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THE GREATER DES MOINES PARTNERSHIP ANNOUNCES 2025 STRATEGIC PRIORITIES, NEW CHAMBER AFFILIATE AND EXPANSION OF REGIONAL FOOTPRINT AT ANNUAL DINNER
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GREATER DES MOINES, Iowa, Jan. 29, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — The Greater Des Moines Partnership unveiled its 2025 Strategic Priorities and shared its 2024 accomplishments at its Annual Dinner on Thursday, Jan. 23 at the Community Choice Credit Union Convention Center at the Iowa Events Center. During the event, The Partnership announced that it has expanded its regional footprint and added a new Affiliate Chamber.
The Perry Chamber of Commerce has joined as the newest Affiliate Chamber for The Partnership. Perry’s addition expands The Partnership’s Affiliate network to 6,700 Regional Members, now making it the third-largest regional chamber of commerce in the country. Clarke County Development Corporation has joined The Partnership, expanding the organization’s reach to represent 12 counties.
“Becoming an Affiliate Chamber of The Partnership is an exciting step for Perry,” said Lynsi Pasutti, Executive Director of the Perry Chamber of Commerce. “This collaboration opens new doors for our Members, connecting them to resources, networks and innovative ideas. We look forward to working even more closely with The Partnership and our fellow Affiliate Chambers to drive growth in Perry and the entire region.”
“We are excited to join The Partnership and be part of a collaborative effort that drives growth and opportunity across the region,” said Andrew B. Clark, Executive Director of the Clarke County Development Corporation. “Our mission aligns closely with The Partnership’s commitment to advancing economic development, supporting businesses and creating vibrant communities, and businesses and residents of Clarke County will benefit from being part of this network.”
The Partnership’s 2024 results demonstrated growth and increased momentum in Greater Des Moines (DSM). The Partnership announced its economic development work with state and local partners that resulted in 29 relocation and expansion projects and more than 100 project leads.
The Partnership also unveiled its 2024 Annual Report to highlight the prior year’s successes at the Annual Dinner. You can view the report by visiting The Partnership’s Call to Action page.
“Our community thrives because of the dedication and collaboration of leaders who step up to drive progress when it’s their time to serve,” said David Stark, Chief of Government Affairs & Philanthropy at UnityPoint Health and 2024 Greater Des Moines Partnership Board Chair. “Reflecting on this past year, my mantra to the Board was to ‘focus and finish,’ and I’m proud of what we accomplished together in hitting all of our goals.”
During the program, the Partnership 2025 Board Chair Miriam Erickson Brown, Chair and CEO of Anderson Erickson Dairy, unveiled the six Strategic Priorities for The Partnership in 2025.
The Partnership’s 2025 Strategic Priorities are:
- Economic Development: Increase regional economic development project leads, expand pipeline of prospects, assist business location and expansions.
- Workforce Readiness: Advance workforce readiness across DSM.
- Quality of Life and Regional Community Integration: Enhance quality of life and placemaking through leading regional community integration, supporting Affiliate Chambers of Commerce, and enhancing the vibrancy of DSM by hosting marquee events and supporting placemaking projects.
- Inclusive Economic Growth and Business Support: Advance inclusive economic growth and business support.
- Media Relations and Storytelling: Amplify the DSM USA story loudly, boldly and broadly through media relations, website efforts and rural, urban and suburban strategic storytelling.
- Investor Engagement: Enhance Investor engagement and secure new Investor contributions.
“Our 2025 strategic priorities reflect the input and vision of our Investors, Affiliates, Members and stakeholders from across the region,” Erickson Brown said. “As we move forward, I’m inspired by the opportunity to work together and build on the progress we’ve made. Together, we’ll work with uncompromising standards of excellence to create opportunities and drive innovation to ensure Greater Des Moines remains a top region.”
The Partnership also announced its Board of Directors and Executive Board. In addition to Erickson Brown’s role as Chair and Stark’s role as Past Chair, Chris Costa with Knapp Properties, Inc. and Dan Keough with Holmes Murphy will serve as Vice Chairs. Ro Crosbie with Tero International will serve as Secretary, and Sean Vicente with KPMG LLP will serve as Treasurer. See the full list of the 2025 Greater Des Moines Partnership Board of Directors and Executive Board.
Learn more about The Partnership’s 2025 Strategic Priorities here.
About the Greater Des Moines Partnership
The Greater Des Moines Partnership is the economic and community development organization that serves Greater Des Moines (DSM), Iowa. Together with more than 400 Investors and an Affiliate Chamber of Commerce network of more than 6,700 Regional Business Members, The Partnership drives economic growth with one voice, one mission and as one region. Through innovation, strategic planning and global collaboration, The Partnership grows opportunity, helps create jobs and promotes DSM as the best place to build a business, a career and a future. Learn more at DSMpartnership.com.
