<img class="gwt-Image" src="/photo/55065973.cms" /> India managed to just move up one rank on the <keyword id="6354424" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="20" keywordseo="World-Bank">World Bank</keyword>’s ease of doing business ranking this year. This comes as a disappointment as the Indian government has been making concrete efforts to improve its ranking with a lot of initiatives. The government was targeting to move up into the top 50. But, India is at 130th spot out of 190 countries. 
 
"India has embarked on an ambitious reform path, to list the developments. The country has embarked on a fast-paced reform path, and the Doing Business 2017 report acknowledges a number of substantial improvements,, the report said, mentioning electricity connections to businesses, paying taxes, electronic system for paying employee state insurance contributions, electronic filing of integrated customs declarations, the Companies (Amendment) Act, passage of the commercial courts and the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code. 
 
According to the report, India has made improvement in areas like electricity connections but couldn’t develop in other areas that included payment of taxes and enforcing contracts, prevented improvement on the rankings that is followed widely by global investors. Other factor that affected the ranking was many nations worked on improving the business environment. According to the World Bank report, a record 137 economies around the world have adopted key reforms that make it easier to start and operate small and medium-sized businesses. 
 The government officials however are not losing their hopes and believe that the efforts will be recognized in the coming years. “We are engaging continuously and closely with the World Bank...Many of our reforms have not been recognised by them. However in many areas we are getting closer to best practices,” said <keyword id="254331" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="Ramesh-Abhishek">Ramesh Abhishek</keyword>, secretary at the <keyword id="6423836" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="20" keywordseo="Department-of-Industrial-Policy-and-Promotion">Department of Industrial Policy and Promotion</keyword> (DIPP). 
 
On the issue of getting electricity, India moved up to 26th rank from 70th last year. The country however fell several ranks in parameters such as payment of taxes, trading across borders, and enforcing contracts. 
 
The officials however said that the report overlooked and didn’t covered many achievements by the governments. 
 
"It is disappointing that many achievements have not been covered by the report due to methodological issues. We are hopeful that they will take into account all implemented reforms in future reports,” Abhishek said. 
 <keyword id="22501" type="COUNTRY" weightage="20" keywordseo="New-Zealand">New Zealand</keyword> topped the World Bank ranking for ease of doing business, followed by Singapore, Denmark, Hong Kong, South Korea, Norway, UK, US, Sweden, and former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia. Pakistan made it to the world's top 10 improvers, based on reforms undertaken. The list is topped by <keyword id="191501" type="COUNTRY" weightage="20" keywordseo="Brunei-Darussalam">Brunei Darussalam</keyword>, followed by <keyword id="6380984" type="COUNTRY" weightage="20" keywordseo="Kazakhstan">Kazakhstan</keyword>, Kenya, Belarus, Indonesia, Serbia, Georgia, Pakistan, United Arab Emirates, and Bahrain.

India just improved by one spot in ease of doing business list, ranks 130 out of 190 nations

