National
MoU between IFSCA and CEEW
⇒ The International Financial Services Centres Authority (IFSCA) and the Council on Energy, Environment and Water (CEEW) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for mutual assistance and cooperation in the area of sustainable finance.
Shri Injeti Srinivas, Chairperson – IFSCA, said, India has shown global leadership in climate action and has committed itself to achieve net-zero emissions by 2070.
- This MoU between IFSCA and CEEW, focusing on broad areas of sustainable finance, is a step towards achieving climate goals and mobilising global capital, through IFSC, towards sustainable development.
About IFSCA:
- The IFSCA is a statutory authority established under the International Financial Services Centres Authority Act, 2019 (‘IFSCA Act’) with a mandate to develop and regulate the financial products, financial services, and financial institutions in the International Financial Services Centres (IFSC). GIFT-IFSC is the maiden IFSC in India.
- The IFSCA aims to develop a strong global connect and focus on the needs of the Indian economy as well as to serve as an international financial platform for the entire region.
About CEEW:
- The Council on Energy, Environment and Water (CEEW) is one of Asia’s leading not-for-profit policy research institutions.
- The Council uses data, integrated analysis, and strategic outreach to explain – and change – the use, reuse, and misuse of resources.
Winner of Innovation Challenge for the Development of Cloud-based Web Accessibility Reporting Solution
⇒ National informatics Centre (NIC), Ministry of Electronics & Information Technology organized the felicitation ceremony of the Innovation Challenge for the Development of Cloud-based Web Accessibility Reporting Solution, held under the Digital India Initiative in December 2022.
Winner of Innovation Challenge:
» Sumatak Technologies LLP won the Innovation Challenge for developing ‘Sugamya Web’, the web Accessibility Reporting Solution.
- The team has developed ‘Sugamya Web’, the web Accessibility Reporting Solution which empowers Government entities to check the accessibility status of their web presence, through testing & reporting.
- The Solution is developed on the basis of International and National standards like GIGW, and provides accurate report on the accessibility status of website. It can accurately pinpoint the code snippets wherever any accessibility issues are detected on web pages.
- Sugamya Web also shares recommendations on how to fix any accessibility issue detected. It also compares the scores of accessibility of all government websites and mobile apps. Speed, automation and accuracy of accessibility reporting is potentially enhanced by using Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning.
- Thus, it is a powerful solution that aims to empower each and every public entity to join hands to realize the dream of providing seamless digital experience to all.
- This Web Accessibility Reporting solution is deployed on the NextGen NIC National Cloud in a software defined infrastructure. Web Information Managers and Nodal Officers for Accessibility from all government entities would have to register to be able to check the accessibility status of their websites.
- The solution is not meant to be a certification tool; however, the certifying bodies (like STQC) can perform the automated reporting phase of the certification process using this solution.
TDB-DST extends support to M/s Planys Technologies Private Limited
⇒ With an aim to commercialize cutting edge technologies contributing to the goal of Atmanirbhar Bharat, Technology Development Board has extended support to M/s Planys Technologies Pvt. Ltd., an IIT Madras incubated start-up based in Chennai for commercialization of Remote Operated Vehicles (ROVs) essential to inspection and monitoring of ports & terminals, process industry plants and civil structures.
- TDB has pledged to support ₹1.5 crores out of ₹3.6 crores of the total project cost.
- Technology Development Board (TDB) is a statutory body under Department of Science & Technology, Govt. of India.
Background:
- This deep tech start-up aims to develop cutting edge robotics and a sophisticated AI-enabled digital analytics platform that will be implemented extensively across the Inspection-maintenance-repair (IMR) industry. The company has been incubated in IIT Madras.
- The company has now diversified into other potential areas of remote services and maintenance of ports, ships, refineries, oil tankers, water tanks and steel structures based on new technology using Non-destructive Technology (NDT). The company approached TDB for commercializing the application of their ROVs with suitable enhancements.
- The funded project envisages building of 3 ROVs for inspection and monitoring of ports & terminals, process industry plants and civil structures.
- ROV for Ports and Terminals
- ROV for Process Industry
- ROV for Civil Structures
International
17th Round of India-China Corps Commander Level Meeting
⇒ The 17th round of India- China Corps Commander Level Meeting was held at Chushul-Moldo border meeting point on the Chinese side on 20th December 2022.
Key Points:
- Building on the progress made after the last meeting on 17th July 2022, the two sides exchanged views on the resolution of the relevant issues along the LAC in the Western Sector in an open and constructive manner.
- They had an in-depth discussion, keeping in line with the guidance provided by the State Leaders to work for the resolution of the remaining issues at the earliest which would help in restoration of peace and tranquility along the LAC in the Western Sector and enable progress in bilateral relations.
- In the interim, the two sides agreed to maintain the security and stability on the ground in the Western Sector. The two sides agreed to stay in close contact and maintain dialogue through military and diplomatic channels and work out a mutually acceptable resolution of the remaining issues at the earliest.
Shri Piyush Goyal meets Mr Tipu Munshi, Commerce Minister, Bangladesh
⇒ Shri Piyush Goyal, Union Minister of Commerce and Industry, Consumer Affairs, Food, and Public Distribution and Textiles, Government of India, and His Excellency Mr Tipu Munshi, Commerce Minister, Government of Bangladesh met in New Delhi on 22 December 2022.
The last meeting between the Commerce Ministers of the two countries was held in Dhaka in September 2018. Both sides held comprehensive discussions to further strengthen bilateral economic relations.
Discussion:
- A Joint feasibility study on a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) has been carried out after the two countries agreed for exploring a bilateral FTA. The study confirmed the CEPA would provide a sound basis for substantial enhancement of trade and commercial partnership between the two countries.
- Further, both sides agreed that CEPA will create new jobs, raise living standards, and provide wider social and economic opportunities in India and Bangladesh. In addition, the partnership would establish reliable and sustainable Regional Value Chains (RVCs).
- Both sides agreed to starting the CEPA discussions at an early date.
- The Ministers discussed various issues of mutual interest including removal of non-tariff barriers and port restrictions, re-opening of border haats, harmonization and mutual recognition of Standards and procedures on both sides, settlement of trade in Indian rupees, strengthening connectivity and trade infrastructure, among others, to realise the full potential of India-Bangladesh economic ties.