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BRI deeply integrated into African development; more pragmatic cooperation expected in FOCAC

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BEIJING, Sept. 2, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — The joint construction of the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) by China and Africa has provided a high-level cooperation platform for Africa’s development.

From Uganda and Egypt to Senegal and Nigeria, infrastructure, industrial parks and economic zones built by Chinese companies have mushroomed and become a strong engine driving Africa’s integration into the global industrial chain.

China and Africa will renew their friendship and discuss plans for further pragmatic cooperation during the upcoming Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) to be held in Beijing from September 4 to 6. Chinese President Xi Jinping will attend the opening ceremony of FOCAC and deliver a keynote speech on September 5.

The cooperation between China and Africa under the BRI framework emphasizes precise alignment with Africa’s shared strategic framework – the African Union 2063 Agenda – one of whose priorities is the realization of industrialization in Africa.

In its issue of May 13, 2000, The Economist boldly described Africa as “the hopeless continent.” In the very same year, FOCAC was established.

The narrative on Africa now has shifted to “a rise in the continent.” When tracking momentum projects that have contributed to unlocking Africa’s development, you can trace the progress back to China’s flagship projects through BRI, Paul Frimpong, the executive director and senior research fellow of the Ghana-based Africa-China Centre for Policy and Advisory, told the Global Times.

As of 2023, a total of 52 African countries as well as the African Union have signed a memorandum of understanding with China to jointly build BRI cooperation.

For instance, the integrated steel manufacturing plant set up in Zimbabwe’s Midlands Province by Chinese firm Dinson Iron and Steel Company draws on upstream and downstream supply chains that go beyond Zimbabwe, benefiting its neighbors in areas such as employment generation, and also helps to meet the Southern African Development Community (SADC) region’s infrastructure construction needs, Munetsi Madakufamba, executive director of the Zimbabwe-based Southern African Research and Documentation Centre, told the Global Times.

Madakufamba also emphasized the driving role of green development in energy cooperation within the BRI. Media reports said that investment in the energy sector accounts for about 40 percent of Chinese investment in BRI partner countries and regions.

“China brings its modern technology while taking into account potential negative impacts on the environment. The clean-energy project, like the power generation of the Kariba South Hydroelectric Power Station, meets the sustainable development aspirations of African countries,” Madakufamba said.

African industrialization also requires the connection of facilities, which is where BRI is most visibly present in Africa.

“Most of the current tangible infrastructure, such as rails and ports, that you see in many countries, including my own country Ghana, has been built by China,” Frimpong said. “It is all part of the BRI.”

An early result of BRI, the Mombasa-Nairobi Standard Gauge Railway (SGR), is a flagship project.

Song Wei, a professor from the School of International Relations and Diplomacy at Beijing Foreign Studies University, said that “through the connection from the capital Nairobi to the port of Mombasa, Kenya will be further integrated into the global value chain. A lot of local workers have been absorbed to solve the local employment issue, and to promote the real improvement of local people’s living standards.”

In addition, a core focus on how China is actively promoting the realization of industrialization in Africa is the nurturing of talents required by the continent throughout this process, Song said.

For instance, we have established Luban Workshops in Africa to train the talents that African countries greatly require, Song noted.

China also supports Africa’s development through providing more opportunities in trade, which experts consider the most crucial tool for unlocking progress in the continent.

Song listed examples such as the China International Import Expo (CIIE), which has offered complimentary standard booths to less-developed countries, while some Chinese e-commerce companies have also helped train online shopkeepers in Africa, boosting local cross-border e-commerce.

“Mutual understanding, not based on imposition” – This is the sentence that Frimpong, the scholar from Ghana, used to describe China–Africa cooperation.

Echoing Frimpong, Rana Mohamed Abd El Aal Mazid, the head and associate professor of political science at Suez Canal University in Egypt, told the Global Times that the Chinese perspective is very different, with the keywords of “friends,” “let’s go together” and “Global South.”

China insists on not interfering in any country’s internal affairs and does not attach any conditions. When China cooperates with Africa, African countries are able to gain a level of respect and equality. This equal partnership has formed a model for how countries engage, Song concluded.

