Technology

CGTN: China’s economy shows vitality with innovative growth, booming market

Published

3 years ago

February 25, 2024

BEIJING, Feb. 25, 2024 /CNW/ — China’s provincial-level regions have set their economic growth targets for 2024, with figures ranging from 4.5 to 8 percent. Among them, over 20 regions are aiming to exceed 5 percent GDP growth.

Notably, these provinces share key priorities such as “new productive forces,” “boosting consumption” and “improving the business environment”.

The concept of “new productive forces” refers to a new form of productive forces, derived from continuous science and technology breakthroughs and innovation, that propel strategic emerging industries and future industries in an increasingly intelligent and information era.

Provinces have identified specific sectors to anchor new productive forces, including bio-manufacturing, the low-altitude economy, and emerging areas such as quantum technology and life sciences.

Efforts to integrate data with practical applications are also being made to bolster the digital economy. Zhejiang Province, for instance, is targeting a 9 percent increase in the added value of its core digital industries, and is seeking to ensure that 85 percent of major enterprises undergo digital transformation.

Likewise, several western inland provinces are looking to capitalize on their advantages in computing power to further industry digitization. For example, the Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region aims to intelligently upgrade traditional industries and empower small- and medium-sized enterprises digitally, aspiring for the digital economy to comprise over 36 percent of its regional GDP.

Additionally, fostering the development of the private sector has become a key focus. Several provinces plan to leverage financial policies to support private enterprises in major tech innovations, encourage their participation in key scientific projects, and direct private investment towards infrastructure.

This year, Jiangsu plans to roll out specialized policies to stimulate private investment, while Guangxi is set to guide financial institutions to enhance support for first-time credit loans to private businesses. Also, Hainan will create a fund pool to assist companies with good credit but temporary financial difficulties.

Meanwhile, provinces and municipalities like Jiangxi, Liaoning, Chongqing and Shanxi are improving their regulatory frameworks to protect investment rights. They aim to eliminate indirect barriers to market entry, ensuring a level playing field for businesses of all types.

Drawn by the improving and welcoming business environment, along with the vast consumer market, foreign-funded enterprises are confident in their long-term investment prospects in China.

Major multinational corporations from various sectors, including KFC and Standard Chartered, have recently boosted their investments in China. The country continues to be a prime investment destination due to offering promising innovation opportunities, comprehensive industrial support and creating a conducive business environment.

In 2023, German direct investment in China increased by 4.3 percent, reaching a record high of 11.9 billion euros ($12.7 billion), according to official Bundesbank data analyzed by the IW institute. Additionally, China’s share of Germany’s total overseas investments climbed to 10.3 percent last year, marking the highest level since 2014.

Booming consumer market

Since 2023, China’s consumer market has shown a robust recovery. Last year, total retail sales of consumer goods reached 47.15 trillion yuan (about 6.63 trillion U.S. dollars), up 7.2 percent from the previous year, according to the National Bureau of Statistics. Online retail sales saw an 11 percent increase, with physical goods’ online sales constituting 27.6 percent of the total retail sales.

The rise of new consumer models, such as e-commerce, has expanded the range of sales channels available in the consumer market, offering users a more varied experience, observed Pan Helin, a researcher at Zhejiang University.

The revitalization of the consumer market has also been reflected in the travel sector. During this year’s Spring Festival holiday, there was a high level of enthusiasm for travel. Data shows that the number of visitors to major cultural and tourism sites nationwide reached 123 million, marking a 22.8 percent increase compared with the same period in 2023.

The increased travel and cultural activities during the Spring Festival also fueled an uptick in entertainment spending, especially in the film industry. As of 1:15 p.m. Friday, box office revenue in China from the Spring Festival holiday (including pre-sale) has surpassed 7 billion yuan (approximately $983.3 million), according to Dengta Pro, the data analysis arm of China’s leading film-ticketing platform Taopiaopiao.

