#Measures Taken to Ensure Economic Growth

[horsesarecreatures]

Are we still breeding or are we just multiplying?

At the VZAP general meeting, the agricultural scientist Andreas Perner gave an interesting lecture on current problems in purebred Arabian breeding, which we used as an opportunity for the following interview. This is about undesirable developments in Arabian breeding, which have arisen primarily through specialization and selection on individual characteristics, and he sees parallels in cattle breeding where the changes are scientifically substantiated.

IN THE FOCUS: Mr. Perner, in your presentation at the VZAP general meeting you pointed out some parallels that exist between cattle and horse breeding. Why should we concern ourselves with cattle when we are actually interested in horses?

Andreas Perner: Because there are numerous parallels. The primitive cattle were characterized by an enormous chest cavity with plenty of space for the organs, relatively fine legs and a pelvic shape with a high sacrum so that birth could proceed quickly. Through breeding selection, a major change in this appearance has taken place over the last 100 years, including extreme specialization in beef and dairy cattle. Since cows as farm animals have long been the focus of science, one also has easy access to data, e.g. milk yield, slaughter weight, but also bone measurements, etc., which can also be used to document such changes. In animal breeding, a distinction is made between two constitution types: the asthenic and the athletic. The representatives of the Holstein cattle, a highly specialized breed of dairy cattle, today almost exclusively belong to the asthenic constitutional type: large, tall and narrow, i.e. less space in the chest for the organs, rather poor feed conversion, etc. Male calves of this breed are so weak in the muscle development that they no longer have any economic (slaughter) value. Before this extreme specialization in milk production, this breed corresponded to a dual-purpose cattle (milk and meat) and thus more of the athletic constitution type, which has become very rare today. One can definitely draw parallels here with Arabian breeding, where the Arabian show horse was bred through specialization – and became also an asthenic, tall, long-legged, with little depth to the trunk. And among Arabians, too, the athlete, the medium-sized, broad, deep-rumped Arabian of the “old type” who is also a good feed converter, is becoming increasingly rare. From a population genetic point of view, this is a major catastrophe and countermeasures must be taken.

IN THE FOCUS: If we ignore the outside appearance, i.e. the conformation – are there any other changes that have occurred as a result of this specialization?

A. P.: In the last 30-40 years, dairy cattle have increasingly been bred for maximum performance (milk production) in the young animals, i.e. there has been conscious selection for early maturity. This has resulted in serious changes in the animals: through selection for early maturity, the useful life has been extremely shortened due to high susceptibility to disease and fertility problems – the latter is the main cause of loss in cattle breeding. This can also be proven with figures: In Germany today a cow has an average of 2.4 calves, but biologically it can have 14-15 calves. The “useful life” of cows is now at an all-time low. The selection for early maturity also has an impact on the quality of the claws: the early maturing animals need claw care three times a year, because the claws are soft and grow very quickly. In contrast, slow, long-lasting growth – i.e. late maturity – ensures healthy development of the entire organism and a long lifespan. Late-maturing cattle only need hoof care once a year, sometimes only every two years, because they have extremely good, strong hoof horn. All this can also be transferred to the horse, because the horse’s hoof horn is also of better quality in late-maturing animals. This all depends on the high quality of the connective tissue. If you breed late-maturing animals, they often look underdeveloped when they are young and breeders often do not recognize their true quality. It is also a feature of breeding for longevity that it produces healthier animals, which statistically incur significantly less veterinary costs (i.e. only a quarter of the costs) in cattle breeding. Here, too, the parallels to horse breeding seem clear to me: the late-maturing types have no chance at shows in the junior classes, which is why show horse breeding promotes the early-maturing type. Late maturing horses often look like “ugly ducklings”, but often they only become “beautiful swans” when they are 6 years old or older. Egyptian breeding has had this problem for a long time, which is why you see fewer and fewer Egyptians at international shows or they have their own shows where they are not in competition with the early-maturing “show horses”.

IN THE FOCUS: When you say that a late-maturing horse is characterized by long-term growth, which then ensures healthy development of the entire organism and a long lifespan, the Russians come to mind. But it is precisely these that are tested on the racetrack very early, as early as two-year-olds. Isn’t that a contradiction?

A. P.: As far as I know, the two-year-old horses are prepared very carefully for the racetrack and the trainers make sure that they are not overstrained. The horses also have time to develop further – they are encouraged to exercise without being overstrained. As a result, they develop better, become wider in the chest, more muscular overall, the entire organism becomes stronger, etc. But ultimately what matters is: How old do the horses get in good health – and therefore without major veterinary costs? And in the case of breeding animals there is also the question: How good is their fertility? There are Russian stallions with racetrack careers who are still mating naturally at the age of 28, mares who still have foals at well over 20 years of age, and the Arabian mare Nefta in Pompadour, France, had one foal every year between 1975 and 1995, i.e. 21 foals in total! I don’t know of any such examples from show horse breeding without the use of embryo transfer (but I’m happy to be informed!). In warmblood breeding you can see what selection for early-maturity does, especially with show jumping horses, the horses often have a nerve cut at 8 to 9 years of age, then you have two more years of use, so to speak, and then they go to the slaughterhouse. Or think of the hypermobility of dressage horses, which have weak connective tissue and the resulting weakness of the joints, capsules and ligaments as well as the tendons and muscles. That cannot be the breeding goal.

Any selection that is not also focused on fitness and longevity or long-term performance automatically causes these characteristics to deteriorate.

IN THE FOCUS: To what extent have modern selection methods influenced the development of specialization?

A. P.: Specialization in cattle has been driven forward in the last 10 years by genomic breeding value estimation, which has now also found its way into horse breeding. For this method, the entire genome had to be sequenced and all performance parameters were then assigned to specific gene loci. Then, using complicated calculations, one could get an estimate of what performance the animal in question will perform in the future. In this way, it was possible for a young cow to achieve a milk production of over 40 kg per day, but the animals are no longer physiologically able to absorb enough nutrients to be able to achieve this output at all! As a result, over 90% of young cows end up with severe organ damage in the slaughterhouse. This means that the animals can endure it for a certain amount of time, mobilize all their body reserves but at some point their metabolism switches off and liver damage occurs, which ultimately leads to death. Part of the problem is that selection according to the wrong parameters took place. Instead of taking “longevity” and “health” into account, they only selected for “milk production”. A lot of breeding knowledge is also lost due to the convenient catalogue selection. The people who are in charge of cattle breeding today only use the preliminary breeding value or the genomic value for planning the matings. We are not quite there yet in horse breeding and especially not in Arabian horse breeding. But here too, a lot of breeding knowledge has been lost in recent years!

IN THE FOCUS: How can you avoid such a development in horse breeding as you have outlined for cattle breeding?

A. P.: In our association “European Association for Natural Cattle Breeding” we have selected cow families that have proven to be long-lived over several generations and in which the animals have produced over 100,000 litres of milk in the last 3 to 4 generations. We buy bulls from these cows. We have also inseminated such cows with semen from bulls that lived 30 or 40 years ago, and we now have the first 200 daughters of this F1 generation of the appropriate age. What’s exciting is that the animals produce almost as much milk as their “high-performance relatives”, but are significantly healthier! The question now is: How to continue breeding with the F1 generation – this requires a lot of breeding experience and knowledge. But this is exactly what young farmers are missing. In horse breeding we have the same problem, where the most diverse bloodlines are crossed together and due to Mendel’s rules the appearance then splits in all directions in the F2 generation, and top horses that cost a lot of money produce maximum average offspring, as can be seen from the example of the gelding Agnat (pedigree see AP 2-22). That’s why we offer information in our association on the topic: How do you have to breed in order to achieve a high level of heredity reliability? To do this you have to use the old breeding methods, i.e. line breeding, occasional inbreeding, always working with blood connection. Then I don’t have the problem of anything splitting.

IN THE FOCUS: Let’s stay with Arabian breeding: What are the breed-typical characteristics that you should select for?

A. P.: Breeding means selecting. That doesn’t mean that the horses that are not suitable for breeding go to the slaughterhouse. But you have to decide which horses go into breeding based on which characteristics and which don’t. Those that do not go into breeding should still have enough quality that they can survive in their respective market segment (riding horses, show horses, racing horses). Characteristics typical of Arabians that need to be maintained are a hard constitution, suitability for long-term performance, high age, high fertility, good feed conversion, lively but benign temperament, sociability and people-oriented nature. The suitability for long-term performance is due, among other things, to the fact that the Arabian has the most haemoglobin per litre of blood (compared to warm-blooded and cold-blooded horses). Haemoglobin is responsible for supplying oxygen to the muscles, and it is therefore important that the Arabian can also mobilize the haemoglobin reserves in the body most efficiently at the same time. In this context there is also a high regenerative capacity. All of this is deeply anchored genetically, but if you don’t pay attention to these characteristics, i.e. if you don’t select for them, then these characteristics are lost within few generations. In animal breeding we speak of genotype-environment interaction, i.e. if I decrease the selection for certain characteristics, then these are gradually (and unnoticed) lost. The lifespan of Arabians is often 25 years, and horses over 30 are not uncommon. Regarding fertility, there are examples from the state stud farms where mares had 15 to 20 foals and demonstrated high fertility into old age. In addition, the Arabian horse has the highest milk yield (in grams) per kg live weight, which is also a sign of good feed conversion and efficiency. In Tersk Stud, milk production is used as a selection criterion because they don’t want mothers who don’t produce enough milk.

IN THE FOCUS: Which other results from constitutional research on cattle can be transferred to horses or the Arabian horse?

