Market Watch

Prime Minister of Grenada Dickon Mitchell For decades, we have aspired to regional integration. Yet, in many ways, we remain fragmented – socially, and politically. • Climate change continues to ravage our shores while we scramble for resources to rebuild. • Cybersecurity threats emerge as our economies digitise, yet we remain fragmented in our defences. • Social inequities persist, leaving too many of our people on the margins of opportunity. These challenges are not abstract. They are real, and they deeply impact the lives of our people. When a hurricane destroys a family’s home in Grenada, when a young girl in St Kitts and Nevis is denied meaningful access to the Internet she needs for her education, or when a business in Trinidad and Tobago struggles because of ineffective and outdated trade policies, these are not just policy issues. These are the lived realities of our people. Headlines Delivered to Your Inbox Sign up for The Gleaner’s morning and evening newsletters. And yet, within these challenges lies immense opportunity. The Caribbean has always been resilient, resourceful, and visionary. But resilience alone is not enough any more. We must move from merely surviving to thriving. HARNESSING DIGITAL TRANSFORMATION AND COLLECTIVE […]

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ISTANBUL Turkish companies will prioritize digital transformation , risk management, profitability and M&A in 2025, according to a survey of executives. The survey was conducted by DataExpert with 252 senior decision-makers, including CEOs, general managers, CFOs and directors. Some 85 percent of participants said that digital transformation and innovation will be their main focus in 2025 in order to increase efficiency and improve consumer experience by investing heavily in technology. Artificial intelligence, cyber security and data analytics also stand out as other key issues for company executives this year. Profitability appears to be another major item for Turkish companies. Participants said they have set targets for cost control, revenue growth strategies and operational efficiency. Improving earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (EBITDA) is one of the main factors they will focus on to increase profitability, the survey showed. Companies are turning toward environmentally friendly and sustainable business models, increasing the use of renewable energy and taking steps to reduce their carbon footprint. Nearly 70 percent of respondents mentioned sustainability and environmentally responsible practices as their priority in 2025. Executives see these efforts as important not only to make profits but also to fulfill companies’ responsibilities towards society and […]

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Top Challenges in Digital Transformation Investments in AI surge, but challenges in data quality and cyber security readiness persists Singapore, (ANTARA/PRNewswire)- As ASEAN enterprises dive deeper into digital transformation, artificial intelligence (AI) has emerged as the crown jewel of technology investments. What does this mean? Well, according to the 2024/2025 ASEAN Enterprise Innovation Market Overview AI has surged to the forefront as the leading investment priority. Insights from over 900 ASEAN business and technology leaders across diverse industries reveal that 75% of businesses plan significant AI investments within the next two years – a leap from just 34% in 2020. But while the race to adopt AI is accelerating, it’s not all smooth sailing. Data quality and availability remain stubborn roadblocks, cited by nearly 78% of respondents as the biggest hurdle to unlocking AI’s potential. It’s a complicated relationship status: while AI ambition skyrockets, the groundwork for its success is still a work in progress. Cyber Security: Rising Threats, Growing Budget As the digital landscape evolves, so do the threats. ASEAN governments are stepping up their game with stringent regulations, such as Malaysia’s Cyber Security Act this year and Vietnam’s Personal Data Protection Act, pushing enterprises to bolster their […]

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In 2024, Vietnam made remarkable strides with the rapid launch of the national population database, ensuring seamless data connection across 18 ministries and 63 localities. This facilitated over 1.3 billion queries and more than 537 million data synchronisation actions by September 2024. The Government has focused on building a legal framework to improve the digital landscape, including strategies for information infrastructure, data, and semiconductor industries. At the third meeting of the National Committee for Digital Transformation, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh emphasised digital transformation as essential for rapid and sustainable development. Vietnam ranked 71st in the UN’s e-government survey, up 15 spots from 2022. Fiber optic internet use surpassed 82%, and 87% of the population used smartphones. A major milestone was Viettel’s launch of the largest data center. These developments lay a solid foundation for Vietnam’s ongoing digital journey./. Digital ecosystem helps boost Vietnam’s tourism growth

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Getty image BATON ROUGE, La. (press release) – LWCC , a private, mutual workers’ compensation insurance company, is nationally recognized for achievements in technology innovation for its recent integration of advanced digital systems. Salesforce has named LWCC and PS Advisory as its 2024 Partner Innovation Award Financial Services Winner and Celent, a global research and advisory firm for the financial services industry, has named LWCC winner of its Model Insurer Award for Legacy and Ecosystem Transformation. LWCC also earned a top 10 national ranking in a 2024 Catalyit survey of agents’ perception of how well carriers support them, including factors such as being easy to do business with, providing the tools needed to maximize efficiency, and being forward thinking. “These innovations give our dedicated employees and agent partners more time to invest in the purpose-driven parts of their jobs – caring for injured workers, guiding employers in creating safer workplaces and, ultimately, helping Louisiana thrive,” said Kristin W. Wall, president and CEO of LWCC. “Receiving national attention from well-respected industry leaders also elevates Louisiana’s business reputation among innovators, which is a cornerstone of our vision.” For its recent digital transformation projects, LWCC sought to merge legacy knowledge with advanced […]

