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This year, India’s overall ranking on the government’s adoption of digital method payments moved up 8 ranks; from the 36th place in 2011 to the 28th in 2018.
According to a survey, India still has more to do about its digital ecosystem, infrastructure, access and socio-economic factors. The survey said that India is making progress in advancing government e-payments capabilities. It is one of the top-performing countries in terms of citizen-to-government (C2G), business-to-government (B2G) and government-to-business (G2B) transactions.
The Policy Commission of India, that is the National Institution for Transforming India (NITI Aayog), released a press statement earlier this year that said the digital payment market in India is expected to grow to US $1 trillion by 2023.
This growth in the mobile payments market has presented several big business opportunities for players in the digital space. Mobile payments are expected to rise from US $10 billion in 2017-2018 to US $190 billion by 2023.
According to the survey, India holds the top ranking on B2G and G2B and comes third on C2G along with Argentina. Norway is at the top of the list, followed by France and Denmark.
The survey that covered 73 countries was last conducted in 2011. It studies the availability of government electronic transaction services, the digital context, and the type of support available for the digitisation for all transactions in a market, such as policy and infrastructure.
It suggested the country can further improve its standing by focusing specifically on expanding access to digital infrastructure, investing in socio-economic development, and promoting a healthy, competitive market.
The digital payments movement in India has been growing, in August, the Indian Finance Minister said that digital payment will soon be the country’s norm. With over 300 million monthly transactions through the Unified Payments Interface (UPI), the Government claimed that around 10 million people are a part of the digital payments space.
Launched in 2016 under Digital India, UPI is a system that powers several bank accounts into a single mobile application (of any participating bank), merging several banking features. The National Payments Corporation of India (NCPI) said that UPI registered around 312 million transactions in August, up 32% from 235 million transactions in July.
Although the CSC (Common Service Centre) initiative has been working to provide affordable data plans, a number of remote communities in the country still lack reliable access to the Internet. The same is also the case with payment acceptance infrastructure, where the country lags behind despite government programmes and schemes.
The survey ranked India 60th among the 73 countries on socio-economic development and highlighted the need to focus its efforts on building awareness for digital payments, as well as its citizens’ and businesses’ engagement with Internet-enabled services.
While the country has done well on financial inclusion, its overall performance in inclusiveness dropped due to a lack of government integration of the informal economy.
The survey also noted that the government incentives on digital payments adoption is restricted to only specific types of digital payment methods, which limits its efficacy.


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A*STAR, in collaboration with a local F&B-centric robotics and automation SME, has developed a joint research and innovation initiative to foster innovation in robotic platforms for the Food Services industry.
This programme will combine both parties’ Advanced Remanufacturing and Technology Centre’s (ARTC) skills to develop solutions that incorporate Food and Beverage (F&B) domain knowledge, as well as artificial intelligence (AI), robotics, and automation.
The F&B-centric robotics and automation SME and A*STAR’s ARTC will invest S$3.5 million in developing a modular vision platform that can assist robotised operations in F&B by assisting these robots to self-navigate and self-calibrate in dynamic and space-constrained environments such as restaurant kitchens.
The combined effort will also use a digital twin platform to establish a digital representation of the F&B robotic system, allowing for real-time analytics that enables remote monitoring and optimisation of operations, accelerating the deployment of new robotic systems and decreasing operational downtime.
The combined research and innovation project embodies both A*STAR’s and the firm’s desire to leverage mutual capabilities to perform research combining F&B domain expertise, robotics, automation, AI, vision, and digital twin technologies.
The partnership is sure that the technology they produce will assist support and building the digital and automation capabilities of F&B firms. Besides, they believe that this will help Singapore establish itself as a major F&B robotics and automation hub, increase the efficiency of Food Service personnel, and help address the sector’s manpower problem and rising operational expenses.
The collaborative effort intends to create solutions that will enable the Food Services industry to automate operations and boost efficiency, lowering the amount of repetitious and physically demanding work and allowing F&B personnel to focus on higher-value jobs.
