BANGKOK, THAILAND - Media OutReach - 26 October 2021 - Global recruitment specialists Michael Page Thailand witnessed a marginal 2% quarterly increase in overall job numbers within Q3 2021 as hiring evened out after the surge in the early parts of 2021. Kristoffer Paludan, Regional Director of Michael Page Thailand   With consistent employment demand, Thai professionals with the right combination of technical and behavioural competencies will continue to be in demand and command a higher ratio of salary. Additionally, competition for talented professionals is intensifying and companies are increasingly adopting a candidate-first mentality and paying more attention to the overall candidate experience, to help improve their brand, their process and their overall ability to attract talent.   The number of jobs within the Thai Technology sector rose by 11% in Q3 from Q2 2021. "This is partly led by a buoyant tech startup community which is experiencing very healthy private equity and venture capital investments. A resulting demand is seen for professionals skilled in data citation, project and program management as well as software development," observes Kristoffer Paludan, Regional Director of Michael Page Thailand.   Hiring in the Thai Engineering & Supply Chain landscape saw similar levels of heightened activity at a rate of 9% in Q3 2021 compared to Q2. According to Kristoffer Paludan, this upward trend is driven by the significant uplift in food production and packaging, chemical manufacturing as well as electronics and electricals.   "We have seen a number of new players entering the Thai market in the above-mentioned sectors. That combined with the expansion of the domestic marketplace has driven the uplift in hiring activity. In addition, the decline in the Thai Baht is fueling the export market which in turn h ......read more

JAKARTA, INDONESIA - Media OutReach - 26 October 2021 - According to job opportunity data shared by global recruitment specialists Michael Page Indonesia the number of jobs rose in Q3 2021 compared to Q2 led by job positions within Financial Services (up 45%), Digital (up 14%) and Technology (up 13%). Olly Riches, President Director of Michael Page Indonesia & Philippines   Olly Riches, President Director of Michael Page Indonesia & Philippines observes, "As Indonesia continues to enjoy a digital boom, multinational and domestic financial services players are investing heavily into Fintech. This is the key enabler for the Indonesian population to access e-wallets, make online payments and manage all their banking and insurance activities. There is also keen competition between the traditional financial services firms and the new Fintech start ups for Indonesian talent right now which is really driving the healthy hiring activity."   Similarly, the uptick in Digital job opportunities (up 14%) is again led by tech unicorns who initiated growth in Indonesia and is currently being fuelled by changing lifestyles due to the pandemic. "Indonesia is a young population who are savvy with home deliveries and online services which makes it a very compelling demographic for rapid growth in this space. We have seen quite an increase in employment opportunities as well within private equity and venture capital firms for their portfolio businesses, which are often in digital and technology," Olly Riches continues. As the population becomes increasingly connected, Indonesians who live in farther out locations now have access to education and healthcare via technology as well. In order to provide these essential services to the large population, Medtech and Edtech have also emerged as one of the key growth areas in order to reach citizens living outside of the major cities.   The technology requi ......read more

SINGAPORE - Media OutReach - 26 October 2021 - Pacific Oil & Gas Limited (PO&G) has announced that it will rebrand its operations to become Pacific Energy Corporation Limited.   Ratnesh Bedi, President of Pacific Energy said, "The Pacific Energy name and new logo reflects the next step in our growth strategy dedicated to providing cleaner energy for North American markets and growing Asian economies. Our refreshed branding also creates a platform for new product development and future acquisitions."   Pacific Energy, which is part of the Singapore-based RGE group of companies founded by Sukanto Tanoto in 1973, is an independent energy resources development company focused on helping North America and growing Asian economies meet their increasing energy requirements. The company strategy is to invest, develop, build, own and operate innovative and cost-competitive projects throughout the energy value chain, while maintaining constant attention to its role as a responsible corporate citizen.   Established Presence in China Since 2003, Pacific Energy has taken strategic positions in China's gas and related power markets. Pacific Energy is one of the first two foreign companies to own interests in liquefied natural gas (LNG) receiving terminals in China. Pacific Energy also successfully built and operates the first 100% foreign-owned combined cycle gas turbine (CCGT) power plant in Xiamen, and owns 70% stake in another CCGT power plant in Wuxi.  Power plants powered by natural gas are more efficient than traditional coal-fired power plants. They can also serve as an effective bridge fuel to meet energy demand when the supply from renewable sources does not provide consistent returns throughout the day. Growing Presence in Canada In Canada, Pacific Energy's exploration and production of gas are conducted through its subsidiary Pacific Canbriam Energy (PCE). Acquired by Pacific Energ ......read more

HAIKOU, CHINA - Media OutReach - 26 October 2021 - CPA Australia, one of the world's largest professional accounting bodies, and the Hainan Institute of Certified Public Accountants (HICPA) have today announced the signing of a Memorandum of Cooperation (Memorandum).   The Memorandum is designed to facilitate closer collaboration between CPA Australia and HICPA. Together, the bodies aim to enhance the standard of international accounting professionals, broaden opportunities for members from both bodies, and commit to the future development of the Hainan Free Trade Port.   He Yongmei, Secretary General of HICPA and Deborah Leung FCPA (Aust.), Executive General Manager International of CPA Australia, signed the Memorandum at a virtual signing ceremony in October. Over 600 representatives from the Hainan Ministry of Finance, the financial and accounting industry and the business community across Greater China attended the virtual ceremony.   William Huang FCPA (Aust.), President of CPA Australia's South China Committee, said the signing of the Memorandum was a great milestone in the relationship between the two bodies.   "Today marks the first anniversary of the announcement of the Hainan Free Trade Port Institutional Integration and Innovation Action Plan 2020 – 2022. We are very proud to strengthen our relationship with HICPA on such a remarkable day, which we hope will contribute to the Action Plan by nurturing high-level talent in Hainan.   "Accounting and financial professionals play a critical role in enhancing the trade and investment relationship between Hainan and the world and establishing Hainan into a globally influential and high-level free trade port."As a leading global accounting body with deep commitments in Mainland China, CPA Australia has worked closely with HICPA in promoting professional standards in the region for many years. We believe this Memorandu ......read more

SINGAPORE - Media OutReach - 26 October 2021 - Celebrating Madame Tussauds Singapore's 7th Anniversary, they have welcomed GOT7's Jackson Wang, the Hong Kong rapper-singer-dancer into the music zone.  His figure portraying the iconic "W' gesture of Team Wang, is dressed in a black attire, exclusively collaborated with Fendi, called Fendi x Jackson Wang Capsule Collection. He is placed beside Singapore's homegrown Mandopop singer, JJ Lin on stage as they have collaborated in a Single in December 2020 "? Should've Let Go". The song describes looking back on memories of a past love and learning to let go. His figure will only be here until 14 January 2022. Team Wang fans can also stand to win an autographed magazine when they take part in "100 ways" Tik Tok Challenge in the attraction, and tag @mtssingapore on Tik Tok. Check out @mtssingapore on Tik Tok for more information. "We are very excited to have Jackson Wang joining us in our music zone together with other award- winning superstars. We believe that his figure will be a smashing hit and a great addition to an already glittering lineup of stars. We will continue to bring in more stars throughout the year," says Alex Ward, General Manager of Madame Tussauds Singapore.  Madame Tussauds Singapore's music zone is also a home to other celebrities including Jay Chou and JJ Lin. More exciting figures will be added in the attraction in the coming year. To celebrate the arrival, Madame Tussauds Singapore will be launching a promotion bundle in November through its website and or redeem with SingapoRediscovers vouchers on Klook. The bundle is priced at $45 which includes a ticket to 5 different experiences (Madame Tussauds, Images of Singapore, Ultimate Film Star Experience, Spirit of Singapore Boat Ride, and Marvel Universe 4D), a Digital Photo and an exclusive Jackson Wang 2D Plaque. More details will be made available in November.   For high res images: ......read more

GUILDFORD, UK - EQS Newswire - 25 October 2021 - Linde (NYSE: LIN; FWB: LIN) today announced its Board of Directors has appointed Sanjiv Lamba to succeed Steve Angel as Chief Executive Officer and Steve Angel to succeed Wolfgang Reitzle as Chairman, effective March 1, 2022.Lamba was named Linde's Chief Operating Officer in October 2020. Throughout his more than 30-year tenure with Linde, he served in various leadership roles including Executive Vice President APAC, Head of Regional Business units (South & South East Asia) and Managing Director India. In addition to his appointment as CEO, Lamba will join Linde's Board of Directors, effective March 1, 2022."I am truly honored to lead this outstanding company into the future," said Lamba. "Linde is exceptionally well-positioned to capitalize on profitable growth opportunities in several end markets, including electronics, healthcare and clean energy. I look forward to working with the talented Linde team to continue driving our high-performance culture and create sustainable value for Linde shareholders."Angel was named Chief Executive Officer of Linde plc in 2018, having successfully led the merger of Linde AG and Praxair into the world's largest global industrial gases and engineering company. Under his leadership, the company implemented a culture of operational excellence and capital discipline which, when combined with industry leading growth, generated 100% Total Shareholder Return over the last three years. Prior to his role as Linde CEO, Angel served as Chairman, President and CEO of Praxair, Inc. since 2007."It has been a privilege to lead Linde to become the best performing industrial gases and engineering company in the world," said Angel. "As Chairman, I look forward to working with Sanjiv as we further strengthen Linde's reputation for excellence. I'm confident that under Sanjiv's leadership, Linde will maintain our high-performance culture, aggressively implement our new sustainability goals and leve ......read more