India offers huge <keyword id="20009960" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="investment-opportunities" source="keywords">investment opportunities</keyword> worth over <keyword id="20120060" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="USD-500-billion" source="keywords">USD 500 billion</keyword>, particularly in <keyword id="19914923" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="clean-energy" source="keywords">clean energy</keyword> value chain including <keyword id="19955662" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="renewables" source="keywords">renewables</keyword>, <keyword id="19990484" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="green-hydrogen" source="keywords">green hydrogen</keyword> and <keyword id="19931191" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="EV" source="keywords">EV</keyword>, by 2030, the <keyword id="19910473" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Commerce-ministry" source="keywords" meta.keywordsubtype="org" meta.entityname="Commerce ministry" meta.hostid="153" meta.entityid="Commerce ministry">commerce ministry</keyword> said on Thursday. This was stated by Commerce Secretary Sunil Barthwal, who is in Singapore for the two-day meet of the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework for Prosperity (IPEF) Clean Economy Investor Forum. The meeting, which started on Wednesday, brought together the region's top investors, clean economy companies, and start-ups to mobilise investments into <keyword id="20900661" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="sustainable-infrastructure" source="keywords">sustainable infrastructure</keyword>, <keyword id="21246486" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="climate-technology" source="keywords">climate technology</keyword>, and renewable energy projects. The 14-member IPEF bloc was launched jointly by the US and other partner countries of the Indo-Pacific region on May 23, 2022, in Tokyo. Together, they account for 40 per cent of the world's economic output and 28 per cent of trade. The framework is structured around four pillars relating to trade, supply chains, clean economy and fair economy. India has joined all the pillars except the trade. Australia, Brunei Darussalam, Fiji, India, Indonesia, Japan, the Republic of Korea, Malaysia, New Zealand, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, the US, and Vietnam are members of the bloc. Barthwal, during the inaugural IPEF Clean Economy Investor Forum, acknowledged the forum as a unique platform that brought global investors, policy makers, and academia under one roof, which would be instrumental in advancing sustainable infrastructure in the Indo-Pacific Region. The secretary while addressing the forum underlined the huge investment opportunities that "India offers of more than USD 500 billion, particularly in the clean energy value chain including renewables, green hydrogen and EV and its infrastructure transition, by 2030". Barthwal also highlighted key reforms around ease of doing business in India to improve business environment over the last decade. During the two-day event, more than 300 participants from financial institutions, multilateral development banks, venture capital funds, project owners, entrepreneurs and government agencies from IPEF partners actively participated under the sustainable infrastructure and climate tech engagement tracks. In the sustainable infrastructure track, after the screening, "four companies (ReNew Power, Avaada Energy Pvt Ltd, Indusbridge Capital Advisors LLP. Founder, SEIP, and Powerica Ltd) from India were shortlisted for pitching their concepts on energy transition, transport and logistics, and waste management/waste to energy to global investors," the ministry said. Similarly in the climate tech track, 10 Indian startups and companies (BluSmart, Recykal, LOHUM, Sea6 Energy, EVage Ventures, Kabira Mobility, Batx Energies, Newtrace and Alt Mobility, igrenEnergi, Inc.) were selected to pitch their innovative ideas, technologies and solutions that contribute to mitigating or adapting to climate change. Further, the ministry said that the forum resulted in USD 23 billion investment opportunities for sustainable infrastructure projects in the Indo-Pacific. The coalition estimates that its members, taken together, have over USD 25 billion in capital that can be deployed in Indo-Pacific emerging market infrastructure investments in the coming years. DFC's (Development Finance Corporation) Board has also approved an equity investment as part of the USD 900 million Eversource Climate Investment Partners-II fund, which will provide capital, management, and expertise to innovative companies using new and existing capabilities to address climate change in India and Southeast Asia. It added that the IPEF partners and the Private Infrastructure Development Group announced the operational launch of the IPEF Catalytic Capital Fund, which would deploy concessional financing, technical assistance, and capacity-building support to expand the pipeline of quality, resilient, and inclusive clean economy infrastructure projects in emerging and upper-middle income economies, for instance, projects in development include a renewable energy platform in India. The fund's founding supporters include Australia, Japan, Korea, and the US, which plan to provide USD 33 million in initial grant to catalyse up to USD 3.3 billion in private investment. "A coalition of investors, including Singapore's Temasek and GIC, have committed to injecting USD 25 billion in infrastructure investments in emerging markets that are part of an economic alliance between the US and several Asia-Pacific countries," it added. The event also witnessed signing of an offtake agreement between Sembcorp Green Hydrogen India, Kyushu Electric and Sojitz for production and export of 200 KTPA (kilotonne per annum) green ammonia from India to Japan. The programme was attended by ministers from Singapore and Japan and Barthwal. The agreement aims to increase production and export of 200 KTPA green ammonia in Phase-I (total 800 KTPA in 4 phases) at Tuticorin Port in India and export to Japan. The project proposed above would further the objective of the National Green Hydrogen Mission implemented by India towards making the country as global hub for production and export of green hydrogen and its derivatives. During an interaction with Indian companies and startups, Additional Secretary in the Department of Commerce and India's Chief Negotiator for IPEF Rajesh Agrawal said the forum provides an opportunity for Indian companies and startups to seek funding and collaborate with global investors.

India offers USD 500 billion investment opportunities in clean energy, green hydrogen and EV by 2030

