With an estimated 1.2 billion young people between the ages of 15 and 24, the vast majority of them living in developing countries, youth are both a policy and political priority for many countries around the world. These numbers represent major development challenges, but also great opportunity.
Youth are particularly vulnerable to economic problems. They often do not have access to savings accounts, credit, or insurance due to lack of education and employment. Governments are aware of this and many are working to make it easier for young people to access financial services so they can transition smoothly into adulthood.
To view Multimedia News Release, go to http://www.multivu.com/mnr/56883-cgap-changing-mindsets-on-youth-opportunity-and-financial-services
The key theme of SPIEF 2013 will be ‘Finding Resolve to Build the New Global Economy’. The Forum’s participants will include leading political, business, and financial representatives from around the world. They will gather to engage in thoughtful dialogue regarding the most effective means of creating a viable and sustainable system for a constantly changing world.
To view the Multimedia News Release, go to http://www.multivu.com/mnr/61905-st-petersburg-economic-forum-2013
Under difficult economic conditions in Europe, in 2012 SPIE turned in a highly satisfactory financial performance featuring growth in turnover, a sustained pace of acquisitions and an improved profit margin.
The Group met all its performance targets in terms of margins and business volumes, cash and order intake. These results confirm the relevance of its business model and its strong market positioning.
To view Multimedia News Release, go to http://www.multivu.com/mnr/60649-SPIE-2012-results-targets-met
INRIX, a leading international provider of traffic information and driver services, today released its sixth Traffic Scorecard Annual Report, which revealed that traffic congestion is back on the rise in 2013 after two consecutive years of declines. In the first three months of this year, traffic congestion is up 4 percent compared to 2012. This suggests that after a tumultuous economic year in 2012, the economy is back on the mend bringing increased traffic congestion.
The uptick in traffic congestion in 2013 follows a 22 percent decrease in 2012. The “stop n go” nature of the results indicate an overall economic climate that has not yet returned to pre-recession levels in many areas, including total jobs and unemployment rates.
To view Multimedia News Release, go to http://www.multivu.com/mnr/61109-inrix-traffic-scorecard-reports-u-s-congestion-on-the-rise
Despite signs of economic recovery, a new survey says Americans’ confidence in their ability to afford a comfortable retirement remains at historic lows as workers appear to be grasping the realities of what they need to save.
The 2013 annual Retirement Confidence Survey, released today by the nonpartisan Employee Benefit Research Institute (EBRI) in Washington, and co-sponsored by the Principal Financial Group®, finds overall confidence levels are essentially unchanged since the record lows set in 2011. Only 13 percent are very confident they will have enough money for a comfortable retirement. A full 28 percent1— the highest number recorded during the 23 years of the survey—are not at all confident.
To view Multimedia News Release, go to http://www.multivu.com/mnr/60106-principal-financial-group-ebri-retirement-savings-confidence-survey
General Mills and Häagen-Dazs today announced an initiative designed to foster greater economic vitality for smallholder vanilla farmers in Madagascar and ensure the availability of high quality vanilla for future generations.
Häagen-Dazs, the world’s leading brand of super-premium ice cream, with the General Mills Foundation, will invest $125,000 over two years to benefit villages in Madagascar’s Sava region, home of the world’s highest quality vanilla. The commitment builds upon General Mills century-long history of working closely with farmers around the world to promote sustainable agriculture.
To view Multimedia News Release, go to http://www.multivu.com/mnr/60422-general-mills-haagen-dazs-vanilla-sourcing-small-farmers-madagascar
With women comprising half the U.S. workforce, 57 percent of household breadwinners, and 50 percent of business owners, the economic recovery depends largely on women’s productivity and innovation. Now a new book by Apollo Research Institute —the research arm of Apollo Group, which owns University of Phoenix and other education providers—presents groundbreaking research to show how women are redefining career paths and helping organizations emerge stronger out of the recession.
To view Multimedia News Release, go to http://www.multivu.com/mnr/59918-apollo-research-institute-women-lead-knowledge-economy-careers
Samruk-Kazyna increases the potential for cooperation in the implementation of investment projects in the petrochemical, hydro and thermal power, renewable and alternative energy, engineering, pharmacy.
Kazakhstan Sovereign Wealth Fund Samruk-Kazyna was established to improve the competitiveness of the national economy and prevent the negative impact of the world markets on the economic growth in the country. The main instrument to achieve these goals – diversification and innovative development of the national economy.
To view Multimedia News Release, go to http://www.multivu.com/mnr/58682-kazakhstan-wealth-fund-expands-horizons
A new Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU) report titled The Silent Pandemic: Tackling Hepatitis C with Policy Innovation, made possible as a result of an educational grant from Janssen Pharmaceutica NV and published today, highlights the urgent need for countries around the world to develop strategies to tackle head-on the growing social and economic issues associated with Hepatitis C (HCV).
While the total number of infected individuals is unknown due to a lack of available data, the World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that approximately 150 million people globally are currently living with the blood-borne infectious disease, HCV. Of these, up to two thirds will develop chronic liver disease and one in five will develop cirrhosis. HCV is also the leading cause of liver transplantation worldwide and in the US the disease now accounts for more deaths than HIV.
To view Multimedia News Release, go to http://www.multivu.com/mnr/58671-janssen-silent-pandemic-hepatitis-c
An improving economy coupled with a severe drought that caused increased feed costs for large birds generated a 4.8 percent surge in the 2012 PNC Christmas Price Index®, the whimsical economic analysis by PNC Wealth Management based on the gifts in the holiday classic, “The Twelve Days of Christmas.”
To view Multimedia News Release, go to http://www.multivu.com/mnr/42897-pnc-christmas-price-index
During the third quarter, we were again able to capture the benefits of AEGON’s strategic priorities, resulting in solid earnings growth, improved profitability of sales, lower expenses and a continued strong capital position. Our franchise remains healthy, as evidenced by the particularly high level of At-Retirement and pension sales. At the same time, we are making essential investments to reshape our businesses in both our established and developing markets to respond effectively to the changing conditions and new realities. Although there are signs of gradually improving market conditions, there remains considerable uncertainty in the general economic environment. Consequently, we believe it is prudent and necessary to maintain a sufficient financial buffer while at the same time adhering to our strict risk and pricing discipline. The steps we are taking across our organization to get closer to our end customers, combined with the strength of our current position, give us full confidence in the prospects for our business going forward.
To view Multimedia News Release, go to http://www.multivu.com/mnr/58637-aegon-quarter-3-results
Jointly hosted by several government departments including the National Tourism Administration of China, the General Administration of Sport of China and the Zhejiang Provincial Government, the 14th West Lake International Expo Hangzhou, China officially kicked off on October 13. Organization of the 22-day event was administered by Hangzhou’s municipal government.
The main venue for the event is located in the heart of Hangzhou, while activities are also taking place at an additional 14 smaller venues located in nearby locations including at the Hangzhou metropolitan economic zone and throughout the Yangtze River Delta. The 132–program event features a series of shows including West Lake International Fireworks Show, West Lake Art Expo, China International Press Photo Contest, West Lake International Sculpture Exhibition and China Arts and Crafts Masterwork Exhibition.
To view Multimedia News Release, go to http://www.multivu.com/mnr/58972-14th-west-lake-international-expo-hangzhou-china