Media OutReach
Germany “rested on its laurels” too long, report finds
“It has become clear that Germany rested on its laurels for far too long”, the BGI Germany Report on the country’s governance performance says. It is based on the Berggruen Governance Index (BGI) and was conducted by researchers from the Los Angeles-based Berggruen Institute think tank, the Luskin School of Public Affairs at the University of California Los Angeles (UCLA), and the Hertie School, a German university.
In their report “Germany 2025 – Slow decline in governance performance erupts into crisis of government as geopolitics worsen” the researchers conclude that the country’s government and administrative systems have appeared increasingly sclerotic and hesitant to adopt necessary changes. Effective, often painful reforms are urgently needed, but political and economic constraints make them difficult to implement, the researchers write.
The 2024 BGI measures democratic accountability, delivery of public goods and state capacity on a scale from 0 to 100. It analyses the years from 2000 to 2021. According to the report, Germany has lost ground on all three measures, with structural problems festering since the “deceptively benign” years of the chancellorship of Angela Merkel (2005-2021). The Democracy Accountability Index score, for example, slid to 93 in 2021 from a near perfect 99 at the beginning of the century.
The data “suggests that some of Germany’s state capacity and democratic accountability challenges were masked by economic growth, driven by the success of its export-oriented model during the 2010s”, the report says. Chief among Germany’s challenges are economic troubles that have worsened in recent years, largely stemming from a lack of public investment during that period in areas such as digitalization and transport infrastructure.
On February 23, Germans go to the polls early after the ruling three-party coalition consisting of the Social Democrats (SPD), the Greens and the liberal Free Democrats (FDP) collapsed in November. Intra-government fighting over how to get the country’s ailing economy back on track was a main factor of the break-up.
At the same time, social trust is declining in Europe’s largest economy. However, a possible new government under the conservative CDU/CSU alliance and its candidate for the chancellorship, Friedrich Merz, seems poised to exacerbate divisions rather than resolving them, the researchers say.
The economic difficulties heighten uncertainty and discontent, the report argues – with migration emerging as the other major flashpoint. Rhetoric on economic scarcity is used to highlight tensions over migration, which are exploited by both the extreme right and left. That debate has been exacerbated by a recent deadly stabbing in which a migrant facing deportation from Germany is the main suspect.
Yet immigration is essential to Germany’s future growth, the BGI report says: “Any future government will have to attempt to reconcile anti-immigrant attitudes with the social reality of integration and the economic necessity of attracting foreign-born workers.”
Merz is promising a hard line on migration in case of an election victory. Despite provoking outrage from other political parties, Merz on Wednesday (January 29) pushed through a vote in parliament on proposals for tightening immigration controls. “Current asylum and immigration policy jeopardizes the security of the people and the confidence of all of society in the state,” the text of the motion by the CDU/CSU says.
The passed proposal includes a request to the German government to turn back asylum seekers at Germany’s borders. But even more incendiary in German politics has been Merz’s willingness to break long-standing taboos and use votes from the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) in order to pass the motion. All long-established parties in the lower house of the German parliament, the Bundestag, had previously said they would not work with the AfD, with many Germans alarmed at the rise of the party in recent years in a country still scarred by its Nazi past.
According to the latest opinion polls by the five major polling institutes, the conservative CDU/CSU is clearly in the lead, polling at between 28 and 34 per cent. Second comes the AfD with 19 to 21 per cent, followed by the SPD with 15 to 19 per cent. The current German Chancellor Olaf Scholz is a member of the SPD. The Greens are at 12 to 15 per cent in the opinion polls, while the FDP this time may not clear the 5-per-cent-threshold necessary to enter the Bundestag.
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This text and the accompanying material (photos and graphics) are an offer from the Democracy News Alliance, a close co-operation between Agence France-Presse (AFP, France), Agenzia Nazionale Stampa Associata (ANSA, Italy), The Canadian Press (CP, Canada), Deutsche Presse-Agentur (dpa, Germany) and PA Media (PA, UK). All recipients can use this material without the need for a separate subscription agreement with one or more of the participating agencies. This includes the recipient’s right to publish the material in own products.
The DNA content is an independent journalistic service that operates separately from the other services of the participating agencies. It is produced by editorial units that are not involved in the production of the agencies’ main news services. Nevertheless, the editorial standards of the agencies and their assurance of completely independent, impartial and unbiased reporting also apply here.