A*STAR’s ARTC engages with local enterprises to co-develop breakthrough technologies and co-innovate industry solutions to seize new growth possibilities locally and worldwide, according to Dr David Low, CEO of A*STAR’s ARTC.
He added that such public-private collaborations are critical in bringing complementary expertise together to address problem statements and increase productivity and efficiency in the Fast-Moving Food Services industry and beyond.
The Food Services business is set to expand and evolve further. Digitalisation and automation are critical to assisting F&B businesses in thriving and overcoming obstacles such as a labour shortage.
This collaboration will develop solutions to assist F&B enterprises in optimising their operations. They anticipate more similar cooperation between innovation and IT ecosystem partners to boost F&B company growth.
Drive innovation is critical for the food services industry because it has the potential to revolutionise operations and address significant concerns. Innovation serves as fuel for growth and sustainability in an era characterised by technical advancements and shifting consumer expectations.
Automation streamlines operations and reduces reliance on manual labour. Tasks such as food preparation, cooking, and serving can be carried out more efficiently by adding robotics, AI, and automation technology, resulting in higher productivity and lower operational expenses.
Improved consumer experiences are made possible by innovation. From self-ordering kiosks and smartphone apps to personalised recommendations and delivery drones, technology advancements improve consumer convenience, speed, and personalisation. This results in increased client happiness and loyalty, which ultimately drives corporate success.
It is also critical in addressing labour shortages. With rising labour costs and a diminishing workforce, automation and robotics provide options to fill the gaps, allowing food service enterprises to remain efficient and successful.
In addition, food service industry innovation can reduce environmental effects. Through innovative technologies, sustainable practices such as waste reduction, energy efficiency, and eco-friendly packaging solutions can be integrated, leading to a greener and more socially responsible industry.
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Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh has issued Directive No. 18/CT-TTg, which aims to enhance data connectivity and sharing to foster the growth of e-commerce, prevent tax loss, and safeguard monetary security.
The directive acknowledged that the rapid expansion of the e-commerce market has presented significant challenges in effectively managing e-commerce activities and tax administration. It emphasised the need for close collaboration among specialised management agencies to regulate payment transactions and verify the information of businesses, individuals, and taxpayers in response to the evolving digital business landscape.
The Prime Minister has assigned specific tasks to various ministries and agencies in the directive. They will enhance efficiency and facilitate digital transformation in the governance of e-commerce activities, digital platform trading, cross-border business, and data sharing among ministries and agencies for the advancement of e-commerce.
The Ministry of Finance (MoF) has been assigned the responsibility to collaborate with other relevant ministries in the process of amending legal documents pertaining to e-commerce. This includes streamlining administrative procedures and implementing strict measures to address tax and customs violations.
It has also been assigned the responsibility of developing a comprehensive plan for data connection and sharing with the Ministry of Industry and Trade (MoIT), the Ministry of Information and Communications (MoIC), the Ministry of Public Security (MoPS), the State Bank of Vietnam (SBV), and other relevant agencies. This plan aims to strengthen tax administration for e-commerce activities and the provision of cross-border digital products and services. The deadline for completing this plan is set for the third quarter of this year.
MoIC is tasked with coordinating efforts among ministries and agencies to standardise, digitise, connect, and share data pertaining to e-commerce. SBV has been directed to collaborate with MoF and other relevant agencies to establish a mechanism for overseeing payment transactions. This mechanism will specifically support tax administration for cross-border service provision, in accordance with the Law on Tax Administration and other related legislations.
MoPS has been urged to accelerate the integration of the national population database with the databases and information systems of ministries, agencies, and local authorities. This integration is crucial for implementing e-identification and e-authentication systems. The MoPS is also tasked with collaborating with relevant agencies to refine specialised laws and policies that safeguard e-commerce development and monetary security, as well as prevent tax loss.
The Government Office will coordinate with relevant ministries in continuing to promote the integration and provision of online public services, and online payment in the fields of taxation and e-commerce on the National Public Service Portal.
