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Jaishankar discusses possibilities of exploring ‘logistics hub’ in Panama

Addressing the joint presser on Tuesday, the EAM said the two countries have a lot in common, including market economies, pluralistic societies, and political democracies…reports Asian Lite News

On his visit to Panama, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar said the two sides discussed the possibilities of exploring a logistics hub here for Indian companies in the Central-American country as the two nations have been strong and close friends traditionally.

“Among the specific issues that we discussed were those pertaining to trade and investment, and the possibilities of exploring a logistics hub here for Indian companies,” Jaishankar said during a joint press briefing with Foreign Minister of Panama, Janaina Tewaney Mencomo, in Panama City. The press briefing followed a discussion on several bilateral issues related to health and trade. Addressing the joint presser on Tuesday, the EAM said the two countries have a lot in common, including market economies, pluralistic societies, and political democracies.

He said, “Politically, we are… India and Panama have been strong and close friends traditionally. We share the attributes of being politically democracies, of being market economies, of being pluralistic societies and our world outlook is also very similar, we take independent positions. We are part of a larger South-South Cooperation. So there is a very good base of understanding and friendship on which our discussions were held today.”

Calling his visit to Panama a pleasure, he said that during the discussions held during his visit to the Central American country, a number of issues were discussed which focus on deepening friendship between the two nations, and how to expand the cooperation.

Jaishankar said, “We discussed the challenges of affordable health of more decentralized production of medicines in the world including in this region. We also spend some time discussing possibilities in energy, in renewables.”

He also underlined that one of the major steps on which the two sides agreed to proceed forward was to welcome a Panamanian delegation to India later this year, both a government delegation and a business delegation, the official release said.

Moreover, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Monday (local time) also took a veiled dig at Pakistan and said that it is very difficult to engage with a neighbour, who practices cross-border terrorism against India.

Jaishankar said, “The bottom line on this issue is it is for us very difficult to engage with a neighbour who practices cross-border terrorism against us. We’ve always said that they have to deliver on the commitment not to encourage, sponsor and carry out cross-border terrorism. We continue to hope that one day we would reach that stage.”

EAM Jaishankar is on a two-day visit to Panama. He arrived in Panama City on Monday and was received by Panama’s Vice Minister for Foreign Affairs Vladimir Francos.

Taking to his official Twitter handle, Jaishankar stated, “Arrived in Panama City. Thank Vice Minister for Foreign Affairs @VladimirFrancoS for the warm reception. Look forward to a packed bilateral and multilateral agenda.”

EAM Jaishankar also attended the India-Latin America Business event and delivered a keynote address highlighting ten important reasons why the India-Panama business collaboration has strong prospects and merits-focused endeavours.

After his visit to Panama, the EAM on April 25 will embark on a Colombia visit where he will be meeting several top representatives of the Government, business and civil society. (ANI)

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Arab News Business Saudi Arabia

Amazon backs Saudi entrepreneurs to establish logistics start-ups

Amazon will take an active role in its partnership with each entrepreneur, helping to minimise start-up costs by securing the most favourable terms for resources needed to operate a delivery business…reports Asian Lite News

 Amazon today announced the launch of the latest iteration of its global Delivery Service Partner program that empowers local entrepreneurs to set up and manage their own logistics businesses delivering Amazon packages. Saudi Arabia is the first country in the region to host the flagship program, which will be expanded to cover the MENA region at a later stage. Launched in collaboration with Monsha’at – the General Authority for SMEs, it aims to establish more than 30 new local start-ups and create hundreds of job opportunities within the local logistics sector during the program’s first three years.

The Delivery Service Partner program was announced during a ceremony held at Monsha’at’s headquarters in Riyadh and attended by the Authority’s Governor Eng. Saleh Al-Rasheed and Ronaldo Mouchawar, Vice President of Amazon MENA.

Saudi entrepreneurs who join the Delivery Service Partner program can take advantage of various benefits, including a specific delivery volume from Amazon, access to the company’s sophisticated delivery technology, hands-on training, and discounts on a suite of assets and services such as Amazon-branded vehicles, branded uniforms, and comprehensive insurance.

Last March, Amazon signed an MoU with Monsha’at to empower local seller SMEs. Amazon’s new initiative to nurture logistics start-ups further aligns with Monsha’at’s vision to incentivise and invest in SMEs. As the program grows, it will create hundreds of jobs in the logistics sector across the country, supporting Saudi Arabia’s burgeoning eCommerce sector and upskilling local talent with future-ready skills.

