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Global Times: China a model for development that African countries can follow

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BEIJING, Sept. 1, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — The 2024 Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) will be held in Beijing from September 4 to 6. It takes place at a critical juncture when the world is grappling with various regional and global crises and there is a pressing need for countries from the Global South to join hands. How will this year’s FOCAC elevate ties between China and Africa? What is the significance of building a high-level China–Africa community with a shared future? The Global Times (GT) interviewed a number of former officials and pundits from various African countries to share their insights and stories. 

In the first article of this series, GT reporters Qian Jiayin and Bai Yunyi interviewed Essam Sharaf (Sharaf), former prime minister of Egypt and chairman of the Egyptian Sharaf Foundation for sustainable development. He said that China’s growing influence in Africa is timely, essential and vital.

GT: This year marks the 10th anniversary of the establishment of the comprehensive strategic partnership between China and Egypt. During these 10 years, you have visited China many times. When did you first come to China, and what was your first impression of China? How do you evaluate the deepening of the China–Egypt relationship?

Sharaf: I have visited China about 40 times, and my first visit was in 2005. Although, at the time, Egypt was leaning toward the US, I insisted on visiting China. When I arrived in China, I visited many places and met many people. To tell you the truth, I was impressed. I told my colleagues that China is a great country, and it will be a major country in the world.

Now, the relationship has deepened in terms of economic cooperation. But the most important thing is the political stances. The political stances of Egypt and China are almost identical. Egypt and China were upgraded to a strategic comprehensive relationship 10 years ago, which means there is now a deeper and wider level of relationship between the two countries, covering almost all aspects. If you ask me about the evolution, I believe that the relationship is very strong, and I hope that this relation grows and has a positive impact on both countries as well as other countries.

GT: The two great civilizations of China and Egypt each have a long history and splendid culture, as well as many similarities. As a politician from Egypt, with its great civilization, how do you evaluate the series of global initiatives and ideas proposed by China?

Sharaf: The relations between China and Egypt actually go back maybe 2,000 years through the ancient Maritime Silk Road. These two civilizations have influenced humanity, history and the civilization of the world over time. I believe that, for humanity, it is our responsibility to build on the relationship between these two countries, as very few countries have such deep civilizations. 

If we talk about global prosperity, global prosperity requires getting rid of the deficits in global peace, global trust, global connectivity and global development efforts, which are China’s global initiatives’ goals are. 

For example, the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) deals with international connectivity. BRI is actually considered the most important international cooperation platform. When we talk about a trust deficit, we have the Global Civilization Initiative. When we talk about reducing the security deficit, we’re talking about Global Security Initiative. When we talk about development deficits, there is the Global Development Initiative. I consider these initiatives to be a road map for the world toward global prosperity, global peace and global development. And it’s very difficult to have such a package from any other country.

GT: How do Egyptians, both the public and businesses, perceive the Belt and Road Initiative? Could you share some successful examples of infrastructure projects between China and Egypt?

Sharaf: In Egypt I found that the perception of BRI has changed over time from looking at the BRI as just a project to looking at it as a cooperation platform. That change, I believe, is highly correlated to the relations between China and Africa. I also believe the BRI has and will play a vital role in the development of the Global South.
 
Egyptians now perceive BRI in a much more comprehensive way than 10 years ago. For example, we have projects in different disciplines, like transportation, electricity and solar power, among others. And the most important one is the huge work of Chinese companies in the New Administrative Capital. China is doing an excellent job there.

Furthermore, China has a lot of experience with special trade and economic zones. We have a Chinese economic zone in Egypt now, but I believe that we need more as we benefit from the huge experience of China in this field. I believe that the Chinese can do a lot in terms of cultural exchanges and mutual learning, which is something we should work on. China and Egypt should cooperate and lead together through dialogue, and understanding. As the United Nations Secretary General said, we have a trust deficit. We need to talk, we need to understand each other, we need to get closer, and once we get to know each other and understand and respect each other, then the cooperation projects will be much, much easier.

GT: Have you taken note of the concept of “Chinese modernization”? Do you think China’s development model offers valuable insights for Egypt? What challenges does Egypt face when trying to adapt and localize these experiences?

Sharaf: China offered a model for modernization of developing countries. How China transferred from this level to this advanced level is very important for Egypt and other developing countries. China succeeded in achieving outstanding development through several modernization pillars, including putting people at the center, respect for diversity and innovation-driven development. 

Egypt is now surrounded by a hostile environment. But still, I believe that the closer relationship between Egypt and China will benefit us as we analyze the modernization process of China. Once we actually have a peaceful environment in the area, I believe Egypt will be able to make great strides toward real modernization.

