SYDNEY (Reuters) -The head of Australia’s Macquarie Asset Management (MAM), which sold its Aligned Data Centers business in a deal worth $40 billion, said on Thursday the sale was not a sign the global data centre boom had peaked.
Aligned emerged as one of the world’s largest data centre operators during the seven years it was owned by MAM, the funds management arm of investment bank Macquarie Group.
MAM head Ben Way said the decision to sell to investors including BlackRock, Microsoft and Nvidia, was not a warning sign for the sector or AI.
“We don’t own businesses in perpetuity, we have owned this for seven years and it’s at a great spot to exit and there’s clearly massive demand to exit,” Way told Reuters in a telephone interview.
As global companies ramp up investment in data centres and increase advanced chip purchases, driving up valuations of tech firms from OpenAI to Nvidia, fears are also growing that the spending spree could create a bubble.
Major tech companies including Alphabet, Amazon.com, Meta, Microsoft and CoreWeave are expected to spend $400 billion on AI infrastructure this year, according to Morgan Stanley.
Aligned operates 5 GW of current and planned data centre capacity and MAM said the $40 billion price tag was Aligned’s enterprise value. The firm did not provide a breakdown of the equity and debt components.
MAM announced on October 7 it would invest up to $5 billion in a partnership with Applied Digital to help fund the company’s first two high-performance computing data centre developments.
“It’s not that we don’t think it’s a good thematic, not that we don’t believe in the thematic, it’s not that we don’t think we can continue to make money,” Way said, referring to the Aligned sale.
“There’s a long way to go here and that’s because the world has a long way to digitalise and we’re only just at the beginning,” Way said. “We’re at the precipice of AI endeavour, certainly not at the end.”
MAM funds held about 50% of Aligned and its co-investors had a further 20%. The deal was the largest ever private equity exit for the Australian fund manager.
MAM also has investments in Bohao Internet Data Service, Hanam Data Centre, Netrality Data Centers and VIRTUS, which holds assets in the U.S., UK, China and South Korea, the company said.
Macquarie Group shares rose 5.13% on Thursday to A$229, the highest since July. The bank’s gain well outpaced the 0.9% increase in S&P/ASX200.
(Reporting by Scott Murdoch; Editing by Kate Mayberry)
Tata Consultancy Services has refreshed the digital commerce platform for Infineon setting the stage for new revenue channels and to elevate customer engagement
MUNICH | MUMBAI, October 16, 2025: Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) (BSE: 532540, NSE: TCS), a global leader in IT services, consulting, and business solutions, has worked with Infineon Technologies AG (Infineon), a leading provider of semiconductor power systems and IoT, to modernize the company’s website as a primary digital interface for customers. The collaboration aimed at creating a more personalized and engaging user experience, leveraging cutting-edge technologies such as artificial intelligence and cloud computing.
With its new website, Infineon delivers high-quality digital experience with a strong focus on customer needs and digital innovation. The platform enhances product search and discovery and provides consistent, intuitive experience across devices and channels. By integrating towards hyper-personalized user journeys and AI-powered search, it is designed to broaden revenue opportunities and elevate customer engagement.
Harsha Deshmukh, Executive Vice President & CIO, Infineon Technologies AG, said, “It’s a major milestone in our digital journey as we unveil our newly transformed digital experience, designed with our users at the heart of every decision. This transformation isn’t just about a new look and feel—it’s about delivering a seamless, responsive, and accessible experience that supports our vision. With enhanced functionality, robust security, and intuitive navigation, our new web platform reflects our commitment to innovation and excellence. I look forward to the new opportunities this transformation will unlock for everyone we serve.”
As part of the modernization, TCS and Infineon integrated more than 40 connected applications and microservices into Infineon’s website ecosystem, enabling simplified, omnichannel experiences across regions and platforms. The reimagined digital experience platform now supports multi-regional, multilingual capabilities, intuitive navigation, and AI-driven product recommendations.
V. Rajanna, President, Technology, Software and Services, TCS, said, “We worked with Infineon to reimagine its end-to-end digital presence, with a focus on elevating customer engagement and accelerating sales. The program establishes a scalable foundation for personalized experiences and measurable improvements in user journeys.”
Kamal Bhadada, President, TCS Interactive, said, “The website runs on a modern digital experience platform, with an intuitive interface, robust multiregional and multilingual capabilities, and a responsive, device-agnostic experience. Delivered with Infineon and our ecosystem partners, this release creates a solid base for continued improvements.”
