The COVID-19 pandemic has triggered the extensive worsening of food insecurity worldwide and threatens to create long-term malnutrition and negative health consequences. One major threat is the disruption of informal food chains and the limited efforts to-date of leveraging their resilience capacity (National Library of Medicine, 2020). Food supply chains in the informal sector play […]
According to the Asia and Pacific Economic Cooperation Forum (APEC), SMEs accounted for more than 97% of all businesses in the Asia-Pacific region, employing over half of the workforce in 2022. Many SMEs have been severely impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, although they are gradually recovering from the economic losses. Japan is facing a population […]
The informal economy has expanded over time to become a source of livelihood for billions (World Bank, 2022). In the Asia-Pacific region, the informal sector employs over 61% of workers (ILO, 2020). Despite their role in creating economic value, informal workers are vulnerable due to low wages, unfavorable working conditions, and poor social support and […]
The Fourth Industrial Revolution is transforming manufacturing with digital technologies resulting in new processes, business models, and forms of work. It brings opportunities for talent familiar with advanced technologies but also challenges to the majority of the manufacturing workforce accustomed to conventional production and management methods. It is essential to cultivate individuals who can leverage […]
The COE on IT for Industry 4.0 aspires to improve productivity through capacity building of stakeholders and facilitating technology startups to demonstrate projects and research activities by widespread dissemination of the use of IT applications in Industry 4.0. This consultation and ToT program will expand the knowledge and capacity of NPC officers responsible for COE […]