<ul class="summary-list"><li>AmChams from four countries are calling on Biden to join the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership.</li><li>The CPTPP is an outgrowth of the <a href="https://ustr.gov/trade-agreements/free-trade-agreements/trans-pacific-partnership/tpp-full-text">Trans-Pacific Partnership</a>, a 12-country trade agreement that was signed by President Obama in 2016.</li></ul>As <keyword id="11909682" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="60" keywordseo="president-biden" source="Orion">President Biden</keyword> heads to New Zealand next week to attend the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation Leaders' Meeting, the American Chamber of Congresses from Singapore, Malaysia, Vietnam, and New Zealand are urging him to consider joining a sweeping international trade deal former President Trump <a href="https://ustr.gov/sites/default/files/files/Press/Releases/1-30-17%20USTR%20Letter%20to%20TPP%20Depositary.pdf">withdrew from in 2017. </a>The American Chamber of Congresses from Singapore, Malaysia, Vietnam, and New Zealand released a joint statement on Friday urging Biden to use the upcoming APEC event to announce his commitment to the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP). The combined AmChams represent hundreds of American businesses across the <keyword id="11911497" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="60" keywordseo="apac" source="Orion">APAC</keyword> region. The current CPTPP is an outcropping of the <a href="https://ustr.gov/trade-agreements/free-trade-agreements/trans-pacific-partnership/tpp-full-text">Trans-Pacific Partnership</a>, a 12-country trade agreement signed by President Obama in 2016 but <a href="https://www.brookings.edu/blog/unpacked/2017/03/24/trump-withdrawing-from-the-trans-pacific-partnership/">never ratified by Congress.</a> Republicans - and some <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/business/2015/jan/20/barack-obama-trans-pacific-partnership-republicans">Democrats</a> - argued the TPP would move US jobs overseas and only benefit large corporations while increasing the US trade deficit.In his first week in office, Trump withdrew from the deal."We're going to stop the ridiculous trade deals that have taken everybody out of our country and taken companies out of our country, and it's going to be reversed," Trump said at the time, reported <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2017/01/23/us/politics/tpp-trump-trade-nafta.html">The New York Times</a>. "I think you're going to have a lot of companies come back to our country."Following US withdrawal, the remaining 11 member states - Australia, Brunei Darussalam, Canada, Chile, Japan, Malaysia, Mexico, New Zealand, Peru, Singapore, and Vietnam - <a href="https://www.reuters.com/article/us-trade-tpp-idUSKCN1GK0JM">signed</a> the renamed Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership. Next week's APEC meeting would be an ideal time to announce a US recommitment to the agreement, the AmCham consortium said."Even after the United States withdrew from the agreement, the remaining countries kept the cornerstones of the agreement intact by including tough rules of origin, reducing tariffs, making supply chains more resilient, and agreeing on accession procedures for new candidates," it said in a statement. "Just as AmChams were the first US business associations to call for the Obama Administration to join TPP, as we saw first-hand the strategic and economic imperative to do so, the AmChams once again call on the Biden Administration to join the CPTPP, as the strategic and economic imperatives to do so are even greater now," Steven Okun, Senior Advisor at McLarty Associates and former Chair of AmCham Singapore, told Insider. The bid to have the US rejoin the agreement comes as <a href="https://www.cnbc.com/2021/09/27/analysts-on-chinas-bid-to-join-cptpp-strategic-competition-with-us.html">China formally applied</a> to join the CPTPP after several years of <a href="https://asia.nikkei.com/Politics/International-relations/Xi-says-China-will-consider-joining-TPP">President Xi Jinping expressing interest.</a>

American Chambers of Commerce across Asia are urging Biden to sign on to the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership

<ul class="summary-list"><li>Whatever happens in society resonates in the <keyword id="6357280" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="60" keywordseo="workplace">workplace</keyword>, and during this past year companies, just like the rest of society, have responded to everything from the global pandemic, to questions of social justice.</li><li>Work might never look exactly the same, as hybrid models between office and home become the norm, individuals are looking to live how they want, where they want. Technology advances have made this possible as never before. </li><li>Culturally, the workplace might undergo an even more profound sea change over the next period, as employees become more vocal about the responsibilities companies have to foster a more equitable society. </li><li>On January 27 at Noon ET, Insider is hositing a free virtual event, featuring speakers from <keyword id="47120" type="CITY" weightage="60" keywordseo="PG">P&amp;G</keyword>, <keyword id="128682" type="COMPANY" weightage="60" keywordseo="Netflix">Netflix</keyword>, <keyword id="28251" type="CITY" weightage="60" keywordseo="Dell">Dell</keyword>, and more, talking about the future of work, the office, and employee engagement.</li></ul>The office is a microcosm of the world. And the year 2020 has seen traditional ideas of workforce and workplace conditions and dynamics disrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic and social unrest. Employers were forced to rethink workplace protocols, invest in safety strategies and remote infrastructures and reevaluate what it means to lead an organization efficiently while finding opportunities for growth, inclusiveness and social empowerment. The constantly changing work environment requires clear communication plans, innovation in technology, and reevaluation of what community means. Technology plays a major role in managing performance and opportunities as well as employee health and safety, regardless of whether employees are working on-site, remote, or traveling. The remote workforce is here to stay as hybrid models of remote and on-site work emerge. It is up to organizations and their leaders to shift their approach in response to these pandemics from 'do it light' to 'do it right' in order to lead and foster innovation and talent for years to come.Business Insider's virtual event "Workplace Evolution" presented by Dell is taking place on January 27, 2021 at Noon ET, and will include conversations around how to empower remote and hybrid workers, what opportunities and challenges organizations face in this new world, and what the shift from "work from home" to "live at work" really means.<h2 dir="ltr">Speakers and sessions include: </h2><ul><li dir="ltr">Virtual Leadership - Creating New Habits for Leading in a Virtual Environment, featuring Penny Pullan, author of "Virtual Leadership: Practical Strategies for Getting the Best Out of Virtual Work and Virtual Teams". </li><li dir="ltr">The Big Shift of 2020, with Verna Meyers, VP of Inclusion Strategy at Netflix. </li><li dir="ltr">Empowering Your Employees, with Najuma Atkinson, SVP of Human Resources at Dell Technologies.</li><li dir="ltr">The New Workplace Landscape, featuring Karl Pressier, HR Director - Global Diversity and Inclusion at P&amp;G.</li></ul> <h1 class="formheader">Register For "Workplace Evolution"</h1> Afghanistan Åland Islands Albania Algeria American Samoa Andorra Angola Anguilla Antarctica Antigua and Barbuda Argentina Armenia Aruba Australia Austria Azerbaijan Bahamas Bahrain Bangladesh Barbados Belarus Belgium Belize Benin Bermuda Bhutan Bolivia, Plurinational State of Bonaire, Sint Eustatius and Saba Bosnia and Herzegovina Botswana Bouvet Island Brazil British Indian Ocean Territory Brunei Darussalam Bulgaria Burkina Faso Burundi Cambodia Cameroon Canada Cape Verde Cayman Islands Central African Republic Chad Chile China Christmas Island Cocos (Keeling) Islands Colombia Comoros Congo Congo, the Democratic Republic of the Cook Islands Costa Rica Côte d'Ivoire Croatia Cuba Curaçao Cyprus Czech Republic Denmark Djibouti Dominica Dominican Republic Ecuador Egypt El Salvador Equatorial Guinea Eritrea Estonia Ethiopia Falkland Islands (Malvinas) Faroe Islands Fiji Finland France French Guiana French Polynesia French Southern Territories Gabon Gambia Georgia Germany Ghana Gibraltar Greece Greenland Grenada Guadeloupe Guam Guatemala Guernsey Guinea Guinea-Bissau Guyana Haiti Heard Island and McDonald Islands Holy See (Vatican City State) Honduras Hong Kong Hungary Iceland India Indonesia Iran, Islamic Republic of Iraq Ireland Isle of Man Israel Italy Jamaica Japan Jersey Jordan Kazakhstan Kenya Kiribati Korea, Democratic People's Republic of Korea, Republic of Kuwait Kyrgyzstan Lao People's Democratic Republic Latvia Lebanon Lesotho Liberia Libya Liechtenstein Lithuania Luxembourg Macao Macedonia, the former Yugoslav Republic of Madagascar Malawi Malaysia Maldives Mali Malta Marshall Islands Martinique Mauritania Mauritius Mayotte Mexico Micronesia, Federated States of Moldova, Republic of Monaco Mongolia Montenegro Montserrat Morocco Mozambique Myanmar Namibia Nauru Nepal Netherlands New Caledonia New Zealand Nicaragua Niger Nigeria Niue Norfolk Island Northern Mariana Islands Norway Oman Pakistan Palau Palestinian Territory, Occupied Panama Papua New Guinea Paraguay Peru Philippines Pitcairn Poland Portugal Puerto Rico Qatar Réunion Romania Russian Federation Rwanda Saint Barthélemy Saint Helena, Ascension and Tristan da Cunha Saint Kitts and Nevis Saint Lucia Saint Martin (French part) Saint Pierre and Miquelon Saint Vincent and the Grenadines Samoa San Marino Sao Tome and Principe Saudi Arabia Senegal Serbia Seychelles Sierra Leone Singapore Sint Maarten (Dutch part) Slovakia Slovenia Solomon Islands Somalia South Africa South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands South Sudan Spain Sri Lanka Sudan Suriname Svalbard and Jan Mayen Swaziland Sweden Switzerland Syrian Arab Republic Taiwan, Province of China Tajikistan Tanzania, United Republic of Thailand Timor-Leste Togo Tokelau Tonga Trinidad and Tobago Tunisia Turkey Turkmenistan Turks and Caicos Islands Tuvalu Uganda Ukraine United Arab Emirates United Kingdom United States United States Minor Outlying Islands Uruguay Uzbekistan Vanuatu Venezuela, Bolivarian Republic of Viet Nam Virgin Islands, British Virgin Islands, U.S. Wallis and Futuna Western Sahara Yemen Zambia Zimbabwe Yes, you agree to receive marketing emails from Insider Inc. and event sponsors and accept the <a href="https://www.insider-inc.com/terms">terms and conditions</a>, <a href="https://www.insider-inc.com/privacy-policy">Privacy</a>, and <a href="https://www.insider-inc.com/cookie-policy">Cookie Policies</a> and agree to receive marketing emails from Insider Inc. 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Execs from Netflix, P&G, Dell, tackle the future of the workplace at Insider's upcoming virtual event