Earlier this week, SBV urged banks, foreign bank branches, and intermediaries in payment services to actively support the advancement of cashless transactions and the implementation of the national digital transformation programme.
The move aims to aid the plan on developing the application of resident data and electronic identification and authentication to support the national digital transformation agenda during the period of 2022-2025, with a vision extending to 2030.
As OpenGov Asia reported, the banks, foreign bank branches, and intermediaries in payment services will persist in their efforts to devise favourable programmes and policies concerning payment and intermediary payment service fees for customers. The SBV has also urged them to waive account maintenance fees and cash withdrawal fees for customers entitled to the social security policy. They have been instructed to proactively engage in practical initiatives to commemorate Cashless Day 2023, which takes place on 16 June, and to continue their efforts throughout the entire month.
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Remote sensing has been widely used to identify and analyse various issues in agricultural land. One application of remote sensing has been conducted to estimate oil palm productivity by utilising satellite imagery from Sentinel-2.
A collaborative remote sensing research project for estimating the productivity of oil palm, modelling fire-prone areas, and studying oceanography in Lamandau Regency, Central Kalimantan, has been established by the National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN) in collaboration with Lamandau Polytechnic from Lamandau Regency, Central Kalimantan.
The signing of the cooperation agreement between both parties was carried out by Rahmat Arief, Head of the Remote Sensing Research Center (PRPJ) at the Flight and Space Research Organization (ORPA) of BRIN, and A. Adhityawan Nugroho, Director of Lamandau Polytechnic, at the Teratai KST Soekarno Building in Cibinong.
Further research on estimating oil palm productivity using remote sensing is necessary to ensure more reliable accuracy of the results. It can estimate the productivity of oil palms and provide a deeper understanding of the factors that influence crop production. Such research involves the analysis of various variables such as climate, soil type, fertilisation, pest and disease management, and other cultivation practices. By deepening the understanding of these factors, more effective methods can be developed to optimise oil palm productivity and support the sustainable growth of the palm oil industry.
Rahmat stated that BRIN has the task of increasing partnerships to foster collaborations, particularly in research collaborations. The goal is to establish a research ecosystem as an economic foundation. An economy based on research is more resilient, especially when utilising advanced technology. Therefore, BRIN strives to establish a research ecosystem supported by policies, human resources, infrastructure, and business processes.
Technology is indeed closely related to infrastructure. BRIN has the concept of an open platform infrastructure where all sectors can access the infrastructure within BRIN. He continued that this includes High-Performance Computing (HPC), laboratories, data centres, and other facilities.
The income generated from oil palm in Lamandau Regency is substantial, and its exports are also significant. According to data from Regional Development Planning Agency (Bapeda), the agricultural sector, including oil palm, contributes 20% to the Gross Regional Domestic Product (PDRP) of Lamandau Regency.
Through remote sensing data, this research collaboration aims to establish a comprehensive understanding and accurate prediction of oil palm productivity in Bulik District, Lamandau Regency. By harnessing the power of remote sensing technology, the collaboration is anticipated to provide valuable insights and tools for palm oil companies to manage their plantations effectively and optimise production in line with their desired targets.
The successful implementation of this research collaboration holds excellent potential for the region’s development in both Lamandau Regency and Central Kalimantan Province.
Through utilising remote sensing data and the collaborative efforts of various stakeholders, including research institutions, government bodies, and palm oil companies, this research collaboration aims to establish a robust framework for accurate productivity estimation, effective plantation management, and sustainable development in Bulik District. By synergising scientific knowledge, technological advancements, and practical applications, the collaboration endeavours to positively impact the local community, foster economic growth and benefit the environment, particularly in the region.
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The government has introduced the Electronics Repair Services Outsourcing (ERSO) Pilot initiative, in alignment with the Prime Minister’s overarching goal of positioning India as a leading force in the global electronics industry. This initiative aims to validate certain transformational policy and process changes to make the country the repair capital of the world, according to a press release.