Further coverage by the Democracy News Alliance can be found in the DNA digital newsroom at https://www.presseportal.de/en/nr/174021
Hashtag: #DNA
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
Media OutReach
Primech AI Launches Global Robotics as a Service (RaaS) Initiative with Chinachem Group Partnership
Pioneering AI-Powered Cleaning Technology Deployment Marks Strategic Expansion into Hong Kong Market
SINGAPORE – Media OutReach Newswire – 4 March 2025 – Primech AI Pte. Ltd. (“Primech AI”) or (the “Company”), a subsidiary of Primech Holdings Limited (Nasdaq: PMEC), is proud to announce the launch of its innovative Robotics as a Service (RaaS) business line, revolutionizing the cleaning solutions industry. This strategic initiative addresses critical industry challenges including labor shortages, hygiene standards, and operational costs through proprietary AI-driven technology.
As part of this global expansion strategy, Primech AI has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with CCG Property Services, a subsidiary of Hong Kong’s leading property developer Chinachem Group, to deploy HYTRON, an AI-powered fully automated toilet cleaning robot, in selected facilities managed by CCG Property Services in Hong Kong.
The deployment of HYTRON marks the initial phase of Primech AI’s bold initiative to roll out 300 cleaning robots across Singapore, Hong Kong, and Dubai. This expansion reinforces the company’s position as a technology leader in autonomous cleaning solutions for facility services and sanitation.
“This collaboration marks a significant milestone in our global expansion of our Robotics as a Service solution,” said Charles Ng, Chief Operating Officer of Primech AI. “While our cleaning services continue to serve the Singapore market, we are extending the Raas business model making it accessible internationally, beginning with this strategic partnership in Hong Kong’s premier property portfolio.”
Under the two-year MoU, Primech AI will supply and install HYTRON robots in designated facilities, including the iconic Nina Tower 1, with comprehensive maintenance, technical support, and staff training. CCG Property Services will integrate the robots into daily operations, showcasing HYTRON’s capabilities in elevating cleanliness standards and operational efficiency.
Primech AI envisions a long-term expansion of HYTRON into additional global markets, including Australia, Europe, and the United States, bringing cutting-edge cleaning solutions to more regions worldwide. Beyond this initial deployment, the company also plans to extend its Robotics-as-a-Service (RaaS) offering to these markets, further enhancing accessibility of its advanced cleaning technology on a global scale.
“Beyond advancing automation in the traditional cleaning industry, this deployment marks a significant milestone for Primech Holdings Limited. It demonstrates our ability to expand internationally and provide cutting-edge cleaning solutions across borders. By working with esteemed partners like Chinachem Group and CCG Property Services, we are proving that our technology is not only effective but also scalable on a global level. This is just the beginning of our vision to redefine commercial cleaning through AI and robotics.” said Kin Wai Ho, CEO of Primech Holdings Limited. This initiative underscores Primech Holdings’ commitment to transforming the cleaning industry through advanced technology while expanding its global footprint beyond its traditional Singapore base.
Primech AI’s self-developed HYTRON bathroom cleaning robot is integrated with advanced NVIDIA technology. The latest HYTRON model incorporated the NVIDIA Jetson Orin Nano Super, a state-of-the-art System-on-Module (SoM) designed for robust edge AI and robotics applications. The HYTRON robot also uses a suite of NVIDIA software, including CUDA, CuDNN, TensorRT, and NVIDIA Driver, to optimize its AI capabilities. This combination of hardware and software allows HYTRON to deliver superior processing speed, efficiency, and reliability in its cleaning tasks.
Hashtag: #PrimechHoldings #PrimechAI #Technology #Robotics #HYTRON #BathroomCleaningRobot #AI #Ninatower #Nvidia
https://primech.ai/
https://www.linkedin.com/company/primech-ai/
https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61557637859212
https://www.instagram.com/Primech.AI
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
About Chinachem Group
Founded in 1960, Chinachem Group is a private real estate company in Hong Kong, with a portfolio covering residential, commercial, retail and industrial buildings for sales and investment, in addition to operating hotels and property management services as well as elderly services.
Dedicated to making better places to live, work and raise future generations in Hong Kong and beyond, the Group seeks to deliver lasting commercial, social and environmental benefits.
Please visit www.chinachemgroup.com/en
About Primech Holdings Limited
Headquartered in Singapore, Primech Holdings Limited is a leading provider of comprehensive technology-driven facilities services, predominantly serving both public and private sectors throughout Singapore. Primech Holdings offers an extensive range of services tailored to meet the complex demands of its diverse clientele. Services include advanced general facility maintenance services, specialized cleaning solutions such as marble polishing and facade cleaning, meticulous stewarding services, and targeted cleaning services for offices and homes. Known for its commitment to sustainability and cutting-edge technology, Primech Holdings integrates eco-friendly practices and smart technology solutions to enhance operational efficiency and client satisfaction. This strategic approach positions Primech Holdings as a leader in the industry and a proactive contributor to advancing industry standards and practices in Singapore and beyond. For more information, visit www.primechholdings.com.
