March 13, 2023

PharmaLedger Association Launches Digital Trust Ecosystem in Healthcare

photo PharmaLedger video release link

original image of PharmaLedger event and link to video release

BASEL, Switzerland, March 13, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — The PharmaLedger Association (PLA), a not-for-profit based in Switzerland, announces the endorsement of its 3-year strategic plan to implement and promote a Digital Trust Ecosystem in healthcare (DTE-H) at its Annual General Meeting held in Lucerne, Switzerland on 1 March 2023. The member organizations also confirmed the appointment of eight Directors to its board, delivering on PLA’s core value of “Ecosystem Leadership.”

Representing the diversity of healthcare, PLA’s founding members comprise of large and small pharmaceutical companies, research organizations, patient representative organizations, non-profit organizations, technology, and healthcare service providers. PLA has confirmed its mandate as a pre-competition umbrella organization delivering common and interoperable digital solutions in the areas of Product Trust, Decentralized Clinical Trials, and Supply Chain Traceability.

Products & Project: In Q1 2023, PLA will release the first qualified product, electronic Product Information for implementation by its members.
In Q2 2023, the Association will continue with the development of new products in its innovation xLab, including of a product digital twin, decentralized identities, and verifiable credentials to facilitate visibility, security, traceability, and trust in all areas of healthcare.

Governance & Compliance: PLA will leverage its capability to develop, qualify, launch, and maintain products in healthcare’s highly regulated environment by ensuring continuous adherence to antitrust, intellectual property, data privacy, and Computerized System Assurance guidelines.
Ecosystem Engagement & Growth: The association will continue to onboard new members and engage with authorities, trade associations and standards development organizations, ensuring growth and financial viability.
Platform Technology & Security: PLA will focus on easing adoption of new solutions with its members and users while maintaining the cybersecurity benefits of its architecture.

The formation of PLA and the endorsement of its mission by diverse members of healthcare is a major milestone. This paves the way for delivery of widely trusted blockchain-based platforms with new open-source healthcare solutions to create value for patients and ecosystem stakeholders. PLA is grateful to its 20 founding members and invites all healthcare related organizations to learn more and engage towards the realization of a trusted Healthcare 4.0.

“Blockchain is a team sport. PLA has started with a diverse and strong team of members with a common vision and who believe in real change. With PLA we have the right vehicle, resources, and roadmap to take patients to a better place in healthcare,” Daniel Fritz, Executive Director, PharmaLedger Association.

PLA is the result of the successful completion of the PharmaLedger research project, a €22 million, 30-member consortium with 12 large pharma companies and 18 public partners, funded under the European Union (EU) and European Federation of Pharmaceutical Industries and Associations (EFPIA)’s Innovative Health Initiative.

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/0682572a-b8ac-4b5b-885b-8af008287cff

Contact – info@pharmaledger.org / www.pharmaledger.org

GlobeNewswire Distribution ID 1000797758

March 13, 2023

Dubai records over AED2.6 bn in realty transactions Monday

DUBAI, Dubai real estate market recorded 691 sales transactions worth AED1.81 billion, in addition to 87 mortgage deals of AED709.5 million, and 101 gift deals amounting to AED100.53 million on Monday, data released by Dubai’s Land Department (DLD) showed. The sales included 648 villas and apartments worth AED1.56 billion, and 43 land plots worth AED249.95 million. The mortgages included 67 villas and apartments worth AED161.39 million and 20 land plots valued at AED548.11 million, bringing the total realty transactions of today to over AED2.6 billion.

Khoder Nashar/ Muhammad Aamir

Source: Emirates News Agency

March 13, 2023

Sharjah Chamber, Emirates Development Bank discuss financial solutions for industrial investors

SHARJAH, The Sharjah Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SCCI), represented by the Sharjah Exports Development Center, hosted a business meeting in collaboration with the Emirates Development Bank, targeting investors in the industrial sector. The event aimed to discuss financing solutions, services, and benefits available to investors, as well as the procedures involved in securing financing from the bank. The gathering provided attendees with an opportunity to learn about the resources and support available to businesses and entrepreneurs in the industrial sector. Representatives from various industrial companies in Sharjah who are members of the Chamber, as well as officials from the Emirates Development Bank and Sharjah Chamber, attended the meeting. During the meeting, Shaker Zainal, Chief mSMEs Officer at Emirates Development Bank, presented an overview of the industrial sectors that are eligible for financing by the bank. He shed light on various support mechanisms available to small and medium-sized companies, which are in accordance with the best standards, and aimed at developing and stimulating economic growth for these companies. The Emirates Development Bank showcased a range of financial and non-financial support solutions available to investors, including its digital banking application. This app enables SMEs and startups to quickly open a bank account and receive an IBAN within 48 hours, providing access to a comprehensive range of secure and available banking services around the clock to meet business needs. In addition, the bank has partnered with “Beehive: Peer-to Peer Lending Platform” to offer a digital financing service that allows SMEs to apply for financing up to AED 5 million directly through the app. Applicants can expect to receive approval or rejection within five days. The bank’s product portfolio includes financing for capital expenditures, Fourth Industrial Revolution technologies, digitalisation, and clean energy. It also offers extended repayment and grace periods with a high ceiling for financing compared to the project value. The products are geared towards companies in the industrial, advanced technology, renewable energy, healthcare, and food security sectors. EDB offers financing for launching new facilities or expanding existing ones, specifically tailored for investors seeking to enter the UAE market. The Sharjah Chamber of Commerce and Industry has praised the EDB for actively engaging with the private sector in the emirate and supporting companies in overcoming challenges through innovative financing solutions and support programmes. These efforts are particularly beneficial for small and medium enterprises (SMEs) and are viewed as strategic mechanisms to strengthen the country’s local production.