A. P.: A whole series of points come to mind: we have already covered some of the constitutional types and early maturity/late maturity, plus there is sexual dimorphism, i.e. the difference between male and female animals, breeding rules, breeding methods, the importance of mare families, the selection for size and the effects of show breeding, which also occurs with cattle!

The more masculine the male animals are in their appearance, the more feminine are their female offspring.

Sexual dimorphism is a true secondary sexual characteristic caused by different hormone constellations between the sexes. These sex hormones are produced in the adrenal cortex of stallions and mares. In addition, testosterone is produced in the testicles of stallions and estrogens are produced in the ovaries of mares. One such secondary sexual characteristic is, for example, the “stallion neck or crest”. If we now breed horses where stallions and mares look the same, where there is no longer any visible difference between the sexes – what happens on the hormonal level? The natural hormonal balance shifts, testosterone decreases, and the stallion’s neck disappears. In the long term, however, we are selecting against fertility, i.e. fertility will deteriorate! That’s also what you hear more and more often – behind closed doors: stallions have poor semen quality and mares are becoming increasingly difficult to conceive – you often have to use all the tricks of modern reproductive technology to get the animals pregnant at all. By the way, there is an old animal breeding law that says: “The more masculine the male animals are in their appearance, the more feminine their female offspring are.”

IN THE FOCUS: Breeding is a very complex matter, as we can see. What breeding principles can you give to a “young breeder”?

A. P.: Yes, what have we learned for breeding from all this research?

Never massively select for individual traits if you don’t understand the whole thing. This is going to shit. I would like to cite one of the most significant experiments in the history of animal breeding here: In the 1950s, the Russian biologist Dimitri Belyayev and his colleagues began to capture wild silver foxes, select them for tameness and repeatedly breed the animals selected according to this criterion with each other. The aim was to recreate domestication (becoming pets) in an experiment. So what happened? Already after the 3rd generation, serious changes occurred in the phenotype (external appearance): change in fur color, lop-eared ears, curly tails, shortening of the extremities, shortening of the upper and lower jaw, change in the texture of the fur, change in torso length, etc. There are a number of hypotheses to explain this phenomenon, but explaining them here would go too far. It is important to know that only a small part of the entire genome is activated; the rest are so-called “sleeping genes”. Environmental influences or selection pressure from outside (= breeding) do not change the genetic material itself, but rather the intensity with which certain parts of it are read and converted into molecules such as hormones. The conclusion for the breeder remains: selection for one characteristic ultimately changes entire complexes of characteristics!!!

Any selection that is not also aimed at fitness and longevity or long-term performance automatically causes these characteristics to deteriorate. As already mentioned at the beginning, the physiological basis for longevity and long-term performance is slow, long-lasting growth (=late maturity). Opposite to this is the complex of characteristics of “early maturity”, i.e. fast, short growth, high and intensive performance at a young age and the associated rapid aging. Research on cattle has shown that intensive selection for early and high milk production of the animals dramatically reduces their useful life. Before the animals are even fully grown (with 4 calves), a very high percentage of dairy cows have to leave the stable due to illness. These early-mature animals are physiologically incapable of maintaining this performance. On the other hand, late-maturing animals begin with medium performance, develop slowly and only achieve high and highest performance when they are fully grown. The organism with all its metabolic processes is then well “trained”, connective tissue, cartilage, joints, tendons, ligaments and claws are of high quality (because they have grown slowly) and the animals produce well into old age without any health problems. Everything that has just been said also applies in reverse to horse breeding. The rapid success pushes breeding towards early maturity with devastating consequences for the horses and ultimately for the horse owner.

Function determines form. I have to think about what breeding goal do I have? If I want to breed a riding horse, it needs certain riding horse points and it has to be ridden so that these can be checked. If I want to breed a racehorse, it has to be fast – it is this function (speed) that dictates the form. But if I want to breed a show horse, it has to fit into a conformation template that was developed by some people (judges). So here the form comes first, and the horse is bred to adapt to this form, which is fundamentally wrong.

IN THE FOCUS: There are different breeding methods to achieve your breeding goal. Could you briefly explain to us what these are?

A. P.: I actually come from a generation before population genetics. My grandfather had nothing to do with these theoretical considerations. But these people still developed different breeding methods based on their experience – and these are still valid today. The breeding methods commonly used for the Arabian horse are:

Line breeding – this means that we find a (minor) relationship on both the father’s and mother’s side, so we bring together related genes, so to speak, from breeding animals that correspond to our breeding goals and are selected as best as possible. Because of the slight relationship, I have a high degree of certainty that the next generation will be as good as or better than the parent generation.

We talk about inbreeding when you have outstanding breeding animals and you want to consolidate or increase this gene pool through breeding close relatives. Of course, inbreeding is only possible if the animal is free of any genetic defects. Inbreeding not only solidifies the good sides, but also the hereditary defects or undesirable traits and brings them forward. Two recessive genes can appear homozygous, i.e. monozygotic, through inbreeding. If the genetic makeup then contains a genetic defect, this genetic defect is present in a monozygotic form and it comes into play (e.g. CA, SCID). How close the inbreeding can be is a matter of debate. Basically, a generation postponement is always good. Before it was possible to test for hereditary defects using genetic tests, father-daughter matings were made – if the father was a hidden (recessive) carrier of a hereditary defect, this would come to light. Today’s genetic tests can save you from having dead or deformed foals. In any case, the use of inbreeding must be embedded in a breeding plan and strict selection must take place!

“Unplanned mating” – here the nice stallion around the corner or the super show crack is used without much consideration as to how well he suits the mare and what effects this has. Let’s take Agnat’s example again: His sire Empire was bronze champion at the European Championships as a junior and in the top ten at the World Championships. Grandfather Enzo was US National Champion, his grandmother Emira was All Nations Cup Champion, his other grandfather QR Marc was World Champion, and Kwestura was also World Champion and the most expensive horse at a Polish auction. His pedigree really shows the “Who’s Who” of show horse breeding and yet the combination of all these illustrious names resulted in a completely ordinary horse. So what happened there? It’s simple: In this pedigree everything is mixed together and then Mendel’s splitting rule kicks in and it splits in all directions in the F2 generation. As a consequence, the major show horse breeders then switch to embryo transfer, producing embryos from different sires, e.g. B. 10 foals, 9 of the resulting foals do not meet the requirements of a show horse and are sold cheaply, and the one that meets expectations goes into the show. But the fact that 9 foals do not meet the breeding standard is kept quiet. This is “trial and error” and has nothing to do with “breeding”. That’s why I am an absolute opponent of these methods.

Outcross – how an outcross works properly in terms of breeding is generally not known to many. So here’s an example: the stallion Kurier, bred at the Khrenovoje stud farm, a stud farm that was known for its extreme racing performance breeding. The damline is Russian, the outcross comes through the stallion Egis from Poland, a Derby winner of which the Russians have hoped to get not only a blood refreshment, but also the highest performance. In terms of breeding, the way it works now is that the stallion Egis gets the 5 best mares from the entire mare population to cover and his two or three best sons then go into breeding. Only these sons are then widely used in the broodmare band. Breeding means thinking in generations!

Displacement breeding – generally speaking, this involves replacing certain traits with others. In animal breeding, this is usually done by crossing with other breeds. In Arabian breeding this happens through a different type of horse within the breed. This can currently be seen in the Polish state stud farms, where show horse stallions, sometimes in the third generation, are being used indiscriminately on the thoroughly bred Polish mare base, so that Polish blood is being increasingly suppressed. What is currently happening there is a displacement crossing with show horses. In doing so, within 20 years they are ruining everything that has been built and consolidated over 150 years of breeding work.

Selection – in the large stud farms you could actually still select. Every year you have 50 or more foals and you select the 3 to 4 best ones, the rest go to the remonte, i.e. they become riding horses and are therefore taken from the breeding gene pool. But if, as a small private breeder, I only breed one foal in 10 years, the selection becomes difficult. The golden rule in animal breeding is: always double the good! Then you have a high degree of security in inheritance.

IN THE FOCUS: Mare families traditionally play a major role in horse breeding – and in Arabian breeding in particular. Why is that?

A. P.: Scientifically, this can be attributed to the so-called cytoplasmic inheritance. During fertilization, the stallion only contributes the sperm, and of that only the cell nucleus. The mare, however, contributes the egg cell with the cell nucleus and around it the cytoplasm with the cell organelles, and especially the mitochondria. The mitochondria are also carriers of genetic material and are responsible for the energy metabolism of the cells. These mitochondria are always passed on from mother to foal in the egg cell. A colt has the benefit of this, but cannot pass on this mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) to its offspring. Only a filly can pass this on to the next generation. Therefore, the female line can be traced back into the past using mtDNA. Maternal performance lines such as Sabellina in Poland and Sapine in Russia are also known in Arabian horse breeding.

IN THE FOCUS: What advice would you give to a breeder who wants to buy a mare for breeding?

A. P.: A breeder should look at the damline of the mare in question. If possible, you should choose a mare from a damline that has undergone performance tests. Ask the breeder about the number of foals for the mother, grandmother, etc.? This gives an indication of fertility. If the last three generations consist of mares that meet all the criteria, you can also count on a resounding inheritance in the mare that you want to buy or with which you want to breed, i.e. a high degree of heredity security. If you buy a broodmare that has already had foals, you should ask whether this mare gave birth without any problems, did she become pregnant immediately, did she accept the foal? If we select better with regards to fertility, this will save a lot of unnecessary veterinary costs! The problem today is that it is becoming increasingly difficult to obtain such data, because even studbooks usually only contain those foals that are born healthy and are considered “worthy of registration” by the breeder – the number of coverings that are used to become a mare pregnant, the number of resorptions, abortions, stillbirths, all of this is unfortunately no longer recorded today. Another problem is that most broodmares are kept by small breeders where they have no chance of having 10 or more foals because they are only bred once or twice in their lives. Based on today’s studbook data, it is not possible to determine whether a broodmare that only had two foals in 10 years was bred more often but did not produce a live foal, or was only used for breeding twice. And a good broodmare also has good milk production! In the large state stud farms in Poland and Russia, this was recorded as a selection criterion because it is also one of the good maternal qualities.