TCS Interactive blends systems, strategy, and storytelling to engineer creativity that helps brands adapt and lead in ever-changing markets. As TCS’ digital services unit and a MarTech partner of choice for over 500 global brands, TCS Interactive makes AI and marketing technology work for marketers, merging the transformative force of tech and imagination to shape customer experiences and deliver superior outcomes. The collaboration with Infineon further consolidates TCS’ prowess in co-creating next-gen products from chip-to-software that form the technology backbone of our partners. From advanced engineering platforms to AI-powered decision-making, TCS’ transformative approach powers intelligent operations, seamless experiences, and faster time-to-market.
This partnership builds on TCS’ long-standing commitment to serving as a trusted IT partner for German partners since 1991. TCS currently partners with over 100 leading German corporations, including 23 of the DAX-40 corporations and numerous mid-sized enterprises. TCS Europe’s highly skilled workforce of 15,000 employees operating from 62 offices across Europe has been driving growth and transformation for some of the region’s leading multinationals across industries such as banking and financial services, manufacturing, telecom, retail, travel, logistics, and more. The company has been recognized for its excellence in customer satisfaction and as a top employer in the region. It has consistently been rated among the top three IT companies in Germany for customer satisfaction. TCS has been ranked #1 in Customer Satisfaction for 12 consecutive years by Whitelane Research and has been named a Top Employer for 13 consecutive years by the Top Employer Institute.
Thousands of people are taking legal action against pharmaceutical company Johnson & Johnson, claiming it knowingly sold asbestos-contaminated talcum powder in the UK.
As many as 3,000 people have alleged that either they or a family member developed forms of ovarian cancer or mesothelioma from using Johnson’s Baby Powder, and are seeking damages at the high court in London.
Lawyers for the group said in court documents filed on Thursday that Johnson & Johnson, along with current and former subsidiaries Johnson & Johnson Management and Kenvue UK, should all be held liable.
They said J&J “concealed” the risk to the public for decades, having replaced talc with corn starch in its baby powder in the UK since 2023.
A spokesperson for Kenvue, which was formerly J&J’s consumer health division and now has responsibility for talc-related claims outside the US and Canada, said the talc used in baby powder complied with regulations, did not contain asbestos, and does not cause cancer.
Talc is a naturally occurring mineral that is mined from the ground.
Michael Rawlinson KC, for the group of people bringing the claim, said in court documents that “there exist very few, if any, commercially exploited talc deposits in the world which do not contain asbestos and that all of the mines supplying the defendants contained asbestos”.
He also said that reports from such mines, as well as its own research alongside existing scientific literature, would have informed J&J about asbestos contamination.
Despite this, the company “suppressed information that might indicate that baby powder was contaminated with asbestos”, the barrister added.
He also said J&J “lobbied regulators” to enable the continued sale of its product and sponsored studies in an effort to “downplay the dangers” to human health.
J&J therefore “acted in bad faith, to protect the reputation and profit-making potential of baby powder and the goodwill attached to their name”, Rawlinson said.
J&J denies the allegations, including any claims it knowingly sold baby powder contaminated with asbestos.
Janet Fuschillo, who is one of the people bringing the case, said she used J&J’s baby powder since the 1960s, and that she was diagnosed with ovarian cancer seven years ago.
The 75-year-old said: “I used talc on myself and all four of my children … I used talc when I changed nappies, after baths, all the time, for close to 50 years.
“It’s a source of great concern and anger that I used talc on my children.”
Patricia Angell said her husband, Edward, died in 2006 aged 64, a few weeks after being diagnosed with mesothelioma.
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She described him as a “perfectly fit, healthy man” who worked as an electrician and who knew about asbestos.
She said: “When he fell ill the doctors asked him if he ever came into contact with asbestos and he told them he never had.
“He would come home from work and shower every day and use J&J’s talc … Talc was mentioned on Edward’s autopsy report, along with asbestos strains found in contaminated talc.”
She added that her husband had been “robbed” of 19 years of life and her children robbed of a father.
Mesothelioma, a form of cancer, is almost always caused by asbestos exposure, according to the NHS, and it commonly forms in the lungs after people inhale the microscopic fibres.
Rawlinson said the method of application of the baby powder – squeezing or shaking the bottle – meant that “clouds” of powder hung in the air “for a very long time after use” and were inhaled by the person using it.
A Kenvue spokesperson said: “We sympathise deeply with people living with cancer. We understand that they and their families want answers – that’s why the facts are so important.