The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY), the Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs (CBIC), the Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT), and the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEF&CC) have collaborated closely with the industry to implement policy and procedural reforms. These changes are intended to position India as the most appealing destination for repairing information and communication technology (ICT) products on a global scale. It is anticipated that within the next five years, India’s Electronics Repair Services Outsourcing industry will generate revenues of up to US $20 billion and create millions of job opportunities in the country.
The release claimed that the project is a game changer and has garnered substantial government support with the aim of establishing India as a global frontrunner in an unexplored domain.
In the past few months, various government departments have introduced the necessary policy and process changes for the ERSO initiative. These changes have been developed through extensive discussions with the repair industry and are currently undergoing validation to assess their effectiveness and efficiency. To facilitate this validation, a limited pilot programme has been launched in Bengaluru and will last for three months. Five prominent companies have volunteered to help the pilot. Following the completion of the pilot, a comprehensive evaluation will be conducted, and adjustments to the process and policy will be made as necessary.
Aligning with the Prime Minister’s call to uphold Mission LiFE, the ERSO initiative is expected to bring about a revolutionary transformation in global environmental sustainability. It reaffirms India’s dedication to safeguarding the environment and preserving the planet, the release noted. By facilitating affordable and dependable repairs for ICT products on a global scale, the ERSO initiative will significantly contribute to extending the lifespan of devices worldwide.
Mission LiFE (Lifestyle for Environment), envisioned by the Prime Minister at the Climate Change Conference (COP26), emphasises mindful and deliberate utilisation instead of mindless and wasteful consumption. More than 100,000 LiFE-related events have taken place across India mobilising over 1.7 million individuals to take pro-planet actions. These include cleanliness drives, bicycle rallies, plantation drives, LiFE marathons, plastic collection drives, composting workshops, and taking a LiFE pledge. Many schools and colleges are also undertaking cultural competitions such as street plays, essays, paintings, and youth parliaments.
Recently, the Minister for Environment, Forest, and Climate Change launched the Meri LiFE mobile application. The move aimed to catalyse youth action for climate change as a build-up to World Environment Day on 5 June.
As OpenGov Asia reported, the app monitors the progress of Mission LiFE. Once users sign up, they will be guided to engage in a range of LiFE-related tasks under five themes: Save Energy, Save Water, Reduce Single-Use Plastic, Adopt Sustainable Food Systems, and Adopt Healthy Lifestyles. Through a gamified approach, the app encourages individuals to take part in the “5 for 5 challenge,” which entails undertaking five LiFE actions leading up to World Environment Day.
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The Smart Nation and Digital Government Office (SNDGO) and a major cloud computing company have announced the launch of the Artificial Intelligence Government Cloud Cluster (AGCC), a comprehensive platform designed to accelerate AI adoption in Singapore’s public sector, advance local applied AI research efforts and support the growth of the local AI startup ecosystem.
The AGCC has been implemented by SNDGO and the cloud tech company for usage by Singapore’s government agencies and the research, innovation, and enterprise (RIE) ecosystem. The AGCC is hosted in Singapore in a specialised cloud computing environment.
Agencies can use the AGCC to build and deploy scalable and impactful AI applications rapidly, safely, ethically, and cost-effectively by leveraging an AI technology stack and a vast partner ecosystem of software-as-a-service firms, consultancies, and AI startups. AI technology stack capabilities include:
First, an AI-optimised infrastructure. High-performance A2 supercomputers powered by NVIDIA’s A100 GPUs and hosted in an open, scalable, secure, and energy-efficient infrastructure. This enables cloud developers to train computationally complex AI models at fast speeds while minimising costs and environmental impact.
Customisable first-party, third-party, and open-source AI models follow. A central repository enabling AI practitioners to access pre-trained generative AI models, with built-in features to assist users in customising these models for specific requirements.
The repository contains a wide range of first-party, third-party, and open-source models designed for certain needs. These include models for summarising and translating text in different languages, sustaining an ongoing discussion, converting audio to text, producing, and modifying software code, and generating and repairing written descriptions.