About Primech AI
Primech AI is a leading robotics company dedicated to pushing the boundaries of innovation in technology. With a team of passionate individuals and a commitment to collaboration, Primech AI is poised to revolutionize the robotics industry with groundbreaking solutions that make a meaningful impact on society. For more information, visit www.primech.ai.
Forward-Looking Statements
Certain statements in this announcement are forward-looking statements, including, for example, statements about completing the acquisition, anticipated revenues, growth, and expansion. These forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties and are based on the Company’s current expectations and projections about future events that the Company believes may affect its financial condition, results of operations, business strategy, and financial needs. These forward-looking statements are also based on assumptions regarding the Company’s present and future business strategies and the environment in which the Company will operate in the future. Investors can find many (but not all) of these statements by the use of words such as “may,” “will,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “aim,” “estimate,” “intend,” “plan,” “believe,” “likely to” or other similar expressions. The Company undertakes no obligation to update or revise publicly any forward-looking statements to reflect subsequent occurring events or circumstances or changes in its expectations, except as may be required by law. Although the Company believes that the expectations expressed in these forward-looking statements are reasonable, it cannot assure that such expectations will be correct. The Company cautions investors that actual results may differ materially from the anticipated results and encourages investors to review other factors that may affect its future results in the Company’s registration statement and other filings with the SEC.
Company Contact:
Email: ir@primech.com.sg
Investor Relations Contact:
Matthew Abenante, IRC
President
Strategic Investor Relations, LLC
Tel: 347-947-2093
Email: matthew@strategic-ir.com
Media OutReach
CTF Life is the Sole Diamond Sponsor of Kai Tak Sports Park Grand Opening Ceremony Celebrates Historic Moment with Hong Kong
Man Kit IP, Executive Director and Chief Executive Officer of CTF Life, said: “As the exclusive Founding Insurance Partner of KTSP and the proud Diamond Sponsor of its opening ceremony, we are truly making history with this significant milestone for both Hong Kong and CTF Life. Our collaboration with KTSP across multiple areas empowers local athletes and performers to unlock their full potential at Hong Kong’s largest integrated sports and entertainment landmark. The partnership will not only bring in world-class international events but also champion the ‘Sports for All’ culture, thus delivering exceptional and diverse experiences for our customers, fulfilling our promise to create value beyond insurance.”
At the opening ceremony, CTF Life’s brand was prominently displayed in the main stadium, making a strong impression on the live audience, TV viewers and across various platforms. The company had earlier announced its title sponsorship of the “Fencing Plus” Training Programme by Kai Tak Sports Initiative, aimed at nurturing a new generation of elite fencing athletes representing Hong Kong and helping them unleash their potential to become world champions. Registration will open later this month, and parents can enrol their children by joining the CTF Life * CIRCLE membership programme.
Hashtag: #CTFLife
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
About CTF Life
Chow Tai Fook Life Insurance Company Limited (“CTF Life”) is proud of its rich, 40-year legacy in Hong Kong. CTF Life is a wholly-owned subsidiary of CTF Services Limited (Hong Kong Stock Code: 659) and one of the most well-established life insurance companies in Hong Kong. As a member of Chow Tai Fook Enterprises Limited, CTF Life consistently strengthens its collaboration with the diverse conglomerate of the Cheng family (“Chow Tai Fook Group” or “the Group”) to support customers and their loved ones in navigating life’s journey with personalised planning solutions, lifelong protection and diverse lifestyle experiences. By leveraging the Group’s robust financial strength and strategic investments across the globe, CTF Life aspires to become a leading insurance company in Asia while continuously creating value beyond insurance.
Media OutReach
Samsung Electronics Singapore Launches Brand TikTok Shop to Drive Consumer Discovery and Interactivity in an Era of Shoppertainment
Consumers can look forward to learning more about Samsung products from local creators and uncover special deals exclusive to Samsung Singapore’s TikTok Shop page
Hashtag: #Samsung
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
About Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
Samsung inspires the world and shapes the future with transformative ideas and technologies. The company is redefining the worlds of TVs, smartphones, wearable devices, tablets, home appliances, network systems, and memory, system LSI, foundry and LED solutions, and delivering a seamless connected experience through its SmartThings ecosystem and open collaboration with partners. For the latest news, please visit the Samsung Newsroom at 
https://news.samsung.com/global/.
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