<ul class="summary-list"><li><keyword id="6354851" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="retail">Retail</keyword> innovations in subscription serivces, marketing, and delivery have accelerated with the global pandemic. </li><li>Consumers expect more from brands in terms of service and delivery, and in their responsiveness to issues related to social inequity. </li><li>IGNITION: A Retail Revolution features speakers from Macy's, Salesforce, GroupM, BARK, and DoorDash, featuring sessions.</li><li>Cassi Pittman Claytor, who was named one of Business Insider's <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/tb/the-list-of-300-people-transforming-business-in-north-america-2020-9">100 People Transforming Business in North America</a>, is keynoting the event with a session titled, "Brand Transformation Is The Key To Retail's Survival".</li></ul>Disruption in retail has only been accelerated by the global pandemic. Major changes from the decline of brick-and-mortar stores, to the rise of ecommerce, and growth in social commerce, have been since before people stayed home, bought online, and became more engaged in social issues.Join Business Insider for a series of conversations with entrepreneurs and industry experts to discuss new strategies, innovations, and retail's place in a society undergoing massive change.IGNITION: A Retail Revolution opens with a keynote titled "Brand Transformation is the Key to Retail's Survival", by Cassi Pittman Claytor, Climo Junior Professor of Sociology at Case Western Reserve University.Pittman Claytor, who was named one of Business Insider's <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/tb/the-list-of-300-people-transforming-business-in-north-america-2020-9">100 People Transforming Business in North America</a>, has consulted with companies like Sephora, demonstrating how racism interferes in each part of the customer journey, from the moment a consumer realizes they have a need to the moment they make that purchase.Other topics covered will include the rise of subscription services, "last mile" delivery partnerships, and social commerce in an omnichannel world. Speakers include: <ul><li>Kieley Taylor, Managing Partner, Global VP, Social, GroupM</li><li>Rob Garf, VP Industry Insights, Retail and Consumer Goods, Salesforce</li><li>Meghan Knoll, GM Super Chewer, BARK</li><li>Carly Brush, Director &amp; General Manager, Retail &amp; Fulfillment Incubation, DoorDash</li><li>Sean Barbour, VP of Supply Chain Strategy, Macy's</li><li>Shane Pittson, Head of Growth and Marketing, Quip</li></ul>The event will be hosted by Gloria Dawson, Senior Editor of Retail at Business Insider. Date and Time:<ul><li>November 12, 2020</li><li>12:00 pm-1:30 pm ET</li></ul> <h1 class="formheader">Register For "IGNITION: A Retail Revolution"</h1> Afghanistan Åland Islands Albania Algeria American Samoa Andorra Angola Anguilla Antarctica Antigua and Barbuda Argentina Armenia Aruba Australia Austria Azerbaijan Bahamas Bahrain Bangladesh Barbados Belarus Belgium Belize Benin Bermuda Bhutan Bolivia, Plurinational State of Bonaire, Sint Eustatius and Saba Bosnia and Herzegovina Botswana Bouvet Island Brazil British Indian Ocean Territory Brunei Darussalam Bulgaria Burkina Faso Burundi Cambodia Cameroon Canada Cape Verde Cayman Islands Central African Republic Chad Chile China Christmas Island Cocos (Keeling) Islands Colombia Comoros Congo Congo, the Democratic Republic of the Cook Islands Costa Rica Côte d'Ivoire Croatia Cuba Curaçao Cyprus Czech Republic Denmark Djibouti Dominica Dominican Republic Ecuador Egypt El Salvador Equatorial Guinea Eritrea Estonia Ethiopia Falkland Islands (Malvinas) Faroe Islands Fiji Finland France French Guiana French Polynesia French Southern Territories Gabon Gambia Georgia Germany Ghana Gibraltar Greece Greenland Grenada Guadeloupe Guam Guatemala Guernsey Guinea Guinea-Bissau Guyana Haiti Heard Island and McDonald Islands Holy See (Vatican City State) Honduras Hong Kong Hungary Iceland India Indonesia Iran, Islamic Republic of Iraq Ireland Isle of Man Israel Italy Jamaica Japan Jersey Jordan Kazakhstan Kenya Kiribati Korea, Democratic People's Republic of Korea, Republic of Kuwait Kyrgyzstan Lao People's Democratic Republic Latvia Lebanon Lesotho Liberia Libya Liechtenstein Lithuania Luxembourg Macao Macedonia, the former Yugoslav Republic of Madagascar Malawi Malaysia Maldives Mali Malta Marshall Islands Martinique Mauritania Mauritius Mayotte Mexico Micronesia, Federated States of Moldova, Republic of Monaco Mongolia Montenegro Montserrat Morocco Mozambique Myanmar Namibia Nauru Nepal Netherlands New Caledonia New Zealand Nicaragua Niger Nigeria Niue Norfolk Island Northern Mariana Islands Norway Oman Pakistan Palau Palestinian Territory, Occupied Panama Papua New Guinea Paraguay Peru Philippines Pitcairn Poland Portugal Puerto Rico Qatar Réunion Romania Russian Federation Rwanda Saint Barthélemy Saint Helena, Ascension and Tristan da Cunha Saint Kitts and Nevis Saint Lucia Saint Martin (French part) Saint Pierre and Miquelon Saint Vincent and the Grenadines Samoa San Marino Sao Tome and Principe Saudi Arabia Senegal Serbia Seychelles Sierra Leone Singapore Sint Maarten (Dutch part) Slovakia Slovenia Solomon Islands Somalia South Africa South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands South Sudan Spain Sri Lanka Sudan Suriname Svalbard and Jan Mayen Swaziland Sweden Switzerland Syrian Arab Republic Taiwan, Province of China Tajikistan Tanzania, United Republic of Thailand Timor-Leste Togo Tokelau Tonga Trinidad and Tobago Tunisia Turkey Turkmenistan Turks and Caicos Islands Tuvalu Uganda Ukraine United Arab Emirates United Kingdom United States United States Minor Outlying Islands Uruguay Uzbekistan Vanuatu Venezuela, Bolivarian Republic of Viet Nam Virgin Islands, British Virgin Islands, U.S. Wallis and Futuna Western Sahara Yemen Zambia Zimbabwe Yes, I agree to receive marketing emails from Insider Inc. and event sponsors and accept Insider Inc.'s website <a href="https://www.insider-inc.com/terms">terms of use</a> and <a href="https://www.insider-inc.com/privacy-policy">privacy</a> and <a href="https://www.insider-inc.com/cookie-policy">cookie</a> policies. 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SIGN UP NOW: Speakers from Macy's, BARK, Salesforce, DoorDash, and more talk about subscription services, "last mile delivery", and social justice at the IGNITION: A Retail Revolution virtual event