International AI businesses interested in making their foundation models available to Singapore government departments can collaborate with the Cloud computing company to store these models in the repository.
Another category is no-code AI development tools. A Generative AI App Builder enabling developers (especially those with limited technical expertise) to swiftly construct and seamlessly embed chatbots and enterprise search experiences driven by Cloud’s generative AI models.
Finally, there are explainable AI and data governance toolkits. A set of built-in technologies that can assist government agencies in using AI in a secure and responsible manner. This includes features for access control and content moderation, as well as novel mechanisms for incorporating human feedback to improve model performance and the ability to audit the sources of AI model outputs to detect and resolve potential bias and ensure that model behaviour is compliant with regulations.
The Government Technology Agency (GovTech) is Singapore’s first public-sector organisation to use the AGCC. Its Open Government Products (OGP) team has integrated with Vertex AI and is investigating the use of its models in Pair, which are large language model-powered assistants that civil servants can use to help them boost productivity while maintaining the confidentiality of government information.
To help government agencies deploy AI applications as effectively and responsibly as possible, the Cloud tech company will collaborate with GovTech to design and run whole-of-government Digital Academy programmes that will assist agencies in developing in-house data science and AI expertise, developing AI innovation strategies, and implementing data governance best practices.
The programmes will be delivered in a variety of specialised formats to 150,000 public servants from 16 ministries and over 50 statutory boards.
Government agencies in Singapore will be able to use the AGCC and other authorised services through the Government on Commercial Cloud (GCC) 2.0 platform beginning in June 2023. The GCC platform, developed by GovTech, offers agencies a standardised and regulated means to implement commercial cloud solutions.
GCC 2.0, the platform’s second generation, is integrated with cloud-native capabilities and cloud security practices, enabling agencies to access into a larger ecosystem of services and people to accelerate the development of new digital applications.
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Australia’s Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government and the Governor of Michigan jointly renewed and expanded cooperation between Australia and Michigan to foster collaborative efforts in preparing for a transport future that prioritises environmental sustainability, safety, enhanced connectivity, and improved accessibility for communities.
The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) will serve as the foundation for continued collaboration between the automotive and technology sectors of Australia and Michigan, as well as policymakers from both regions.
The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) highlights the shared dedication of the individual and Governor Gretchen Whitmer to address climate change by reducing emissions in the transport sector. It emphasises the importance of fostering collaboration in developing future technologies and enhancing supply chain connectivity within the sector.
Similar to Michigan, Australia has made a commitment to achieve net zero emissions by 2050. This MOU will facilitate future collaboration between the two jurisdictions, ensuring that the transport sector actively contributes to the overall goal of emissions reduction.
New and emerging transport technologies have the potential to enhance accessibility, safety, reduce congestion, and increase productivity. Recognising the significance of these advancements, the Australian Minister stated that the government assumes a strategic leadership role in facilitating the safe and lawful adoption of such technologies in Australia. In this endeavour, Michigan, known as a longstanding global hub for automotive industry innovation, becomes an important international partner in further advancing its collaborative efforts in the field of transport technology.
Importantly, within the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), Australia’s commitment to enhancing the engagement of First Nations businesses in the automotive sector, including future transport business opportunities, is outlined.
This commitment aligns with the Albanese Government’s dedication to ensuring that Australia’s foreign policy reflects the country’s complete identity. The continuation of the collaboration between Australia and Michigan is eagerly anticipated, as it will contribute to the achievement of a better and safer transport future that forms the foundation of prosperity for both regions.
Smart transport, also known as intelligent transport, refers to an advanced infrastructure for transportation that aims to offer innovative services for managing traffic and transport. It encompasses various applications like parking management and guidance, passenger information, and traffic control. The global smart transportation market is anticipated to expand to US$251.0 billion by 2030, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 10.2% from 2021 to 2030.