Pan noted that the increasing consumer demand for a higher quality of life and richer experiences signifies a shift in consumption patterns. This trend, coupled with a growing enthusiasm for shopping and leisure activities, indicates a steady recovery in China’s consumer market.

https://news.cgtn.com/news/2024-02-16/China-s-economy-shows-vitality-with-innovative-growth-booming-market-1rfaQqARiCI/p.html

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SOURCE CGTN

Technology

Function Now Connects to Meta’s Muse, Allowing Members to Bring Their Personal Health Data to the New AI Agent

Published

18 minutes ago

September 9, 2026

Members can securely bring their Function health data into Muse to better understand their health and personalize their AI experience.

AUSTIN, Texas, Sept. 8, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Function today announced that members can securely connect their Function health data to Muse, Meta’s new personal AI agent. Muse joins ChatGPT, Claude, and Perplexity in Function’s growing network of AI connectors, giving members the ability to bring their personal health data into the AI experiences they choose to use.

Muse can use a member’s Function insights as personal context to help them understand their health, build and adapt plans around their goals, track progress, and follow through over time, while members remain in control of their data.

“Your AI should know your biology,” said Jonathan Swerdlin, CEO and Co-founder of Function. “By connecting Function health data to Muse, people can bring a living picture of their health into the AI platforms they use every day. We are entering a world where people understand their bodies in far greater detail and increasingly rely on AI to make decisions. Bringing those together makes AI dramatically more useful.”

How it works

Members authorize the connection from inside Meta, through the same account controls they already use to manage their account data. Once connected, Muse draws on their lab results and clinician-reviewed summaries to inform the goals and tasks a member brings to it.

Ask Muse how a lab result compares to a member’s optimal range before deciding whether to act on itHave Muse build or adjust a plan toward a health goal, using a member’s own Function insights as contextLet Muse flag when it’s time to schedule a member’s next Function lab visit, and follow up until it’s on the calendar

The Function health connector will roll out in the coming weeks. To learn more about Function or become a member, visit www.functionhealth.com.

About Function

Function is on a mission to enable everyone to live 100 healthy years. A groundbreaker in its category, Function has changed the game by making lab testing, MRI and CT, and longitudinal health data accessible, understandable, and actionable—serving millions. Function’s Medical Intelligence Lab™ (MI Lab™) is leveraging a dedicated clinical team to develop a continuous learning system that helps its members see, understand, and act on their biology over time. Members receive access to 160+ lab tests—including biannual testing—for just $365/year, equivalent to $1 per day, covering the heart, hormones, thyroid, liver, kidneys, heavy metal exposures, nutrient levels, inflammation, potential cancer signals, and more. Each member’s results are integrated into an intelligent, personalized interface designed to support powerfully informed decision-making. Function members can also access (for an additional cost) MRI and CT that are designed to see signs of cancer and hundreds of other conditions. Function believes everyone should have the power to own their health.

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SOURCE Function Health

Technology

Teletrac Navman Appoints Ricardo Buranello as CEO

Published

18 minutes ago

September 9, 2026

Alain Samaha to Continue Serving on Board of Directors

SYDNEY, Sept. 9, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Teletrac Navman, a leading global provider of intelligent fleet and asset management solutions, today announced that it has named current Chief Financial and Operating Officer Ricardo Buranello as Teletrac Navman’s next Chief Executive Officer, effective October 1, 2026. Mr Buranello succeeds Alain Samaha, who will continue in the CEO role through September 30, 2026, to ensure a seamless transition. Mr Samaha will remain a member of Teletrac Navman’s Board of Directors and continue supporting the Company’s long-term vision and strategic planning.

Mr Buranello is a seasoned executive with more than two decades of international experience across telematics, IoT, and high-growth technology businesses. Having served as Chief Financial and Operating Officer since joining Teletrac Navman, he brings deep financial and operational expertise, a strong strategic orientation, and an intimate knowledge of the business that make him ideally suited to lead the Company into its next chapter. Mr Buranello previously held leadership roles at Telit Cinterion, Siemens and Totvs.