FATF expanded as Financial Action task Force was established during the G7 summit that was conducted in Paris in the year 1989. The stakeholders in this organization include the heads of the G7 countries, the heads of eight other countries and the President of the European Commission. FATF Objectives The principal objective of FATF is to evolve the standards and norms pertaining to the regulatory measures to combat money laundering, terrorist financing and a range of other related threats that pose a risk tot eh health of the international financial system. FATF works with the nation states to encourage some legislative changes and reforms in the sectors discussed above. Also, FATF provides policy recommendations that comply with the international standards in the line of combating money laundering, proliferation of the weapons of mass destruction, and terrorism funding. Since 1990, FATF has revised its recommendations four times. FATF Member Nations The official website of FATF says the organization has 39 members. The members of the FATF represent major financial centers around the world. What is FATF Blacklist? FATF Blacklist refers to the FATF list of "Non-Cooperative Countries or Territories" (NCCTs). The OECD Blacklist has been published from the year 2000 and this list consists of the names of the countries that are non-cooperative with regard to the global measures to combat money laundering and terrorism financing. The FATF updates this blacklist regularly by adding or deleting the entries made. The case of Pakistan and FATF Blacklist The FATF review entered Pakistan in the grey list in June 2018. The organization gave 27 action plans for the country to be fulfilled before September 2019 for being considered to get the country out of the grey list. The recent reviews have discovered that the country could only fulfill 7 conditions out of the 27 which will mean a bad performance by Pakistan in the lines of addressing the AML/CFT deficiencies. What can be expected during the FATF meeting in Paris on October 18, 2019? The FATF meeting in Paris on October 18, 2019 will decide what has to happen with the grey listing of Pakistan. The three possibilities in front of the country would be to get out of the grey list, to continue in the grey list or in the worst case, enter the black list. Only if three countries support the motion, Pakistan has chances of not entering the blacklist. In order to get out of the grey list, Pakistan will need the support of not less than 15 countries, which might not come through this time. So, the greatest chances are there for the country to be continued in the grey list. Implications of grey / black listing for Pakistan At a time when Pakistan is already facing a severe economic crisis, grey listing of the country will take a further toll on the country. It will make borrowing of money from other countries a difficult thing for Pakistan. The only choice for Pakistan could be to request for the International Monetary Fund (IMF) for help. If this has to come through, Pakistan will be forced to share the complete details about its foreign funding including China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), the Chinese funded project. If this happens, it will create a serious setback for both China and Pakistan as this project has been kept as a secrecy till date for some ulterior reasons. Summary of FATF Statements from 2012 FATF February 2012 statement identified 23 countries that had not implemented the FATF standards. The list said the countries that committed and addressing the AML/CFT deficiencies included Algeria, Angola, Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Bangladesh, Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, Kyrgyzstan, Mongolia, Morocco, Namibia, Nepal, Nicaragua, Sudan, Tajikistan, Trinidad and Tobago, Turkmenistan, Venezuela, and Zimbabwe. The countries that had committed, but did not make sufficient progress included Ecuador, Philippines, Vietnam, and Yemen. The 2012 FATF list also listed 17 countries as high-risk and non-cooperative including Iran, North Korea, Bolivia, Cuba, Ethiopia, Ghana, Indonesia, Kenya, Myanmar, Nigeria, Pakistan, Sao Tome and Principe, Sri Lanka, Syria, Tanzania, Thailand, and Turkey. FATF June 2013 statement listed 14 countries that were said to have strategic deficiencies coming as risk to the international financial system including Iran, North Korea, Ecuador, Ethiopia, Indonesia, Kenya, Myanmar, Pakistan, São Tomé and Príncipe, Syria, Tanzania, Turkey, Vietnam, and Yemen. The list also mentioned that the above said countries had not made sufficient progress with regard to addressing the deficiencies and had not committed to an action plan. FATF October 2013 statement mentioned the names of 13 countries that had strategic AML/CFT deficiencies and had not made the desired progress in rectifying the deficiencies or committing to an action plan. The names of the countries included Iran, North Korea, Algeria, Ecuador, Ethiopia, Indonesia, Kenya, Myanmar, Tanzania, Turkey, and Yemen. FATF February 2014 statement listed 11 countries that posed a risk to the international financial system including Iran, North Korea, Algeria, Ecuador, Ethiopia, Indonesia, Myanmar, Syria, Turkey, and Yemen. FATF June 2014 statement listed 6 countries that did not make sufficient progress in line with rectifying the AML/CFT deficiencies including Iran, North Korea, Algeria, Ecuador, Indonesia, and Myanmar. FATF February 2015 statement listed 6 counties that had made a significant progress with regard to improving their AML/CFT regime and said these countries were no longer subject to the FATF monitoring process. The countries included Cambodia, Kuwait, Namibia, Nicaragua, Pakistan, and Zimbabwe. The FATF October 2015 statement listed three counties including Iran, North Korea and Myanmar as non-cooperative jurisdictions and high risk countries with strategic deficiencies. February 2016 FATF statement dropped Panama from the grey list and called the two countries namely Iran and North Korea to apply counter-measures. Through the FATF February 2017 statement, the FATF published the following concern regarding North Korea saying, “The FATF remains concerned by the DPRK’s failure to address the significant deficiencies in its anti‑money laundering and combating the financing of terrorism (AML/CFT) regime and the serious threat this poses to the integrity of the international financial system. The FATF urges the DPRK to immediately and meaningfully address its AML/CFT deficiencies. Further, FATF has serious concerns with the threat posed by DPRK’s illicit activities related to the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction (WMDs) and its financing.” In November 2017, Uganda was removed from the FATF review process since the country had improved its AML/CFT regime. On the same grounds, Bosnia and Herzegovina were removed from the list in February 2018 and Iraq and Vanuatu were removed from the list in June 2018. The June 2018 Public Statement by FATF expressed its disappointment over Iran’s failure to implement its action plan to rectify the AML/CFT deficiencies. In the same Public statement, FATF grey listed Pakistan for the second time. See Also: <a data-type="tilCustomLink">Pakistan's fate hangs in balance as FATF begins meeting in Paris</a>