IN THE FOCUS: How can the “lack of data” be remedied, since it is the members of the associations who have decided that only the absolutely necessary data will be recorded, or that stillbirths or abortions will not be reported to the stud book at all?

A. P.: Yes, that is a problem. But I think we’re at a point now where we have to think about where do we want to go with breeding Arabian horses in the next 20 or 30 years? The breeders should arrange for the associations to collect the relevant data. The same applies to proof of performance, regardless of whether it is equestrian sport, racing, endurance or show.

IN THE FOCUS: Let’s move from mares to stallions: Stallions have a much greater influence on breeding in terms of numbers. For example, QR Marc has sired over 850 offspring in the last 15 years…

A. P.: What makes a good stallion? For me he has to have performance-tested ancestors, he must be free of hereditary defects, proven performance, best conformation and – very important – an impeccable character. If a stallion is problematic and cannot be handled, he has no place in breeding. Let’s get to the question: How do I breed a good stallion? For me, this is the most exciting question of all! I currently see far too few good young stallions in Arabian horse breeding in order to have a few good stallions available for breeding in 5 or 10 years. How to address this problem? In breeding you can say: behind every good stallion there is a good stallion mother. The mare from which you want to breed a future sire is extremely important. Good mares in particular should remain in breeding and planned, targeted matings should be encouraged.

IN THE FOCUS: What dangers do you see in show horse breeding?

A. P.: My job here as a population geneticist is to point out developmental trends. One must be aware of the dangers of where the path leads if we continue in this direction for a long time. I want to come back to the cattle here to show what effects show breeding has, because it really runs in parallel:

Just like in Arabian breeding, in cattle breeders try to achieve a straight topline. The topline must be completely straight, only then it corresponds to the show standard. But what happens when this has been achieved? By selecting for the straight topline, the sacrum descends into the pelvis and makes birth more difficult. The birth ducts become smaller (narrower) because – as desired by breeders – the sacrum lowers.

Poorly developed muscles in the hindquarters – let’s remember again the male calves mentioned at the beginning, which have poor muscles. This is due to the fact that the spinous processes of the sacrum have shortened by 2-3 cm due to incorrect selection. This means that the attachment area for the muscles is lost and this creates these muscle-poor pelvises. And I see exactly this tendency with the show horses.

In cattle breeding, a survey has shown that over 90% of Holstein cattle are asthenics, i.e. tall, narrow animals, while less than 10% are athletics, i.e. the medium-framed type with the broad chest, which could compensate for this in the population. Now you actually want to breed an animal that is as well balanced as possible, but to do this you would have to have a medium-framed, broad stallion/bull available for the vast majority of animals. However, these only make up less than 10% of the population. And this is exactly the direction horse breeding is going in!

The position of the hip joint, in cattle this is called the inverter, meaning the point at which the thigh attaches to the pelvis. The selection for the straight topline tends to shift the hip joint backwards, which means that the animal has to put the hind legs behind the body, which in turn has a negative impact on movement, creates kidney pressure and significantly worsens the resilience of the back.

The extreme “typey” head with dish is, in my opinion, a deformation. Anyone who demands a minimum level of performance from their horse will recognize that a horse with an extreme dish will have trouble breathing. This would require research to understand the exact connections. But we know from dogs and cats that the shortening of the nose does not reduce the amount of mucous membrane material in the nasopharynx. However, this is no longer tight, but rather “wrinkled”, which leads to the familiar wheezing breathing noises. The lower jaw and the ridge are no longer straight, but are curved, which leads to dental problems. Teeth change very slowly in evolutionary terms. The desert Arabians’ teeth are too large for today’s delicate heads and therefore have space problems in their jaws.

The refinement of the head in particular, but also of the entire horse, and the associated lack of gender type in the stallions. This has, for example, effects on the pituitary gland. The pituitary gland controls the entire hormonal process in the organism. It shrinks and you intervene directly in the animal’s hormonal balance and ultimately select against fertility. Here is also an example from cattle breeding: we are increasingly receiving feedback from farmers about weak contractions during birth. What happened here: the hormone oxytocin is responsible for water retention in the tissues before birth and during birth for triggering contractions. All of these natural regulators are significantly weakened by the change in the pituitary gland; the hormone levels are too low. As a result, the contractions during birth mean that the remaining blood is not sufficiently pressed from the placenta via the umbilical cord into the foetus. A normal calf has around 7 litres of blood in its system shortly after birth. If contractions are weak, the calves are usually taken out using mechanical pulling aid and the calves often only have around 3.5 litres of blood in their system and are therefore clearly weak and have to be brought with great effort through the first three weeks of life or even die.

Insufficient depth of the thorax means that the animal has no space for the organs, especially for the heart and lungs. Such animals lack endurance and performance, and the performance of the lymphatic system is significantly reduced.

The middle section is too long – although a feature of the Arabian horse is its short back! Nevertheless, long backs are selected here, which means that the animals have backs that are far too soft and the backs are no longer stable. The long back causes the loins to sink and the animals can no longer walk without pain.

Significant weaknesses in the connective tissue. Selection for early maturity and the associated rapid growth lead to a significant weakening of the connective tissue. We examined this in cattle over long periods of time based on the suspension of the uterus in the abdomen/pelvis and the back formation of the uterus after birth. Swollen legs and swollen hocks are a sign of this weakness in the connective tissue in horses – and these animals are ultimately completely useless as riding horses.

IN THE FOCUS: An important aspect today is size. The Arabian horse, which was imported to Europe 200 years ago, was often smaller than 1.50 m, but today customers demand a horse that should be 10 cm taller. What “dangers” can we expect when our “cultural Arabs” become bigger and bigger?

A. P.: In cattle, we examined what happens when the animals get bigger and heavier and what effects this has. On average, a cow weighs around 600 kg. If we now have 100 kg more body weight, this inevitably means an enormous increase in resources just to maintain the body. I agree with H. V. Musgrave Clark, an English Arabian breeder who valued small horses around 1.45 m and did not use any animal for breeding that was over 1.53 m. He lived in America for several years and worked there as a post rider and his insight was that medium-sized horses always had the greatest endurance. For us, this means that selection for excessive size, i.e. for animals that are over 1.60 – 1.65 m, is not effective. The size must fluctuate freely, which means there may well be animals that are larger, but you shouldn’t select especially for this.

IN THE FOCUS: What could happen next?

A. P.: The state stud farms are dissolving, unfortunately one has to say that. In Russia, Khrenovoye was privatized and Arabian breeding was abandoned. Tersk is also privatized and today has three different breeding programs, racehorses, show horses and “Classic Russian”, although this last group is becoming smaller and smaller. In Poland we have seen that displacement breeding with show horses is taking place. If this goes on for another 10 years, there will be nothing left of the original Polish Arab. But there are also small glimmers of hope. A very interesting project was launched in Spain back in 2003. A breeding value for performance tests was developed; there are different selection levels, including young horse selection, tested sires and elite sires. Finally, I would like to introduce a project that we have launched here in cattle breeding. We have decided to maintain long-term performance breeding because this type of cattle has no chance at all due to genomic selection and breeding value estimation as currently carried out. We therefore founded an association and then looked for cow families that met our criteria for long-term performance breeding. Then we bought bulls from them, i.e. we now have almost 40 bulls in the insemination station, we have our own semen depot, and we use it to supply farmers who are interested in this type of breeding. Something similar could also be applied to the Arabian horse. You would need a Europe-wide breeding platform, and of course you have to think about how you could finance something like that. Then you need much better data collection, research work would have to be done, you would have to network the individual initiatives (like in Spain, see above), record stallion and mare lines to see which ones are at risk, start a survey to find out which frozen semen from older stallions still exist and – and this is very important to me – there needs to be a transfer of knowledge. It would be necessary to offer breeding advice for the next, younger generation of breeders, because otherwise the old hippological knowledge would be completely lost.

IN THE FOCUS: Thank you very much for your clear words and your commitment to preserving the old values in our breed.

The interview was conducted by Gudrun Waiditschka.

[beardedmrbean]

Newspaper Helsingin Sanomat has created a calculator to help readers determine if it is more cost effective for them to rent or buy a home in the current market.

HS noted the shifting attitudes towards home ownership in Finland, with renting becoming a viable alternative for many.

"In the 1990s, young couples were automatically asked when they planned to buy a home, now they are asked if they are going to buy one. It is no longer taken for granted," said Anne Viita, director of Finnish Tenants, an advocacy group for renters.

Viita told HS that uncertainties around job security as well as a more mobile lifestyle have made renting attractive, offering an exit option without the obligations of ownership, such as repair or renovation costs.

Rising costs in home ownership, including mortgage rates, energy and maintenance fees, have also dampened enthusiasm for buying.

Juho Kostiainen, an economist at Nordea, said that while mortgage costs can surpass rent, ownership remains appealing because loan repayments contribute to personal equity.

Economist Veera Holappa of the Pellervo Economic Research (PTT) meanwhile noted to HS that in cities like Helsinki and Tampere, owning was twice as expensive as renting in 2023. However, a recent decrease in interest rates has somewhat balanced the equation.

