General Mills and Häagen-Dazs today announced an initiative designed to foster greater economic vitality for smallholder vanilla farmers in Madagascar and ensure the availability of high quality vanilla for future generations.
Häagen-Dazs, the world’s leading brand of super-premium ice cream, with the General Mills Foundation, will invest $125,000 over two years to benefit villages in Madagascar’s Sava region, home of the world’s highest quality vanilla. The commitment builds upon General Mills century-long history of working closely with farmers around the world to promote sustainable agriculture.
To view Multimedia News Release, go to http://www.multivu.com/mnr/60422-general-mills-haagen-dazs-vanilla-sourcing-small-farmers-madagascar
The St. Petersburg International Economic Forum (SPIEF) was held from June 20 to 22, 2013 – this year’s theme was “Finding Resolve to Build the New Global Economy”.
2013 was a record SPIEF year for the number of attendees – 7190 people attended, from 87 countries, out of which total there were 1245 media representatives. The Russian and international business community was well represented – SPIEF 2013 was attended by 176 major foreign corporations and 436 large-scale Russian businesses. Out of the companies who attended, 67 leaders of the foreign businesses, and 24 leaders of the Russian corporations have Forbes or Fortune listings. Moreover, 327 representatives of official foreign delegations attended SPIEF 2013.
To view the Multimedia News Release, go to http://www.multivu.com/mnr/61934-st-petersburg-international-economic-forum-results
CHS Inc., the nation’s leading cooperative and a global energy, grains and foods company, is committed to continued growth that will drive economic value to its farmer owners and the rural communities in which they live, its leaders told attendees at its recent annual meeting.
“Our ultimate responsibility is to invent the CHS of the future by making the decisions, executing the investments and managing the financial health of this company in a manner that not only adds value for you today, but continues to pay off 10 and 20 years down the road,” CHS President and Chief Executive Officer Carl Casale told attendees. “Ultimately, it’s about taking actions today that will benefit tomorrow’s owner, the generations that are now playing in farm yards or buying their first blue FFA jackets.”
To view the Multimedia News Release, go to http://www.multivu.com/mnr/58034-chs-inc-putting-future-first-for-cooperative-farmer-owners
A new Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU) report titled The Silent Pandemic: Tackling Hepatitis C with Policy Innovation, made possible as a result of an educational grant from Janssen Pharmaceutica NV and published today, highlights the urgent need for countries around the world to develop strategies to tackle head-on the growing social and economic issues associated with Hepatitis C (HCV).
While the total number of infected individuals is unknown due to a lack of available data, the World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that approximately 150 million people globally are currently living with the blood-borne infectious disease, HCV. Of these, up to two thirds will develop chronic liver disease and one in five will develop cirrhosis. HCV is also the leading cause of liver transplantation worldwide and in the US the disease now accounts for more deaths than HIV.
To view Multimedia News Release, go to http://www.multivu.com/mnr/58671-janssen-silent-pandemic-hepatitis-c
During the third quarter, we were again able to capture the benefits of AEGON’s strategic priorities, resulting in solid earnings growth, improved profitability of sales, lower expenses and a continued strong capital position. Our franchise remains healthy, as evidenced by the particularly high level of At-Retirement and pension sales. At the same time, we are making essential investments to reshape our businesses in both our established and developing markets to respond effectively to the changing conditions and new realities. Although there are signs of gradually improving market conditions, there remains considerable uncertainty in the general economic environment. Consequently, we believe it is prudent and necessary to maintain a sufficient financial buffer while at the same time adhering to our strict risk and pricing discipline. The steps we are taking across our organization to get closer to our end customers, combined with the strength of our current position, give us full confidence in the prospects for our business going forward.
To view Multimedia News Release, go to http://www.multivu.com/mnr/58637-aegon-quarter-3-results
No other natural catastrophe impacts as many people as flooding, with an estimated 500 million people affected every year. Insured flood losses are also increasing significantly; 1970's annual claims were between USD 1–2 billion, whereas insured flood losses amounted to USD 15 billion in 2011. Recent flood events in Thailand, Australia and the Philippines have shown that floods are now rivalling earthquakes and hurricanes in terms of economic losses.
However, awareness of flood risks and their impact is still relatively low. Swiss Re's publication Flood – an underestimated risk aims to close this knowledge gap.
To view Multimedia News Release, go to http://multivu.prnewswire.com/mnr/prne/swissre/56573/
With an estimated 1.2 billion young people between the ages of 15 and 24, the vast majority of them living in developing countries, youth are both a policy and political priority for many countries around the world. These numbers represent major development challenges, but also great opportunity.
Youth are particularly vulnerable to economic problems. They often do not have access to savings accounts, credit, or insurance due to lack of education and employment. Governments are aware of this and many are working to make it easier for young people to access financial services so they can transition smoothly into adulthood.
To view Multimedia News Release, go to http://www.multivu.com/mnr/56883-cgap-changing-mindsets-on-youth-opportunity-and-financial-services
Final preparations are now underway for the 112th installment of the Canton Fair, China’s biggest trade event set to run from October 15 to November 4, 2012 in Guangzhou. In this time of global economic uncertainty, concerted efforts have been made to ensure that the Fair continues its track record of great commercial success.
Overseeing China’s highest profile trade event, organizers have implemented a raft of new measures to streamline services, stimulate new business, maintain sustainable development, enhance security, and generally refine the experience for all attendees.
To view Multimedia News Release, go to http://www.multivu.com/mnr/58500-112th-canton-fair-an-ever-improving-platform-for-china-global-trade
Providing further evidence of economic recovery throughout the nation, an Experian trends analysis of new mortgages and bankcards from Q1 2013 showed a 16 percent year-over-year increase in mortgage origination volume and a 20 percent increase in bankcard limits. Other insights offered by Experian, the leading global information services company, include evidence of a strong rebound in the Midwest as well as unprecedented lows in bankcard delinquencies.
To view Multimedia News Release, go to http://www.multivu.com/mnr/55343-experian-bank-card-and-mortgage-originations-credit-trends-analysis
Jointly hosted by several government departments including the National Tourism Administration of China, the General Administration of Sport of China and the Zhejiang Provincial Government, the 14th West Lake International Expo Hangzhou, China officially kicked off on October 13. Organization of the 22-day event was administered by Hangzhou’s municipal government.
The main venue for the event is located in the heart of Hangzhou, while activities are also taking place at an additional 14 smaller venues located in nearby locations including at the Hangzhou metropolitan economic zone and throughout the Yangtze River Delta. The 132–program event features a series of shows including West Lake International Fireworks Show, West Lake Art Expo, China International Press Photo Contest, West Lake International Sculpture Exhibition and China Arts and Crafts Masterwork Exhibition.
To view Multimedia News Release, go to http://www.multivu.com/mnr/58972-14th-west-lake-international-expo-hangzhou-china
Despite signs of economic recovery, a new survey says Americans’ confidence in their ability to afford a comfortable retirement remains at historic lows as workers appear to be grasping the realities of what they need to save.
The 2013 annual Retirement Confidence Survey, released today by the nonpartisan Employee Benefit Research Institute (EBRI) in Washington, and co-sponsored by the Principal Financial Group®, finds overall confidence levels are essentially unchanged since the record lows set in 2011. Only 13 percent are very confident they will have enough money for a comfortable retirement. A full 28 percent1— the highest number recorded during the 23 years of the survey—are not at all confident.
To view Multimedia News Release, go to http://www.multivu.com/mnr/60106-principal-financial-group-ebri-retirement-savings-confidence-survey