HONG KONG SAR - Media OutReach - 25 October 2021 - digiXnode Technology Limited (dXn) today launched the exclusive service portal for the Blockchain-based Service Network (BSN) in Hong Kong and Macau. In the past, users could only easily have access to a couple of mainland China or foreign blockchain frameworks and needed to spend tremendous costs, time and resources to use blockchain technology. By subscribing blockchain services from the dXn website, digiXnode.io, blockchain application developers and users can legally access to numerous blockchain frameworks in both mainland China and worldwide, saving time, cost and effort while accelerating cross-border deployments of distributed ledger technology (DLT)-based applications.    Paul Wong, co-Founder of dXn, mentioned, "dXn provides a one-stop portal for subscriptions to both mainland China and global blockchain infrastructure services. Users can access the frameworks on Blockchain-based Service Network with the cheapest, easiest, and quickest way to make secure and trusted cross-border digital transactions."   dXn believes that data trust and privacy play are pivotal to the success of digital economies. The exclusive access to trusted infrastructure on both sides of the border provided by dXn will spur innovation and create immense benefits by enabling talent, information, value and goods flow between enterprises, users, and partners. A virtuous cycle will be created and it can reinforce confidence, synergy and better cost performance for all parties involved.   dXn envisions to be the enabler of the fairest shared economies of the world. With the launch of digiXnode.io, dXn has built bridges between digital economies by offering the most economical means for blockchain-based application development and deployment. Upping the ante, dXn will next focus on bringing these bridged digital economies to the masses, building up and operating the most secured ......read more

HONG KONG SAR - Media OutReach - 25 October 2021 - Biologists from Hong Kong Baptist University (HKBU) have discovered in Hong Kong waters a new species of hard coral and two new species of nudibranch, a type of marine mollusc, that have never been identified anywhere else in the world. The discoveries of new species from these commonly seen animal groups are a vivid reflection of Hong Kong's rich marine biodiversity. Professor Qiu Jianwen (right) and Mr Yiu King-fung, a member of the research team and a research postgraduate student (left) introduce the new coral and nudibranch species.   The new marine species were identified by research teams led by Professor Qiu Jianwen, Professor of HKBU's Department of Biology. The descriptions of the new coral and nudibranch species were published in the academic journals Zootaxa and Zoological Studies, respectively.   First new hard coral species discovered and named in Hong Kong in the past two decades   The new coral species belongs to the genus Tubastraea, which is commonly known as sun coral due to its bright orange polyps (individuals making up the colony) and the circle of tentacles that surround its mouth. HKBU biologists discovered the new species while conducting underwater surveys at the Breaker Reef in the eastern waters of Hong Kong in the summer of 2020.   The team named the coral Tubastraea megacorallita, with "mega" and "corallite" meaning "big" and "skeletal cup", respectively. The species name reflects the fact that it has the biggest and most structurally complex corallite among the eight recognised Tubastraea species around the world. This species forms small colonies of between three and 12 polyps, and they share a common calcareous skeleton.   Sun corals are different from most reef-building corals, as they do not host symbiotic ......read more

To support its community through challenging times, Village House is working with a job matching service to offer local and foreign residents additional income.TOKYO, JAPAN - Media OutReach - 25 October 2021 - Village House, a trusted rental housing service company in Japan, has recently leveraged Erikura to provide employment opportunities to its tenants and local residents. A job matching service owned by Recruit Co., Ltd, Erikura enables residents to apply for one-off cleaning work at any of the Village House properties. On top of affordable homes and rooms for rent with no brokerage fees, Village House continues to support its community in the best ways possible.  Supporting Livelihoods During Difficult Times In the face of the global COVID-19 pandemic which has had a serious economic impact, Japan has experienced the largest decline in average job availability ratio in nearly half a century as of fiscal 2020, with the unemployment rate up for the first time in 11 years. The sudden reduction in demand, especially in the services sector, during the pandemic meant that many firms had no choice but to lay off workers or stop renewing contractors who depended on part-time work. For those who suddenly find themselves unemployed or have some time to spare, they can acquire income with the help of Village House. In addition to supplying safe and secure rental housing to everyone including low-income earners, the company now enables job seekers to tide over this period with jobs that they can apply for as and when they want.  Through Erikura, Village House will post available job vacancies which mainly involve cleaning of common areas that can be completed within minutes. Those interested can easily sign up for the job and proceed to complete the task. Once finished, they are required to report with photo proof to receive the matching fee. As of January 2021, this service has been introduce ......read more

TOKYO, JAPAN - Media OutReach - 25 October 2021 - NHK WORLD-JAPAN, the English-language international service of Japan's public media organization, NHK, today announced it will present a collection of premiere and encore programming to commemorate and complement the United Nations' Climate Change Conference (COP26) to be held in Glasgow, Scotland from October 31-November 12, 2021. NHK WORLD-JAPAN, long committed to bringing issues of global importance to the forefront, in January 2021 launched a SDGs (Sustainable Development Goals) campaign that features programming and a special "17 Goals for Our World" website that mirrors the SDGs set forth by the United Nations. The website highlights NHK WORLD-JAPAN's vast collection of premiere and video on demand (VOD) programs that maps to each of the 17 goals, which include striving for clean water, health/well-being, education, sustainable cities, and responsible production/consumption; and eliminating poverty, hunger, and social inequalities.   The wide range of COP26-themed programming spans topics from man-made environmental damage to pollution to extreme weather and sustainability, and includes the popular series Zeroing In: Carbon Neutral 2050. The series, available now on VOD, was created in partnership with several public broadcasters in the U.S., and focuses on grassroots actions people can take to reach a carbon-neutral future.   Another currently available campaign program is Zero Waste Life, a series that highlights Japan's "Mottainai" philosophy of striving for a life of wasting nothing and treasuring what we have. It airs as part of the event in November. Past episodes are also available to watch on VOD.   An episode of Direct Talk that highlights the "Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions" SDG is also featured among the VOD content. "Braving Press Freedom:  Maria Ressa/Journalist," offers insight and interviews with Ressa around h ......read more

SIHANOUKVILLE, CAMBODIA - Media OutReach - 25 October 2021 -  Canopy Sands Development ("Canopy Sands"), a member of Prince Holding Group ("Prince Group"), one of Cambodia's largest and fastest-growing conglomerates, has distributed care packages to M'Lop Tapang, a local non-governmental organization as well as villagers living at Ong Village in Sihanoukville, Cambodia. The outreach was part of Canopy Sands' ongoing efforts to support local communities as Cambodia reopens for a post-pandemic recovery. The Canopy Sands team handed over 30 tons worth of food packs containing essentials such as rice, cooking oil and canned food during the outreach programme involving M'Lop Tapang and residents of Ong Village. Additionally, the donation to M'Lop Tapang also covered medical and hygiene products alongside educational aid like made-to-order school bags from the Indochina Starfish Foundation, a Cambodian charity that focuses on educational initiatives for the underprivileged children in Cambodia. "We had several conversations with representatives from M'Lop Tapang and Ong Village to understand their specific needs before putting together these care packages. It is our sincere hope that ongoing programs like these will be of assistance and somewhat lessen the hardships of those hit hardest by the COVID-19 pandemic," said Khong Weng Fook, Managing Director of Canopy Sands. M'Lop Tapang is one of the leading charitable organizations in Sihanoukville and currently works with more than 5,000 children in Sihanoukville providing a safe environment, medical care, education, training and safe employment, counseling, psycho-social support, family strengthening and protection from abuse. Ong Village is a settlement of over 200 families near the Ream City project by Canopy Sands. Earlier in September, Prince Holding Group's philanthropic arm, Prince Foundation, responded to a request for assistance from the Prey Nob district, Preah ......read more

HONG KONG SAR - Media OutReach - 25 October 2021 - Where the best of the best in real estate competes to win in Asia's leading regional property awards, the MIPIM Asia Awards 2021 is proud to reveal and congratulate the chosen projects for overcoming the hurdles brought by COVID-19 and for upholding industry standards to the highest level.   This year, 33 property developments have been recognized by the jury panel comprised of prominent property leaders across Asia-Pacific.   After more than a decade hosting the MIPIM Asia Awards, it has become a prestigious event that celebrates remarkably designed properties and the ingenious teams behind it. The awards are open to wide-ranging projects throughout APAC that considers both completed and in-progress developments.   Chaired by François Trausch, Global CEO and Chief Investment Officer of Allianz Real Estate, Germany, the jury panel of 16 industry experts have studied close to 100 entries. The final winners come from 10 countries.   Members of the MIPIM Asia Awards 2021 jury panel are: 1.    François TRAUSCH, Global Chief Executive Officer & Chief Investment Officer, Allianz Real Estate GMBH, Germany 2.    George AGETHEN, Ivanhoe Cambridge, Senior Vice President, Asia-Pacific, Singapore 3.    Henry CHENG, Chongbang Group, CEO & Executive Director, China 4.    Stanley CHING, CITIC Capital Holdings, Senior Managing Director, Managing Partner & Head of Real Estate, Hong Kong SAR 5.    Donald CHOI, Chinachem Group, CEO, Hong Kong SAR 6.    Chris CHOW, LaSalle Investment Management, Senio Managing Director, Hong Kong SAR 7.    Harvey COE, Ernst & Young, Partner & Head of Greater China, M&A Real Estate, Hong Kong SAR 8.    Alison COOKE, Starr International Investment ......read more

