Recently, which country has applied to join the Asia-Pacific Free Trade grouping?

Daily Current Affairs

China

Japan

India

Singapore

Correct Answer : China

* Application was submitted by the Commerce Minister Wang Wentao, to the Trade Minister of New Zealand as a representative of Comprehensive & Progress Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) or the Asia-Pacific free Trade grouping.

* CPTPP was originally the Trans-Pacific Partnership. It was a group promoted by former President Barack Obama as part of USA’s increasing emphasis on its relations with Asia.

* China was not included in the initial group.

* Donald Trump had pulled out the group in 2017 and the current President of US Joe Biden has not yet re-joined the group.

About CPTPP :

CPTPP is a trade agreement among 11 countries namely, Australia, Brunei, Chile, Canada, Japan, Mexico, Malaysia, Peru, New Zealand, Singapore, and Vietnam. This grouping was evolved from Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP). TPP had been signed on 4 February 2016,that never entered into force because of withdrawal of the United States. Eleven signatories of the grouping have a combined economies that represents 13.4 percent of global gross domestic product.

China’s promise :

Government of China has promised to increase imports of goods. However, it faces complaints on failing to carry out promises when it joined the World Trade Organisation in 2001 in order to open finance and other service industries. China is also a member of other trading arrangements like Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership.

Published On : September 18, 2021

Date and History :

World Malaria Day is celebrated annually on April 25. The origins of this day can be traced back to 2001 when African governments started observing Africa Malaria Day. In 2008, during the 60th session of the World Health Assembly, sponsored by the World Health Organization (WHO), the decision was made to change the name to World Malaria Day, recognizing the need for global awareness and action against malaria.

Significance and Theme :

The theme for World Malaria Day 2024, “Accelerating the fight against malaria for a more equitable world,” aligns with the World Health Day theme, “My Health, My Right.” This theme emphasizes the urgent need to address the inequalities that persist in access to malaria prevention, detection, and treatment services.

As stated by Saima Wazed, WHO Regional Director for South-East Asia, “On this World Malaria Day 2024, we unite under the theme – Accelerating the fight against malaria for a more equitable world. This theme underscores the urgent need to address the stark inequities that persist in access to malaria prevention, detection, and treatment services.”

Published On : April 25, 2024

Q .

With whom has C-DOT signed an agreement to increase the efficiency of 5G networks?

IIT Delhi

IIT Jodhpur

IIT Mumbai

IIT Varanasi

Correct Answer : Option (B) - IIT Jodhpur

C-DOT, the premier Telecom R&D Centre of the Department of Telecommunications (DoT), Government of India and Indian Institute of Technology, Jodhpur (IIT-J) signed an agreement for “Automated Service Management in 5G and Beyond Networks Using AI”.

The agreement is signed under the Telecom Technology Development Fund (TTDF) of the DoT, which is designed for providing funding support to domestic companies and institutions involved in technology design, development, commercialization of telecommunication products and solutions to enable affordable broadband and mobile services in rural and remote areas.

The primary objective is to develop AI frameworks for automated network management, fault detection, and diagnostic techniques by utilizing continuous information generated within the network like 5G. The service will establish a real time 5G and Beyond testbed (in compliance with O-RAN) for the demonstration of the developed automated network management and slicing techniques in conjunction with specific application use-cases such as smart metering, remotely operated vehicles, etc.

Published On : April 25, 2024

Q .

With which bank has Tata Power Solar Systems Announced a Strategic Collaboration?

SBI

HDFC

Indian Bank

Axis Bank

Correct Answer : Option (C) - Indian Bank

Tata Power Solar Systems Limited (TPSSL), a prominent solar company in India and a wholly-owned subsidiary of Tata Power Renewable Energy Limited (TPREL), has announced a strategic collaboration with Indian Bank, a leading public sector bank in India. The partnership aims to boost the adoption of solar rooftop systems among residential consumers by providing financing solutions under the Pradhan Mantri Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana scheme.

Under this collaboration, residential consumers can avail loans up to Rs. 2 lakh at an annual interest rate of 7%, in compliance with government regulations. The financing solutions aim to facilitate installations up to 3 KW under the scheme, with a nominal margin money requirement of 10% and collateral-free financing, making it easier for homeowners to embark on their solar journey. Additionally, repayment tenures extend up to 10 years, offering flexibility and convenience.

For installations ranging from 3 to 10 KW, TPSSL and Indian Bank offer tailored financing solutions with loans up to Rs. 6 lakh, a margin money requirement of 20%, and competitive interest rates ranging from 8.4% to 10.8% per annum.

Mr. Deepesh Nanda, CEO & Managing Director of Tata Power Renewable Energy Limited, emphasized the commitment of Tata Power to promote renewable energy solutions and praised the collaboration for offering tailored financing solutions aligned with government initiatives like the PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana.

Published On : April 25, 2024