Explained: FATF Origin, Objectives, functions and why Pakistan is in trouble

<img class="gwt-Image" src="/photo/39345070.cms" /> 

	The Indian sub-continent has been working in cooperation with 33 nations to ensure peaceful use of outer space, the government said on Wednesday (July 30).
 According to a written response in the <keyword id="6355187" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="60" keywordseo="Lok-Sabha">Lok Sabha</keyword> by <keyword id="52861" type="PERSON" weightage="80" keywordseo="Jitendra-Singh">Jitendra Singh</keyword>, <keyword id="2451419" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="80" keywordseo="Minister-of-State-for-Department">Minister of State for Department</keyword> of Space, India has signed cooperative arrangements are with 33 countries including Russia, the United Kingdom, the United States of America, Egypt, France, Germany, Hungary, Indonesia, Israel, Italy, Japan, Kazakhstan, Mauritius, Mongolia, Myanmar, Republic of Korea and <keyword id="50996" type="COUNTRY" weightage="80" keywordseo="Saudi-Arabia">Saudi Arabia</keyword>. The countries which are cooperating with India are Syria, Spain, Sweden, Thailand, Norway, Peru, The Netherlands, Ukraine, Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Brunei Darussalam, Bulgaria, Canada, Chile and Venezuela. The minister added that India is also pursuing cooperation with other countries on peaceful uses of outer space. The areas of cooperation consist of <keyword id="2451421" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="80" keywordseo="Remote-Sensing-of-Earth">Remote Sensing of Earth</keyword>, <keyword id="6358065" type="PERSON" weightage="80" keywordseo="Satellite">Satellite</keyword> Communication, Launch Services, Telemetry and Tracking Support, Space Exploration, Space Law and Capacity Building, said Jitendra Singh. In a bid to utilise this cooperation to optimum level, <keyword id="116095" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="80" keywordseo="Indian-Space-Research-Organisation">Indian Space Research Organisation</keyword> (<keyword id="6358064" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="80" keywordseo="ISRO">ISRO</keyword>) is pursuing cooperation in advanced areas of space science and technology, said Jitendra Singh. This includes areas like: deep space navigation and communication support for space exploration missions, joint realisation of earth observation satellites with advanced scientific instruments, capacity building and disaster management support, he concluded. (Image: Thinkstock)