HONG KONG SAR - Media OutReach - 25 October 2021 - During a special award ceremony on Wednesday September 1st, a professional jury awarded the PotatoEurope Gold Innovation Award to the South Korean company Microtubers of E Green Global (EGG). Crop.zone's Nucrop clinched the Silver Award, while HZPC's Smart Bigbag received the Bronze. The PotatoEurope Innovation Awards are made to the PotatoEurope 2021-exhibiting company deemed to have met the three key criteria best –– innovativeness, potential impact in the potato market and applicability in the potato sector. EGG's technology produces virus-free and vigorous Microtuber seed potatoes through mass production in bio-secured plant factories which are continually harvested throughout the year. These lab-grown potato seeds are capable of being machine-planted directly in open field. "This special innovation means a lot in different domains, from health and speed to broad applicability. We see the EGG Microtubers as a leap forward in the towards innovation of varieties and believe that the innovation will soon be widely applicable. We expect that the industry will recognize EGG Microtubers as a fundamental but also applicable breakthrough," said jury member Dirk Duijzer, figurehead of the Dutch Top Sector Agri & Food, when awarding the prize.   EGG is the first company that has managed to successfully manufacture Microtubers on a commercial scale.  They have managed to develop a disruptive technology that overcomes the limitations of the current seed potato supply system and are currently the only company to effectively enable "Lab to Farm" seed potatoes on a global scale. EGG's method allows for the production of virus-free high quality seed potatoes in a shorter span of time, cutting the time required of five to six years, to one or two years, giving farmers and customers faster and cheaper crops at a higher quantity and quality.   Clearly ......read more

The 2022 Medical Trend Rate for Asia Pacific is up slightly compared to last year's 8.0 percent and remains above general price inflationIn the past year, utilisation of outpatient services dropped the most in Asia Pacific due to COVID-19 pandemic-related movement restrictionsGlobal health benefit costs to rise 7.4 percent as medical utilisation returns to pre-COVID-19 pandemic levels SINGAPORE - Media OutReach - 25 October 2021 - Employer-provided medical benefit costs in Asia Pacific are forecasted to rise 8.2 percent in 2022, outpacing general inflation by 5.8 percent, according to the 2022 Global Medical Trend Rates Report recently released by Aon plc (NYSE: AON), a leading global professional services firm.     The utilisation of medical plans has recovered from a low in April 2020 and is expected to exceed pre-COVID-19 pandemic levels during 2022 as pandemic-related movement restrictions are further eased. This, combined with rising inflationary pressures and an expectation that more of the cost of COVID-19 healthcare will transition to the private sector, is increasing cost expectations.   Tim Dwyer, Head of Health Solutions, Asia Pacific, Aon said, "The pandemic caused overall lower utilisation levels in 2020, which provided plan sponsors with some respite. However, the dual effect of higher expected utilisation and inflationary pressures presents new cost challenges that need to be managed. The normalisation in utilisation patterns, emerging risks such as mental and musculoskeletal health and the potential for a greater COVID-19 cost burden to fall on the private sector will require employers to carefully analyse their medical plans as cost pressures increase over the next two renewal cycles."   According to the report, over the last year there has been a significant increase in musculoskeletal conditions likely brought about by increased work-from-home arrangements. F ......read more

HONG KONG SAR - Media OutReach - 25 October 2021 - Nowadays, many uniforms are still very traditional, which are visually unattractive and outdated. 'Flint Ideas'- a shirt-printing & uniform customization Company, understands that visually unappealing uniforms could affect the mentality of many workers, thereby reducing work efficiency and service quality.   In this regard, the local creative uniform company- Flint Ideas, with the motto of 'More than just a Uniform', is committed to creating uniform fashion lines that bring out strong brand images. The company has launched the service of uniform fashion design, to create uniforms that are fashionable and visually appealing. The visual of the uniform is very important to many businesses since the appropriate uniform fashion helps to create a strong brand image, which would then enhance work confidence and efficiency.   Nowadays, Uniform Fashion has increasingly attracted more attention in Western countries. In addition, the green uniforms of the characters in the popular Korean drama 'Squid Game', have become the highlight of many discussions. The Uniform & shirt wear fashion design team of Flint Ideas has taken inspiration from the fashion design of the popular drama, to promote the concept of visually attractive and comfortable uniform and t-shirt wear fashion.  About "Flint Ideas""Flint Ideas" is one of the most professional uniform and t-shirt printing companies in Hong Kong. The company has a team of dedicated and passionate staff from various departments, such as the sales department, design department, purchasing department, and production department. With excellent management, the company provides high-quality uniform design services for each of their customers, with a wide range of products that range from team shirts, pant shirts, team jackets, wind jackets, sweatshirts, printed t-shirts, and uniforms. "Flint Ideas" has its factories of ......read more

MANILA, PHILIPPINES - Media OutReach - 25 October 2021 - Global recruitment specialists Michael Page Philippines witnessed the number of job opportunities rise in Q3 2021 compared to Q2 with an overall 13% increase. According to job opportunity data shared by Michael Page, growth was also noted within sectors such as Technology (up 37%), Engineering & Manufacturing (up 32%) and Finance (up 10%). Albert Pérez, Regional Director of Michael Page Philippines   Based out of the Manila office, Albert Pérez, Regional Director of Michael Page Philippines observes, "Companies in the Philippines have adapted to the pandemic and are going ahead with their previously-paused business plans. These roles are for business-critical positions at the middle to top management level. In these uncertain times, strong business leadership is required to drive organisational change and grow as more have to manage transformation brought about by the pandemic."  This has created healthy job opportunities in the technology space, up 37% in Q3 from Q2. "Both Filipino companies and large multinationals have increased their investment into the Philippines which has brought about waves of digital transformation. As more companies focus on data and analytics to drive decision making, new technology profiles have been introduced into the market as well," comments Albert Pérez.   We see a strong demand for technology professionals at all levels where companies have adjusted to the rapidly evolving business landscape, often needing to bring in external skills sets to accelerate digital upgrades. The economic demands have also increased the need for technology experts with specific field experience such as workplace IT managers who are solely responsible for implementing a complete remote work set up or digital product managers with a UI/UX focus. Similarly, job opportunities in Engineering & Manufacturing have seen ......read more

KUALA LUMPUR, MALAYSIA - Media OutReach - 25 October 2021 - Global recruitment specialists Michael Page Malaysia witnessed increased job opportunities in some sectors in Q3 2021 compared with 2020. According to job opportunity data shared by Michael Page, this was observed with growth in opportunities within the Marketing (up 45%) and Engineering & Manufacturing (up 22%) sectors. Overall the country saw an 18% rise in the number of job opportunities from last year. Paul Cooper, Managing Director of Michael Page Malaysia, Thailand and Vietnam   Paul Cooper, Managing Director of Michael Page Malaysia, Thailand and Vietnam observes, "Marketing in Malaysia's B2C space is really driving the demand for these professionals as organisations are trying to engage directly with their customers. The pandemic brought about massive changes in consumer patterns and the leading players want to establish a direct link with their customer and decrease their reliance on third party e-commerce platforms."   This has created a demand for digital marketing, data analysts and product managers who can secure customer engagement through relevant influencers and open new online marketplaces for brands.   Similarly, job opportunities for Malaysian professionals within Engineering & Manufacturing have seen healthy growth (up 22%) from 2020. "This is particularly driven by the global demand for semiconductors and microchips created by the increased volume in consumer electronics production. Factories in Malaysia are pressured to maximise their output which has in turn led to demand for specialists in semiconductor manufacturing," comments Paul Cooper.   Another contributing factor are investments in the healthcare industry which was ramped up manufacturing within pharmaceuticals and medical devices. This was a strong industry for Malaysia before the pandemic and is cur ......read more

SINGAPORE - Media OutReach - 25 October 2021 - Global recruitment specialists Michael Page Singapore witnessed the number of jobs rise in Q3 2021 compared to Q3 2020 by 21%. According to job opportunity data observed by Michael Page, this was led by growth in job opportunities across certain key sectors from last year namely Engineering & Manufacturing (up 48%), Digital (up 27%) and Technology (up 17%).  Nilay Khandelwal, Managing Director of Michael Page Singapore Speaking from recent observations, Nilay Khandelwal, Managing Director of Michael Page Singapore says, "These optimistic figures are indicative of the market conditions in Singapore improving and will continue to hold ground because we foresee various industries to be on the rise. Companies have recognised that securing the right talent is what will give them the competitive edge. In order to do so, a number have a clear indication of what skills they require and have adopted a good attraction strategy which goes beyond just high salaries." As Singapore remains an ideal strategic digital location from both an infrastructure and talent standpoint, the highest demand in this space are for digital product managers which combine a unique set of skills. Driving the job opportunities up 27% from Q3 2020, Nilay Khandelwal observes, "These special profiles are the most talked about and consists of people who are either existing product managers or product engineers or in some cases have been moved into digital roles from an existing marketing function. They are the brains behind the digital product and will act as a bridge between business and technical engineers working on product development. Product design roles have also seen a steady demand especially in the UI/UX area." Job positions in Engineering & Manufacturing almost doubled t ......read more

Explored challenges and prospects of quantity surveying industry and forged practical solutions HONG KONG SAR - Media OutReach - 23 October 2021 - The Hong Kong Institute of Surveyors (HKIS) Quantity Surveying Division hosted the HKIS Quantity Surveying Division Conference 2021 at the HKIS Surveyors Learning Centre today. Themed "Forging Ahead: Practical Solutions in Quantity Surveying" this year, the Conference gathered government office heads, business leaders, experts and scholars to share insights on the prospects of the quantity surveying industry. Ms HO Wing Yin, Winnie, JP, Director of Architectural Services, Architectural Services Department of the HKSAR Government attended the Conference as its Guest of Honour. Delivered both online and offline, the Conference drew a participation of over 300 industry professionals today.   Quantity Surveying Division is one of the six divisions of the HKIS and with the largest number of members. The division has adhered to the spirit of excellence for many years. Attributed to having been trained as construction cost consultants, the members are equipped with the expert knowledge of costs, values, finance, contractual arrangements and legal matters in the construction field. In order to provide comprehensive services to society, the service areas also extend from building projects in the past, to civil engineering, mechanical and electrical engineering, renovations and maintenance projects.   The Conference featured with 10 local and overseas industry leaders, experts and scholars deliberated on emerging trends and explored prospects of the quantity surveying industry from all-rounded and professional perspectives. This Conference aimed at inspiring delegates to explore and seize opportunities emerging in the industry.   During the keynote speech, Ms HO Wing Yin, Winnie, JP, Director of Architectural Services, Architectural Services Department of the ......read more