Speaking about Amazon’s new initiative, Monsha’at Governor Eng. Saleh Al-Rasheed, said, “Small and medium enterprises are a key contributor to the national economy, and we at Monsha’at are keen to support and enable this vital sector through several programs, agreements and public-private sector partnerships. This initiative from Amazon clearly reflects this spirit of cooperation and represents a key outcome of the agreements signed during the Global Entrepreneurship Congress (GEC), which was organized by Monsha’at in cooperation with the Global Entrepreneurship Network. We look forward to this ambitious program achieving its goal of supporting the entrepreneurial environment in the Kingdom and emerging as a leading model for partnerships between the public and private sectors.”

Ronaldo Mouchawar, Vice President of Amazon MENA, said, “Saudi Arabia’s entrepreneurs inspire us with their vision, grit, and ingenuity as they set new benchmarks in customer-centric thinking every day. At Amazon, we reiterate our commitment to championing SMEs across the region. With our new Delivery Service Partner program, we provide the tools, technology, and know-how for any interested Saudi entrepreneur to set up and run their own logistics company. Through this initiative, we aim to empower enterprising innovators, enable start-ups and emerging brands across the Kingdom to realise their full potential, and contribute to Saudi Arabia’s strong, fast-growing digital economy.”

Amazon will take an active role in its partnership with each entrepreneur, helping to minimise start-up costs by securing the most favourable terms for resources needed to operate a delivery business.

The first entrepreneur to join the Delivery Service Partner program, Sahal Shuaib, said, “With eCommerce on the rise over the past few years, I had been dreaming about getting into the logistics industry for some time, but did not have the experience or the know-how. When Amazon launched the Delivery Service Partner program, I realized that my dream became a reality, as the program provided me access to Amazon’s global logistics experience and technology. This is an excellent opportunity to learn while I earn and grow my own business. I am proud to say we rolled out our first deliveries to Saudi customers last week. With a specific delivery volume from Amazon and access to its sophisticated tools and assets, the Delivery Service Partner program represents an outstanding way for budding entrepreneurs to build a thriving business.”

Any motivated individual with no prior background in delivery services can aspire to join the Delivery Service Partner program. Self-starter Saudi nationals with 5-10 years of professional experience delivering results in operations roles such as managing events, operations, construction, and teams, as well as workers who are interested in starting their own delivery business in Saudi Arabia may apply for the program through the following link www.amazon.sa/DSP.

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Categories
-Top News Business UK News

£460 million logistics contract to sustain more than 600 jobs

Around 300 jobs will be sustained at Boeing Defence UK’s Milton Keynes and Bristol sites, as well as a further 375 roles in the wider UK supply chain including IBM, Fujitsu, Sopra Steria and BAE Systems…reports Asian Lite News

A logistics system critical to UK Armed Forces operations worldwide will be supported under a new five-year, £460 million contract with Boeing Defence UK.

The contract supports implementation of the Integrated Review and Defence Command Paper, published last year, which placed an emphasis on more productive, active and globally deployed Armed Forces.

Logistics Information Systems (LogIS) support vital services including inventory, transport, engineering and general ledger management, ensuring the UK can successfully deploy military personnel and equipment globally.

Supporting the Ministry of Defence’s ongoing Modernising Defence Programme, this new contract will ensure all single services have access to a single technology-enabled system to support essential inventory services, covering everything from washers and bolts to replacement parts for nuclear missiles.

Around 300 jobs will be sustained at Boeing Defence UK’s Milton Keynes and Bristol sites, as well as a further 375 roles in the wider UK supply chain including IBM, Fujitsu, Sopra Steria and BAE Systems.

Minister for Defence Procurement, Jeremy Quin said, “This contract helps ensure our Armed Forces can rapidly deploy personnel and equipment on operations at home and abroad whenever required, maintaining their reputation as one of the finest fighting forces in the world.”

Safeguarding the UK’s ability to provide critical defence, security and resilience, the contract enables the management of current and future equipment through ongoing access to cutting-edge software applications that are maintained and updated in line with the changing needs of Defence.

Head of Support Chain Information Systems at Defence Equipment & Support, Dave Penlington said, “Defence cannot mount or sustain operations without logistics information. This crucial capability will make our Armed Forces more agile and better placed to support future cutting-edge equipment. I am delighted that the team’s hard work alongside industry has ensured the UK Armed Forces have the tools they need to do their jobs effectively.”

Director Support Transformation at UK Strategic Command, Air Vice Marshal Richard Hill said, “Securing this contract will provide the means to deliver and modernise Logistic Information Systems (LogIS). This in turn will enable our transformation programme by integrating with industry partners to deliver Support Advantage.”

Negotiated by Defence Equipment and Support (DE&S), the procurement arm of the UK Ministry of Defence, the £460 million contract is being delivered three months early and is expected to save £54 million over the five years.

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