India Working With 33 Nations For Peaceful Use Of Outer Space

<div class="KonaFilter image-container float_right"><div class="image"><img src="https://static-ssl.businessinsider.com/image/53d7c978eab8eadc16c44751-710-532/commonwealth-cocktail.jpg?maxX=480" border="0" alt="Commonwealth Cocktail" width="480" style="float: right;" /><a href="https://www.facebook.com/PeopleMakeGlasgow/photos/pb.235097883181018.-2207520000.1406650683./816674498356684/?type=3&amp;theater">PEOPLE MAKE GLASGOW/Facebook</a>The Commonwealth Cocktail</div></div>Bartenders beware - this might be the most complicated drink on earth.
In celebration of the <a href="https://www.google.com/search?q=xx+commonwealth+games&amp;oq=XX+c&amp;aqs=chrome.0.69i59j69i57j0l4.975j0j7&amp;sourceid=chrome&amp;es_sm=91&amp;ie=UTF-8">XX Commonwealth Games</a> in Glasgow, Scotland, top Glasgow mixologist Mal Spence of the <a href="http://www.kelvingrovecafe.com/">Kelingrove Café</a> has created the Commonwealth Cocktail, which has a total of 71 ingredients.
That's the greatest number of ingredients ever used in one cocktail, <a href="http://peoplemakeglasgow.com/commonwealth-cocktail">according to People Make Glasgow</a>. 
The drink contains ingredients sourced from every nation competing in the Commonwealth games, making it truly representative of the event. Ingredients include papaya from Rwanda, dragonfruit from Belize, mangosteen from India, and red apple from England. 
Spence gave out 71 free Commonwealth Cocktails at the Kelvingrove Café beginning on July 23, and all 71 were gone by the end of that day, <a href="https://www.facebook.com/KelvingroveCafe">according to Kelvingrove Cafe's Facebook page</a>. However, People Make Glasgow does provide <a href="http://peoplemakeglasgow.com/media/230580/a5_cocktail_cards_05-2.jpg">a very modified recipe</a> for an at-home Commonwealth Cocktail, so you can get a little taste of the drink.
Here is the <a href="http://www.thedrinksbusiness.com/2014/07/record-breaking-cocktail-boasts-71-ingredients/">full list of ingredients</a> used in the Commonwealth Cocktail: 
Africa
Botswana: devils claw (genus clerodendrum)
Cameroon: bitter leaf (piper umbellatum)
Ghana: taro (psidium guajava)
Kenya: chives
Lesotho: rosehip
Malawi: cacao (pycreuscyperaceae)
Mauritius: wild raspberry (rubus rosifolius)
Mozambique: cassava
Namibia: prickly pear
Nigeria: utazi leaves
Rwanda: papaya
Seychelles: citronella
Sierra Leone: cashew nut (piassava)
South Africa: roobus
Swaziland: sycamore fig
Tanzania: cloves
Uganda: nakati eggplant
Zambia: sorrel
Americas
Belize: dragonfruit
Bermuda: arabica coffee beans
Canada: logan berry
Falkland Islands: bitter cress
Guyana: sugar cane
St. Helena: St. Helena tea plant
Asia
Bangladesh: jujubi
Brunei Darussalam: durian fruit
India: mangosteen
Malaysia: galangal
Maldives: pomegranate (annaaru)
Pakistan: saffron
Singapore: rambutan
Sri Lanka: ripe jakfruit
Caribbean
Anguilla: mango
Antigua &amp; Barbuda: tamarind
Bahamas: egg fruit
Barbados: sour cherry
British Virgin Islands: noni
Cayman Islands: sage (salvia caymanensis)
Dominica: guava leaf
Grenada: lemon grass
Jamaica: okra
Montserrat: devil's horse whip
St. Kitts &amp; Nevis: tamon
St. Lucia: sweet basil
St. Vincent &amp; The Grenadines: arrowroot
Trinidad &amp; Tobago: tonka bean
Turks &amp; Caicos Islands: sapodilla
Europe
Cyprus: basil-thyme (Α´κινος)
England: red apple
Gibraltar: maqui berry
Guernsey: blueberries
Isle of Man: new potatoes
Jersey: lavender
Malta: star anise
Northern Ireland: bog rosemary
Scotland: wild Scottish strawberry
Wales: wild cotoneaster
Oceania
Australia: aniseed myrtle (syzygium anisatum) (gundabluie) (bardi bush)
Cook Islands: custard apple seeds (annona reticulata)
Kiribati: dried coconut meat (copra)
Nauru: pumpkin seeds
New Zealand: manuka honey
Niue: paw paw
Norfolk Island: yam
Papua New Guinea: taro (colocasia esculenta)
Samoa: ladies finger (small, sweet banana)
Solomon Islands: taro leaves
Tonga: avocado (avoka)
Tuvalu: breadfruit
Vanuatu: plantain
Fiji: kava root

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