Holappa added that high rental supply is keeping rent increases modest in the Helsinki area.

For first-time buyers, falling property prices present an opportunity, though current owners may find it challenging to sell at past values.

Immigration has also contributed to the rental market's growth, with newcomers typically renting during their first years in Finland, according to Kostiainen.

Far-right's building burns

Tabloid Ilta-Sanomat reports that a fire broke out early on Monday morning at a building known as a hub for Finland's far-right groups in the Hiiltomo industrial area of Hyvinkää.

The blaze, which affected a single-story structure of approximately 400 square metres known as Otsola, required a response from 14 firefighting units.

Although the building was not completely destroyed, it sustained extensive damage. Authorities did not immediately comment on the suspected cause of the fire.

Otsola is unique in Finland as a space openly identified with far-right groups, the most prominent being the openly fascist Blue-Black Movement.

Members have referred to the building as a cultural centre, hosting various gatherings and events, including concerts.

Finnish forestry exports and Trump

Rural-focused newspaper Maaseudun Tulevaisuus writes that Donald Trump's re-election raises questions for Finland's forestry industry, particularly regarding his proposals to boost American manufacturing and impose broad import tariffs.

Trump's campaign included a general 10 percent tariff on imports, with a specific 60 percent levy targeting Chinese goods.

Finland's major forestry players — UPM, Stora Enso, and Metsä Group's Metsä Board — remain cautious, with all three declining to speculate on potential impacts.

Timo Tolonen of the lobby group Finnish Forest Industries emphasised that any significant change will happen over time, with Trump's term starting in January and policy shifts possibly taking even longer.

"It's too early to judge at this stage. As an industry, we support free trade and measures that do not lead to protectionism, ensuring a level playing field for industry," Tolonen told MT.

Currently, Finland exports forestry products worth one billion euros annually to the US, accounting for over eight percent of the country's total forestry exports.

For Metsä Board, which exports primarily from Finland and Sweden without local US production, new tariffs could pose challenges.

UPM, on the other hand, operates production sites in the US, potentially giving it an advantage if Trump's policies favour domestic manufacturers.

Increased tariffs may reduce demand for Finnish imports, forcing companies to seek new markets and offer discounts, especially in competitive sectors like cardboard.

Meanwhile, the US dollar's value has bolstered in the wake of Trump's victory. This could help offset some impacts by making Finnish exports cheaper for American buyers, though how long this exchange rate will hold remains uncertain.

[demifiendrsa]

Microsoft’s $68.7 billion deal to acquire Activision Blizzard has been approved by UK regulators. The UK’s Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has concluded that the deal can proceed after Microsoft recently restructured the deal to transfer cloud gaming rights for current and new Activision Blizzard games to Ubisoft. The decision clears the way for the deal to close now that the UK regulator has given the green light.

Press release from the CMA

In August this year Microsoft made a concession that would see Ubisoft, instead of Microsoft, buy Activision’s cloud gaming rights. This new deal will put the cloud streaming rights (outside the EEA) for all of Activision’s PC and console content produced over the next 15 years in the hands of a strong and independent competitor with ambitious plans to offer new ways of accessing that content.

As a result of this concession, the CMA agreed to look afresh at the deal and launched a new investigation in August. That investigation has completed today with the CMA clearing this narrower transaction.

The new deal will stop Microsoft from locking up competition in cloud gaming as this market takes off, preserving competitive prices and services for UK cloud gaming customers. It will allow Ubisoft to offer Activision’s content under any business model, including through multigame subscription services. It will also help to ensure that cloud gaming providers will be able to use non-Windows operating systems for Activision content, reducing costs and increasing efficiency.

Sarah Cardell, Chief Executive of the CMA said:

The CMA is resolute in its determination to prevent mergers that harm competition and deliver bad outcomes for consumers and businesses. We take our decisions free from political influence and we won’t be swayed by corporate lobbying.  We delivered a clear message to Microsoft that the deal would be blocked unless they comprehensively addressed our concerns and stuck to our guns on that. With the sale of Activision’s cloud streaming rights to Ubisoft, we’ve made sure Microsoft can’t have a stranglehold over this important and rapidly developing market. As cloud gaming grows, this intervention will ensure people get more competitive prices, better services and more choice. We are the only competition agency globally to have delivered this outcome.  But businesses and their advisors should be in no doubt that the tactics employed by Microsoft are no way to engage with the CMA. Microsoft had the chance to restructure during our initial investigation but instead continued to insist on a package of measures that we told them simply wouldn’t work. Dragging out proceedings in this way only wastes time and money.

Martin Coleman, Chair of the Independent Panel who reviewed the original Microsoft deal, said:

Cloud gaming is an important new way for gamers to access games and this deal could have seriously undermined its potential development. On that we, the European Commission and the US Federal Trade Commission are in full agreement. Where we differ is on how we solve that problem. We rejected a solution put to us by the parties which would have left Microsoft with too much control. We now have a new transaction in which the cloud distribution of Activision games, old and new, is taken away from Microsoft and put into the hands of Ubisoft, an independent party who is committed to widening access to the games. That’s better for competition, better for consumers and better for economic growth.

The decision 

In its original investigation, the CMA found Microsoft already held a strong position in relation to cloud gaming and blocked the deal. 

The sale of Activision’s cloud streaming rights to Ubisoft will prevent the distribution of important, popular content – including games such as Call of Duty, Overwatch, and World of Warcraft – from coming under the control of Microsoft in relation to cloud gaming. The restructured deal substantially addressed the concerns that the CMA had following its original investigation, which concluded earlier this year.   

The CMA did identify limited residual concerns with the new deal, but Microsoft gave undertakings that will ensure that the terms of the sale of Activision’s rights to Ubisoft are enforceable by the CMA. 

The CMA consulted on these undertakings and is satisfied that this will provide the safety net needed to make sure this deal is properly implemented.

For more information, visit the Microsoft / Activision ex-cloud streaming rights case page.

[mariacallous]

Concerns about falling fertility rates, however justifiable, must not become a ‘rationale for denying the rights and bodily autonomy of women and girls’.

In November 2022, the global population surpassed 8 billion people. At the same time, two-thirds of people on the planet lived in places where fertility rates had fallen below the so-called “replacement level” of 2.1 births per woman.

The big demographic transition – the shift from higher to lower mortality and fertility – is happening almost everywhere, but in some parts of the world it has set in earlier than in others.

This is why the world’s population is still rising while population growth has stalled, or reversed, in an increasing number of countries. And it explains why there can simultaneously be concerns about both “too many” people and “too few”.

Anxieties about “too few” people are particularly strong in Eastern Europe, where low fertility rates are compounded by high levels of emigration. As a result, country’s populations have been shrinking, in some cases by more than 25 per cent since the early 1990s.

Just as high fertility rates are often seen as catastrophic for the planet, alarmists see impending doom and civilizational collapse in the low fertility rates now common across most high and middle-income countries.

To be sure, there are many valid and pressing concerns related to the shift to smaller, older, populations. How can countries prosper economically? How do we ensure pension and health systems can cope with demographic change? How do we maintain services and infrastructure for people living in sparsely populated rural areas?

But the alarmism that dominates public discourses on fertility rates poses risks, according to this year’s State of World Population report, published by UNFPA, the United Nations Population Fund: not only does population anxiety threaten to distract us from finding constructive solutions to serious but solvable problems. It also risks becoming a “rationale for denying the rights and bodily autonomy of women and girls.”

When fertility rates are seen as the sole problem, the solutions, it is often said or implied, should therefore be fertility related. Or, as the report puts it: “Fears and fixes begin to take the form of a woman’s body.”

In this way, women’s bodies are treated as instruments to achieve population ideals, their lives put in the service of attaining abstract numerical goals – notions made possible by women’s still subordinate status in most spheres of society.

The fixation on fertility rates, and by extension women’s bodies, persists in part because it offers easy talking points and can be used to justify simple but ultimately fallacious “fixes”, like setting fertility targets to “correct” a population size. It may seem easier to focus on fertility rates and pressure or incentivize women into having more children than to make the public investments needed to ensure equitable access to quality education, employment, health coverage and social protection.

New research in the report shows the share of countries with policies to increase fertility has grown recently. And, worryingly, some governments in low-fertility countries have taken measures to restrict women’s access to contraception and legal abortion. More broadly, the report finds that efforts to influence fertility are associated with diminished levels of human freedoms.

[skyquesttinsights]

Critical Infrastructure Protection Market Growth Drivers and Trends: What’s Next for 2032?

The Critical Infrastructure Protection (CIP) market plays a pivotal role in ensuring the safety, security, and resilience of key sectors within the economy, such as energy, water, transportation, telecommunications, and more. As technological advancements continue to reshape the global landscape, the need for robust protection measures against cyber threats, natural disasters, and physical attacks is more crucial than ever. This research report explores the critical infrastructure protection market's size, share, growth trends, and forecasts up to 2032.

Critical Infrastructure Protection refers to measures taken to safeguard essential services that society relies on for day-to-day functioning. These infrastructures are the backbone of economic, social, and national security systems, and disruptions to their operations can lead to catastrophic consequences. CIP involves both physical security (e.g., surveillance, access control) and cyber security (e.g., firewalls, encryption) to protect these infrastructures from a range of threats, including terrorism, natural disasters, and cyberattacks.

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Growth Forecast and Market Outlook (2025-2032)

The Critical Infrastructure Protection market is expected to experience robust growth over the next decade. According to recent market reports, the market size is anticipated to reach USD 166.51 billion by 2032, growing at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of around 3.67% during the forecast period.

Key factors influencing this growth include:

- An increasing focus on cybersecurity and physical security solutions.

