Latest news with #socialinfrastructure
The Herald
12-08-2025
- Business
- The Herald
IDT board committed to transparency amid ongoing investigations
The board of the Independent Development Trust says it is committed to transparency and accounting amid ongoing investigations at the state agency responsible for implementing social infrastructure programmes. The board said it was treating all matters before it with the serious urgency it deserved and had launched a number of concurrent processes to bring stability to the organisation. Over the past week, the board said it held lengthy meetings to address these matters, including the PwC forensic investigation into the oxygen plant tender, the circulating video containing allegations of bribery by suspended IDT CEO Tebogo Malaka and the organisation's spokesperson, Malaka's suspension and concerns relating to a number of tenders and supply chain processes linked to them. 'While sensitive investigations are under way, the board is taking all necessary steps to safeguard public funds, protect projects that deliver social infrastructure for underserved communities, as well as poverty alleviation projects like the extended public works programme.' The board said it was fulfilling its legal mandate by acting on substantial information, following all applicable laws . 'Once in a position to do so, the board will provide the public with a detailed briefing on the actions taken and the findings of its investigation. The board is fully aware that restoring trust in the organisation requires openly sharing the measures implemented to strengthen governance and protect public funds.' The board said it was committed to doing so at the earliest possible stage without compromising any ongoing criminal investigations. Malaka and her spokesperson, Phasha Makgolane, are alleged to have offered Daily Maverick journalist Pieter-Louis Myburgh R60,000 to drop a story he was working on relating to Malaka's business affairs, including how she was funding the construction of her multimillion-rand home at Waterfall Country Estate in Midrand. TimesLIVE
CNN
07-08-2025
- Business
- CNN
Japan's precipitous population decline shows no sign of slowing
Japan's precipitous population decline shows no sign of slowing, with the nation shrinking by more than 900,000 people last year – the biggest annual drop on record, according to government data. The data, released by the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications on Wednesday, showed that the number of Japanese nationals fell by 908,574 in 2024, bringing the total population to 120 million. Since peaking at 126.6 million in 2009, the population has declined for 16 consecutive years, diminished by various factors like a struggling economy and deep-seated gender norms. With the population of Japanese nationals set to continue plummeting for decades yet, the country will feel the blow to its pension and health care systems, and other social infrastructure that is difficult to maintain with a shrinking workforce. The government has been trying to fight the decline for more than a decade, with efforts accelerating in recent years as the full scale of the crisis became clear – doing everything from offering childbirth and housing subsidies to encouraging fathers to take paternity leave. But each year, fewer babies are born, and more deaths are recorded – a vicious cycle and a symptom of a population skewing older and older. The proportion of elderly is too high – accounting for nearly 30% of the entire population, according to the new data – while the proportion of younger adults, of child-bearing and working age, is continually shrinking. Last year was no exception. The number of births recorded, at just 687,689, was the lowest among records going back to 1968 – while the number of deaths, at nearly 1.6 million, was the highest on record. The working-age population, defined as between 15 to 64, made up only 59% of the population in Japan last year – far lower than the global average of 65%, according to the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD). This decline has been decades in the making, thanks to Japan's consistently low fertility rate since the 1970s. Because of this, sociologists and demographers say, there's no quick fix – and it's not reversible. Even if Japan manages to boost its fertility rate dramatically and immediately – which is a big 'if' – its population is bound to keep decreasing for at least several more decades until the skewed young-old ratio balances out, and the babies being born now reach childbearing age themselves. Experts have pointed to Japan's high cost of living, stagnant economy and wages, limited space, and demanding work culture as reasons fewer people are opting to date, marry or have children. For women, economic costs are not the only turn-off. Japan remains a highly patriarchal society in which married women are often expected to take the caregiver role, despite government efforts to get husbands more involved. Single parents are far less common in Japan than in many Western countries. Many of these issues are also plaguing other East Asian nations with their own population woes, including China and South Korea. One possible solution, experts have pointed out, would be to plug the gap by welcoming more immigrants – a controversial topic in Japan, a largely conservative country that perceives itself as ethnically homogenous. Foreign residents and Japanese nationals of mixed ethnicity have long complained of xenophobia, racism and discrimination. But the government has leaned into this option, launching a new digital nomad visa and crafting a new plan to upskill foreign workers. And there are signs it may be taking effect; the number of foreign residents in Japan increased by more than 10% last year to a record high of 3.6 million people, according to the new data. According to government models, which were most recently revised in 2023, Japan's population will fall by 30% by 2070 – but by then, 'the pace of population decline is expected to slow down slightly, mainly due to the increase in international migration.'