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/bri-deeply-integrated-into-african-development-more-pragmatic-cooperation-expected-in-focac-302235822.html

SOURCE Global Times

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DKSH Healthcare and Euris Unveil CRM & MCE Platform “ConnectPlus” to Revolutionize APAC Healthcare Distribution

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November 13, 2024

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DKSH Healthcare and Euris have launched “ConnectPlus”, a complete Customer Relationship Management (CRM) and Multi-Channel Engagement (MCE) platform set to transform healthcare distribution across APAC. This data-driven, agile solution enhances efficiency by providing a comprehensive view of healthcare professionals and optimizing omnichannel engagement strategies. From January 2025, ConnectPlus will strengthen DKSH Healthcare’s commitment to commercial excellence by boosting engagement with clients, customers, and patients across the healthcare ecosystem in Thailand.

SINGAPORE, Nov. 13, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — DKSH Healthcare Business Unit, in partnership with Euris, is introducing ConnectPlus, a data-driven Customer Relationship Management (CRM) and Multi-Channel Engagement (MCE) platform aimed at transforming healthcare distribution across the Asia Pacific region. Designed to enhance productivity and operational efficiency, this platform provides a 360° view of healthcare professionals, streamlines MCE, and strengthens DKSH Healthcare’s ability to tailor interactions and marketing strategies. The roll-out will start in Thailand in January 2025. With this new platform DKSH Healthcare reinforces its dedication to commercial excellence by enlarging possibilities and improving interactions with clients, customers, and patients.

Bijay Singh, Head of Business Unit Healthcare at DKSH, emphasized the transformative potential of ConnectPlus, “With ConnectPlus, we are not just improving our operations, we are setting a new benchmark for healthcare distribution across Asia Pacific. By integrating technology with our deep market expertise, DKSH Healthcare is enhancing its role as a strategic healthcare partner. This platform will not only empower our teams to engage more effectively with healthcare professionals but will ultimately contribute to better health outcomes by improving patients’ access to quality care. ConnectPlus represents a pivotal step in our journey toward data-driven excellence and reinforces our commitment to leading with agility in an evolving healthcare landscape.”

The introduction of ConnectPlus underscores DKSH Healthcare’s commitment to harnessing digital solutions that orchestrate and maximize impact of both client and patient interactions, while upholding a high standard of operational excellence. ConnectPlus empowers DKSH to tap into the vast potential provided by the global healthcare big data market[1] by delivering precise, targeted engagement strategies that cater to the unique needs of healthcare professionals, clients, and patients across the region.

Furthermore, ConnectPlus is strategically designed to leverage the existing preference of face-to-face sales visits[2], by orchestrating personalized digital touchpoints, based on data driven insights, to prepare and enhance in-person interactions. The platform’s ability to blend in-person and digital strategies is essential for maximizing outreach and driving meaningful engagement[3].

By integrating advanced AI and analytics, ConnectPlus not only streamlines communication and marketing efforts but also personalizes interactions based on real-time data, ensuring relevance and impact. This marks a crucial milestone in DKSH Healthcare’s journey towards fully integrating digital innovation into its operations, reinforcing its leadership in driving agility and efficiency within the rapidly evolving healthcare landscape.

Delphine Poulat, CEO at Euris, remarked, “As the partner of choice for healthcare stakeholders globally, we are thrilled to collaborate with DKSH Healthcare, who have chosen Euris SmartReps Suite, as the CRM & MCE platform for ConnectPlus. In today’s healthcare environment, personalized, data-driven interactions are critical. ConnectPlus is designed to provide DKSH Healthcare with the insights needed to understand their customers better, foster stronger face-to-face interactions, and ultimately drive sales growth. Our flexible, closed-loop marketing approach leverages data to deliver tailored content and deepen customer relationships, all while ensuring agility in meeting local market needs. We are proud to support DKSH Healthcare by offering a complete SaaS CRM & MCE platform putting the healthcare professional knowledge and experience at the center of the strategy.”

[1] Source: Patient engagement technology market to rise by $37.4b through 2028, https://healthcareasiamagazine.com/healthcare/news/patient-engagement-technology-market-rise-374b-through-2028 

[2] Source: Overcoming HCP Engagement Fatigue with Data-Driven Insights, https://www.pharmexec.com/view/overcoming-hcp-engagement-fatigue-with-data-driven-insights 

[3] Source: Did Pharma Overshoot Digital Sales Rep Calls? Study Charts Decline in Effectiveness, https://www.fiercepharma.com/marketing/did-pharma-overshoot-digital-sales-rep-calls-study-charts-decline-effectiveness#:~:text=Last%20month,%2044%%20of