HONG KONG SAR - Media OutReach - 22 October 2021 - The establishment of Bad Boys Pest Control Company was inspired by the Badboys Bakery founded by Gordon Ramsay. Through the cooperation with the "Christian New Life Association", they established a pest control company mainly with drug rehabilitation and rehabilitation staff as the core employees. This cooperation is mainly combined with the "Ark Operation" of the "Christian New Life Association'' Drug Treatment and Rehabilitation Center. The Bad Boys Pest Control Company will provide the residents of the "Ark Operation" Yuen Long Training Center with pest management, pest control methods and decontamination. The vocational skills training of formaldehyde helps them prepare for rejoining the society.   The "Christian New Life Association" which cooperates with Bad Boys Pest Control Company was founded by a group of people and Christians who are willing to respond to the call of God. They are based on the gospel, to help the recipients to be released from various bondages, and to assist the recipients Integrate life, develop personal potential, rebuild healthy interpersonal relationships, and integrate into society. These institutions are well aware that drug abuse is often only a sign of potential socio-psychological problems, and therefore attach great importance to providing comprehensive care. The ultimate goal is not only to help the recipients to get rid of drugs, but also to establish a new healthy lifestyle.   Most of the employees of Bad Boys Pest Control Company were drug addicts who are eager to be accepted by society. Therefore, they can help customers solve pest management problems by training them on the skills of pest control, termite control, post-renovation cleaning, and formaldehyde removal services. In order to improve the lives of customers, for both parties, the slogan of Bad Boys Pest Control Company "Life Changing Experience" can be ......read more

HONG KONG SAR - Media OutReach - 22 October 2021 - Cyberport FinTech InnoCon 2021 (the Conference) - a spotlight event of the Cyberport Venture Capital Forum (CVCF) - will be staged online on 1 November (Monday). It will meanwhile kick off the sixth Hong Kong FinTech Week. Themed "Innovation in FinTech Proof-of-Concept for the Hong Kong Financial Services Industry", the full-day online conference will bring together an impressive line-up of more than 30 heavyweight speakers from professional bodies, renowned financial institutions, regulators and Cyberport start-ups. Together they will decipher the latest trends and opportunities in technology applications that have arisen in all areas of financial services – from RegTech, InsurTech and environmental, social and governance (ESG) to cross-border finance in the Greater Bay Area – and many innovative cases will be shared. Christopher Hui, Secretary for Financial Services and the Treasury, will deliver the Conference's opening remarks. Exploring post-"PoC" Scheme trends in financial innovation As the largest FinTech community in Hong Kong, Cyberport is wholly dedicated to supporting start-ups' growth and facilitating the financial industry's digital transformation. Earlier this year, Cyberport was commissioned by the Financial Services and the Treasury to launch the Fintech Proof-of-Concept Subsidy Scheme ("PoC" Scheme) in order to boost industry innovation. Over 90 partnerships between financial institutions and FinTech companies were formed. Eric Chan, Chief Public Mission Officer of Cyberport, says, "The 'PoC' Scheme has sparked good chemistry between participating financial institutions and FinTech companies, including start-ups. Not only did many of the PoC proposals come up with unique ideas, they also accommodated needs emerging from financial institutions' operations and market expansion. At Cyberport FinTech InnoCon 2021, these successful cases will be shared with the indust ......read more

HONG KONG SAR - Media OutReach - 22 October 2021 - Kerry Logistics Network Limited ('Kerry Logistics Network' or 'KLN'; Stock Code 0636.HK) is honoured to be named the Best 3PL Provider for the sixth time and Best Logistics Service Provider - Sea for the second time at the 2021 Asian Freight, Logistics and Supply Chain Awards ('AFLAS'), which recognised supply chain best practice in the region and commitment to meeting customers' ever-changing needs.   William Ma, Group Managing Director of KLN, said, "We are truly grateful for the recognition from the industry and customers. Third party logistics is an essential element of our integrated suite of service offerings. Over the course of the year, KLN has been providing alternative solutions to various sectors to meet everyday challenges amid the pandemic as well as ensuring the supply chains for daily necessities and highly-in-demand stay-at-home goods remained intact in different local markets. Thanks to the tireless efforts and dedication of our colleagues and business partners across the globe, we will continue to provide highly customised solutions to facilitate our customers to navigate a highly volatile global supply situation going forward."   In August, KLN rolled out a new Trans-Pacific air freight service named Kerry Freight Controlled Network to connect multiple Asian locations to the USA to capture the heightened demands in the pandemic-hit air freight market. The inaugural flight originated from Hong Kong in September.   Earlier this year, KLN has introduced robotic arms "KOOLBotic" in its F&B operation to boost sorting efficiency and raise accuracy for one of UK's leading retailers in Hong Kong. KOOLBotic is able to work 20-hour shifts and raises sorting productivity by 20%.   Currently in its 35th year, AFLAS aims to honour leading service providers in the freight, port and logistics sectors for demonstrating leade ......read more

LONDON, UK - Media OutReach - 22 October 2021 - New to the market, 8 Harbord Square is a collection of 82 loft style apartments, inspired by the history of the London docklands and Canary Wharf and influenced by the warehouse districts of Lower Manhattan. Designed completely open plan with no fixed walls and exposed interior features, purchasers can enjoy lifelong autonomy to shape their homes to match their lifestyle. Completely unique and one-of-a-kind the apartments at 8 Harbord Square are available from £745,000.   Brian De'ath, Director of Residential Sales at Canary Wharf Group, comments: "The apartments at 8 Harbord Square are unlike anything else available in London, providing the perfect canvas for purchasers to creatively shape their new home. We are passionate about delivering developments that bring a sense of character and individuality to Canary Wharf and London as whole.   "We fully expect the development to appeal to people who want all the benefits of a new-build home yet crave the 'urban loft lifestyle' of Manhattan and London, and are attracted to the free-flowing, open yet intimate space, the apartments offer." Designed by leading architecture practice Karakusevic Carson Architects, 8 Harbord Square reflects the industrial heritage of Canary Wharf, with exposed brickwork, concrete ceilings, large industrial-style windows and engineered timber flooring.   Paul Karakusevic, Founding Partner at Karakusevic Carson Architects, commented: "The solid brickwork façade is organised into simple vertical bays, with rhythmical brick piers. Decorative panels and crisply articulated cornices help define the window bays, roof line and grand two-storey base. Residential park-side entrances and retail units sit behind the deep, glazed-brick colonnades of the ground floor base to create an active frontage to the square.   "We hope that the building will help define `Harbord ......read more

AOC’s formidable flagship AGON PRO expands with AGON 4 Series for professional and enthusiast gamersSINGAPORE - Media OutReach - 22 October 2021 - AOC, the world's no. 1 gaming monitor specialist, has launched the AGON 4 Series. Part of its newly-branded AGON PRO line for professional team gamers and individuals seeking stardom within the global gaming community, the new AGON 4 series has already received industry acclaim achieving the Red Dot Design Award.     "AOC's AGON monitors have long been the global gold standard for gamers pursuing victory in eSports, rather than simply the life of a weekend warrior," comments Kevin Wu, General Manager, MMD Singapore. "For gamers at this level, certain renowned AGON models live on as the legends of a fast-moving high-tech arena."      All AGON 4 Series models boast unbeatable gaming-monitor specifications for the blistering performance demanded by this target market. MiniLED display technology will, in particular, offer bright, detailed imagery, accurate color reproduction, and an ultra-high contrast ratio with deeper blacks and brighter whites, all for high quality gaming performance.   The complete AGON 4 Series uses fast IPS panels and offers a 1.0ms response time (GTG), VESA Display HDR certification, logo projection and lighting effects. Clearly, with the AGON PRO Series, AOC has created top-end gaming monitors with ultra-competitive features designed to blow away any contenders.   The first models to fly the AGON 4 Series 'PRO' flag will include the impressive AG254FG, featuring a blazingly fast 360Hz refresh rate and Nvidia G-Sync anti-tearing technology for stunning eSports visual impact. The AG274QXM, meanwhile, adopts breakthrough miniLED technology, and the AG274UXP offers 4K resolution visuals and HDMI 2.1 connectivity. At a size of 31.5 inches, the AG324UX boasts twin HDMI 2.1 ports, and 4K resolution in a ......read more

$14.7 million acquisition of Spearad, a TV media management platform and ad server, to be integrated with UnrulyTOKYO, JAPAN - Media OutReach - 22 October 2021 - Tremor International Ltd. (NASDAQ/AIM: TRMR), a global leader in Video and Connected TV ("CTV") advertising, announces the strategic acquisition of Spearad, a global CTV Video ad server and media management platform purpose-built for broadcasters and TV content companies to deliver seamless TV-like experiences in CTV and Over-the-Top ("OTT") environments, with the same advanced controls and capabilities of linear TV (the "Acquisition"). The consideration for the Acquisition is $14.7 million, of which $11.0 million is being satisfied from the Company's existing cash reserves, with the remaining $3.7 million being satisfied by the issue of 370,000 ordinary shares of NIS 0.01 in the Company, subject to transfer and other contractual restrictions to be released gradually over a three-year period (the "Consideration Shares"). Spearad's ad server technology will be integrated into Tremor's Unruly SSP, enabling CTV header bidding, channel inventory and ad pod management – complementing the Company's existing robust end-to-end technology stack, which also includes the Tremor Video DSP. Ofer Druker, Chief Executive Officer of Tremor, commented:   "Tremor's consistent, primary focus on video and CTV has proven prescient in today's market, leading to meaningful growth across our exchange and putting us ahead of platforms only recently evolving from display. The Acquisition further strengthens our leadership position as a video-first end-to-end platform, which provides real efficiencies for global advertisers, media companies and broadcasters in an ecosystem increasingly centered on Connected TV. We're excited to welcome Spearad to Tremor, as well as its founders, Erhard Neumann and Mark Thielen – with their deep expertise in addressable TV – to our leadersh ......read more