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Shanghai unveils a package of measures on Jan 10 to facilitate its manufacturing sector’s digital transformation, including publishing a practice guideline for industrial large language models, certifying pioneer firms in industrial internet development, and launching AI-powered innovative labs. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn] According to official sources, Shanghai unveiled a package of measures on Jan 10 to facilitate its manufacturing sector’s digital transformation. These measures include publishing a practice guideline for industrial large language models, certifying pioneer firms in industrial internet development, and launching AI-powered innovative labs. "Shanghai has been restlessly promoting the in-depth integration between real and digital economies in the past five years. Currently, the scale of the city’s core industrial internet business has exceeded 180 billion yuan ($24.55 billion)," said Zhang Ying, director of the Shanghai Commission of Economy and Informatization during the innovation conference hosted by the Shanghai Industrial Internet Association on Friday. Shanghai unveils a package of measures on Jan 10 to facilitate its manufacturing sector’s digital transformation, including publishing a practice guideline for industrial large language models, certifying pioneer firms in industrial internet development, and launching AI-powered innovative labs. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn] Recognizing the significance of high-end manufacturing, Shanghai will actively drive artificial […]

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Supply chain digital transformations are all the rage, but for some industries, that transformation impacts more than just the supply chain. In the Medtech space, digital supply chain transformations are improving operations, lowering the bottom line, and saving lives. To Luis Roman , vice president of MedTech Supply Chain at Johnson & Johnson , the digital journey represents more than just improving supply chain operations. “For us, digital innovation is viewed as an integral part of improving patient outcomes by enhancing the efficiencies and effectiveness of our supply chain,” he told Talking Supply Chain podcast host Brian Straight. “We do that by ensuring that products reach our customers in a reliable and timely manner. At J&J, we’ve recognized the need to transition from legacy, manual approaches to more digitalized capabilities to enhance agility and responsiveness across multi-dimensions of our business, including risk within supply chain. Digital innovation is really seen as crucial in building resilience within our supply chain, enabling us to quantify risk, and improve visibility into areas of previously hidden vulnerabilities which ultimately are ensuring continuity of supply.” That supply is critical to patient lives. Roman noted that while digitization might be easier for large organizations, any […]

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Empower Amiantit to embrace a future-ready digital core with SAP S/4HANA. RIYADH, Saudi Arabia, Jan. 7, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — YASH Technologies, a global innovator in digital transformation, has announced the successful deployment of the SAP RISE Conversion project at Amiantit, a global leader in advanced piping solutions. YASH Technologies and Amiantit Group teams celebrate the successful SAP S/4HANA Go-Live, marking a key milestone in their digital transformation journey Recognizing the need to upgrade from SAP ECC to SAP S/4HANA, Amiantit collaborated with YASH to overhaul its IT landscape, ensuring operational resilience and meeting the demands of a dynamic global economy. As one of the first MENA-region organizations to adopt SAP solutions, Amiantit sought to future-proof its business operations with this transition. The transformation project revamped critical areas, including finance, supply chain, logistics, and human resources, while preserving legacy integrations and enhancing existing functionalities. Leveraging SAP FIORI, the upgrade introduced an intuitive user experience while seamlessly integrating custom code and third-party systems. YASH further supported the initiative with robust team member training programs, equipping Amiantit’s workforce to leverage the platform’s full potential. Speaking about the transformation, Omar Zainalabdeen Hakeem, Director- Shared Services at Amiantit, said, "The move to SAP S/4HANA […]

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Digital transformation, particularly through artificial intelligence (AI) and data analytics, is revolutionizing procurement processes, with 64% of decision-makers prioritizing better insights to enhance operations. Procurement is taking on a strategic role in driving innovation, improving operational efficiency, and fostering resilience across organizations, according to a new study of 3,500 global procurement and organizational executives and managers from Amazon Business. While managing costs, efficiency, and supplier relationships remain key challenges, procurement is increasingly at the forefront of empowering businesses to navigate a complex and dynamic environment. Insights from Amazon Business 2025 State of Procurement report The 2025 edition of Amazon Business’ annual State of Procurement report highlights evolving trends. Included among them are digital transformation, artificial intelligence (AI), sustainability, and resilience. They underscored procurement’s expanding influence in addressing global shifts. Digital transformation, particularly through AI and data analytics, is revolutionizing procurement processes, with 64% of decision-makers prioritizing better insights to enhance operations. Socially responsible purchasing (SRP) is also becoming a central focus, as procurement teams take a leading role in building sustainable and diverse supply chains. The study reveals that 80% of organizations are working toward certified supplier mandates, reflecting a growing commitment to sustainability and social responsibility. Despite these […]

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Harnessing AI to redefine operational agility and drive growth could be a key differentiator in the near term. Technology is no longer optional—it is a fundamental driver of business success. This does not mean it always takes center stage, but without it, businesses risk falling behind. Small and medium manufacturers now have a unique opportunity to learn from the transformation journeys of larger enterprises—including to consider alternate paths. By adapting digital strategies to their scale and needs, they can accelerate innovation, improve efficiency, and compete on a broader stage. The convergence of artificial intelligence (AI), cloud computing, IoT, and enterprise platforms provides a roadmap to rethink traditional operations while fostering resilience and agility. Deloitte’s recent report, The Intelligent Core: AI Changes Everything for Core Modernization , highlights a critical shift in the role of core systems due to the rise of AI: “For years, core and enterprise resource planning systems have been the single source of truth for enterprises’ systems of records. AI is fundamentally challenging that model.” AI is moving core systems away from static, rigid structures, offering systems that are adaptive and predictive, transforming how businesses operate. For smaller manufacturers, this shift underscores the importance of moving […]

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