Day: December 7, 2022

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St Kitts and Nevis upgrades its citizenship by investment programme to boost its hospitality industry

Basseterre, Dec. 07, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Saint Kitts and Nevis is boosting its local hospitality and tourism sector with investments received through its citizenship by investment programme.

This is according to the recently elected Prime Minister of the twin-island federation who concluded a four-day visit to Dubai, from 29 November to 3 December 2022.

Prime Minister Terrance Drew was in the state to engage with important stakeholders including high-level government officials, international investors, government-approved agents and promoters, who play a vital role in promoting and supporting the country’s recently upgraded citizenship by investment programme.

With the country’s citizenship by investment programme undergoing a facelift, Prime Minister Drew said the changes to the programme were not just superficial but would ensure that the programme achieved what it was designed for – strengthening St Kitts and Nevis’ economy.

Traditionally, the economy of the two-island state has depended on the growing and processing of sugar cane, but the impact of decreasing world prices on this commodity over the last few decades has moved the government’s attention to tourism, export-oriented manufacturing, and offshore banking.

Tourism is the mainstay of St Kitts and Nevis’ economy, with the United States, Canada and Trinidad and Tobago being some of its trop trade partners. The travel and tourism sector accounted for one-tenth of the gross domestic product (GPD) in St Kitts and Nevis in 2021 and it is estimated that roughly 200,000 tourists visited the islands in 2009.

With a revamped citizenship by investment programme that will be underpinned by better legislative and administrative oversight, Prime Minister Drew said he was confident that the programme would have even more impact on the country’s tourism sector.

The new cabinet aims to ensure that the destination continues to make strides towards the full resumption of tourism activity, including the return of airlift and cruise ship arrivals, with the ultimate goal of improving the quality of life of the people of the Federation.

St Kitts and Nevis is committed to enhancing its tourism presence and strengthening the economic impact of the tourism sector.

Recently during November this year, Wonder of the Seas, the world’s largest cruise ship, made its inaugural call to Port Zante in St Kitts and Nevis.  The ship from the Royal Caribbean Group brought along nearly 6,500 guests and over 2,000 crew members.  This cruise call has also been the fifth inaugural cruise call to St Kitts and Nevis since October 2022.

This year, on November 26, a superyacht named Evrima made its inaugural visit to the island sporting the finest amenities and affluent guests. Evrima accommodates 298 guests and is the first of the yachts to be introduced for the new Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection line. This event maintained St Kitts and Nevis’ reputation as an exclusive destination.

According to the CIA World Factbook, tourists, mainly Americans, come to the island via cruise ships via Port Zante in Basseterre, air travel via Robert L Bradshaw International Airport, and the private airport and private dock for private yachts. St Kitts and Nevis is also home to Brimstone Hill Fortress, a UNESCO world heritage site.

The country’s citizenship by investment programme has been instrumental in bringing globally renowned brands such as the Park Hyatt Hotel that has recently been launched in Christophe Harbour in Banana Bay. The country will be looking to use its revamped citizenship by investment programme to develop its hospitality sector further which is a major drawcard not just for tourists, but investors looking for legitimate offshore real estate products to buy into.

Part of the change process has seen consultations with various stakeholders in the St Kitts and Nevis CBI unit who will closely now monitor and ensure that real estate projects funded by the CBI programme are completed.  To this end, the government is also seeking out reliable and trustworthy developers who are ready to put capital behind creative and strong projects that will further enhance St Kitts and Nevis citizenship by investment offering.

St Kitts and Nevis citizenship by investment programme stands as the oldest and one of the most trusted programmes of its kind. Since 1984, it has allowed investors and their families to legally obtain citizenship of one of the Caribbean’s most idyllic locations.

St Kitts and Nevis’ citizenship by investment programme has been pivotal in developing other important sectors such as healthcare, business, and education in the nation. With the help of the tourism industry and the citizenship by investment programme, the country has witnessed socio-economic development at a significant pace. Funds generated by the citizenship by investment programme will continue to aid the country in paving the path of development efficiently. Spending on infrastructure has made the country unrecognisable from only 20 years ago – for example there is a thriving cruise ship port complex, and new roads have been built to take pressure off traffic in Basseterre.