“The safety of Johnson’s Baby Powder is backed by years of testing by independent and leading laboratories, universities and health authorities in the UK and around the world.
“The high-quality cosmetic grade talc that was used in Johnson’s Baby Powder was compliant with any required regulatory standards, did not contain asbestos, and does not cause cancer.”
The goal of the Singapore-based start-up Atera Water is to improve people’s livelihoods in the long term through clean drinking water.
Porsche is supporting this ambitious project as part of its new ‘Start-up Your Dream’ initiative, which supports fledgling companies worldwide with outstanding innovations specifically intended to improve living and working conditions in the Global South. ‘Start-up Your Dream’ is also aimed at founders who create opportunities for others through innovations relating to climate change, integration and education.
Atera Water is the first company supported by Porsche as part of its initiative. The start-up was founded in 2021 with technology co-development with Nanyang Technological University (NTU). The founders Tai Kee and Dr Adrian Yeo aim to transform access to clean water through the development of advanced water treatment technologies that are both sustainable and economically viable. Their filtration system will be used in areas where water is scarce or where drinking water is exposed to severe environmental pollution. The first step is to deploy the technology in South East Asia, where water scarcity and pollution demand sustainable solutions.
“For more than seven decades, Porsche has been fulfilling the dreams of its customers with its sports cars worldwide. We have always taken care to be a responsible partner to society – this includes helping people make their dreams become reality in various ways,” says Dr Oliver Blume, Chairman of the Executive Board at Porsche AG. “With ‘Start-up Your Dream’, we are aiming to increase the market opportunities of newer companies who want to use their innovations to improve people’s lives. We want to strengthen their pioneering spirit and connect them with experts who will support them in building their company in this particularly challenging phase.”
To kick off the ‘Start-up Your Dream’ programme, Atera Water founders Tai Kee and Dr Adrian Yeo visited Porsche’s headquarters in Zuffenhausen. Their schedule included an opportunity to present their business model to members of the Executive Board. The sports car manufacturer’s Sustainability Council also had an in-depth discussion with the founders. Further talks with experts and guided tours of the Porsche production site and the Porsche Museum provided comprehensive insights into the company and its corporate culture.
In the course of the programme, Tai Kee and Dr Adrian Yeo participate in a wide range of training modules to further strengthen their company’s development. Among other things, they benefit from mentoring and targeted relationship-building within relevant networks. In addition, the founders participate in a training programme for entrepreneurs at the University of Cambridge and an intensive training week in Singapore. Financial support will also be provided at the end of the training, based on the results of the programme.
With Plug and Play, the initiative has gained an experienced and internationally operating partner. Headquartered in Silicon Valley, with an office in Stuttgart, the company is one of the biggest venture capital fund and accelerators in the world. Plug and Play is specialized in providing tailored support to young and innovative companies in the tech sector, connecting them and providing new opportunities with its own network.
About Atera Water
Atera Water is developing water filtration technology designed to make clean drinking water available even in regions where water is scarce or polluted – with minimal use of chemicals. The start-up combines scientific excellence with practical use and sees itself as a partner to help solve global water problems. Atera Water combines innovation from membrane research with applied engineering to bring a cost effective and energy efficient filtration system to market maturity. Initial pilot deployments have shown promising results.
Porsche: ‘Start-up Your Dream’
With ‘Start-up Your Dream”, Porsche is implementing a flagship project to provide support for start-ups. The initiative aims to reach as many people as possible in important social areas. The funding is based on the four pillars of education, networking, mentoring and financing and is individually tailored to the needs of the courageous and creative founders.
Porsche: Partner to Society
‘Partner to Society’ is a strategy field in sustainability at Porsche. With various initiatives, donations and CSR activities, the sports car manufacturer aims to assist regions around the world in preserving the environment, guaranteeing good working and living conditions and strengthening social cohesion. Under the motto ‘Creating Chances’, Porsche is particularly committed to self-help projects designed to empower people in their living and working environment – and to help make their very personal dreams come true.
About Plug and Play
Plug and Play is the leading innovation platform, connecting startups, corporations, venture capital firms, universities, and government agencies. Headquartered in Silicon Valley, they’re in 60+ locations across five continents. They offer corporate innovation programs and help their corporate partners in every stage of their innovation journey, from education to execution. They also organize startup acceleration programs and have built an in-house venture capital fund to drive innovation across multiple industries where they have invested in hundreds of successful companies, including Dropbox, Guardant Health, Honey, Lending Club, N26, PayPal, and Rappi.