“This represents an ideal time for Teletrac’s next phase of leadership, and we’re confident that Ricardo is the right person for the job,” said Jonathan Olefson, Chairman of the Board at Teletrac Navman. “Ricardo is a proven, mission-oriented leader who understands our business from the inside out. We look forward to what he and the entire team will accomplish.”

“Alain helped transform Teletrac into a global leader in telematics and fleet management solutions. We are grateful for his vision, passion, and many contributions, and look forward to working with him on the Board,” continued Olefson.

Mr Samaha stated, “Leading Teletrac has been one of the great privileges of my professional life. I am proud of what we have done together, and I am equally excited about what lies ahead for Teletrac. Ricardo is the right leader for this moment. His strategic clarity and deep understanding of our business will serve Teletrac, our customers, and our employees well into the future.”

Mr Buranello added, “I am honoured by the trust the Board has placed in me and energised by the opportunities ahead. Our customers, employees, and partners can count on the same dedication to innovation, excellence, and delivering meaningful results that has been at the core of Teletrac since the beginning.”

Under Mr Buranello’s leadership, Teletrac Navman will continue advancing its cloud-based, AI-powered connected mobility platform while building on the growth, stability, and customer focus that have long defined the Company.

About Teletrac Navman

Teletrac Navman empowers the industries that transform and sustain our futures with simple and intelligent solutions that enhance the efficiency, safety, and sustainability of their operation. As a connected mobility platform for industries that manage vehicle and equipment assets, Teletrac Navman simplifies the complex so that its customers can transform the way they work through cloud-based solutions that leverage AI to unlock the power of operational insight. The company operates globally, with offices worldwide and headquarters in Northbrook, IL. For more information visit https://www.teletracnavman.com.au/.

About Respida

Respida is a software-focused private equity firm with decades of combined investing and operating experience. The firm partners with management teams at growth-oriented software and software-enabled companies, bringing hands-on operational rigor and financial discipline to drive growth and build durable market leaders. For more information, visit https://respida.com/.

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SOURCE Teletrac Navman

Technology

Coda welcomes Bombay High Court judgment in its favor

Published

18 minutes ago

September 9, 2026

SINGAPORE, Sept. 8, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Coda welcomed the Bombay High Court’s judgment on 2 September 2026 allowing the appeal by Coda Payments India and setting aside the orders that had kept its bank accounts and payment accounts frozen.

The judgment is a significant and positive outcome for Coda. We have been clear and consistent in our position throughout the proceedings and welcome the Court’s decision.

Coda has cooperated fully with the relevant authorities and respects the legal process. We now look forward to the judgment being implemented expeditiously and in full.

Coda remains committed to meeting all applicable legal and regulatory requirements in every market in which it operates.

The Bombay High Court’s judgment relates to the freeze on Coda Payments India’s bank accounts and payment accounts. Other related proceedings remain ongoing.

About Coda

Coda is a global leader in monetization, distribution, and commerce, trusted by the biggest names in gaming, entertainment, and technology, including Activision, Electronic Arts, Riot Games, Ubisoft, and Moonton. Founded in 2011 and headquartered in Singapore, Coda operates with 670+ employees worldwide, with core hubs in Asia and Europe. Coda combines payments, commerce, distribution, and rewards to drive global revenue growth for brands and publishers.

Coda’s products include Codapay, which provides access to 400+ payment methods across 80+ markets through a single API integration; Coda Webstore, which powers fully customized direct-to-consumer storefronts; Coda Consumer Platforms, including Codashop, Recharge.com, and Startselect.com; Coda Distribution, which extends reach through a network of commerce partners; and Giftcloud, a UK-based rewards business serving enterprise customers across Europe.

Coda is backed by Apis Partners, Insight Partners, Smash Capital, and GIC, and has been named an APAC High Growth Company (2023) by Financial Times, one of Granite Asia’s NextGenTech 30 (2024), a payments leader on Fortune’s Fintech Innovation Asia list (2024), and listed among The Straits Times Fastest Growing Fintechs (2024). For more on Coda, visit coda.co.

Press Contact
Coda:
Liz Adam
VP, Corporate Affairs
liz.adam@coda.co

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SOURCE Coda