In this new digital-first F&B format in Asia, foodpanda will roll out Rebel Foods' flagship brands and new jointly-created offerings in more than 2,000 outlets within Asia through an initial five-year partnership, starting in six markets Rebel Foods will extend its culinary expertise, efficient SOPs and food tech innovations to F&B outlets in Asia through foodpanda, Asia's largest food delivery platform outside of China With a Brands-as-a-Service (BaaS) model, the partnership allows foodpanda's restaurant partners to easily plug-and-play Rebel Foods iconic brands to grow additional revenue streams SINGAPORE - Media OutReach - 22 October 2021 - foodpanda, Asia's largest food and grocery delivery platform, today announced a long-term, multi-market partnership with Rebel Foods to enable restaurant partners and cloud kitchen operators to grow additional revenue streams, at little or no start-up costs. Rebel Foods is the world's largest internet restaurant company headquartered in India. The new digital-first F&B format sees foodpanda and Rebel Foods joining forces for the benefit of local and small players in the F&B industry. Through this partnership — for an initial five years — both companies will aim to launch more than 10 virtual brands in over 2,000 outlets across the region, making this the largest virtual brand partnership in Asia, and the first of its kind in the region at this scale. As part of the partnership, Rebel Foods brings their culinary expertise, efficient SOPs and iconic ready-to-deploy brands that are easily customisable for local preferences in any region. Meanwhile, foodpanda enables hundreds of thousands of restaurant partners and cloud kitchen operators to plug-and-play virtual brands into their current operations to grow additional revenue streams, at little to no start-up costs. Smaller SMEs and restaurant partners on the foodpanda platform can adopt new recipes and utilise t ......read more

New service in strategic partnership with CUHK Medical Centre provides customers with priority access to specialists in oncologyHONG KONG SAR - Media OutReach - 21 October 2021 - Today, Manulife Hong Kong announced the launch of a new holistic 'Medical Professional Support Service' for customers diagnosed with cancer or suspected cancer. Manulife customers with selected medical plans[1] can now have their cases reviewed by dedicated, in-house healthcare professionals or qualified nurses. This team will be uniquely placed to aid customers throughout the medical treatment process, providing personalized care and professional support, follow ups on claims-related matters and pre-approval services, and recommendations on medical service providers based on their needs. Manulife Hong Kong today announced the launch of its holistic 'Medical Professional Support Service' and the strategic partnership with CUHK Medical Centre. Present at the media briefing were (from left to right): Dr. Aggie Ngan, Chief Medical Officer, Manulife Hong Kong; Mr. Wilton Kee, Chief Product Officer and Head of Health, Manulife Hong Kong; Dr. Fung Hong, Chief Executive Officer, CUHK Medical Centre; and Dr. Jacqueline Choi, Medical Director, Business Development, CUHK Medical Centre. Cancer is a major health threat in Hong Kong. According to the latest statistics from Hospital Authority, new cancer cases reached a record high of 35,082 in 2019[2], an increase of 35% over the past decade. Cancer also accounted for 31% of all deaths in Hong Kong in 2019[3]. Through the new holistic 'Medical Professional Support Service' and expanded healthcare network, Manulife Hong Kong will help customers better understand their diagnoses and treatment options thereby enabling more informed decisions. An important feature of the new service is underpinned by Manulife Hong Kong's strategic partnership with CUHK Medical Centre (CUHKMC). The joint initiative will further enhance Manulife Hong Kong's ......read more

DUBAI, UAE - Media OutReach - 21 October 2021 - Bybit, one of the world's fastest growing cryptocurrency exchanges, has clinched the "Most Transparent Exchange" award at Crypto Expo Dubai (CED) Awards 2021. The award recognized Bybit for its track record of stellar performance, user feedback, scale and financials. "We are honored to receive this distinction, and will work hard to uphold our pledge of transparency and reliability to the crypto lovers who come to Bybit. We invest about 25% of our budget in security to safeguard our infrastructure — this is nearly twice the industry average. We are constantly tweaking our platform mechanisms to optimize for security and customer experience to provide the next level of trading for our clients. Crypto is never down, neither is Bybit. We will continue to revolutionize the industry by fusing the best of cryptocurrency and traditional finance to provide an unmatched trading experience and price transparency for our traders," said Igneus Terrenus, Head of Communications, Bybit. "As organizers of CED 2021, the largest crypto event in the Middle East, we witnessed the growth of users in the crypto exchanges recently. We are happy and honored to present Bybit with the award after a thorough evaluation of Bybit's performance in the past few years." said Dwain Elias Albores, Project Manager of CED 2021. Other factors considered for this award are customer reviews, online traffic and the crypto exchange's financials. Terrenus was also a speaker on the "Best of Crypto Exchanges" panel at the conference, where he shared Bybit's perspectives on regulations — "Regulations don't have to be a 'challenge' per se — as a crypto exchange, Bybit embraces progressive regulations. Because our vision isn't so different: We want to protect our customers and we want the industry to thrive. In our experience, regulators do listen to feedback from market participants. For the industry to thriv ......read more

The global home appliances giant adds more high visibility assets and bolsters experiential content for football fansMANCHESTER, ENGLAND - Media OutReach - 21 October 2021 - Midea and Manchester City today announced an amplification to its global partnership which kicked-off in January 2020. Throughout this partnership, Midea has produced engaging digital content, which has been extremely popular with City fans around the world. Most notably, the #MideaHomeChallenge that kept fans entertained during lockdowns when several Manchester City players challenged fans to show their football skills interacting with their home appliances in unique ways. Also, the Midea #WorldClass Awards campaign that celebrated the Club's, and especially players' #WorldClass performances during the 2020/21 season. Midea's innovative, humorous, and funny awards show, moderated by City legends Paul Dickov and Shaun Wright-Phillips, attracted millions of views and engagements from global fans when nine different #WorldClass trophies were voted on, and subsequently awarded to, their favourite City players. This season, hand in hand with the Etihad Stadium's new top-notch and world leading two-tier LED display system, Midea now has 12 LED slots at every Manchester City home match to showcase their extensive range of smart home appliances across all categories to over hundreds of millions global consumers and football fanatics. "Midea's global visibility is still fairly small compared to our ambitions. Partnering with Manchester City - awarded the most innovative sports team in the world and with their philosophy to combine playing the most attractive football to watch, with a very successful outcome – gives us great global visibility in front of over hundreds of millions of fans, and a business partner with the same high ambitions towards the future." said Eric Wang, VP Midea Group and President & CEO of Midea Group's International Business D ......read more

SINGAPORE - Media OutReach - 21 October 2021 - The Bose QuietComfort® 45 headphones has been launched in Singapore. It will be exclusively available at Bose stores and OneFutureWorld.com, the premium authorized reseller of Bose, for the first 4 weeks of its launch. Featuring world class noise cancelling, 24-hour battery life on a single charge, and better voice isolation, Bose's next generation around-ear headphones is an update of the beloved QuietComfort 35 II headphones. It delivers a higher quality experience for the practical consumer while retaining the comfort, stability, and connectivity that fans love. Enhanced Acoustic Noise Cancelling™ The Enhanced Acoustic Noise Cancelling™ technology adds an additional external microphone and enhanced signal processing over previous versions of the QuietComfort® 45 headphones. The QC45 headphones feature a total of six discreet microphones to continuously measure, compare and react to outside noise, then cancel it with the opposite signal to minimise distractions.QUIET and AWARE ModesUsers can experience instant quiet and full audio immersion with the QUIET mode on a noisy train or bus. Microphones inside and outside the earcups combine with a proprietary digital chip to sense and respond to more unwanted sounds in public spaces.  Users can switch to the new AWARE mode to let noise in and carry on a conversation without ever taking their headphones out. Take Calls Anywhere With Voice IsolationThe QC45 headphones uses a beam-form array to isolate the owner's voice, while a rejection array dampens and blocks audible distractions around them from being picked up and transmitted – like train announcements or the sound of a coffee machine in the background. Exceptional Comfort and Durability In The QC45 Headphones' Iconic DesignThe QC45 headphones retain its characteristic sleek design while being upgraded for extra comfort and stability. The simple physical control buttons remain with no to ......read more

Epicor is the data management engine at the heart of the Formula 1 team's ability to streamline production, correlate components with telemetry data, and maximize vehicle performance   Epicor logo to debut on Scuderia AlphaTauri cars at the Formula 1 Aramco United States Grand Prix in Austin, Texas   AUSTIN, TX - Media OutReach - 21 October 2021 - Epicor, a global leader of industry-specific enterprise software to promote business growth, and Scuderia AlphaTauri today announced that Epicor has been named the Team's Official ERP Partner. The multi-year agreement builds on an already successful long-term technology relationship and solidifies Epicor as the powerful driver behind Scuderia AlphaTauri's operations, enabling the team to focus on continuous performance improvements, both on and off the track.   "In our data-driven world, there is no offseason. The demand for high quality data and intelligence across every aspect of our business and racing operations is paramount." said Franz Tost, Team Principal of Scuderia AlphaTauri. "Epicor is at the center of everything we do, and this technology partnership makes perfect sense for us. We're able to quickly deliver the right information to the right people at the right time, which gives us a competitive edge. We are looking forward to go racing with Epicor for many years to come and achieve always greater results."   In a racing environment where success is measured in milliseconds, real-time performance data and attention to every detail is critical. The Epicor Kinetic industry productivity platform for manufacturers enables Scuderia AlphaTauri to centrally manage all processes and data across its operation, optimizing every aspect of the team's production, inventory, component testing, and financials with greater speed, accuracy and organizational visibility.    "F1 demands a commitment to excellence, something in which the Epicor and Scuderia AlphaTauri teams alig ......read more