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“One year ago, we set out with Amazon to reimagine the way in which we advance new energy projects in the United States, and how we power technologies like AI that are driving our economy forward,” said J. Clay Sell, chief executive officer of X-energy. “Over the past year, the support of Amazon has enabled us to accelerate progress on our technology, grow our team with world-class talent and expertise, and position the Cascade Advanced Energy Center at the forefront of energy innovation. The scale of this work is historic, and we are privileged to have world-class partners like Amazon and Energy Northwest in this effort.”
Jars of Nescafe Instant coffee, part of food giant Nestle’s portfolio, sit on a supermarket shelf in Encinitas, California, U.S., September 2, 2025.
Mike Blake | Reuters
Nestle said Thursday it will cut 16,000 jobs as the firm’s new CEO Philipp Navratil looks to accelerate a turnaround at the consumer goods giant.
In a bid to improve operational efficiency, the firm said it will cut 12,000 white-collar jobs and a further 4,000 roles will be reduced over the next two years.
Shares were last trading 7.2 higher on Thursday.
Under its former CEO Laurent Freixe, Nestle had already announced a cost-savings programme worth 2.5 billion Swiss francs ($3.14 billion). This has now been accelerated to 3 billion Swiss francs by the end of 2027.
The company posted a better-than-expected organic growth rate of 4.3% in the third quarter as it battles an uncertain consumer outlook amid U.S. tariffs and an increase in raw material prices, such as cocoa and coffee beans.
Notably, Real Internal Growth (RIG) returned to positive territory in the third quarter — up 1.5% — as the maker of Nespresso and KitKat saw growth investments pay off, also helped by easier comparisons.
A miss on RIG in the second quarter had led to a sharp underformance of Nestle shares. Ahead of the results, analysts at HSBC had already expected RIG to return to positive territory “owing to easier comparatives, incrementally greater benefits from Nestle’s own actions plus reduced elasticity effects from price increases.”
However, the company’s business in Greater China continued to underperform, with the region negatively impacting organic growth by 80 basis points and RIG by 40 basis points. Nestle added that “new management was now in place and it was executing its plan to transform the business.”
The firm’s strategy of focusing on winners and turnarounding its losers helped driver better-than-expected third quarter sales, said Jon Cox, head of European consumer equities, at Kepler Chevreux.
“Overall, it is extremely positive and certainly looks operationally as if the company has turned the corner with the better performance while the management upheaval over the summer fades into the background,” Cox said, adding that he expects the stock to react very positively.
Turbulent year
The Vevey, Switzerland-based consumer goods giant has come under pressure from investors as its operating and share performance have trailed peers.
Its shares are off more than 40% from its Dec 2021 peak, and have fallen 9% over the past 12 months.
Nestle’s shares
Nestle has endured a turbulent year, as it saw its CEO Laurent Freixe ousted over an undisclosed romantic relationship on September 1.
His successor, Navratil is the former CEO of the company’s Nespresso business. He has pledged to “fully embrace the company’s strategic direction, as well as the action plan in place to drive Nestle’s performance,” and vowed to “accelerate execution and to drive the value creation plan with intensity.”
Only two weeks later, Nestle saw itself forced to accelerate Chairman Paul Bulcke’s departure, owing to pressure from institutional shareholders over his handling of Freixe’s allegations.
Bulcke, also a former CEO of Nestle, stepped down from his role earlier than planned, handing over the reins to Vice Chairman and Chairman elect Pablo Isla, a former Inditex CEO, who was set to take over after Nestle’s AGM in April 2026.
Analysts say the new leadership duo will need to earn back trust from investors.
“Many long term investors … would have to hear more from someone who is relatively unknown to the market before becoming more positive,” Deutsche Bank analysts wrote in a September note.
While the initial focus will be on recovery in volume growth and its Chinese business, longer-term investors will be keen to receive updates on the partial sale of Nestle’s struggling water unit as well as its underperforming vitamins business, along with plans for its 20% stake in L’Oreal.
“Now we must do more and move faster to accelerate our growth momentum,” Navratil said Thursday in a statement on the company’s earnings.
“As Nestle moves forward, we will be rigorous in our approach to resource allocation, prioritising the opportunities and businesses with the highest potential return.”
Oslo/Washington DC, 16 October 2025: Release by Scatec, majority owned by Scatec ASA has signed new lease agreements totalling 64 MW of solar power and 10 MWh of battery storage across Liberia and Sierra Leone.