- Growing adoption of AI and machine learning for real-time threat detection and prevention.

- The rising demand for integrated security platforms that combine cybersecurity, risk management, and disaster recovery capabilities.

- Increased investments in advanced technologies such as blockchain and AI for enhanced protection and resilience.

Market Drivers

Several key factors are driving the growth of the Critical Infrastructure Protection market:

1. Increasing Cyber Threats: As the world becomes more interconnected, cyberattacks targeting critical infrastructure have surged. High-profile cyberattacks, such as ransomware incidents affecting power grids and financial systems, highlight the vulnerabilities within vital sectors. The need for enhanced cybersecurity solutions is a major driving force behind the CIP market’s expansion.

2. Government Regulations and Standards: Governments across the globe are introducing stricter regulations and policies aimed at safeguarding critical infrastructure. For instance, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and the European Union’s NIS Directive impose mandatory security standards for critical infrastructure sectors, driving investments in CIP solutions.

3. Growth of Smart Cities and IoT: The rise of smart cities and Internet of Things (IoT) devices has led to greater interconnectivity within critical infrastructure. While this improves efficiency and service delivery, it also exposes vulnerabilities to cyberattacks and operational disruptions. As a result, the adoption of CIP systems is becoming increasingly essential to protect these interconnected networks.

4. Climate Change and Natural Disasters: The growing frequency of natural disasters, such as hurricanes, floods, and wildfires, has underscored the need for physical protection and disaster recovery plans for critical infrastructure. CIP systems help ensure that vital services are resilient to extreme weather conditions, minimizing downtime and damage.

5. Rising Terrorism and Geopolitical Tensions: Geopolitical instability and the threat of terrorism have also contributed to the demand for more robust infrastructure protection systems. The protection of transportation networks, power grids, and other critical assets from both cyber and physical attacks has become a global priority.

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Market Segmentation

The Critical Infrastructure Protection market can be segmented based on various factors, such as solution types, application areas, and geographical regions.

By Solution Type:

- Physical Security: Includes surveillance systems, access control, biometrics, perimeter security, and monitoring systems designed to prevent unauthorized access or sabotage of critical infrastructure.

- Cybersecurity: Comprises firewalls, intrusion detection systems (IDS), encryption, and other technologies focused on protecting critical systems from cyberattacks.

- Risk Management: Involves threat detection, vulnerability assessments, and risk analysis tools to identify and mitigate risks to infrastructure.

- Disaster Recovery and Business Continuity: Includes backup systems, contingency planning, and systems designed to maintain operational integrity during and after a disaster.

By Application Area:

- Energy and Power: Protecting power plants, grids, and energy supply chains from both cyber and physical threats.

- Transportation Systems: Safeguarding railways, airports, and highways to prevent disruptions and ensure safe operations.

- Water Systems: Protecting water treatment plants, distribution systems, and other water infrastructure from attacks and environmental hazards.

- Telecommunications: Ensuring the security of communication networks, including mobile, satellite, and internet infrastructure.

- Healthcare: Safeguarding medical facilities, patient data, and health systems from cyberattacks, especially as healthcare becomes more digitalized.

- Government and Defense: Ensuring the security of government buildings, defense infrastructure, and national security systems.

By Region:

- North America: The largest market share, driven by the U.S. government’s stringent security requirements and high investments in cybersecurity solutions for critical infrastructure.

- Europe: Strong regulatory frameworks, such as the EU's NIS Directive, and increasing demand for cyber resilience in sectors like energy and transportation contribute to market growth.

- Asia-Pacific: Rapid urbanization, digitalization, and significant investments in smart cities make the region a key player in the CIP market. Countries like China, India, and Japan are actively enhancing their CIP strategies.

- Middle East and Africa: With increasing concerns over terrorism and geopolitical instability, nations in this region are focusing on securing critical infrastructure.

- Latin America: Countries are focusing on strengthening their infrastructure security measures in response to both natural disasters and increasing cyber threats.

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Top Player’s Company Profiles in Critical Infrastructure Protection Market

BAE Systems (UK)

Honeywell International Inc. (US)

Lockheed Martin Corporation (US)

General Dynamics Corporation (US)

Northrop Grumman Corporation (US)

Airbus SE (France)

Thales Group (France)

Hexagon AB (Sweden)

Johnson Controls International (Ireland)

Raytheon Technologies (US)

Motorola Solutions (US)

Huawei Technologies (China)

GE Vernova (US)

Axis Communications (Sweden)

Kaspersky Lab (Russia)

Fortinet Inc. (US)

Cisco Systems Inc. (US)

G4S plc (UK)

Ericsson AB (Sweden)

Tenable Inc. (US)

Market Challenges

Despite the significant growth potential, several challenges hinder the development of the Critical Infrastructure Protection market:

1. High Costs: The implementation of CIP systems, especially advanced cybersecurity measures and physical protection technologies, can be expensive, which may deter some organizations from making necessary investments.

2. Complexity of Integration: Integrating new security technologies into existing infrastructure can be technically challenging, requiring expertise and considerable time.

3. Lack of Skilled Workforce: A shortage of cybersecurity professionals and infrastructure security experts limits the effectiveness of CIP solutions.

4. Rapid Technological Change: As threats evolve, so must the security systems be protecting critical infrastructure. Keeping up with the pace of technological change and the emerging nature of cyberattacks presents an ongoing challenge.

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The Critical Infrastructure Protection market is witnessing substantial growth, driven by evolving threats, regulatory pressures, and technological advancements. As the world continues to embrace digitalization and interconnectedness, protecting vital infrastructure will remain a top priority for governments, businesses, and organizations. The market's future is bright, with innovative solutions emerging to address both cyber and physical security challenges, ensuring the continued resilience of essential infrastructure across industries and regions.

[zelda-larsson]

Sustainable Investing. Balancing Profit with Purpose

Sustainable investing has evolved from a niche concept into a mainstream strategy for individuals and organizations looking to generate financial returns while supporting environmental and social progress. This approach integrates environmental, social, and governance (ESG) factors into investment decisions, aiming to create long-term value. For businesses and investors, balancing profit with purpose is not only a way to support global well-being but also a method to ensure long-term financial stability.

Michael Shvartsman, a seasoned investor and advocate for responsible business practices, emphasizes the growing importance of sustainable investing. “Investors today are looking beyond short-term profits,” Shvartsman notes. “They understand that supporting businesses with sustainable practices leads to stronger long-term returns and a more resilient economy.”

The Growing Demand for Sustainable Investing.

Consumer preferences have shifted significantly in recent years, with individuals and businesses placing greater emphasis on sustainability. This change has fueled demand for investments that align with ethical and environmental values. Companies that prioritize sustainability not only contribute to a healthier planet but also appeal to consumers who seek to support responsible businesses.

Investors have taken notice of this shift. ESG-focused investment funds have experienced substantial growth, reflecting the belief that sustainable companies are better positioned to thrive in a changing world. These investments often demonstrate resilience during economic fluctuations, as businesses with strong sustainability practices tend to have robust risk management processes and a long-term focus.

Michael Shvartsman believes that this trend will continue to accelerate. “Sustainable investing is no longer a trend — it’s becoming the standard,” he explains. “Companies that fail to address ESG factors may struggle to attract investors and customers in the future.”

Aligning Profit with Purpose.

One of the key principles of sustainable investing is the idea that profitability and social responsibility can coexist. Traditionally, businesses were primarily judged by their financial performance. However, modern investors recognize that long-term profitability is closely linked to a company’s impact on the environment, society, and governance practices.

For example, businesses that reduce their carbon footprint, promote fair labor practices, and maintain transparent governance structures often experience enhanced brand reputation and customer loyalty. These factors can lead to increased sales, reduced operational risks, and improved financial performance. Additionally, sustainable companies are often better prepared to comply with evolving regulations, reducing the risk of costly legal issues.

Michael Shvartsman highlights the importance of selecting investments that align with both financial goals and personal values. “Investing with purpose doesn’t mean sacrificing returns,” he says. “In fact, companies that prioritize sustainability are often more innovative, adaptable, and resilient, which can drive long-term growth.”

Strategies for Sustainable Investing.

Investors seeking to balance profit with purpose can adopt various strategies to incorporate sustainability into their portfolios:

ESG Integration: This approach involves evaluating potential investments based on their environmental, social, and governance performance. By considering these factors alongside traditional financial metrics, investors can identify companies with sustainable business practices.

Impact Investing: Impact investors specifically seek to generate measurable social or environmental benefits alongside financial returns. This strategy often involves supporting businesses that address global challenges such as climate change, poverty, and healthcare access.

Thematic Investing: Thematic investing focuses on sectors that contribute to sustainability, such as renewable energy, clean technology, and social equality. By targeting industries with long-term growth potential, investors can support positive change while seeking financial returns.

Exclusionary Screening: This approach involves avoiding investments in companies that engage in harmful practices, such as fossil fuel production, tobacco manufacturing, or unethical labor practices. Exclusionary screening helps investors align their portfolios with their values.

Michael Shvartsman emphasizes the importance of thorough research and due diligence. “Understanding a company’s long-term sustainability strategy is essential,” he advises. “Investors should look for businesses that are committed to continuous improvement and transparent reporting.”

[nouraferjani]

Breaking News: Top Headlines from Around the World – WhitePrintNews

The United States is witnessing one of the most closely contested presidential races in recent history. With both candidates neck and neck in the polls, experts predict a record voter turnout. Key battleground states continue to sway between the contenders, making this election one of the most unpredictable in recent memory.