Contact:
Kyle Oppenhuizen
koppenhuizen@DSMpartnership.com
(515) 286-4972
Learn More About DSM USA
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Fintech PR
42nd Niwano Peace Prize Awarded to “Musawah” Global Movement for Muslim Women’s Equality and Justice
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TOKYO, Feb. 18, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — The Niwano Peace Foundation will award the 42nd Niwano Peace Prize to “Musawah” (meaning “equality” in Arabic), a global movement for equality and justice in the Muslim family in recognition of its dedication to advocating women’s human rights in Muslim context.
An award presentation ceremony will take place in Tokyo on May 14. In addition to an award certificate, Musawah will receive a medal and a cash prize of 20 million yen.
Founded in 2009, Musawah aims to “uncover the voices of women that have long been silenced in cultural and religious societies.” Its international network includes hundreds of advocates from over 40 countries, including in Asia, the Middle East, Africa and the developed world.
In selecting Musawah for the award, the Niwano Peace Prize Committee said it is “contributing immensely to the cause of women’s leadership in interfaith dialogue for human rights protection and peaceful coexistence,” which are in congruence with the mission of the prize. The committee cited a range of Musawah’s training workshops and networking opportunities that “bring an awareness to women in our world to stand for justice in getting involved in political processes and civic engagement for the benefit of humanity.”
Niwano Peace Prize:
The Niwano Peace Foundation established the Niwano Peace Prize to honor and encourage individuals and organizations that have contributed significantly to inter-religious cooperation, thereby furthering the cause of world peace, and to make their achievements known as widely as possible. In this way, the Foundation hopes both to enhance inter-religious understanding and cooperation and to encourage the emergence of still more persons devoted to working for world peace. The prize is named in honor of Nikkyo Niwano, the founder and first president of the lay Buddhist organization Rissho Kosei-kai.
Niwano Peace Foundation:
The Niwano Peace Foundation was chartered in 1978 to contribute to the realization of world peace and the enhancement of a culture of peace. The Foundation promotes research and other activities based on the spirit of religious principles and serves the cause of peace in such fields as education, science, religion and philosophy.
View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/42nd-niwano-peace-prize-awarded-to-musawah-global-movement-for-muslim-womens-equality-and-justice-302378521.html
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Agility: As Risks Loom, Logistics Execs Say They’ve Rewired Supply Chains
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Industry looks to shield itself from trade wars, inflation, possible recession
DUBAI, UAE, Feb. 18, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — More than 62% of logistics industry professionals say they’ve overhauled their supply chains to safeguard against inflation, looming trade tariffs, the possibility of a global economic downturn and other major risks.
Entering 2025, the logistics industry is looking to protect itself from rising costs and a potential trade war ignited by expected U.S. tariff hikes and a flood of exports from China, according to a survey of 567 executives for the 2025 Agility Emerging Markets Logistics Index.
Nearly 55% of respondents see a global recession as likely or certain. Almost 82% say tariffs and other trade protectionism are having a significant impact on their supply chains. Seventy-two percent say risks in emerging markets have increased over the past year.
“There is wariness and uncertainty among shippers, carriers, forwarders and others when it comes to the geopolitical factors that drive up costs, affect trade volumes, and alter supply chains,” says Agility Vice Chairman Tarek Sultan. “Companies doing business internationally continue to shift production as they re-evaluate investment plans and search for durable paths to growth.”
The survey and Index are Agility’s 16th annual snapshot of industry sentiment and ranking of the world’s 50 leading emerging markets. The Index ranks countries for overall competitiveness based on domestic and international logistics strengths, business climates and digital readiness — factors that make them attractive to logistics providers, freight forwarders, air and ocean carriers, distributors and investors.
The 2025 Index features an in-depth analysis of the Arabian Gulf economies. Individually and as a group, the six Gulf countries are positioning themselves as global trade hubs, investing heavily in infrastructure, AI, energy transition, and workforce development. Despite increasing risk to global supply chains, the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia and other Gulf countries have become “beacons of stability” and resilience, the Index concludes.
Stability at the top of the 50-country rankings was accompanied by volatility and movement further down in the Index. China, India, UAE, Saudi Arabia, Malaysia, Indonesia, Mexico, Qatar, Thailand and Vietnam rank 1 through 10. Colombia (No. 21) leaped up the rankings; Nigeria (43), Bangladesh (39) and Ukraine (40) tumbled.
The six Gulf countries all are among the top 11 for business conditions: UAE again tops the rankings for best business climate; Saudi Arabia is 3rd; Qatar 5th. The countries most digitally ready are China, UAE, Malaysia, Qatar and Saudi Arabia.