“These agreements mark a significant step in strengthening our renewable energy presence and delivering flexible, modular “lease-to-own” solutions to utilities in Sub-Saharan Africa. The projects are designed to replace expensive fossil fuel generation, improve grid reliability, and support local economic development,” says Scatec CEO and Chairman of Release, Terje Pilskog.
Release receives support from the World Bank’s IFC through a USD 100 million loan and a USD 65 million guarantee facility, established in 2023, securing payment obligations from Release’s clients. This partnership enables Release to offer affordable, clean power to African utilities with reduced financial risk, simplifying renewable energy adoption.
In Liberia, Release has entered into a 15-year lease agreement with the state-owned Liberia Electricity Corporation (LEC) for the development of a 24 MW solar plant combined with a 10 MWh battery energy storage system (BESS) in Duazon, near Monrovia. Release also secured a 40 MW solar project in Sierra Leone through a lease agreement with the national utility EGTC and the Ministry of Energy.
These two projects will be the first projects where Release will use its newly introduced solar panel mounting structure designed by its engineering team in South Africa, representing a milestone for the company and marking a start to a new way of delivering its projects.
Release is owned by Scatec (68%) and Climate Fund Managers (CFM) (32%) via its EU-supported Climate Investor One Fund, a USD 1 billion blended finance facility focused on renewable energy infrastructure in emerging markets.
For further information, please contact: For analysts and investors: Andreas Austrell, SVP IR andreas.austrell@scatec.com +47 974 38 686
About Scatec Scatec is a leading renewable energy solutions provider, accelerating access to reliable and affordable clean energy in emerging markets. As a long-term player, we develop, build, own, and operate renewable energy plants, with 6.2 GW in operation and under construction across five continents today. We are committed to growing our renewable energy capacity, delivered by our passionate employees and partners who are driven by a common vision of ‘Improving our Future’. Scatec is headquartered in Oslo, Norway and listed on the Oslo Stock Exchange under the ticker symbol ‘SCATC’. To learn more, visit www.scatec.com or connect with us on LinkedIn.
About Release Designed to overcome financial and technical barriers associated with adopting solar energy, Release is a flexible leasing agreement of pre-assembled solar PV and battery equipment to deliver a low cost, clean, and reliable power solution. About Release – Release by Scatec
This information is subject to the disclosure requirements pursuant to Section 5-12 the Norwegian Securities Trading Act
OceanGate’s Titan submersible imploded on its journey to the wreck of the Titantic because of poor engineering and multiple failures to test the vessel, according to an official report.
Titan imploded in June 2023, killing all five passengers on board including OceanGate’s chief executive.
The US National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) found the engineering process behind the vehicle was “inadequate”, resulting in faults which meant it failed to meet strength and durability requirements.
The NTSB said because the firm did not adequately test Titan it did not know its actual strength. It was also unaware it was damaged and should have been removed from service before its last voyage.
Titan disappeared in the North Atlantic as it attempted to dive to the wreck of Titanic which lies some 372 miles from St. John’s in Newfoundland and Labrador in Canada.
In August, the US Coast Guard released a damning report into the implosion which found that the incident was “preventable” and criticised OceanGate’s “critically flawed” safety practices.
Stockton Rush, OceanGate’s chief executive, operated the Titan on its final journey.
The passengers, who paid $25,000 each to take part in the dive, deep-sea explorer Paul-Henri Nargeolet, Shahzada Dawood and his 19-year-old son Suleman Dawood and Hamish Harding.
Suryakali Vishwakarma says the fortified rice she’s rolling into balls helps her family stay healthy. Photo: WFP
For Suryakali Vishwakarma, all rice is not created equal.
The pearly grains might look and taste the same. But the fortified rice, along with wheat, that she collects from a government village shop in northern India’s Uttar Pradesh State – both packed with essential vitamins and minerals – have become her go-to staples.
“Providing good nutrition to our children is no longer a problem,” says the young mother, after rolling a bowlful of fortified rice for cooking. “We feel healthy and fine with the consumption of nutritious, fortified rice.”
In India, and across Asia and the Pacific, fortified rice and wheat are transforming diets and futures for millions of the world’s poorest and hungriest people – thanks to government-led initiatives in partnership with the World Food Programme (WFP) and the Gates Foundation. Regional bodies, like the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, are also catalytic, by helping member states share lessons, align standards and pilot new models – so that progress in one country drives broader change.
Across Asia and the Pacific, fortified rice and wheat are transforming diets and futures. Photo: WFP
“What connects all these efforts is strong government leadership, solid delivery systems and growing private sector engagement,” says Arvind Betigeri, WFP food fortification advisor for the Asia-Pacific region.
