8 | | APRIL, 2025India and Singapore signed a Let-ter of Intent (LoI) for the Green and Digital Shipping Corridor (GDSC), which will focus on digitali-zation and decarbonization.The Singapore-India GDSC, once established, will improve collabo-ration between the two countries and help accelerate the development and uptake of zero or near-zero GHG emission technologies, as well as the adoption of digital solutions, accord-ing to a joint release from the Singa-pore Maritime and Port Authority and the Ministry of Ports and Ship-ping.Sarbananda Sonowal, Minister of Ports, Shipping, and Waterways, stat-ed that his visit to Singapore with a high-level marine sector delegation will strengthen their long-standing relationship.Furthermore, the "Comprehen-sive Strategic Partnership" will strengthen and broaden cooperation between the two countries, he stated.Sonowal is on a three-day visit to Singapore to attend the maritime week, which is expected to attract 20,000 delegates and exhibitors from around the world.In response to another ques-tion, Chaudhary stated that the Jan Samarth portal is a one-stop digi-tal platform for linking 15 govern-ment-sponsored loans and subsidy schemes. It offers a quick and effi-cient way to apply for loans and re-ceive approvals based on a digital evaluation of the applicant's infor-mation, he said.Furthermore, he stated that many banks and financial institutions have created online platforms and mobile apps for end-to-end digital loan ap-plication processing, which elimi-nates the need for physical paper-work and in-person visits.In response to another question, Chaudhary stated that customers are entitled to five free transactions (both financial and non-financial) per month from their own bank ATMs.They are also entitled to a set number of free transactions (both financial and non-financial) from other bank ATMs, three in metro ar-eas and five in non-metro areas, he explained.Beyond the free transactions, he stated that charges are levied for each ATM transaction in accordance with the respective bank's Board-ap-proved policies, with a ceiling/cap of 21 plus applicable taxes per trans-action.According to data shared by the Finance Ministry, the State Bank of India (SBI) is the only public sector bank that does not lose money on cash withdrawals from ATMs. INDIA & SINGAPORE COLLABORATE TO LAUNCH GREEN & DIGITAL SHIPPING CORRIDORIN FOCUS
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