About DKSH  

DKSH’s purpose is to enrich people’s lives. For almost 160 years, DKSH has been delivering growth for companies in Asia and beyond across its Business Units Healthcare, Consumer Goods, Performance Materials, and Technology. As a leading Market Expansion Services provider, DKSH offers sourcing, market insights, marketing and sales, eCommerce, distribution and logistics as well as after-sales services. DKSH is a participant of the United Nations Global Compact and adheres to its principles-based approach to responsible business. Listed on the SIX Swiss Exchange, DKSH operates in 36 markets with 29,040 specialists, generating net sales of CHF 11.1 billion in 2023. As a strategic healthcare business partner, DKSH Business Unit Healthcare distributes pharmaceuticals, consumer health, and over-the-counter products as well as medical devices. With around 8,140 specialists, the Healthcare Business Unit generated net sales of CHF 5.6 billion in 2023. www.dksh.com/hec

About Euris

Euris is an IT group specialized in healthcare and pharmaceutical industry operating in over 50 countries. Euris delivers a comprehensive IT value chain through 2 business units: Healthcare SaaS CRM edition & Integration and Health Data Hosting. Euris’ Suite of Commercial and Marketing excellence modules, named SmartReps®, is recognized among the best-in-class solutions in the Gartner Market Guide for CRM in Pharmaceuticals and Biotechnology. www.euris.com

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SOURCE DKSH

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Cisco and LTIMindtree Expand Partnership to Deliver Next-Generation Secure Access Globally

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November 13, 2024

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News Summary:

LTIMindtree will leverage Cisco Secure Access as its new security service edge (SSE) solution to protect its 80,000 hybrid workers with secure internet access, advanced zero trust network access and embedded AI.Extending its networking partnership with Cisco, LTIMindtree now offers next-generation SSE to its global clients via Cisco Secure Access.Clients can work jointly with both companies to adopt a broad set of cloud security functions in a single, easy-to-use dashboard with Cisco Secure Access.

MELBOURNE, Australia, Nov. 12, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — CISCO LIVE — Cisco (NASDAQ: CSCO), the leader in enterprise networking and security, announced that LTIMindtree is now leveraging Cisco Secure Access as its security service edge (SSE) solution to enable secure hybrid work experiences for its employees and customers worldwide.

“With Cisco’s zero trust approach and embedded AI, it was an easy decision to replace our long-standing SSE solution with Cisco Secure Access,” said Nachiket Deshpande, Chief Operating Officer & Whole-time Director, LTIMindtree. “We were able to quickly deploy the solution, and it now protects our hybrid workforce while delivering a better user experience and simplified IT management.”

Cisco and LTIMindtree have also extended their partnership to deliver integrated Secure Access Service Edge (SASE) solutions based on Cisco technology to LTIMindtree’s global client base. LTIMindtree’s expertise in tailoring solutions to the specific vertical requirements is the perfect complement to Cisco’s technology, including Cisco Secure Access and SD-WAN, delivering seamless and secure connected experiences for both remote and in-office workers.

“Great workplaces require great security. With AI-powered threats rising, we are combating sophisticated attackers across a more expansive landscape. Our customers need their security to operate in the background, at machine scale to make the experience seamless and secure for hybrid workers,” said Jeetu Patel, Executive Vice President and Chief Product Officer, Cisco. “LTIMindtree’s rapid deployment of Secure Access is a great testament to Cisco’s platform strategy and differentiation. Together with our partners, we are changing what user protection means for a modern workplace.”

With Cisco Secure Access, decisions about how users connect to applications are handled behind the scenes via a unified agent, so users get to what they want more quickly. With low-latency connections and transparent identity-based authentication, users are more secure with less hassle. For IT organizations, Cisco Secure Access provides an easy pathway to zero trust and zero trust network access (ZTNA), while also simplifying operations with a unified console and AI-guidance. Secure Access is part of the Cisco Security Cloud, its unified, AI-driven, cross-domain security platform.

To learn more, visit cisco.com/go/security.

Additional Resources:

Introducing Cisco Secure Access

About Cisco
Cisco (NASDAQ: CSCO) is the worldwide technology leader that securely connects everything to make anything possible. Our purpose is to power an inclusive future for all by helping our customers reimagine their applications, power hybrid work, secure their enterprise, transform their infrastructure, and meet their sustainability goals. Discover more on The Newsroom and follow us on X at @Cisco.

Cisco and the Cisco logo are trademarks or registered trademarks of Cisco and/or its affiliates in the U.S. and other countries. A listing of Cisco’s trademarks can be found at www.cisco.com/go/trademarks. Third-party trademarks mentioned are the property of their respective owners. The use of the word partner does not imply a partnership relationship between Cisco and any other company.