Prime Minister Drew was accompanied by a delegation including Marsha Henderson, Minister of Tourism, Attorney-General, Garth Wilkin; Cabinet Secretary Dr Marcus Natta; Sylvester Anthony and Veira Galloway.

PR St Kitts and Nevis

Government of St. Kitts and Nevis

mildred.thabane@csglobalpartners.com

GlobeNewswire Distribution ID 8709894

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Anaqua and PatSnap Team Up to Deliver an End-to-End Pharma IP Management Solution

Integrated capabilities will enable best practices in Life Science stage gate reviews

BOSTON, Dec. 07, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Anaqua, the leading provider of innovation and intellectual property management technology, today announced it is partnering with innovation intelligence platform PatSnap. The collaboration will deliver an enhanced IP management solution to provide Anaqua’s pharmaceutical industry clients with a more detailed and informed view of the market and competitive landscape for key use cases. The combined Anaqua AQX® Pharma and PatSnap Synapse solutions will help AQX Pharma clients further enhance competitiveness, keep up with the fast-paced requirements of the current market, eliminate duplicated work across functions, as well as identify and realize new areas of investment.

PatSnap is a platform for innovation intelligence, utilizing AI technology – including machine learning, computer vision and Optical Character Recognition (OCR) – that facilitates access to an unrivaled breadth of data that is connected in a meaningful way. PatSnap’s Synapse solution will give AQX Pharma users access to millions of data points, sourced utilizing best-in-class algorithms and expert manual curation, providing a comprehensive 360-degree market view and adding strategic value to drug development processes and strategy.

The new integration is in response to client requests to access more pharmaceutical market data within the AQX platform to improve internal team efficiency and streamline processes. The integration will support sharing deeper intelligence between clients and partners and simplify the route of administration through features such as docket personalization that will allow teams to focus on their most strategic initiatives. Specifically, the combined system will address the use case of conducting stage gate reviews and automatically kick off relevant workflows.

Vincent Brault, SVP of Product & Innovation at Anaqua, said, “AQX Pharma helps clients manage the business aspects of pharmaceutical IP management, while Synapse powers the external aspects of drug discovery through external and competitor drug discovery processes. Together, we’re using our unique capabilities to enable best practices in Life Science lifecycle stage gate reviews. We’re pleased to offer a complete pharma innovation solution, which can be further complemented by leveraging Anaqua’s strategic integrations, such as its innovation management solution, ideaPoint.”

Ray Chohan, Co-founder and VP of Corporate Development at PatSnap, said, “PatSnap is thrilled to team up with Anaqua, who are true innovators in life sciences IP management. Synapse will empower users of AQX Pharma to comb through millions of data points to discover and commercialize new therapies.”

Learn more about the partnership and the Anaqua AQX solution at synapse.patsnap.com/home/anaqua.

About Anaqua
Anaqua, Inc. is a premier provider of integrated intellectual property (IP) management technology solutions and services for corporations and law firms. Its IP management software solutions, AQX® and PATTSY WAVE®, both offer best practice workflows with big data analytics and tech-enabled services to create an intelligent environment designed to inform IP strategy, enable IP decision-making, and streamline IP operations, tailored to each segment’s need. Today, nearly half of the top 100 U.S. patent filers and global brands, as well as a growing number of law firms worldwide, use Anaqua’s solutions. Over one million IP executives, attorneys, paralegals, administrators, and innovators use the platform for their IP management needs. The company’s global operations are headquartered in Boston, with offices across the U.S., Europe, Australia, and Asia. For additional information, please visit anaqua.com, or Anaqua’s LinkedIn.