SINGAPORE - Media OutReach - 21 October 2021 - MEXC Global has won the title of the best crypto exchange in Asia at the Crypto Expo Dubai 2021. The event featured some of the biggest brand names in the blockchain industry. MEXC was a proud  gold partner for the event, which allowed top companies shaping the digital assets space to exhibit their various products and services. The expo offered a rare platform for investors and industry leaders to network and exchange ideas on steering the global economy into a new crypto era. Top crypto brands in Asia had the chance to deliver insights into the budding virtual currency sector to over 3000 traders. The expo featured over 50 crypto-focused firms and 60+ CEOs and founders from 30+ nations.MEXC Fine-tunes its Marketing StrategyThe MEXC team at the crypto conference in Dubai successfully showcased the fast-growing exchange's suite of crypto services and explained their strategy to reach global adoption. The representatives optimized the unique chance to interact with the best professionals in the crypto world and obtained exciting new ideas on how to upgrade their marketing strategy. They also met face-to-face with executives from multiple crypto companies and jointly explored ways to grow their business opportunities in the crypto world. The MEXC team dedicated its 'best cryptocurrency exchange in Asia' award to its loyal users and supporters.An Emerging Global Leader in Crypto Services The latest accolade that places MEXC as the best crypto trading platform in Asia showcases the platform's brilliant globalization strategy and ambitions to adapt to changing markets. The centralized crypto exchange boasts over $500 million trading volumes and a growing user base in 200+ countries. Since launching in 2018, MEXC has expanded its diverse suite of crypto trading opportunities to investors worldwide. The Singapore-based exchange now offers its excellent c ......read more

New hybrid cloud updates fuel digital transformation, enabling organizations to optimize operations for cost, scalability, agility, and speedSINGAPORE – Media OutReach – 21 October 2021 – Today at INSIGHT 2021, NetApp® (NASDAQ: NTAP), a global cloud-led, data-centric software company, announced new additions and enhanced capabilities across its hybrid cloud portfolio, to help organizations modernize their IT infrastructure and accelerate digital transformation. Delivering new secure ways to consume and operate data services on-premises and in the cloud, NetApp hybrid cloud solutions make it simpler for enterprise customers to put their data to work – wherever and whenever they need it.   As the only solutions provider with native integrations for the world's largest public clouds, NetApp's industry leading ONTAP® software continues to serve as the foundation for hybrid cloud. With the latest release of ONTAP, NetApp is introducing enhanced protection against ransomware, expanded data management capabilities, and NVMe/TCP support for accelerated performance. The company is also announcing new digital wallet capabilities for NetApp Cloud Manager and enhanced data services for simplified administration across a hybrid cloud, more flexible consumption options to better control costs, as well as new Professional Services offerings to help customers unlock the full value of on-premises and hybrid cloud resources.   "The promised benefits of migrating to the cloud may be profound, but many IT departments are still working to overcome on-premises challenges, like managing the complexity and costs of moving data, protecting against ransomware, and ensuring reliable performance for critical applications," said Sanjay Rohatgi, Senior Vice President and General Manager, Asia Pacific, NetApp. "As the hybrid cloud specialist, NetApp can help enterprises move their digital transformation efforts forward to ......read more

NetApp ONTAP is the only storage and data management software now available natively in the top three public clouds, enabling organizations to build a hybrid multicloud data fabricSINGAPORE – Media OutReach – 21 October 2021 – Today at INSIGHT 2021, NetApp® (NASDAQ: NTAP), a global, cloud-led, data-centric software company, announced continued growth and momentum from helping organizations unlock the best of cloud at less cost, through its collaboration with the world's three largest public clouds.   NetApp's expansion in the cloud has been driven by customers and supported by these partnerships, accelerating NetApp's public cloud services' customer and financial growth by bringing its leading CloudOps and ITOps solutions to existing and new addressable customers. Furthering its investment in the cloud, NetApp acquired Data Mechanics in early fiscal year (FY)'22, and this month announced the intent to acquire CloudCheckr to bolster the Spot by NetApp portfolio's existing continuous cloud optimization capabilities.   This growth, driven by NetApp's ONTAP data management software, which provides high-performance shared storage for file and block workloads, has propelled the native integration of NetApp's cloud file services into each of the major public clouds.   "The three largest public clouds in the world are choosing NetApp, because customers are choosing ONTAP," said Anthony Lye, Executive Vice President and General Manager, Public Cloud Services, NetApp. "Our strategy has positioned ONTAP as the native shared storage solution with rich data services inside the three public clouds. Now, our public cloud partners provide customers with the simplest path to the cloud and allow them to derive the most value from their data and applications."   "The completeness of NetApp's offering, combined with the ability to address a very broad se ......read more

SHANGHAI, CHINA - Media OutReach - 21 October 2021 - Small Luxury Hotels of the World continues its expansion as the brand welcomes 4 member hotels including 3 new openers to its China portfolio. SLH now has 20 hotels in Greater China (including 15 hotels in mainland China), making it the largest collection of members in the Asia-Pacific. Mark Wong, Senior Vice-President Asia-Pacific of SLH said: "At SLH we champion independently-owned hotels and make sure we provide them with the best possible platform to connect with independently minded travellers. We are delighted to welcome our new members in China, all quality homegrown brands which we are proud to introduce to the world. Over the past four years we have worked hard to expand our foothold in mainland China, and we are now well-placed throughout China to appeal to local guests looking for enthralling luxury getaways for now, as well as international guests wanting to experience diverse facets of Chinese culture when travel borders re-open imminently."   Resort Jangala Dunhuang (Gansu, Dunhuang) 25 rooms from CNY1,700 with breakfast Opened 15 September 2021   As the first ultra-luxury hotel in Dunhuang along the ancient Southern Silk Road, Jangala Dunhuang aims to create a modern private retreat with a blend of local culture. Drawing inspiration from the Silk Road and the area's most famous UESCO landmark Mogao Grottoes, its Jangala namesake signifies "oasis in the wilderness" in Sanskrit. Located near Mingsha Mountain's Crescent Moon Spring in the scenic Qili Town, the hotel covers a vast area of 10,000 square metres. With environmental preservation being a key consideration, the hotel adopts natural building materials, minimalist design aligned with its surroundings, the use of natural lighting and renewable energy in addition to environmentally-friendly amenities. At the same time, the desert retreat comes with its own vineyard and o ......read more

Expecting more than 100 entries from top engineering universities across 16 Asia countriesKUALA LUMPUR, MALAYSIA - Media OutReach - 21 October 2021 - edotco Group ('edotco'), the region's leading telecommunications infrastructure services company, is organising the first in Asia, Infrastructure Design Competition in collaboration with the University Community Transformation Centre under Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia ('UCTC-UKM'). The competition is open to Year 3, Year 4, and postgraduate Engineering students who are currently studying in universities based in Malaysia, Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Pakistan, Japan, Korea, and China.   edotco is organising the first Infrastructure Design Competition in Asia, in collaboration with the University Community Transformation Centre under Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia ('UCTC-UKM').   Themed "Infrastructure for Tomorrow: Designing the Future", this competition is edotco's annual commitment to provide today's aspiring youths with a platform to engage with experienced leaders, gain industry knowledge and attain technology exposure while applying their skills to create innovative solutions. The competition was piloted in Bangladesh last year to nurture talents within the student community in the country and successfully garnered a total of 28 contestants from 7 teams.   UKM is edotco's academia partner in organising and leading the university-student engagement initiatives. Both parties will join hands in the industry-academia mentorship sessions to coach and mentor participants throughout the competition process to ensure the outcomes align with the judging expectations.   Adlan Tajudin, Chief Executive Officer of edotco Group said, "As a regional towerco, we acknowledge the importance of nurturing innovation and cultivating the importance of sustainability a ......read more

SINGAPORE - Media OutReach - 21 October 2021 - Enable Asia, a local social enterprise focused on advocacy for persons living with dementia and their caregivers, kicks off its fourth instalment of the Enabling Festival today.  Supported by The Majurity Trust and Agency for Integrated Care, the annual event focuses on building awareness and facilitating discussions around dementia, as well as provides a channel of support and enablement for persons living with dementia and their caregivers.Ms Rahayu Mahzam, Parliamentary Secretary, Ministry of Communications and Information & Ministry of Health with her mother, Mdm Kasmawati preparing mee siam for the Master Cook Series, a campaign to inspire persons living with dementia and their caregivers to connect through shared memories involving their favourite foods, in support of the Enabling Festival 2021.Perceiving dementia in new ways, onlineThis year's festival hones in on showcasing the experiences of persons living with dementia and caregivers to foster greater awareness around how persons living with dementia and their caregivers perceive dementia and navigate the world around them. The theme for this year is on Taste. Taste is a powerful sensory experience that triggers a rush of memories from long ago, or even seemingly forgotten. Food memory is a powerful time machine that can teleport a person to another time and place. It can also unearth deep-rooted memories of a person loved and treasured in the past. These memories are often strong because they utilise each of the senses. Most people have probably experienced a deep memory just by smelling something such as clean laundry, air after the rain or frying of belachan in the kitchen. When the senses of taste, smell, sight, sound and touch are combined while eating, the memory is made more vivid.The two-week long festival will run from 22 October to 4 November 2021. Given the current pandemic, the festival programme (see Annex) will be held online t ......read more