In international logistics opportunities, China, India, Mexico, Indonesia and Saudi Arabia rank highest. In domestic logistics, the leaders are China, India, Indonesia, Saudi Arabia and UAE.
2025 Index Highlights
SURVEY
- China – 54% intend to move production or sourcing out of China in the next five years with U.S.-China trade friction, labor costs and increasing domestic regulation being the biggest factors.
- Africa – Despite seeing heightened risks in emerging markets, 35% plan to boost investment in Africa in 2025 vs. only 8% planning to cut back there.
- Net-Zero – Nearly 65% say their companies are on track to meet net-zero goals.
COUNTRY RANKINGS
- In the Middle East and North Africa, overall rankings are: UAE (3); Saudi Arabia (4); Qatar (8); Turkey (11); Oman (14); Bahrain (16); Jordan (17); Kuwait (18); Egypt (24); Morocco (26); Iran (32); Tunisia (36); Algeria (38); Lebanon (42); Libya (46).
- Rankings in Sub-Saharan Africa: South Africa (20); Kenya (22); Ghana (31); Tanzania (37); Uganda (41); Nigeria (43); Ethiopia (45); Angola (47); Mozambique (48).
- Rankings in Asia: China (1); India (2); Malaysia (5); Indonesia (6); Thailand (9); Vietnam (10); Philippines (23); Kazakhstan (25); Sri Lanka (27); Cambodia (30); Pakistan (33); Bangladesh (39); Myanmar (49).
- Rankings for Latin America: Mexico (7); Chile (11); Brazil (13); Uruguay (19); Colombia (21); Peru (28); Argentina (29); Ecuador (34); Paraguay (35); Bolivia (44); Venezuela (50).
- In Europe: Ukraine (40).
Transport Intelligence (Ti), a leading analysis and research firm for the logistics industry, has compiled the Index since it was launched in 2009.
John Manners-Bell, Chief Executive of Ti, said: “The supply chain industry is entering a new era in which the ability to respond to macro-economic and geopolitical events will be critical. The looming prospect of tariffs and trade wars will force shippers to re-evaluate the resilience of their production, off-shoring and sourcing strategies and it will be imperative for logistics providers to respond appropriately in a timely and effective manner.”
2025 Agility Emerging Markets Logistics Index: agility.com/2025index
About Agility
Agility is a global leader in supply chain services, infrastructure, and innovation with 60,000+ employees across six continents. A multi-business operator and investor, Agility specializes in growing and scaling operating businesses. Agility’s companies include the world’s largest aviation services company (Menzies Aviation); a global fuel logistics business (Tristar); a leading logistics parks developer and operator across the Middle East, South Asia, and Africa (Agility Logistics Parks); and a commercial real-estate company developing a mega-mall in the UAE (UPAC). Other Agility companies offer customs digitization services, remote-site infrastructure services, defense and government services, and ecommerce-enablement and digital logistics. Agility invests in supply chain innovation, sustainability, and resilience, and has minority holdings in a growing portfolio of listed and non-listed companies.
For more information about Agility, visit:
Website: www.agility.com
Twitter: twitter.com/agility
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/agility
YouTube: youtube.com/user/agilitycorp
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Fintech PR
Coway Unveils Corporate Value-Up Plan with Revenue Target of KRW 5 Trillion in 2027
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- In its Corporate Value-Up Plan, Coway has identified four key indicators to enhance sustainable shareholder value: continuous growth, shareholder returns improvement, strengthened financial stability and governance sophistication.
- The company aims to generate revenue of over KRW 5 trillion in 2027 through core business expansion, new brand development and new business initiatives.
- A total shareholder return rate of 40% will be maintained for three years by means of cash dividends, and acquisition and retirement of treasury stocks.
- Coway will also manage its net debt-to-EBIT ratio up to 2.5 and will reinforce sophistication of governance.
SEOUL, South Korea, Feb. 18, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Coway Co., Ltd., the “Best Life Solution Company,” has officially launched its Corporate Value-Up Plan, reaffirming its commitment to the sustainable enhancement of shareholder value. Following the announcement last month of increasing its total shareholder return rate from 20% to 40%, Coway is now introducing additional strategic initiatives aimed at bolstering corporate value.
In a board meeting held on February 13th, Coway identified four key indicators for enhancing sustainable shareholder value: continuous growth, shareholder returns improvement, appropriate capital structure, and governance sophistication. Based on these indicators, the company has formalized its corporate value enhancement strategy, namely its Corporate Value-Up Plan.
Driving Continuous Growth: Setting Revenue Goals Exceeding KRW 5 Trillion in 2027
Coway is aiming for a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 6.5% from 2025 to 2027, with the goal of exceeding KRW 5 trillion in revenue in 2027.