About PatSnap
PatSnap’s AI-powered innovation intelligence platform transforms billions of innovation data points into actionable intelligence for over 10,000 global customers in more than 50 countries. With an unrivaled breadth of data, including patents, drug information, technology news, market reports, scientific literature, and more, PatSnap breaks barriers to connect innovators with insights. To learn more about PatSnap, visit patsnap.com.

Company Contact:
Amanda Hollis
Director, Communications
Anaqua
617-375-2626
ahollis@Anaqua.com

GlobeNewswire Distribution ID 8709649

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Marble City Karachi to be built as industrial estate, tells CM aide

KARACHI: Marble City Karachi (MCK) will be developed on 300 acres of land in the metropolis. This project is expected to attract an estimated investment of approximately US$50 million.

This was informed by Syed Qasim Naveed Qamar, Special Assistant to CM Sindh, while addressing a road show for Marble City Karachi held here at a local hotel on Wednesday. On this occasion, Abdul Aleem Uqaili, CEO of Sindh Economic Zones Management Company, informed the participants in his briefing that Marble City Karachi on 300 acres would be developed as an industrial estate to uplift the value-added marble and granite sector and allied industries in Sindh.

It is a project through a Public Private Partnership (PPP) framework and will offer state-of-the-art infrastructure, utilities at the doorstep, and easy access to the ports of Karachi. It is ideally located on the Northern Bypass which connects Karachi with the rest of the country.

The project will uplift the value-added marble sector and allied industries in Sindh. This project is expected to attract more than 50 such enterprises and an estimated investment of approximately USD50 million. The project has been launched under the Public Private Partnership mode. RFP for the project was launched through the International Competitive Bidding process on 17th November 2022.

The advertisements were published in Khaleej Times, Dawn, and all leading national dailies. The RFP is available on our website for download. The consortium of consultants comprised EY Ford Rhodes, EA Consulting, and Haidermota are engaged as Transaction Advisors.

The core objectives of the project are: Providing a secure, purpose-built industrial zone for not only the dimension stone (marble and granite) sector but also allied industries in Karachi, and also providing improved facilities for value addition stone sector. Initial land allocation ratio of the saleable area for marble and allied industrial players shall be 70:30 respectively. Developer shall arrange the entire funding for the development.

The project revenues shall be routed through an Escrow account. IE and IA shall verify construction progress and then payments for construction shall be released. Zone enterprise applications that propose value addition for the sector may be given preference.

In this regard, a roadshow for Marble City Karachi was held in Marriott, Karachi today, December 2022. The event highlighted key parameters, benefits, and facilities of the project. More than 500 potential local and international investors attended the event.

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Call to ban illegal hunting in Turghar area

QUETTA: Qazi Muhammad Khan Mazhari, President, Turghar Wildlife and Environmental Protection Agency, Tanshapa, District Killa Saifullah, has demanded of the authorities that illegal hunting in Turghar of district Killa Saifullah of Balochistan province be banned.

Addressing a press conference at Quetta Press Club here on Wednesday, he said that Turghar Tanshrpa was the natural habitat of rare animals Markhur and Afghan Oryal, adding that local tribe Jalalzai Shahezai had been protecting those rare animals.

He said that no pecuniary assistance from the part of government was being extended to the Jalalzai tribe of district Killa Saifullah. He said that deforestation in Turghar was in progress, adding that the issue had been brought into the notice of the concerned authorities, but no action had so far been taken. He said, “Of late permits to different souls have been issued for hunting in Turghar mountain without taking into confidence Jalalzai tribe of the area”.

Demanding of the authorities to impose ban on illegal hunting in Turghar Tanshapa Shahezai, Killa Saifullah, he said that rights of the local community be protected by providing necessary facilities to Jalalzai Shahezai community. On the occasion, Dr. Hayat Khan Shahezai, Muhammad Essa, Hameedullah Kakar, Nazar Hunermul, Shah Nawaz Shahezai, Abdul Rauf Kakar, Bahadur Khan Jalalzai, Muhammad Umer and others were also present.

