India – Spreading the JAM
The Indian government's JAM Trinity programme is geared towards
broadening financial inclusion.
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The programme aims to create
a biometrically enhanced unique identifier (Aadhar) for India's
citizens; assist the unbanked to open bank accounts (Jan Dhan
Yojana) and access government subsidised items; and boost
mobile connectivity. Among others, this programme allows for
direct transfers of funds into bank accounts, helping to cut out
intermediaries and eliminate leakage, unlocking tremendous value
for society.
Denmark – A digital leader
Denmark ranks first among 28 European Union (EU) Member
States in the Digital Economy and Society Index in 2017.
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Its
Strategy for Denmark's Digital Growth lays out its digital agenda
to shape the future of the economy. It emphasises Industry 4.0
and is committed to the transformation of the entire country. The
strategy allocates $163 million for 38 initiatives running to 2025.
These include creation of a digital hub, strengthening education,
agile regulation for new business models, strengthened cyber
security, and data as a driver of growth. Already, Denmark is
strong in the delivery of online public services, it takes the lead
across the EU in use of digital technologies by business, and
it names digitisation and new technologies as drivers for new
productivity growth. A national strategy for digital health focusses
on digitisation and use of health data in the context of prevention,
care and direct treatment. Use of precision farming makes this tiny
country the globe's number two exporter of food as measured by
value, second only to the US, which has 270 times its landmass.
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Countries are using digital technologies to address perennial issues and transform.
India and Denmark offer excellent examples:
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