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/global-times-china-a-model-for-development-that-african-countries-can-follow-302235599.html

SOURCE Global Times

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Typeform Delivers New Solutions to Empower B2C Businesses to Better Engage Customers

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November 14, 2024

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Brands can now use video, data enrichment, and AI-powered capabilities to create interactive, hyper-personalized experiences and uncover deeper insights

SAN FRANCISCO, Nov. 14, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — Typeform, the intuitive form builder and conversational data collection platform, today announced new features that provide business-to-consumer (B2C) businesses with the context, clarity, and convenience needed to better engage and understand their customers. Now businesses can further enhance the respondent experience, all while gathering richer, actionable data. 

Today, 70% of consumer decisions are based on emotion, including brand preference.¹ Buyers expect brands to tailor experiences to their personal preferences more than ever, but at the same time, they’re also becoming more cautious about sharing personal information. Typeform’s latest features help brands collect data directly from customers through interactive, personalized experiences they trust, then automatically enhance it with third-party insights to deepen their understanding. This empowers companies to deliver more targeted, data-driven marketing.

“Businesses can’t thrive on surface-level insights,” said Aleks Bass, Chief Product Officer, Typeform. “Our latest innovations give you the ability to dig deeper into truly knowing your customers by providing dynamic data collection experiences that encourage quality responses. Whether boosting conversions with a personalized product recommendation quiz or gathering feedback through video surveys, the common denominator is that your customers enjoy the experience.”

The offerings were unveiled at Typeforum 2024, Typeform’s first-ever virtual product spotlight event, designed to showcase the latest innovations from the company. Newly released features include: 

Enhanced Video Capabilities: Typeform now allows customers to respond with video, providing businesses deeper insights through voice and expressions, not just text. This builds on Typeform’s existing feature that enables creators to record, edit, and embed personalized videos into forms, boosting engagement and conversions. Typeform research found that 65% of marketers believe video is an effective tool for engaging and interacting with customers in ways that feel more human and create connection and loyalty.²Clarify with AI: Typeform’s Clarify with AI acts as a virtual interviewer, prompting follow-up questions based on customer responses. When a customer is asked about their experience and answers vaguely, like “good,” the AI encourages more detailed feedback, asking, “Good, how? What stood out?” For customers, it feels like a personalized conversation. For brands, it delivers more insights. Automated B2C Data Enrichment: Earlier this year, Typeform introduced automated B2B data enrichment, making it easier than ever to understand customers at a deeper level without needing to ask additional questions. Now, consumer-level enrichment is available in the Typeform platform. With just a personal email address, companies can pull in key data points from trusted third-party sources, providing a more complete picture of who’s on the other side of the screen.AI-powered Qualitative Analysis: With this feature, businesses can instantly analyze large volumes of text and video responses to surface key themes and insights, saving hours of manual work. Data Quality Tools: Invisible reCAPTCHA ensures data integrity by blocking bots and automated submissions, allowing only genuine responses to be collected. This safeguard enhances data reliability, helping teams make accurate, data-driven decisions.Klaviyo Integration: Typeform will soon be launching a new integration with Klaviyo, designed for B2C and direct-to-consumer (DTC) marketers. It will ensure that every insight gathered flows seamlessly into Klaviyo. Manual data transfers are eliminated as segments automatically update with Typeform data, enabling hyper-targeted campaigns customized to each customer’s unique profile. This integration combines Typeform’s interactive data collection with Klaviyo’s automation, facilitating more natural, personalized customer connections while driving business growth.

“We built a powerful product recommendation quiz not just to help our customers, but to generate invaluable data that allows us to better segment and engage them with relevant marketing,” said Addison Wennar, Digital Communications Manager, OGEE. “With the holiday shopping season approaching, these insights will be key. Typeform already delivers the highest response rates for us, and I’m excited to see how the new features will amplify that impact.”

The features are available today in Typeform for Growth plans. Watch the Typeforum 2024 recordings and learn how to use Typeform to better understand and engage customers here. 

About Typeform
Typeform is a distinctly intuitive form builder that helps over 150,000 customers collect and validate the data they need to grow their businesses. Designed with striking visuals, a conversational flow, and powerful data capabilities, Typeform empowers brands to give and get more with each form. Typeform drives more than 500 million responses each year and integrates with essential tools including Zapier, HubSpot, and Slack. For more information, visit www.typeform.com.

1         Pendell, R. (2024, October 15). Customer brand preference and decisions: Gallup’s 70/30 principle. Gallup.com. https://www.gallup.com/workplace/398954/customer-brand-preference-decisions-gallup-principle.aspx#:~:text=70%25%20of%20decisions%20are%20based,Making%20Process:%20Rational%20or%20Emotional?

2          Data from a survey of 105 Typeform customers conducted on September 30, 2024.

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SOURCE Typeform S.L.

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Electronic Drives and Controls Celebrates Impressive Growth and Strong Demand for Industrial Automation Solutions

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November 14, 2024

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EDC has announced 39% revenue growth over the past year and a strengthened presence in the metals converting and composites industries. The company has also maintained key certifications, including CSIA, UL508A, Rockwell Automation, Siemens, and Ignition.