Packing up to eight essential nutrients, including iron, zinc, folic acid and vitamins A and B, the fortified grains amount to an inexpensive and powerful weapon in fighting malnutrition – in a region where poor diets leave one in three women anaemic, and nearly 80 million children stunted, or too short for their age.
Some of the most stunning results can be seen in India, the world’s most populous country, with high rates of anaemia and micronutrient deficiencies. More than half the population now has access to fortified food, especially staple rice, thanks to government leadership and WFP-supported pilots rolled out and expanded in some of the most vulnerable parts of the country.
Some of the most stunning results of fortification can be seen in India, the world’s most populous country, with high rates of anaemia and micronutrient deficiencies. Photo: WFP
“Improving nutrition outcomes has a direct implication on improving the national productivity and economic output for the country,” says WFP food fortification policy officer Reema Sood. She cites findings showing that every US$1 invested in fortification delivers US$27 in returns, in terms of better cognitive development, increased economic productivity and reduced expenditure on treating diseases and anaemia.
Game changers
In populous states like Uttar Pradesh – where fortified rice reaches millions – the pilots are improving local production capacity and the quality of fortified food. They are also expanding public availability and acceptance, through cooking classes and awareness campaigns. For the most vulnerable, including pregnant and breastfeeding women and young children, fortified rice and wheat are available free of charge, as part of government safety net and school feeding programmes.
A young pupil in Cambodia enjoys his fortified rice that’s part of WFP-supported school meals. Photo: WFP/Darapech Chea
“The fortified rice that is being provided is very beneficial for people’s health,” says mother Vishwakarma, who also credits her children’s strong marks to platefuls of fortified rice they receive at class.
“They are active throughout and their performance in school is also good,” she says of her two daughters. “They are the highest scorers in their school.“
In Sri Lanka – where many children suffer from a dearth of essential vitamins and minerals – WFP is collaborating with district governments to set up fortification facilities, which supply enriched rice to the national school meals programmes.
“This isn’t just a project, this is a game-changer for nutrition and education in Sri Lanka,” says Samir Wanmali, WFP Regional Director for Asia and the Pacific.
A school girl eats fortified food in Sri Lanka, where WFP is collaborating with district governments to set up fortification facilities. Photo: WFP
In Bangladesh, where micronutrient deficiency, known as ‘hidden hunger,’ is also widespread, WFP is providing technical and other support to the Government’s food fortification programme, which targets women like Shikha Akhtar.
“Since I started eating fortified rice, I’ve been in better health,” says Akhtar, a Dhaka-based mother of two, who has struggled with illness. The 30kg of free Government-fortified rice is a welcome windfall for the family, which survives on her husband’s meagre wages as a daily labourer. “I encourage my neighbours in the village to eat this rice,” she says.
“Our main objective is to reach every woman’s doorstep across the country” with fortified rice, says Sharmin Shaheen, deputy director of Bangladesh’s Women’s Affairs Department.
Powering private partnerships
In Pakistan, WFP provides technical support and training to small-scale millers known as chakkis. Photo: WFP
Along with governments, WFP is also working with the private sector to improve fortified food production across the region. A case in point is Pakistan, where WFP provides technical support and training to small-scale millers known as chakkis, to provide enriched wheat to local communities.
“These boost people’s health, helping to reduce malnutrition, especially for the elderly, women and children,” says one chakki owner, Rashid Nazir, who received WFP support for his business, located in a town outside the capital Islamabad.
The private sector is also key to scaling up food fortification in Nepal, one of the world’s poorest countries, where malnutrition among young children and mothers is high. In the remote, northwestern Karnali Province, WFP is supporting government efforts to make subsidized, fortified rice available to the poorest through social protection programmes, and in commercial markets.
In Nepal, WFP is supporting government efforts to make fortified rice available to the poorest, and companies to build their capacity. Photo: WFP
That includes supporting companies to build their capacity, so Himalayan communities can better access the nutrient-packed grains in a region where food, especially nutritious food, is scarce.
“People travel three-to-five hours by foot to buy the rice,” says Raj Bahadur Rai, a company manager in the Himalayan district of Mugu. “The consumers of this fortified rice have been gradually increasing. They are slowly realizing its value.”
WFP’s rice fortification initiatives in the Asia-Pacific Region are supported by the Gates Foundation, DSM-Firmenich, the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) and the UN-India Partnership Fund.
Learn more about WFP’s work in Bangladesh, India, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka
