will help mitigate trade war costs and risks. In order to further safeguard itself, Xu expects China to provide financial subsidies and tax breaks to the tariff-hit agriculture and manufacturing sectors. Both economists also noted that the U.S.-Sino trade war opens up opportunities for China to deepen relationships with Southeast Asian nations, the European Union and other tariff-hit countries, strengthening partnerships such as the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). Kishore Mahbubani, veteran Singaporean diplomat and distinguished fellow at the National University of Singapore, said BRI will gain momentum as countries look outside for help after the U.S. has shut down aid. Trump has halted most U.S. government-funded aid globally for 90 days, while moving to dismantle the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), as part of his effort to cut the federal government workforce and curb spending it considers wasteful. "There are very few countries that can be as generous as the U.S. at that scale ... and, that is China," said Mahbubani, who was also the president of the UN Security Council in 2001 and 2002.