Yahoo
04-08-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Varma invests in the eQ Community Properties Fund as the Fund Acquires School Property from Varma
Press releaseAugust 4, 2025, at 10:00 AM The Special Investment Fund eQ Community Properties has completed a transaction with Mutual Pension Insurance Company Varma regarding a school property located in Niittykumpu, Espoo. At the same time, on June 30, 2025, Varma has made an investment in the eQ Community Properties Fund. The main tenant of the property is the City of Espoo, and the premises are used by Niittykumpu School. Jennifer Eloheimo, Head of Real Estate Investments at eQ, comments: 'The strategy of the eQ Community Properties Fund is to invest in high-quality social infrastructure properties, with a strong focus on the Helsinki metropolitan area. Niittykumpu School fits this strategy extremely well. At the same time, it is a great pleasure to welcome Varma as an investor in the fund. This is an excellent indication of the fund's strong position in the market and of the trust that even the largest institutional investors place in eQ's expertise in real estate investments. We would like to thank Varma for the smooth cooperation and confidence in our fund.' Sampsa Ratia, Investment Director responsible for real estate investments at Varma, states: 'Varma has long been an active player in the Finnish real estate investment market. We see the collaboration with eQ as a significant opportunity to strengthen our position particularly in the social infrastructure segment. Social infrastructure forms an essential part of a functional and diverse society, and we are committed to supporting this development over the long term. eQ's solid experience in managing and developing social infrastructure assets complements Varma's investment strategy very well and supports our objectives as a responsible and long-term investor.' The Special Investment Fund eQ Community Properties was established in 2012 and is the largest owner and developer of social infrastructure properties in Finland. As of June 30, 2025, the value of the fund's property portfolio was approximately EUR 1.7 billion, with total assets (NAV) of about EUR 1.1 billion. The portfolio is strategically diversified across Finland's six largest growth centres, with over half of the properties located in the Helsinki metropolitan area. The fund's cash flow is primarily generated from stable, long-term lease agreements with public sector tenants, making it an attractive investment option also for institutional investors. Additional information: Jennifer Eloheimo, Head of Real Estate Investments, eQTel. +358 50 547 3660 / eQ is a Finnish group that concentrates on asset management and corporate finance business. eQ Asset Management offers a wide range of asset management services (including private equity funds and real estate asset management) for institutions and private individuals. The assets managed by the Group total approximately EUR 13.6 billion. Advium Corporate Finance, which is part of the Group, offers services related to mergers and acquisitions, real estate transactions and equity capital markets. The parent company eQ Plc's shares are listed on Nasdaq Helsinki. More information about the Group is available on our website
Zawya
24-06-2025
- Business
- Zawya
Saudi Arabia driving $2bln Mideast social infrastructure project activity
The Middle East region will record a 25% growth in social infrastructure project activity in the next two years, according to a new report by Ansarada, a leading procurement platform. As population growth accelerates and quality-of-life standards become increasingly central to national agendas, governments across the Middle East are intensifying investment in social infrastructure projects. In 2024, the Middle East had a total value of $1.6 billion in social infrastructure transactions, which is expected to grow to $2 billion by 2027, stated Ansarada in its report. The Ansarada Social Infrastructure Outlook 2025 explores key themes such as procurement efficiency, risk allocation and the shift towards workflow digitalisation, providing up-to-the-minute insights into prevailing procurement trends. As per the report, almost half (46%) of EMEA stakeholders cite population growth and improved quality of life as key investment drivers. The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA), it stated, is rapidly advancing its social infrastructure as part of its Vision 2030 strategy, with 2025 seeing a number of large-scale projects and innovative public-private partnerships (PPPs). The investment surge aims to strengthen its non-oil sector and attract international investors. To support these goals, authorities are increasingly turning to PPP models to accelerate delivery, manage risks, and attract private sector expertise in healthcare, education, and housing, it added. Justin Smith, the Managing Director of Ansarada said: "Saudi Arabia is playing an increasingly important role in infrastructure capital deployment across the Middle East. Its strategic approach to large-scale project delivery, supported by developing PPP frameworks and digital procurement initiatives, is helping to establish the Kingdom as a significant infrastructure investment hub in the region." "As the need to deliver impactful healthcare, education and housing projects continues to grow, along with rising investor interest in ESG-focused, technology-enabled procurement, Saudi Arabia is emerging as an attractive destination for international capital and a potential reference point for modern infrastructure development," stated Smith. More broadly, EMEA has emerged as the most competitive region, with 30% of professionals reporting very high levels of competition during the bidding stage of their most recent projects, significantly higher than any other market surveyed. By comparison, only 10% of respondents in Asia-Pacific reported similar levels of