Mastercard CEO Michael Miebach Joins USISPF Board Of Directors

27 June 2023
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Mastercard CEO Michael Miebach Joins USISPF Board Of Directors

Why in news?

Mastercard CEO Michael Miebach has joined the board of directors of the US-India Strategic and Partnership Forum (USISPF). Observing that USISPF is a critical forum for business and government leaders to come together and drive the next phase of growth in the US-India partnership, Miebach said he believes the relationship between the two countries will define the future of the global economy and shape their ability to tackle the most pressing global challenges together. This strategic alliance aims to foster collaborations in various sectors and promote the growth and development of both economies.

By joining forces, both countries aim to drive innovation, promote digital transformation, and address global challenges. With Mastercard's exemplary work in advancing the global digital economy and its alignment with India's digital vision, this strategic partnership holds great promise for shaping the future of both nations.

About Miebach

• Miebach, a Master of Business Administration from the University of Passau in Germany, joined Mastercard in 2010 to lead its Middle East and Africa operations.
• He is a member of The Business Roundtable, The Business Council, the US-India CEO Forum, the International Advisory Panel of the Monetary Authority of Singapore, and The International Business Council of the World Economic Forum.

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About the USISPF

The US-India Strategic Partnership Forum (USISPF) is committed to creating the most powerful strategic partnership between the U.S. and India. Promoting bilateral trade is an important part of our work, but our mission reaches far beyond this. It is about business and government coming together in new ways to create meaningful opportunities that have the power to change the lives of citizens. We are entering a new era based on a strategic partnership between the U.S. and India – one where we will work closely together with business and government leaders to achieve our goals of driving economic growth, job creation, innovation, inclusion, and entrepreneurship.

Kyriakos Mitsotakis sworn in as Greek Prime Minister

27 June 2023
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Kyriakos Mitsotakis sworn in as Greek Prime Minister

Introduction

Kyriakos Mitsotakis, leader of the centre-right New Democracy party, has been sworn in as the prime minister of Greece for a second term following a resounding election victory. Mitsotakis has outlined his plans to rebuild Greece's credit rating, create jobs, raise wages, and boost state revenues. His party secured 158 seats in the 300-seat parliament, surpassing the leftist Syriza party, which governed Greece from2015-2019 during the country's economic crisis.

Rebuilding the Credit Rating and Economic Reforms

Mitsotakis has committed to implement significant changes during his second term to address Greece's pressing needs. One of his key priorities is to rebuild the country's credit rating, which suffered greatly during the debt crisis. He aims to achieve this through a series of reforms focused on improving the business environment and the health of the banking sector. Moody's, a prominent ratings agency, has viewed New Democracy's victory as credit-positive, ensuring continuity in fiscal and economic policies.

Job Creation and Wage Increase

To stimulate economic growth and alleviate unemployment, Mitsotakis plans to prioritize job creation. He aims to boost revenue from Greece's vital tourism industry, which plays a significant role in the country's economy. Additionally, he seeks to raise wages to approach the European Union average, providing better standards of living for Greek citizens.

Debt Reduction and Financial Outlook

Moody's Senior Vice President, Steffen Dyck, forecasts that Greece will experience one of the largest debt reductions globally. The general government debt burden is expected to decline to less than 150% of GDP by 2025, down from 171.3% at the end of 2022. This positive trajectory is anticipated to enhance Greece's financial stability and restore investor confidence in the country's economy.

Cabinet Appointments

Kostis Hatzidakis, Vice President of New Democracy and former labor and energy minister, is expected to be appointed as the finance minister. Hatzidakis oversaw the restructuring of Greece's largest power utility during the previous government. Nikos Dendias, who served as foreign minister in the previous administration, is likely to be appointed as the defense minister. The foreign ministry portfolio is expected to be assigned to George Gerapetritis, a senior aide to Mitsotakis who previously held the positions of state minister and temporarily took over the transport ministry after a train crash.

Addressing Voter Concerns

While the COVID-19 pandemic and a recent rail crash exposed weaknesses in Greece's health and public transport systems, voters have expressed greater concerns about soaring prices and economic hardships. Mitsotakis aims to address these concerns and implement measures to improve the affected sectors, ensuring better services and increased affordability for the Greek population.

Important takeaways for competitive examination

• President of Greece is Katerina Sakellaropoulou
• Katerina Sakellaropoulou was a former banker
• Currency of Greece is Euro

8th Global Pharmaceutical Quality Summit 2023 Concludes in Mumbai

27 June 2023
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8th Global Pharmaceutical Quality Summit 2023 Concludes in Mumbai

Why in the News?

The 8th Global Pharmaceutical Quality Summit 2023 held in Mumbai garnered attention due to the presence of Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya, Union Minister for Chemicals and Fertilisers and Health & Family Welfare. His address highlighted India's significant role as a global pharmacy during the COVID-19 pandemic and emphasized the importance of quality, research and development, and innovation in the pharmaceutical industry.

Theme:

The theme of the 8th Global Pharmaceutical Quality Summit 2023 was "Patient Centricity: New Paradigm of Manufacturing and Quality." This theme aimed to explore innovative approaches to manufacturing and quality assurance in order to prioritize patient needs and enhance the overall healthcare experience.

Key Points:

1. India's Role as a Global Pharmacy: Dr. Mandaviya emphasized that India played a crucial role as the "pharmacy for the world" during the COVID-19 pandemic by ensuring a continuous supply of quality medicines and vaccines to various countries. He highlighted India's ability to develop and deliver vaccines to 150 countries without any complaints regarding their quality.

2. Indian Pharmaceutical Industry's Success: The Health Minister acknowledged the Indian pharmaceutical industry's achievements in terms of both quality and quantity. He stressed the importance of leveraging India's brand power and manpower to capitalize on the global demand for medicines and vaccines.

3. Opportunities for Manufacturing and Innovation: Dr. Mandaviya urged the industry to seize the unique opportunity presented by the world's demand for Indian pharmaceutical products. He emphasized the need for quality, research and development, and innovation to meet the evolving healthcare challenges and maintain India's global leadership in the pharmaceutical sector.