Source: Emirates News Agency

March 13, 2023

Tadweer signs MoU with Greater Amman Municipality

ABU DHABI, Abu Dhabi Waste Management Company (Tadweer) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Greater Amman Municipality (GAM) in the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, to explore investment opportunities in the waste management sector. The MoU was signed in the presence of Dr. Sultan bin Ahmed Al Jaber, Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology, President-Designate for COP28 and UAE’s Special Envoy for Climate Change; Dr. Bisher Khasawneh, Jordanian Prime Minister; and Dr. Muawieh Radaideh, Jordanian Minister of Environment. The agreement was signed by Ali Al Dhaheri, Chief Executive Officer of Tadweer, and Dr. Yousef Al Shawarbeh, Mayor of Amman, during the visit of the Company’s delegation to Jordan. Under the MoU, the two parties aim to explore partnerships and potential investment opportunities between the public and private sectors in both countries. The two parties also seek to exchange best practices, knowledge, research and studies, and organise training and awareness initiatives in the waste management sector. li Al Dhaheri said, “The signing of the MoU reaffirms Tadweer’s commitment to establishing partnerships with local and global stakeholders in the waste management sector. This partnership comes as part of our efforts to developing joint solutions, exchange knowledge and expertise based on world-class studies and research, and build upon the success stories and initiatives of both countries that will support in bolstering the waste management sector for both parties.” Dr. Yousef Al Shawarbeh added, “The signing of this Memorandum of Understanding aims at accelerating joint cooperation, exchanging experiences in the environmental sector and driving knowledge exchange on waste sorting, recycling and management. The agreement reflects our ongoing efforts to collaborate with entities in the private sector to develop solid waste management projects.”

Source: Emirates News Agency

March 13, 2023

Regional Conference of WMO’s Regional Association II (Asia) begins in Abu Dhabi

ABU DHABI, The Regional Conference (RECO) of the World Meteorological Organisation (WMO) Regional Association II (Asia), hosted by the National Centre of Meteorology (NCM) in the UAE, kicked off today in Abu Dhabi. The opening ceremony drew the participation of several senior officials including Faris Al Mazrouei, Advisor in Presidential Court and Chairman of Board of Trustees, NCM; Majid Al Suwaidi, Director-General of COP28; Petri Taalas, WMO Secretary-General; and Dr. Abdulla Al Mandous, Director-General of NCM, President of the Regional Association II (Asia); among others. Running in a hybrid format from 13th to 16th March 2023, the event gathers over 150 participants including the Ambassadors of RA II Asia’s 35-member countries, key officials from WMO and other UN commissions and offices and the Permanent Representatives of WMO Members from Asia. RECO aims to provide a forum for the National Meteorological and Hydrological Services (NMHSs) of RA II to address the emerging issues and challenges, strengthen regional cooperation and enhance partnerships for the implementation of WMO resolutions and decisions in view of regional priorities. In his opening address, Dr. Al Mandous said, “This forum convenes at a time when the State of Climate in Asia for 2020 and 2021 highlights how climate change impacts are wreaking an ever-increasing human, financial and environmental toll, worsening food security and poverty and holding back sustainable development in ASIA. In 2021 alone, weather and climate related hazards caused damages worth US$ 35.6 billion affecting nearly 50 million people in Asia. “The one-day high-level event today on the ‘United Nation’s Early Warnings for All initiative’ will give us a great opportunity to brief our key policy and decision makers on the high payoff of investments in weather and climate services in terms of lives saved, property protected, and economic gains achieved. “For the past 150 years, National Meteorological and Hydrological Services have collected and standardized data which underpin the weather forecasts we now take for granted to improve the wellbeing of present and future generations. The history of WMO data exchange and the New Data Policy is a success story of scientific cooperation to save lives and livelihoods”, Al Mandous added. The agenda of RECO’s opening day featured a high-level session focusing on the United Nation’s Early Warnings for All initiative. The session was addressed by Petri Taalas and Dr. Abdulla Al Mandous, along with the participation of Assistant Secretary-General and Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Disaster Risk Reduction in the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR), Executive Secretary of United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP), and Executive Secretary of United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia (ESCWA). Over its four-day run, the conference will discuss an array of topics related to meteorology focusing on three segments including Early Warnings for All, Infrastructure, Integrated Services. t the end of the conference, a high-level statement of the participants will be released on the UN initiative “Early warning for All” for implementation of climate adaptation. The statement will commend the launch of the Executive Action Plan for the “Early warning for All” initiative announced during last COP27 and put forward its recommendations in support of the initiative.

Source: Emirates News Agency

March 13, 2023

Fujairah Ruler receives Minister of Climate Change and the Environment

FUJAIRAH, H.H. Sheikh Hamad bin Mohammed Al Sharqi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Fujairah, received at Al Rumaila Palace, Mariam bint Mohammed Almheiri, Minister of Climate Change and the Environment. During the meeting, Sheikh Hamad was briefed on the Ministry of Climate Change’s work plans and the most important projects it is implementing in the next phase within the Ministry’s annual plan. The meeting was attended by Mohammed Saeed Al Dhanhani, Director of the Amiri Court in Fujairah.

Khoder Nashar/ Hazem Hussein

Source: Emirates News Agency