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Seven shortlisted for SMBBMU VC post

LARKANA: As many as seven candidates for the prestigious post of the Vice Chancellor, Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto Medical University (SMBBMU) have been shortlisted after scrutiny by the Search Committee out of 20 candidates who had applied for the post, it was learnt here on Wednesday.

Search Committee headed by Dr. Tariq Rafi and consisted of Dr. Noahsad Shaikh, Dr. Saeed Qureshi and interview call letters have been issued to the successful candidates. Those who have received the letters include Prof. Ali Akbar Bhand, Prof. Saifullah Jamro, Prof. Zulfiqar Soomro, Prof. Safdar Shaikh, Prof. Javed Akbar Siyal, Prof Iqbal Afridi and Prof. Qurban Rahu and their interviews are expected to be held on 9th December at the office of Higher Education Commission of Sindh.

The post of VC fell vacant after the tenure of Prof. Dr. Aneela Attaur Rahman tenure ended on 29th September, 2022 and Prof. Dr. Hakim Ali Abro was posted to look after the post of VC but his posting was disputed by Prof Ali Akbar Bhand who filed a petition in the Sindh High Court being the senior most candidate in the merit list.

While the sources alleged that some circles of the Sindh government, including the Secretary, Universities and Boards Department, Muhammad Mureed Rahmon, are angry with the decision of the search committee on the merits, because the shortlisted candidates does not include government-supported candidates.

A member of the search committee and an officer holding an important position in the University and Boards Department, on the condition of anonymity, said that every effort is being made to suspend the interviews scheduled on 9th December or in some other way government-supported personalities could be added in the list of seven candidates, while the head and members of the search committee are adamant that no such action will be taken by deviating from merit. None of the applicants for the vice-chancellor post is a PhD degree holder except one.

The Sindh government had approved a summary a few months ago, according to which the condition of a PhD with at least 20 international level research papers were abolished and an official or non-official person of grade 17 was declared eligible as a candidate to become vice-chancellor.

Except Sindh, the sources further claimed that the age limit for the position of vice-chancellor in the other three provinces of Pakistan is 65 years whereas 62 years has been fixed for Sindh, the advertisement for the vacancies of vice chancellor for 9 universities of Sindh has been jointly published while the current eligibility criteria is many times less than the criteria of other three provinces of Pakistan and Higher Education Commission.

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Walk held to mark International Voters Day

DALBADIN: A walk was held from Government High School to Press Club in Dalbandin under the auspices of District Election Commission Chagai to mark International Voters Day here on Wednesday.

“One vote could alter the destiny of a nation and a country,” said speakers while addressing the participants of a walk. The walk was addressed by Abdul Basit Buzdar, Assistant Commissioner, Dalbandin, Abbas Ali Qadri, District Election Commissioner, Agha Irfan Shah and others. They said vote carries immense importance, therefore, it ought to be cast after due consideration. They said that vote of an individual is the guarantor of change in the society.

The walk was attended by the leaders of different political parties, teachers and students of different educational institutions of Dalbendin. Earlier, the walk was taken out from Government High School Dalbandin, marched through different roads and reached Dalbandin Press Club.

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COAS Asim visits Mazar-e-Quid

KARACHI: Chief of Army Staff, General Syed Asim Munir Wednesday visited the mausoleum of Quaid- e -Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah, to pay homage to the Nation’s founder, said a statement issued by Inter Services Public Relations (ISPR).

COAS laid a floral wreath and offered Fateha. Later, COAS visited Corps Headquarters Karachi. COAS was briefed on Operational, Security and other matters of the formation including assistance to civil administration during the recent natural calamity in Sindh particularly interior Sindh. COAS appreciated Army and Ranger troops for operational preparedness and reaching out to the people of Sindh during the recent unprecedented floods in the country.

COAS praised the formation, allied organizations and law enforcement agencies for maintaining a safe and secure environment in the province particularly the megalopolitan city of Karachi. Earlier, on arrival at Karachi, COAS was received by Lieutenant General Muhammad Saeed Corps Commander Karachi.