Intelligent transportation systems (ITS) are advanced applications that provide ground-breaking services for transportation and traffic management. These systems allow multiple users to be better coordinated and informed through the use of technologies such as car navigation, traffic signal control systems, speed cameras, and real-time data analysis. Achieving this intelligent transportation information involves enhancing infrastructure, implementing sustainable fuels for public transport vehicles, and efficiently providing mobility services in rapidly growing cities.
The COVID-19 pandemic has had a profound impact on the transportation industry, causing widespread uncertainty and disruption. Despite these challenges, market players in the smart transportation industry have embraced innovative strategies to capitalise on growth opportunities. There is a growing demand for effective traffic management systems and improved transportation infrastructure to ensure passenger safety.
As the world gradually recovers and implements new restrictions and policies, the transportation sector, particularly in the retail industry, is expected to witness a significant recovery. This recovery, coupled with technological advancements in vehicle safety, is likely to have a positive impact on the smart transportation market.
Moreover, the advent of cloud-based technologies and advancements in vehicle-to-vehicle (V2V) and vehicle-to-grid infrastructure (V2I) have facilitated the realisation of smart transportation. These technologies are designed to offer ground-breaking services in various aspects of transportation and traffic management. They empower users to access improved information and use transport networks more safely and efficiently.
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State-run Osmania University in Hyderabad has embraced artificial intelligence and machine learning (AI/ML) to revolutionise its attendance marking process. Now, the tedious waiting to sign attendance registers or use biometric systems is no longer required. Employees simply need to enter the building, and their attendance will be automatically recorded. This is made possible through CCTV cameras equipped with AI and ML technologies, which accurately mark employees’ attendance, log-in and log-out times, as well as their entry and exit from the building.
The functionality of these cameras relies on an integrated facial recognition system. Leveraging cognitive AI capabilities, they identify facial biometrics and synchronise them with the current database to accurately document employee attendance. This innovative solution has been implemented as a pilot project in the main administrative building of the university for its employees. In the future, the university plans to expand the deployment of these cameras to other campus facilities, including offices, classrooms, and hostels.
According to an official from the university, under the manual system, employees often mark their attendance in the morning, leave the office, and return later to record their log-out time. However, with the implementation of CCTV camera-based attendance, this process will undergo a significant change. The cameras continuously capture movement and simultaneously store employees’ log details, eliminating the need for manual recording. To achieve this, AI and ML technologies have been integrated into two cameras.
Additionally, the official noted that the CCTV cameras also capture the log-in information of visitors entering the administrative building. This means that the log details of all visitors are systematically recorded in the database, providing a comprehensive attendance tracking system.
The introduction of CCTV-based attendance eliminates the need for manual attendance registers or time-consuming biometric systems, streamlining the entire process. Students simply need to enter the designated areas covered by CCTV cameras, and their attendance is promptly recorded. This not only saves time but also reduces the chances of errors or misinterpretations.
Moreover, these AI-powered cameras not only capture the presence of students but also provide additional functionalities. Some universities have integrated facial recognition systems to ensure authentication and prevent proxy attendance. The cameras analyse facial biometrics, matching them against the existing database to ensure accurate identification. It can also enable the university to track attendance patterns, identify areas that require improvement, and take proactive measures to enhance student engagement and performance.
Most educational institutions across the country are embracing the advancements brought by AI. Numerous schools and colleges have incorporated AI-based learning techniques to simplify the process of education and effectively teach intricate subjects to students. Additionally, AI’s adaptable learning methods assist teachers in providing personalised attention to each student.
Last year, the Indian Institute of Technology Madras (IIT-Madras) and the Tamil Nadu State Department of School Education announced they would collaborate to improve and update the digital learning platform for school students to an assessment-focused Learning Management System. It was deployed in high-tech labs in 6,000 government schools, as OpenGov Asia reported. It aimed to improve the quality of learning for around nine million students.
Education in Tamil Nadu’s schools was previously supplemented through a digital learning platform called the Education Management Information System. Researchers from the Indian Institute of Technology Madras used their AI and data science expertise to come up with ways to improve the way assessments are conducted and develop a framework to disseminate educational material.