Middle East: Peace Talks Gain Momentum

Diplomatic efforts in the Middle East have taken a positive turn as key stakeholders engage in fresh peace talks. Countries like Israel, WhitePrintNews, Palestine, and neighboring nations are reportedly working towards agreements that could pave the way for long-term stability in the region. International mediators, including the United Nations, have expressed optimism about the negotiations.

Economic Updates: Market Fluctuations and Global Trade

Stock Markets React to Inflation Reports

Global stock markets are experiencing significant volatility following new inflation reports from major economies. The U.S. Federal Reserve and the European Central Bank are considering potential interest rate adjustments to curb inflation. Investors remain cautious as financial analysts predict possible shifts in market trends.

China’s Economy: Growth Amidst Challenges

China's economy continues to grow despite ongoing trade tensions with Western nations. The country’s latest GDP report shows a steady increase, driven by industrial production and consumer spending. However, concerns over real estate market instability and international sanctions remain key areas of focus.

Science & Technology: Breakthroughs and Innovations

AI Developments: New Advancements in Machine Learning

Artificial Intelligence is making headlines as new machine learning models surpass previous technological benchmarks. Tech giants such as Google, Microsoft, and OpenAI are unveiling cutting-edge AI applications that are expected to transform industries including healthcare, finance, and cybersecurity.

Space Exploration: NASA’s New Lunar Mission

NASA has announced plans for its next lunar mission, set to take place next year. The Artemis program aims to establish a sustainable human presence on the Moon, paving the way for future Mars exploration. International space agencies, including those from Europe and Asia, are joining efforts to make this mission a success.

Health & Environment: Challenges and Solutions

Global Health: The Rise of New Virus Strains

Health authorities worldwide are closely monitoring new strains of viral infections that have surfaced in different regions. The World Health Organization (WHO) has issued guidelines to prevent potential outbreaks. Vaccination campaigns and public health measures are being reinforced in affected areas.

Climate Change: Extreme Weather Events on the Rise

Climate scientists warn of an increase in extreme weather events due to global warming. Recent hurricanes, wildfires, and heatwaves have caused significant damage in various parts of the world. Governments are being urged to implement stronger policies to combat climate change and invest in sustainable energy solutions.

Sports: Major Events and Surprising Results

FIFA World Cup: Shocking Upsets in Group Stage

The FIFA World Cup has already witnessed unexpected upsets, with underdog teams defeating tournament favorites. Fans are thrilled by the unpredictable nature of the competition, making this year’s event one of the most exciting in recent history.

Olympics 2024: Preparations in Full Swing

With the 2024 Olympics fast approaching, host city Paris is finalizing preparations for the grand event. Infrastructure development and athlete training camps are in full swing, ensuring a world-class experience for both participants and spectators.

Entertainment: Hollywood and Beyond

Blockbuster Movies: Record-Breaking Box Office Sales

The global film industry is celebrating record-breaking box office sales, with several blockbuster movies surpassing expectations. Streaming platforms and traditional cinemas continue to compete for audience attention, offering a diverse range of content.

Music Industry: Rising Stars and New Albums

The music industry is seeing a surge of new talent making their mark. Chart-topping artists are releasing highly anticipated albums, while independent musicians are gaining popularity through social media platforms.

Conclusion

As the world keeps evolving, staying informed is more important than ever. WhitePrintNews will continue to bring you the latest updates on global events, ensuring you remain ahead of the curve. Stay tuned for more breaking news and in-depth analyses!

[workingcapitalforbusiness]

Optimizing Working Capital for Businesses Across the Nation

Working capital is the lifeblood of any business, ensuring smooth day-to-day operations and financial stability. It represents the difference between a company’s current assets and liabilities, influencing its liquidity, efficiency, and short-term financial health. Optimizing working capital is essential for sustaining growth, improving profitability, and maintaining financial resilience in an increasingly competitive market.

This article explores effective strategies for managing and optimizing working capital, helping businesses across the nation stay financially agile.

Understanding Working Capital

Working capital for large business is a key financial metric that determines a company's ability to meet short-term obligations and fund operations. It is calculated using the following formula:

Working Capital = Current Assets - Current Liabilities

A positive working capital indicates that a business has enough resources to cover its short-term liabilities, whereas a negative working capital can signal potential liquidity challenges.

Importance of Optimizing Working Capital

Effective working capital management ensures a business remains financially healthy while improving cash flow and operational efficiency. Benefits of optimizing working capital include:

Improved Liquidity: Ensures businesses can meet their obligations without disruption.

Better Operational Efficiency: Enhances inventory management, accounts payable, and receivable processes.

Financial Stability: Helps businesses withstand economic downturns and unforeseen financial challenges.

Higher Profitability: Reduces costs associated with interest and borrowing while maximizing cash flow.

Strategies for Optimizing Working Capital

1. Improve Accounts Receivable Management

Accounts receivable plays a crucial role in working capital optimization. Businesses should focus on reducing the time taken to collect payments from customers by:

Establishing clear payment terms and policies.

Offering early payment incentives.

Automating invoicing and payment reminders.

Conducting regular follow-ups on outstanding invoices.

Utilizing credit checks to assess customers’ payment reliability before extending credit.

2. Streamline Accounts Payable Process

While collecting receivables faster is important, businesses should also strategically manage their accounts payable to maintain liquidity. Key approaches include:

Negotiating favorable payment terms with suppliers.

Taking advantage of discounts for early payments where possible.

Avoiding late payment penalties and interest charges.

Automating payments to ensure accuracy and efficiency.

3. Optimize Inventory Management

Inventory is a major component of working capital, and inefficient inventory management can tie up significant cash. Businesses should:

Implement just-in-time (JIT) inventory strategies to reduce excess stock.

Leverage demand forecasting techniques to optimize stock levels.

Use inventory management software to track real-time stock movement.

Regularly review slow-moving or obsolete inventory and adjust purchasing strategies accordingly.

4. Enhance Cash Flow Forecasting

Accurate cash flow forecasting helps businesses anticipate future cash needs and avoid liquidity crises. To improve forecasting:

Monitor cash inflows and outflows regularly.

Identify seasonal fluctuations and plan accordingly.

Use financial modeling to predict potential cash shortfalls.

Establish emergency funds for unexpected expenses.

5. Reduce Unnecessary Expenses

Cost-cutting is a crucial element in optimizing working capital. Businesses can achieve this by:

Reviewing operational expenses to identify cost-saving opportunities.

Outsourcing non-core activities to reduce overhead.

Implementing energy-saving measures to lower utility costs.

Renegotiating contracts with vendors and service providers.

6. Access Working Capital Financing Wisely

While businesses should focus on internal optimizations, external financing options can help manage Unsecured Personal Loans  gaps. Common financing solutions include:

Short-term business loans to cover immediate cash flow needs.

Invoice factoring to receive immediate cash against outstanding invoices.

Business lines of credit for flexible access to funds.

Trade credit agreements with suppliers to extend payment terms.

7. Leverage Technology for Efficiency

Technology can significantly improve working capital management by automating financial processes and reducing manual errors. Businesses can:

Implement enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems to integrate financial data.

Use cloud-based accounting software for real-time cash flow monitoring.

Adopt digital payment solutions to expedite transactions.

Challenges in Managing Working Capital

Despite the benefits of working capital optimization, businesses often face challenges such as:

Economic Uncertainty: Market fluctuations can impact cash flow and demand forecasting.

Customer Payment Delays: Late payments from customers can strain cash reserves.

Supplier Constraints: Dependence on a few suppliers can lead to disruptions in procurement.

Operational Inefficiencies: Poor coordination between departments can slow down financial processes.

To overcome these challenges, businesses must adopt proactive financial management strategies and continuously refine their working capital processes.

Conclusion

Optimizing working capital for business nationwide is essential for businesses of all sizes to maintain financial health, improve cash flow, and drive sustainable growth. By managing accounts receivable and payable efficiently, optimizing inventory, leveraging technology, and forecasting cash flows accurately, businesses can enhance their liquidity and profitability.

Implementing these strategies will help businesses across the nation navigate financial challenges and build a strong foundation for long-term success. Prioritizing working capital management ensures stability and resilience, enabling companies to seize growth opportunities while mitigating financial risks.

[lavanyang]

The Marpu foundation is a proud model of corporate social responsibility, also known as CSR, excellence in India. The foundation integrates development that is sustainable and fosters community empowerment. Founded by Mr. Kadiri Vamsi, this foundation has truly undertaken a transformative and meaningful journey to bring about a true change in social and environmental situations.

At the core of Marpu’s mission is a belief in ‘harnessing individual potential for positive change through innovative, empathy-led projects promoting sustainability and social empowerment’. Their vision is to ‘be a beacon of transformation, crafting a future that's equitable, compassionate, and sustainable through collective efforts and partnerships.’

Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

The initiatives taken by the Marpu foundation align with the sustainable developmental goals, also known as SDG’s, of the UN (united nations). This ensures a well-thought approach to community development and ensures growth.

• The foundation addresses environmental issues through projects focused on clean water and sanitation (SDG 6), affordable and clean energy (SDG 7), sustainable cities and communities (SDG 11), responsible consumption and production (SDG 12), climate action (SDG 13), life below water (SDG 14), and life on land (SDG 15).

• Marpu's economic initiatives target the eradication of poverty (SDG 1), achieving zero hunger (SDG 2), promoting decent work and economic growth (SDG 8), fostering industry, innovation, and infrastructure (SDG 9), and reducing inequalities (SDG 10).

• The foundation's social programs focus on ensuring good health and well-being (SDG 3), providing quality education (SDG 4), and achieving gender equality (SDG 5).