To achieve this target, the company will focus on core business advancements, global business expansion, new brand growth and new business initiatives.
Coway plans to enter new markets and establish local subsidiaries, implementing tailored marketing strategies in order to enhance global brand recognition. The company will also develop localized products and services to strengthen its competitiveness within the global market.
Coway will also expand its product lineups and enhance its customer experience marketing through its sleep and wellness brand, BEREX. The company aims to increase its offline channel offering in order to strengthen customer experience in South Korea, as well as to enhance overall BEREX brand awareness through targeted marketing campaigns.
Furthermore, Coway is set to enter the silver care (elderly care) sector in South Korea in order to explore various new business opportunities for sustainable growth. Through its new subsidiary Coway Life Solutions, established in October of 2024, the company will introduce next-generation elder care services within the first half of 2025. Coway will also be actively pursuing strategic partnerships and technological collaborations to further expand new business opportunities.
Coway will continue to enhance its core offerings by developing innovative products and expanding its investments in R&D, IT, marketing, and consumer services. The company will also drive advancements in the digital space in order to strengthen its channel competitiveness and operational efficiency.
Improving Shareholder Returns: Increasing the Total Shareholder Return Rate to 40%
Coway is committed to balancing sustainable shareholder returns, corporate growth, and financial stability by maintaining a well-balanced allocation between shareholder returns and reinvestments in future growth.
The company will significantly increase its total shareholder return rate from the previous 20% of consolidated net income to 40%. This includes cash dividends and treasury stock purchase/retirement. Specifically, in FY2024, Coway will allocate 33% to cash dividends and 7% to treasury stock purchase/retirement, based on the 40% total shareholder return ratio. From FY2025 to FY2027, the company will maintain the 40% shareholder return rate while adjusting the proportion of cash dividends and treasury stock purchase/retirement in consideration of total shareholder return.
A Coway official stated, “The 40% shareholder return rate was derived by forecasting actual expected cash inflows and outflows from this year through 2027. Based on these projections, we identified an optimal balance between operating cash flow and financial leverage while also considering various factors, such as the balance between shareholder returns and investments for future growth.”
Optimized Capital Structure: Maintaining an Appropriate Net Debt-to-EBIT Ratio
Coway has also established new financial guidelines designed to ensure the company’s financial stability.
Coway plans to utilize an appropriate level of financial leverage, taking into account its repayment capabilities based on operating performance and accelerating the timing of shareholder returns on investment outcomes. Accordingly, the company plans to manage its net debt-to-EBIT ratio up to 2.5 to ensure financial stability while keeping financial burdens at a manageable level.
Enhanced Governance: Strengthening Board Independence and Diversity
Coway is committed to advancing its corporate governance practices. The company will seek to raise its key governance indicator from 53% in 2024 to 87% by 2026, significantly exceeding the 2023 market average of 49.5%. Key governance indicators, particularly those related to shareholder interests, will be prioritized for improvement.
Coway is committed to further enhancing the independence of its board of directors (BoD) while promoting greater diversity. Since 2023, the company has implemented board independence guidelines to strengthen transparency and accountability. Going forward, Coway plans to increase both the number and proportion of outside directors and appoint highly qualified individuals with diverse expertise to advance corporate governance standards.
“Coway’s Corporate Value-Up Plan provides a robust foundation for sustainable growth, benefiting both the company and its shareholders,” said Jangwon Seo, CEO of Coway. “We are committed to reinforcing shareholder-friendly management while simultaneously implementing a range of strategies aimed at enhancing corporate value and securing sustainable growth.”
For additional details about Coway’s Corporate Value-Up Plan, please visit the company’s Investor Relations page.
About Coway Co., Ltd.
Established in Korea in 1989, Coway, the “Best Life Solution Company,” is a leading environmental home appliances company making people’s lives healthy and comfortable with innovative home appliances such as water purifiers, air purifiers, bidets, and mattresses. The company’s most recent venture, the BEREX brand, aims to improve sleep and wellness through cutting-edge mattresses and massage chairs. Since being founded, Coway has become a leader in the environmental home appliances industry, with intensive research, engineering, development, and customer service. The company has proven dedication to innovation with award-winning products, home health expertise, unrivaled market share, customer satisfaction, and brand recognition. Coway continues to innovate by diversifying product lines and accelerating overseas business in Malaysia, USA, Thailand, China, Indonesia, Vietnam, Japan, and Europe, based on the business success in Korea. For more information, please visit http://www.coway.com/ or http://newsroom.coway.com.
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View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/coway-unveils-corporate-value-up-plan-with-revenue-target-of-krw-5-trillion-in-2027-302378628.html
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