competition, pointing to deeper structural differences and market maturity across regions, stated Ansarada in the report. Healthcare has emerged as the top priority for EMEA, with 68% of respondents agreeing the sector will see the greatest increase in investment value over the next two years. This is followed by leisure (56%) and education (52%). This highlights a broader focus on community well-being and social resilience, particularly given the growing complexity and urgency of delivering high-impact projects, particularly in markets like the KSA. As businesses place growing importance on ESG considerations, 61% of EMEA respondents have identified ESG as essential for infrastructure investment. Global investors are placing increasing importance on funding projects that meet robust sustainability standards. From energy-efficient building designs to community engagement, the demand for ESG-aligned procurement is growing, reshaping how infrastructure projects are evaluated and delivered, said Ansarada in its report. Saudi Arabia's social infrastructure is advancing rapidly, driven by government support, private sector growth, and a strong PPP framework. Strengthened US-Saudi ties have sparked major investments and tech transfers, accelerating Vision 2030. These moves aim to improve quality of life and cement the Kingdom's role as a regional leader in infrastructure and development, it added. Copyright 2024 Al Hilal Publishing and Marketing Group Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc. (
Zawya
16-06-2025
- Business
- Zawya
UAE deepens investment in social infrastructure amid population growth and strategic reforms
Social infrastructure transactions in the Middle East are expected to grow to US$2.0 billion by 2027 Almost half (46%) of EMEA stakeholders cite population growth and improving quality of life as the key drivers of social infrastructure projects UAE – The Middle East will see a 25% increase in social infrastructure project activity in the next two years, according to a new report by Ansarada, a leading procurement platform. As population growth accelerates and quality-of-life standards become increasingly central to national agendas, governments across the Middle East are intensifying investment in social infrastructure projects. In 2024, the Middle East had a total value of US$1.6 billion in social infrastructure transactions, which is expected to grow to US$2.0 billion by 2027. According to the report, almost half (46%) of EMEA stakeholders cite population growth and improved quality of life as key investment drivers. Ansarada's Social Infrastructure Outlook 2025 explores key themes such as procurement efficiency, risk allocation and the shift towards workflow digitalisation, providing up-to-the-minute insights into prevailing procurement trends. Justin Smith, Managing Director, Ansarada, said, "We're seeing a notable shift in how infrastructure capital is being deployed across the Middle East, with the UAE playing a leading role in this evolution. Through strategic reforms, ongoing population growth, and government initiatives promoting technology-enabled procurement, the UAE appears to be enhancing project delivery while working toward higher standards for sustainable urban development. This progressive approach is contributing to changes in how healthcare, education, and housing infrastructure are funded, built, and managed throughout the region." The UAE federal government has allocated over AED 27 billion ($7.4 billion) to upgrade infrastructure, its most ambitious investment to date, driven by 4% annual population growth and rising global investor interest. To meet demand, the government is increasingly using public-private partnerships (PPP) models to fast-track delivery and leverage private sector expertise. At the same time, EMEA has emerged as the most competitive region, with 30% of professionals reporting very high levels of competition during the bidding stage of their most recent projects, significantly higher than any other market surveyed. By comparison, only 10% of respondents in Asia-Pacific reported similar levels of competition, pointing to deeper structural differences and market maturity across regions. More broadly, healthcare has emerged as the top investment priority for EMEA, with 68% of procurement professionals indicating the sector will see the greatest increase in value over the next two years. This is followed by leisure (56%) and education (52%), reflecting a broader focus on community well-being and long-term social resilience. The findings come amid growing complexity and urgency in delivering high-impact social infrastructure projects, particularly in rapidly developing markets such as the UAE, where demand for quality healthcare and education is accelerating The report confirms the UAE's emergence as the Middle East's infrastructure innovation hub, where digital-first procurement models are enabling faster, more cost-effective, and sustainable project delivery. Note to the editor: Ansarada in partnership with Infralogic, surveyed 150 senior executives across APAC EMEA, and the Americas. Respondents included government agencies, privately-owned transport infrastructure developers and transaction advisories. About Ansarada Ansarada is a Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) platform that delivers secure, purpose-built software solutions for managing critical strategic projects such as M&A, capital raising, restructures, and infrastructure procurement. Our platform goes beyond a typical virtual data room (VDR), offering advanced security, seamless collaboration, and intuitive workflows for teams both within and across organisations. Trusted by advisors and corporates worldwide, Ansarada supports the entire deal and procurement lifecycle-streamlining processes, all while ensuring compliance with global regulations. Ansarada empowers businesses to achieve their critical outcomes with confidence.
