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India, Germany likely to sign deal on artificial intelligence

GERMANY and India are likely to sign agreements including a partnership on the use of artificial intelligence in farming during a three-day visit to New Delhi by Chancellor Angela Merkel that begins on Thursday (31), the German ambassador said.

Merkel will be accompanied by several cabinet colleagues and a business delegation, ambassador Walter J Lindner told reporters.


Merkel and Indian prime minister Narendra Modi are expected to discuss trade, investment, regional security, and climate change.

Both countries could sign agreements in areas such as artificial intelligence and green urban mobility, Lindner said.

"This time, the focus will be on economic and trade relations, innovation and digitalisation, and climate protection and sustainable development," Merkel said in a message ahead of the visit released by the Indian embassy in Berlin.

Bilateral trade between the two countries rose to $24.06 billion in the 2018-19 fiscal year ending in March from $22bn the previous year, while German companies have invested nearly $12bn in India since 2000.

Germany is India's largest trading partner in Europe and more than 1,700 German companies are operating in India.

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Asda sales plunge, chair blames government of low confidence

The supermarket struggled with technology issues during a lengthy effort to separate IT systems from former owner Walmart.

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Asda reports sharp sales fall, chair blames government for 'killing consumer confidence'

Highlights

  • Asda sales fall 3.8 per cent to £5.1 bn in three months to September, with comparable store sales down 2.8 per cent.
  • Chair Allan Leighton blames IT system problems from separating technology from former owner Walmart.
  • Leighton criticises government for hampering business investment and depressing consumer sentiment.
Asda has reported a sharp sales decline while criticising the government for "killing confidence" among consumers, though its chair admitted "self-inflicted" technology problems had set back turnaround plans by six months.

Total sales at Britain's third-largest supermarket fell 3.8 per cent to £5.1 bn in the three months ending September compared with the same period last year, reversing 0.2 per cent growth from the previous quarter. Comparable store sales dropped 2.8 per cent.

Chair Allan Leighton, who returned last year to revive the business for a second time, told the guardian that the fall in sales and market share was "totally self-inflicted." The supermarket struggled with technology issues during a lengthy effort to separate IT systems from former owner Walmart.

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