Impactful Initiatives

Marpu Foundation's commitment to CSR excellence is evident in its projects:

• Marpu has implemented borewell construction along with water plant installations in rural areas, ensuring sustainable water access.

• By establishing health clinics, the foundation has brought essential medical services to deprived communities.

• Through reforestation and clean water projects, Marpu has restored much needed ecological balance and provided sustainable livelihoods to thousands.

The Marpu foundation’s approaches to CSR excellence has been enhanced through strategic and important collaborations with corporations. The impact of these partnerships is a favorable one; it provides opportunities for employee engagement, developing of the brand and increased and direct involvement in transformative projects. In alignment with Marpu, companies can meet their CSR objectives and at the same time, contribute to a meaningful and important change in our world.

The Marpu foundation’s inspiring dedication to providing measurable impact has garnered national and international recognition, and their commitment to development gives them a well-deserved position as leaders in CSR excellence, as they inspire others to create a future loved by all.

The Marpu foundation is a truly encouraging and inspiring example of how far an important vision, along with initiatives and a clear message, can go.

[therepublicreport]

DIG traffic vows to resolve transport issues

KARACHI: DIG Traffic Ahmed Nawaz has assured that effective measures will be taken to ensure the uninterrupted transportation of raw materials and export goods in the North Karachi industrial area. He stated that all-out efforts would be made to control the build-up of heavy vehicular traffic to sustain industrial activities and promote economic growth. He gave this assurance to industrialists…

[hungamaofficial]

DIG traffic vows to resolve transport issues

[ KARACHI: DIG Traffic Ahmed Nawaz has assured that effective measures will be taken to ensure the uninterrupted transportation of raw materials and export goods in the North Karachi industrial area. He stated that all-out efforts would be made to control the build-up of heavy vehicular traffic to sustain industrial activities and promote economic growth. He gave this assurance to…

[caabdulmaajid]

HOW MANY TYPES OF INTEREST RATES ARE  THERE?????

You might be surprised with my question. You might have thought that it is a basic question, which can be answered by almost every one. Ok right, Almost everyone knows that there are two types of interest rates: 1. Simple interest rate 2. Compound interest rate.

Almost everyone knows the definition of these rates. For the sake of knowledge, we can say simple interest rate is charged on principal amount of loan borrowed, while compound interest is calculated on the principal plus any interest that has already been earned.

But the basic purpose of my question is that , can there be any other type of interest rate, which can prove to be more efficient as compared to these classical types I,e. simple and compound rates.

My answer is yes. The type of interest rate which can beat these classical rates is VARIABLE INTEREST RATE OR ADJUSTED RATE OF INTEREST.

VARIABLE INTEREST RATE :-

Variable rate of interest is the rate which is calculated and/or fixed having regard to the general growth rate of an economy.usually Economic growth rate is  calculated in terms of GDP I,e.

Economic Growth Rate = (GDP in current year - GDP in previous year)/GDP in previous year* 100.

Now,  Variable rate of interest will increase or decrease having regard to growth rate of an economy in general. Economy is the backbone of any country or nation. In another words we can say a country is run by business. If there is no business, there is no country or government. But finance is the life line of every business/economy. In every country , government takes necessary measures to attract more and more financial avenues/sources to fund its economic activities for smooth and efficient operations. Among these financial avenues, businesses switch to Loans from both domestic and foreign financial institutions. Financial institutions lend money on simple or compound interest rate basis. Interest rates fixed at the time of loan agreement does not changes or remains unaltered without having regard to situation of an economy/country in general.

Now if the growth of an economy falls I,e. GDP rate decreases, pressure is mounted on businesses which have taken their loans in domestic or foreign markets as their revenue starts falling but they have obligation to pay interest/ inatallment on fixed amount basis irrespective of their economic conditions. Conditions becomes more worse when loan is taken from foreign financial institutions as domestic currency starts depreciating rapidly when there is low growth rate. In such situations, VARIABLE RATE OF INTEREST can prove more fruitful . when economy is facing low GDP rate or bearish trend, in such situations variable rate of interest is reduced, thereby enabling borrowers to payoff their installemts without facing pressure of bearish trend, thereby enabling them to carry on their operations in a smooth manner.

Also, VARIABLE RATE OF INTEREST reduces the burden of government to pay off Non performing assets(I,e. Accounts in default) in an economy. The  Indian government reported recovering Rs 1,23,299 crore in NPAs during FY 2023-24. Gross NPAs of Public Sector Banks (PSBs) were at Rs 3.16 trillion as of September 2024. Thus VARIABLE RATE OF INTEREST will ensure efficient allocation and utilization of fiscal revenue.

But it must be noted that VARIABLE RATE OF INTEREST also favours lenders, when an economy enters bullish trend/Boom phase I,e. when the GDP rate increases, then VARIABLE INTEREST RATE is increased thereby providing rewards for sacrificing returns during bullish phase/ recession in an economy.

Hence, VARIABLE RATE OF INTEREST is dependent upon GDP rate I,e. Variable interest rate( y) is the function of GDP growth rate(x). y and x will have positive correlation I,e. when x increases , y also increases and vice-versa.

In conclusion, it may be said that variable interest rate benefits both borrowers and lenders in a judicious manner.

Your comments on my concept of VARIABLE RATE OF INTEREST are most valuable.

[yash-gangele]

India’s Budget: Strengthening Growth Amid Global Challenges

India’s latest budget reflects a focused strategy to balance economic growth with global uncertainties. With measures aimed at bolstering key economic pillars, the government has taken steps to reinforce infrastructure, manufacturing, consumer spending, and financial markets. While the budget provides much-needed stability, there are areas where policy refinements could enhance its long-term impact. 

Supporting Consumer Spending and Fiscal Stability 

One of the notable aspects of this budget is the personal tax rate cuts. By putting more money back into consumers' hands, the government has aimed to stimulate domestic demand without compromising fiscal stability. The fiscal deficit for FY26 is estimated at 4.4% of GDP, indicating a steady commitment to fiscal consolidation. This ensures that while the economy benefits from short-term spending boosts, long-term financial discipline is maintained. 

Addressing GST Cascading in Capital Expenditure 

The government has been working to mitigate the cascading effect of GST in capital expenditure. Currently, input tax credits on capital procurements are restricted, limiting businesses’ ability to offset costs. A recent Supreme Court ruling in the Safari Retreats case highlighted this issue, but a subsequent amendment by the GST Council reversed the ruling. A potential solution could be to allow businesses to claim GST input credit on capital goods over a defined period, similar to past excise regulations. This would encourage private investment without significantly affecting tax revenues. 

Strengthening the IFSC Ecosystem 

A key highlight of the budget is the extension of tax incentives for International Financial Services Centres (IFSCs) until 2030. This move provides certainty to investors and supports India’s ambitions to position GIFT City as a global financial hub. Additionally, tax relaxations for offshore derivatives and fund management are expected to attract more global capital. 

Further improvements could involve: 

Recognizing securities listed on IFSC exchanges as ‘capital assets’ for tax clarity. 

Reducing dividend tax rates to align with international norms. 

Establishing flexible tax regimes for holding companies within IFSCs to attract global investors. 

Rationalizing Foreign Portfolio Investment (FPI) Compliance 

Foreign funds have long struggled with compliance requirements on tracking Indian resident ownership. The budget introduces a more lenient approach, requiring funds to track Indian ownership twice a year instead of continuously. While this is a step in the right direction, further simplifications are needed to encourage greater participation by foreign asset managers. 

Ensuring India’s Continued Growth Momentum 

The policies outlined in the budget indicate a clear focus on maintaining India’s growth trajectory. While several measures provide a strong foundation, targeted adjustments could maximize their effectiveness. 

For an in-depth analysis of the budget’s implications on economic growth, you can read more here. 

As India continues its journey towards becoming a $5 trillion economy, well-calibrated policies will be essential. The budget’s initiatives, if fine-tuned further, will ensure that India remains a leader in global economic expansion. 

[mouldexpertsbrisbane]

Why Is Air Quality Improvement Crucial for Brisbane’s Future?

Air quality is an essential factor in the overall well-being of a city and its residents. For Brisbane, improving air quality is not just about cleaner air; it’s about securing a healthier future, both environmentally and economically. As Brisbane continues to grow, the importance of Brisbane Air Quality Improvement becomes increasingly clear. This article will explore why air quality improvement is crucial for Brisbane’s future and the measures that can be taken to ensure the city remains livable and sustainable.

The impact of air quality on public health Air pollution has numerous effects on public health, particularly in urban areas like Brisbane, where industries, transportation, and population density contribute to poor air quality. Studies have shown that exposure to fine particulate matter (PM2.5), nitrogen dioxide, and carbon monoxide can lead to various health issues, including respiratory problems, heart disease, and even premature death. As a result, improving air quality in Brisbane is crucial for the health and well-being of its residents. Brisbane Air Quality Improvement initiatives aim to reduce emissions, promote cleaner energy sources, and encourage sustainable practices to create a healthier environment for everyone.

Respiratory Diseases: Poor air quality is directly linked to respiratory conditions such as asthma, bronchitis, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). In Brisbane, where air pollution levels can rise due to vehicular emissions and industrial processes, residents may experience exacerbated symptoms or an increased prevalence of these diseases.

Cardiovascular Problems: Long-term exposure to air pollution is associated with cardiovascular diseases, such as heart attacks and strokes. Fine particulate matter, which can penetrate deep into the lungs and bloodstream, contributes to the buildup of plaque in arteries, leading to heart-related complications.

Premature Mortality: Research has consistently shown that areas with high levels of air pollution have increased rates of premature death. Pollutants in the air contribute to the development of chronic diseases that ultimately reduce life expectancy. For Brisbane, improving air quality could have a direct impact on lowering the premature mortality rate.

Vulnerable Populations: Certain groups, including children, the elderly, and those with pre-existing health conditions, are more susceptible to the effects of air pollution. In Brisbane, improving air quality could protect these vulnerable populations from health risks that may otherwise be exacerbated by environmental factors.

Environmental Impact of Poor Air Quality

Beyond its effects on human health, poor air quality also has significant environmental consequences. Air pollution is a major contributor to climate change and the degradation of natural ecosystems. For Brisbane, the effects of poor air quality on the environment are evident in several ways:

Contribution to Global Warming: Emissions of greenhouse gases, such as carbon dioxide (CO2) and methane (CH4), from vehicles and industries contribute to global warming. As temperatures rise, Brisbane experiences more extreme weather events, including heatwaves, storms, and flooding. Addressing air quality is a critical part of combating climate change and reducing the city’s carbon footprint.

Damage to Vegetation and Agriculture: Air pollutants, such as ground-level ozone, can damage crops, forests, and other vegetation. Ozone reacts with plant tissues, reducing photosynthesis and hindering plant growth. This can have long-term impacts on Brisbane’s agricultural productivity and natural landscapes, threatening the health of local ecosystems.

Water and Soil Contamination: Air pollution doesn’t just affect the air itself; it also has a cascading effect on soil and water. When pollutants like nitrogen oxides and sulfur dioxide are deposited from the atmosphere, they can lead to soil acidification and water pollution, further affecting local agriculture and wildlife.

Economic Consequences of Poor Air Quality

The economic implications of poor air quality are often overlooked but are just as critical as the health and environmental impacts. The economic costs associated with poor air quality can be substantial for a city like Brisbane:

Healthcare Costs: Increased healthcare expenditures are a direct result of poor air quality. Treating illnesses caused or aggravated by air pollution, such as asthma, heart disease, and respiratory infections, puts a strain on the healthcare system. In Brisbane, the economic burden of treating air pollution-related diseases could be mitigated with improved air quality.

Lost Productivity: Poor air quality can lead to absenteeism from work and school, as people with respiratory issues or health conditions caused by air pollution may need to take sick days. This loss of productivity can have a significant impact on the economy. Furthermore, those who are affected by air pollution may experience reduced capacity for work, leading to lower economic output overall.

Impact on Tourism: Brisbane is a popular tourist destination, with beautiful natural attractions and vibrant urban life. However, poor air quality could tarnish the city’s image, discouraging visitors who value clean air and a healthy environment. By improving air quality, Brisbane can maintain its reputation as a clean, green city, encouraging continued tourism and economic growth.

Property Values: Property values can be negatively affected by poor air quality. Homes and businesses located in areas with high pollution levels may see a drop in value, as prospective buyers and renters may be deterred by the health risks associated with the location. Improving air quality can enhance property values and make Brisbane a more attractive place to live and invest.

Strategies for Brisbane Air Quality Improvement

Given the significant impacts of poor air quality, it’s crucial for Brisbane to take proactive measures to improve its air quality. Several strategies can help:

Transition to Cleaner Energy Sources: One of the most effective ways to reduce air pollution is by shifting from fossil fuels to cleaner energy sources. Brisbane can invest in renewable energy, such as solar and wind power, to reduce emissions from electricity generation. Encouraging businesses and households to adopt energy-efficient practices and technologies can also help reduce the city’s overall carbon footprint.

Promote Sustainable Transportation: Transportation is one of the largest contributors to air pollution in Brisbane. Encouraging the use of public transport, cycling, and walking, as well as promoting electric vehicles, can significantly reduce emissions from vehicles. Expanding the city’s public transport infrastructure and incentivizing the adoption of electric vehicles can play a key role in improving air quality.

Strengthen Regulations and Policies: The government can play a vital role in air quality improvement by implementing and enforcing regulations that limit emissions from industries, vehicles, and other sources of pollution. Policies that encourage green building practices, such as energy-efficient construction and the use of sustainable materials, can also help reduce Brisbane’s environmental impact.

Increase Urban Green Spaces: Expanding green spaces, such as parks, gardens, and green roofs, can help improve air quality by absorbing pollutants and providing natural cooling. Trees and plants also release oxygen, contributing to a healthier environment. Brisbane can invest in creating more green spaces throughout the city to improve air quality and promote a better quality of life for residents.

Conclusion

Improving air quality is crucial for Brisbane’s future. By addressing the health, environmental, and economic impacts of air pollution, the city can build a more sustainable, livable, and prosperous future for its residents. Through a combination of cleaner energy, sustainable transportation, stronger regulations, and increased green spaces, Brisbane can reduce its air pollution levels and ensure a healthier environment for generations to come. The importance of Brisbane Air Quality Improvement cannot be overstated, as it will not only enhance the health and well-being of individuals but also contribute to a thriving economy and a sustainable future.

[dubaicompanysetupinfo]

How Dubai is Making It Easier for Small Businesses to Thrive

Dubai has long been celebrated as a global business hub, but in recent years, it has significantly ramped up efforts to make it easier for small businesses to thrive. From streamlined processes and financial incentives to world-class infrastructure, the city offers a comprehensive ecosystem that empowers small business owners. Entrepreneurs from around the globe are flocking to Dubai to capitalize on its supportive policies and robust economy.

Why Dubai is Committed to Making It Easier for Small Businesses

Dubai’s vision to diversify its economy and reduce dependence on oil has placed entrepreneurship at the forefront of its strategy. Recognizing the potential of small businesses as key drivers of innovation and job creation, the city has introduced a host of measures to ensure their growth and sustainability. From accessible funding to cutting-edge infrastructure, Dubai’s commitment to supporting small businesses is evident across its policies and initiatives

Simplified Business Setup Process

Dubai has taken concrete steps to simplify business setup, making it significantly simpler for entrepreneurs to get started. Entrepreneurs can now register their businesses within days, thanks to user-friendly online platforms and comprehensive support from Dubai Economy and Tourism (DET).

Key features of Dubai's streamlined setup process include:

Reduced licensing fees: Lower costs for trade licenses make it more accessible for small businesses to start operations.

One-stop service centers: These centers help with everything from business registration to visa applications, ensuring a hassle-free experience.

Freelancer permits: Individuals can now operate independently under freelancer visas, further reducing barriers to entry.

Tax Incentives and Free Zones

Dubai's tax-friendly environment allows small businesses to retain profits and reinvest in growth, boosting their financial flexibility and potential for expansion. Here’s what makes the city stand out:

Zero income tax: Entrepreneurs don't have to worry about personal income tax, allowing them to focus on scaling their businesses.

Low corporate tax: Dubai's corporate tax rate remains competitive, with generous exemptions for small and medium enterprises (SMEs).

Free zones: Special economic zones like Dubai Silicon Oasis and Jebel Ali Free Zone provide benefits such as 100% foreign ownership, tax exemptions, and simplified trade processes. These zones are specifically designed to help small businesses operate efficiently and expand globally.

Access to Funding and Investment

Dubai has created a vibrant ecosystem for funding and investment, addressing one of the most critical challenges small businesses face. By offering diverse financing options, the city ensures that small businesses can access capital more easily.

Here’s how funding support is structured in Dubai:

Government-backed initiatives: Programs like the Mohammed Bin Rashid Innovation Fund provide grants and loans to innovative startups.

Private investments: Dubai attracts angel investors and venture capitalists eager to support businesses with high growth potential.

SME-friendly banking solutions: Local banks offer tailored loan products with flexible terms, ensuring small businesses can access affordable financing.

Cutting-Edge Infrastructure and Technology

Dubai’s state-of-the-art infrastructure plays a key role in enabling small businesses to thrive, offering efficient transportation, modern facilities, and advanced technological support.

 From logistics to technology, the city offers unparalleled support for entrepreneurs.

Global connectivity: Dubai's strategic location makes it a gateway to markets in the Middle East, Africa, and Asia, offering small businesses access to billions of potential customers.

Technological advancements: The city provides tools like e-commerce platforms, digital payment solutions, and cloud services, enabling small businesses to operate efficiently.

Logistics support: With world-class ports, airports, and transportation systems, small businesses can easily manage supply chains and reach customers quickly.

A Thriving Ecosystem for Entrepreneurs

Dubai actively fosters a collaborative and innovative atmosphere, providing ample opportunities for businesses to network, grow, and succeed. The city hosts numerous events, programs, and initiatives tailored to entrepreneurs.

Networking events: Platforms like Dubai Startup Hub bring entrepreneurs, investors, and experts together to share ideas and build partnerships.

Incubators and accelerators: Initiatives such as in5 and Dubai Future Accelerators provide coworking spaces, mentorship, and funding opportunities.

Government support: Dubai SME programs offer guidance, training, and resources to help small businesses scale effectively.

Flexible Labor Policies

Dubai has introduced labor policies that simplify the process of hiring and managing employees. These policies include:

Part-time and freelance options: Businesses can hire talent on flexible terms, reducing operational costs.

Simplified visa processes: Entrepreneurs and their employees can benefit from quicker, more affordable visa applications.

Access to a skilled workforce: Dubai’s diverse population ensures small businesses can find the talent they need across various industries.

Promoting Innovation and Sustainability

Innovation and sustainability are central to Dubai’s vision for economic growth. By supporting eco-friendly practices and cutting-edge solutions, the city enables businesses to align with global trends.

Innovation funds: Programs like Dubai Future Accelerators connect small businesses with government entities to solve real-world challenges.

Sustainability incentives: Businesses that adopt green practices can access grants and subsidies, further reducing operational costs.