HONG KONG SAR - Media OutReach - 21 October 2021 - Life expectancy of Hong Kong's men and women is expected to increase to 83 and 89 respectively by 2024,1  adding further pressure on savings already hit by low interest rates in recent years.  As people live longer, there is a strong need for stable inflation-proof income for the retirement life.   In response to the challenge above, Chubb Life Hong Kong has launched "Chubb Gold Fortune Deferred Annuity Plan" ("Chubb Gold Fortune") which offers increasing guaranteed income over time.   This gives customers greater financial certainty, with the knowledge that they will be able to enjoy a certain standard of living during retirement. Chubb Gold Fortune offers customers a secure income stream for retirement with a guaranteed monthly annuity income that increases by 5% annually from the 2nd year of the annuity period.   Wai Kit Chan, Chief Marketing Officer of Chubb Life Hong Kong said "We understand that customers value choice and flexibility, so we have designed two premium payment terms – five years and 10 years. Customers are also allowed to start receiving their annuity income at the age of 55 or 65.  Also, the projected breakeven period of the policy can be as short as 8 years2 and customers can apply for premium holidays.  Additionally, it makes financial sense from a tax perspective as the policy owner can claim up to HK$60,000 tax deduction from the qualifying deferred annuity premiums paid per tax assessment year.3"   Chubb Gold Fortune offers further peace of mind with an additional 10% of the guaranteed monthly annuity income in the unfortunate event of the insured being diagnosed with total and permanent disability before the annuity period starts.  A lump sum is paid to the beneficiary(ies) providing financial security if the insured passes away. If there is only one beneficiary, he/she can op ......read more

LONDON, UK - Media OutReach - 20 October 2021 - CoinSwap.com is the most innovative DEX yet in the entire blockchain space and they're about to launch mining on October 20th, EST. CoinSwap.com's combination of increased functionality with sound tokenomics and low fees sets it apart from other DEXs that haven't innovated at all over the last 12 months.   While almost every other DEX over the last year has copy and pasted someone else's protocol and not innovated for users to increase their experience, CoinSwap.com's placed special emphasis on building an entire ecosystem for users.    CoinSwap.com much like other DEXs provide the obvious AMM but they've set themselves apart by becoming the first Decentralized Cloud [DeCloud] Trading Protocol.    Some of the other features and functions of CoinSwap.com that distance CoinSwap.com from its competitors: Trade, Farm, Advanced Trade, Deductible Fees, Migrate Liquidity from 5 other DEXs, Node NFT, Personalized Customization [personalize a DEX and gain rewards and fees], Market Data, DAO Governance, Financial Derivatives, Assets, Referral Rewards.    The First DEX with Supernode NFT    Users can earn cashback through building their own ecosystem within the larger CoinSwap.com's ecosystem and help build ecology. Unlike other platforms CoinSwap.com rewards users with referral rewards by helping build CoinSwap.com's family but while also enriching themselves by generating revenue in CoinSwap.com's token, COINS.    There's no other DEX yet that allows users to build their own ecosystem and DEX within a larger protocol. This internal community that users can build through NFT and Supernode NFT is the future of the DEX world, why would users want to experience DeFi anywhere else?   Advanced Trading with Professional Settings    CoinSwap.com's DEX is extremely rare not because of the NFT a ......read more

HONG KONG SAR - Media OutReach - 20 October 2021 - Kerry Logistics Network Limited ('Kerry Logistics Network' or 'KLN'; Stock Code 0636.HK) and Hengan International Group Company Limited ('Hengan Group'; Stock Code 1044.HK), the leading producer of hygiene consumables in China, have set up a joint venture company to create synergy in the business-to-business ('B2B') bulk distribution and wholesale market of medical, healthcare and hygiene products. By combining KLN's strengths in domestic logistics and distribution and Hengan Group's industry-leading sourcing power and comprehensive portfolio in hygiene products, the joint venture company will have unique competitiveness in meeting the new demands of medical institutions and public facilities. The joint venture company was established to explore a closer collaboration and provide innovative solutions to customers in both the public and private medical and healthcare sectors. While it is looking to expand its business into other Asian countries and territories going forward, the joint venture will also have full support of the "Banitore" brand of products, which are owned by Hengan Group, in the Hong Kong market. William Ma, Group Managing Director of KLN, said, "We are pleased that KLN is joining forces with Hengan Group, a leader in hygiene consumables in the China market. This joint venture will not only enable the two companies to explore more growth opportunities in the medical, healthcare and hygiene products market, but also create a unique competitive edge for us to support our customers in meeting new challenges through the pandemic." Tommy Hui, Executive Director of Hengan Group, said, "This partnership marks the coming together of the best in two industries, leveraging Hengan Group's leading position in the production of hygiene consumables in the China market and KLN's established network in China and the rest of Asia, broad customer base as well as trusted track record in do ......read more

Pioneering publisher is committed to publishing leading thoughts and content for educators and learners to become future-readyHONG KONG SAR - Media OutReach - 20 October 2021 - The pandemic has brought significant changes to the local education sector, challenging the ways we teach and learn. Since the school lockdown in February 2020, schools have evolved and relied more on education technology and digital resources to keep up with the pace of learning. Oxford University Press (China) (OUP), as a leading publisher, has put in extra efforts to support teachers' changing needs and respond to the unpredencented challenges. Today, Oxford University Press (China) announced the findings and insights of the "Are Teachers and Students Ready for Future of Education?" survey. (From left to right) Ms. Mei Mei Ng, Managing Director of Oxford University Press (China), Mr. Chu Wai Lam, Principal of Fung Kai No.1 Primary School, Ms Jenny LEUNG Head of 21st Century Learning Design Tai Kwong Hilary College, Mr. Albert Wong, Chairman, Association of IT Leaders in Education (AiTLE) and Ms. Masian Leung, Corporate Marketing Director of Oxford University Press (China) shared their responses to the findings and how they tackled the challenges of future education.OUP furthers its supports to future-proof teaching and learning by hosting the Education Leadership Forum on 5 and 6 November which will gather over 20 international and local thought leaders to share inspiring insights in 18 webinars on a dynamic series of topics about future education, pedagogies and best practices. This Forum is well informed and shaped by the survey titled "Are Teachers and Students Ready for Future of Education?" conducted in September 2021, capturing the views of nearly 400 teachers from kindergartens, primary and secondary schools on future learning challenges and opportunities. The survey shows that teachers have been positive in embracing digital transformation and proactive in ......read more

London, United Kingdom - News Direct - 20 October 2021 - HSBC Global Private Banking has engaged Symphony - the leading markets' infrastructure and technology platform- to develop and deploy HSBC GPB Chat, a client engagement platform that enables the private bank's clients to interact with their relationship management team via one-to-one chat, group chat, document sharing and video/audio conferencing on WhatsApp or WeChat, in a secure and compliant way.Symphony was the technology vendor selected due to its ability to deliver secure, compliant collaboration technology at scale; its expertise in audio-video conferencing; and its open architecture. This architecture has powered an integration that seeks to enrich the client experience.Digitalization - as well as competition from non-traditional players - is raising the expectations of banking clients, who now benchmark their online experiences against the convenience of digital apps in their daily lives. This has created a demand for increased personalisation and a need to engage with banking clients on their preferred chat platform.Symphony CEO Brad Levy said: "We are proud that our WhatsApp and WeChat integrations are allowing institutions like HSBC to connect with their clients through their preferred channel of communication and in a secure and compliant way."Symphony's CONNECT solutions - with integrations for WhatsApp and WeChat - reduces the digital distance between a financial firm and its clients, and offers compliant connectivity regardless of the client's choice of platform.About SymphonySymphony is the most secure and compliant markets' infrastructure and technology platform, where solutions are built or integrated to standardize, automate and innovate financial services workflows. It is a vibrant community of over half a million financial professionals with a trusted directory and serves over 1000 institutions. Symphony is powering over 2,000 community built applications and bots. For more ......read more

Hybrid work is here to stay as employees demand more flexibility and work-life balanceHONG KONG SAR - Media OutReach - 20 October 2021 - As companies struggle with what workplaces should look like going forward, findings from a new LHH and The Adecco Group study reveal global workers' attitudes about remote versus in-person work, how their companies have handled the pandemic, their career plans moving forward, the state of mental health in the workplace and the truth about the Great Resignation.   Findings from the Resetting Normal: Defining the New Era of Work study show that a large number of workers globally (53%) want a hybrid working model where more than half of their work time is remote. Productivity has not suffered with remote work, with 82% saying they feel as productive or more productive than before.   Wellbeing has taken a hit, however, with more than half of young leaders (54%) reporting they have suffered burnout and three in 10 stating their mental and physical health has declined in the last 12 months. In China, 40% of respondents agree that working remotely makes them feel less comfortable about taking time off sick.   "There is no doubt that there is an increased focus and higher employee expectation on the topic of wellbeing," said Anders Lundholm, Managing Director - Hong Kong, LHH. "Regardless if the workforce is working from home or in the office  – there is higher employee expectation on flexibility and recognition both for their work contributions and their mental and physical health."   Two themes that emerged from the study are that the Great Resignation is currently a Great Re-Evaluation for salaried employees and a growing disconnect between  leadership and their employees.   The Great Resignation   The study found that nearly two in five employees are already changing or considering new careers and 41% are considering moving t ......read more