PARSIPPANY, N.J., Nov. 14, 2024 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ — Electronic Drives and Controls, Inc. (EDC), a leading control system integrator and field service company for industrial automation and drive technology, today announced that the company has experienced a year of growth and success, achieving a 39% increase in revenue year-over-year. To meet the growing demand for automation and drive solutions, EDC has expanded its team, hiring Ricky Arcky as human resources manager and Tyler Schaberick as systems engineer. EDC attributes this growth to maintaining industry certifications, digital marketing efforts, a dedicated team, and strong, long-term partnerships.

“We are proud of the growth we’ve achieved this year, which is a testament to the hard work of our team and our commitment to delivering exceptional service to our clients.”

“We are proud of the growth we’ve achieved this year, which is a testament to the hard work of our team and our commitment to delivering exceptional service to our clients,” said Chuck Dillard, Vice President of EDC. “Our recent hires and increased project load reflect our strategy to grow both wider and deeper with our existing clients, as well as entering new industries.”

“We’ve put in years of preparation and invested heavily in digital marketing to get the word out about our services, knowing that growth was inevitable,” Dillard added. “Our team has worked tirelessly and the results speak for themselves: clients continue to return to us because of our technical expertise and the strong results we deliver.”

EDC’s expertise in coating & laminating, wire and cable, PLC programming and upgrades, as well as drive service, has allowed the company to strengthen its presence in the metals converting industry, securing new and expanded projects across multiple client plants. EDC has also successfully completed upgrades for a new client in the composites industry, widening the portfolio of industries it caters to.

In addition to recent growth, EDC remains committed to maintaining the highest industry standards through its CSIA certification, which ensures adherence to best practices in control system integration. Several certifications, including UL508A recertification and certifications from Rockwell Automation, Siemens, and Ignition, further emphasize EDC’s dedication to safety, technical proficiency, and continuous improvement.

About Electronic Drives and Controls, Inc.
Founded in 1968, Electronic Drives and Controls, Inc. (EDC) is a CSIA Certified control system integrator with deep domain expertise in the coating and laminating, and converting industries. The company’s large field service team specializes in AC and DC drives, PLCs and factory automation. Family owned and operated for more than 50 years, EDC’s team of engineers and technicians has a vast experience integrating new control systems and breathing life into older equipment. EDC has the engineering capability to design, build, start-up and service projects from the sophisticated to the simple and the service support team on call 24/7/365 to keep it all running at peak efficiency from day one and for years to come. In addition to the company’s certification as a Siemens Solution Partner and a Rockwell Automation Recognized System Integrator, EDC is a factory authorized/factory trained service center for over 40 drive brands. For more information, visit the company’s website, LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook, and YouTube.

Media Contact

Georgia Whalen, Rivergate Marketing, (978) 697-2664, Gwhalen@rivergatemarketing.com, www.electronicdrives.com/home/

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prweb.com/releases/electronic-drives-and-controls-celebrates-impressive-growth-and-strong-demand-for-industrial-automation-solutions-302305739.html

SOURCE Electronic Drives and Controls, Inc. (EDC)

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Allstate Financial Services Selects Covr to Provide Life Insurance, Long-Term Care, and Disability Insurance Solutions

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14 minutes ago

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November 14, 2024

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Covr’s Digitally Enabled Insurance Platform Will Simplify the Buying Process

HARTFORD, Conn., Nov. 14, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — Covr, a leading digital insurance provider, has partnered with Allstate Financial Services, LLC to offer a streamlined suite of life, long-term care (LTC), and disability income insurance solutions through Covr’s digital platform. This partnership provides Allstate Financial Services customers with a simple, connected experience, featuring an intuitive, paperless process that makes it easier than ever to purchase insurance tailored to their diverse needs.

Covr’s platform offers an easy-to-use, self-guided experience to efficiently compare and recommend insurance products. Additionally, Allstate Financial Services will offer a range of products through Covr’s platform, including guaranteed issue life insurance through Gerber Life and disability insurance through Assurity, Ameritas, MassMutual, Mutual of Omaha and Principal. Traditional long-term care will also be available through Mutual of Omaha.

“We are extremely pleased to add Allstate’s network of 7,000+ representatives to our insurance platform,” said Michael Kalen, CEO of Covr. “Their business owners and individual customer base fits perfectly with our portfolio of simplified life, LTC, and disability income solutions for agents and their customers.”

“We’re committed to expanding solutions that better meet our customers’ protection needs,” said Scott Delaney, President and CEO, Allstate Financial Services. “With Covr’s digital platform, our representatives can deliver a more connected experience and offer a broader range of insurance options tailored to each customer’s unique needs.”

Allstate representatives will collaborate closely with Covr’s sales team to ensure ongoing support. Allstate Financial Services will also benefit from Covr’s top-tier case management services, providing end-to-end support throughout the entire insurance process.

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/allstate-financial-services-selects-covr-to-provide-life-insurance-long-term-care-and-disability-insurance-solutions-302306004.html

SOURCE Covr Financial Technologies

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