About LTIMindtree
LTIMindtree is a global technology consulting and digital solutions company that enables enterprises across industries to reimagine business models, accelerate innovation, and maximize growth by harnessing digital technologies. As a digital transformation partner to more than 700 clients, LTIMindtree brings extensive domain and technology expertise to help drive superior competitive differentiation, customer experiences, and business outcomes in a converging world. Powered by 84,000+ talented and entrepreneurial professionals across more than 30 countries, LTIMindtree — a Larsen & Toubro Group company — solves the most complex business challenges and delivers transformation at scale. For more information, please visit https://www.ltimindtree.com/.

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/cisco-and-ltimindtree-expand-partnership-to-deliver-next-generation-secure-access-globally-302303426.html

SOURCE Cisco Systems, Inc.

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PixArt Imaging Unveils the “Magic Sensor”, PAC9001 Smart Pixel Optical Sensing Device: A Revolution in AI-Driven Sensor Technology

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November 13, 2024

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HSINCHU, Nov. 12, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — As the demand for intelligent automation grows alongside AI and IoT, PixArt Imaging proudly introduces its latest innovation, the “magic sensor,” PAC9001 Smart Pixel Optical Sensing Device. Designed to revolutionize object presence detection across industries, the PAC9001 combines exceptional real-time performance and high efficiency in a compact, privacy-focused sensor.

The PAC9001 uses advanced AI-powered pixel processing to analyze visual information directly at the pixel level, a breakthrough that reduces data transmission needs and minimizes power consumption. This “smart” processing capability enables the PAC9001 to support rapid, high-accuracy applications in sectors such as retail, logistics, manufacturing, smart home, and PC peripherals. With its high sensitivity, the PAC9001 functions seamlessly even when concealed, providing essential insights without capturing identifiable images. This ensures enhanced privacy, making it ideal for settings like crowd control and security.

PixArt’s industry-leading expertise in imaging and sensor technology allows the PAC9001 to achieve low latency and energy efficiency while fitting effortlessly into devices, thanks to its compact module form of just W3.79 x L3.63 x H1.67 mm³. Its ability to detect and respond to object motion makes it invaluable in real-world applications, especially for edge devices requiring timely, precise sensing.

PixArt Imaging’s CEO, Sen Huang, commented, “Our vision is to enable smarter, more adaptive devices that transform the way we interact with technology. The PAC9001 represents our commitment to pioneering the next generation of sensor technology, combining the best of AI and pixel-level processing to deliver powerful, actionable insights. We’re thrilled to introduce this product to a world where privacy, efficiency, and real-time responsiveness have never been more important. Like a ‘magical’ presence working behind the scenes, the PAC9001 not only enables front-facing applications but also powers big data, enabling smart systems to collect valuable insights for user behavior predictions.“

The PAC9001 also features PixArt’s proprietary Smart Motion Detection (SMD) and Pixel Difference Mode (PDM), enabling it to adapt to environmental changes and deliver high-precision data in varying lighting conditions, from bright daylight to darkness, at distances up to 5 meters. This advanced sensing capability ensures minimal false alarms compared to traditional PIR systems, making the PAC9001 a versatile and scalable solution for a wide range of industries and applications.

Combining advanced sensing, processing, and energy-saving technologies, the PAC9001 stands out as a game-changer for those seeking efficient, integrated solutions for next-generation smart devices.

For more information, visit PixArt Imaging. 

About PixArt Imaging Inc.

Founded in July 1998 and headquartered in Hsinchu, Taiwan, operates offices in the USA, Denmark, Malaysia, Japan, Korea, and China, providing services in IC design, R&D, manufacturing and sales. Specializing in sensing and navigation IC design, we focus on CMOS imaging, capacitive touch, MEMS sensing technologies to put into ASIC for human-machine interfaces and machine vision. Leveraging on our expertise in sensing and system design technologies, PixArt is strategically broadening our product lineup across diverse application markets. Our focus is on delivering top-tier image quality, optimizing for ultra-low power usage, compact designs, and seamless system-on-a-chip (SoC) integration; allowing us to drive innovation and meet evolving market demands in a versatile, energy-efficient, and highly integrated structure, positioning us to make impactful strides across varied technology sectors.

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/pixart-imaging-unveils-the-magic-sensor-pac9001-smart-pixel-optical-sensing-device-a-revolution-in-ai-driven-sensor-technology-302301941.html

SOURCE PixArt Imaging Inc.

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