HONG KONG SAR - Media OutReach - 20 October 2021 - The developer behind a portfolio of four purpose-built, premium nursing homes costing €127m (HKD1.15bn) in Ireland is expanding its healthcare business to provide more much-needed nursing home beds and is well-positioned to fundraise the construction costs from Asia investors through the Immigrant Investor Programme (IIP).   Bartra Healthcare, a subsidiary of Bartra Group, is adding Cookstown Tallaght, a €33m nursing home project (Phase Five) in South Dublin to its portfolio. The Group's subsidiary, Bartra Wealth Advisors launched the project globally on 15 October to its IIP clients across Hong Kong and Shanghai in China, and Ho Chi Minh City in Vietnam, and managed to snap up €6m in two weeks at the project 'pre-launch' stage.   James Hartshorn, CEO and Co-founder of Bartra Wealth Advisors commented, "We are glad to see our hard work has paid off. Many high-net-worth clients in Asia would like to immigrate to Ireland and they are confident in the IIP and Bartra's nursing home projects on four fronts.   Firstly, Ireland is a rising star in Europe where it provides excellent education to children, which leads to good future job prospects as a result of its growing economy as well as opportunities in EU countries, the UK and the US. Secondly, the IIP provides fast track permanent residency status with great flexibility on residing requirements as applicants can immigrate without relocating. Thirdly, our integrated business model makes our clients feel safe. We are the only nursing home developer in the Irish healthcare sector to source, build and manage projects from start to finish as well as provide clinical care premium services. In Hong Kong and other major cities in China, and in Vietnam, we provide our clients with direct investment opportunities into our IIP projects including nursing homes. Finally, all the nursing home projects are c ......read more

B.C. natural gas with low-GHG intensity qualifies for new S&P Global Platts methane certificateCALGARY, CANADA - Media OutReach - 20 October 2021 - Pacific Canbriam Energy Limited ("Pacific Canbriam") is proud to be part of a first-of-its-kind deal that will generate Methane Performance Certificates (MPCs) – tradeable instruments that unlock the market value of reducing the environmental impact of gas production. MPCs allow a producer to sell instruments representing zero methane emission natural gas production. As part of the inaugural launch, Macquarie Energy Canada, Ltd. a wholly owned subsidiary of Macquarie Group ("Macquarie"), arranged the first MPC trade between Pacific Canbriam and industrial gas customer Skeena Bioenergy Ltd, a manufacturer of wood pellets exported to the UK, EU, and Japan, displacing coal in electricity generation. S&P Global Platts and Xpansiv, the global marketplace for ESG commodities, worked together to launch this innovative new way to measure and price methane performance in natural gas production. Pacific Canbriam and other natural gas providers who qualify will issue MPCs that register the carbon intensity of their natural gas, proving that fugitive methane emissions fall below strict, quantifiable thresholds. The MPCs evidence the stringent environmental standards in B.C. and the low methane intensity of Pacific Canbriam's natural gas. Only natural gas produced below a threshold of 0.1% methane emissions intensity (MEI) qualifies under the S&P Global Platts protocol. This standard reflects the market value of low methane emissions in natural gas production. Pacific Canbriam Energy is a world-leader in minimizing methane leaks and vents in its operations, and its natural gas involved in this transaction is well below the 0.1% Platts threshold; the number of MPCs are calculated relative to an average methane emissions rate for North America[1]. Pacific Canbriam Energy is part of Pacifi ......read more

Global leading transport and logistics provider wins top award for redefining leadership in the logistics sector SINGAPORE - Media OutReach - 20 October 2021 - GEODIS has been named 'Best Leadership Development Program for Top Management' at the 2021 Asia's Training & Development Excellence Awards. Hosted by the World HRD Congress and the Employer Branding Institute, the annual event identifies outstanding talent and development initiatives from organizations across Asia, while celebrating the best practices in employer branding and Human Resources (HR).   GEODIS' Executive Leadership Program recognized as the best Asia's Training & Development Excellence Awards 2021The pandemic has undoubtedly changed the inner workings of the supply chain, prompting logistics service providers to explore alternative routes and sourcing strategies; this in addition to investing in digital transformation solutions that meet the rising expectations for operational efficiency through already overwhelmed freight channels. Such complexities have heightened the need for businesses to ensure employees have the necessary support, skills and mindset to not only adapt, but to thrive within a rapidly changing market environment.   Applying a human design centered approach to leadership has thus become a core aspect of GEODIS' long-term strategy. In particular, the Executive Leadership Program for the senior management team, comprising 132 global board members and leaders, ensures GEODIS' leaders have the skillsets and resources to make well-informed strategic decisions amidst the industry's complex climate. This two-year program (2020-2022), delivered by Harvard Business School, features a comprehensive curriculum covering key business issues such as customer centricity, leading in adversity, and CSR and sustainability.   Mario Ceccon, Executive Vice President Group Human Resources, GEODIS, said: "We are very pleased t ......read more

HONG KONG SAR - Media OutReach - 20 October 2021 - Mead Johnson Nutrition Hong Kong ("Mead Johnson") is partnering with the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST) Business School in "Corporate Project" in Fall & Winter Semester 2021. The partnership offers a vital opportunity for HKUST Business School undergraduate students to work in teams on a business project that allows them to apply concepts, knowledge, skills, and methodologies learned from courses.   Professional teams from Mead Johnson Nutrition Hong Kong and HKUST Business School meet at Mead Johnson Nutrition Hong Kong's office to kick-off "Corporate Project" in Fall & Winter Semester 2021. HKUST Business School has been organising "Corporate Project" since 2008, providing the opportunity for young business talents from around the globe to contribute their skills and knowledge to leading corporate partners from various industries, not-for-profit organisations and the government through planning business projects.   Leveraging HKUST Business School's outstanding academic foundation in business management and Mead Johnson's practical industry experience, the partnership aims to establish a platform to nurture future business talents by providing authentic business scenario and challenges for them to put their skills into practice. This three-way partnership is not only benefiting the students by providing development opportunities and consulting experience for them, but also allowing Mead Johnson to gain valuable business insights and innovative ideas from young business undergraduates.   "At Mead Johnson, our mission is to nourish the best start in life. We are thrilled to partner with HKUST Business School and nurture the next generation. We will go beyond providing high quality infant and child nutrition products and enrich our youth with cate ......read more

SHENZHEN, CHINA - Media OutReach - 20 October 2021 - Recently, HambitPay, a crypo payment platform from Singapore, announced the launch of its global partnership program. Unlike coinbase, binance, etc., which initially centered on exchange business and only later derived payment business, HambitPay has been focusing on the research and development of crypto payment technology since its establishment, capitalising Singapore's geographical advantages as an international financial center, and promoting a new payment ecosystem in Southeast Asia and the world beyond. The global partnership program launched this time is also a leap forward towards this goal.   Blockchain is an emerging industry that aggregates many tracks, and HambitPay choose to go all in on crypto payments for good reasons. A spokesperson of Hambitpay said that HambitPay values the huge market potential that is about to explode for crypto payments. According to the report "Digital Assets Primer: Only the first inning" released by Bank of America,  the cryptocurrency and decentralised financial services industry has grown "too large to ignore." With a market capitalisation of $2 trillion and nearly 220 million users, the crypto sector alone is a spectacular size among digital assets. When we look at the digital asset market as a whole, the global digital asset management market is expected to reach $102.2 billion by 2026, according to a report by Indian market research firm Valuates Reports.   Hambitpay believes that digital payment has roughly gone through three stages of development:   1. Birth stage: With the development of the Internet, the first "online banking" payment initiated by traditional banks is the 1.0 stage of digital asset payment. People first need to have a bank account before they can open the corresponding online banking account. At the same time, in order to ensure the security of network assets, secur ......read more

Blueair's most advanced air purifier to date, HealthProtect™, is now available in Singapore at major retailers, offline and online.HealthProtect™ 7400-series air purifiers remove 99.99%1 of live airborne SARS-CoV-2 virus in controlled biosafety level 3 lab testing. The test was conducted by MRI Global, an independent US non-profit research organization, in a 13ft³ (0.37m³) chamber on live aerosolized SARS-CoV-2 virus. Blueair's HealthProtect™ first major brand air purifier tested to remove live SARS-CoV-2 Virus from the airi.Combination of most advanced air purification technologies on market.Eradicates bacteria and viruses even on stand-by mode.Prevents microbial growth thanks to unique GermShield™ technology. SINGAPORE - Media OutReach - 20 October 2021 - Swedish air purification expert Blueair has launched HealthProtect™, its most advanced air purifier ever, in Singapore. Combining three new revolutionary technologies, the HealthProtect™ air purifier protects against viruses and bacteria even when it is on stand-by. The same technology also been adopted by a world class airport for the health and safety of its staff on the frontlines and travellers. Says Henk D. in 't Hof, CEO, "At Blueair we are proud to be an industry leader in performance testing. Blueair has built its position as a leader within the air purification industry by 25 years of independent third-party testing of all innovations. Today there is no surprise that the COVID-19 pandemic is driving demand for air purifiers, and as such, our commitment to consumers is to deliver honest, factual, results on live SARS-CoV-2 virus that consumers can trust. Air purifiers should be used as an additional measure alongside the national and international guidelines."   Superior removal of particles, chemicals and germs – using 55% less energy HealthProtect™ uses HEPASilent Ultra™, Blueair's most advanced filtration t ......read more

SINGAPORE - Media OutReach - 20 October 2021 -  Singapore-based IN Financial Technologies launches INFT, a secured one-stop business solutions platform to start-ups and Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) through filling the financing and banking gap, which allows entrepreneurs to focus on their core businesses. We are witnessing a paradigm shift in the business landscape in Southeast Asia. With the rampant emergence and adoption of new technologies, start-up entrepreneurs are the new catalyst for the growth of regional economies. These change-drivers are constantly on-the-go and thus require seamless, hassle- free solutions to manage their businesses more efficiently. Headquartered in Singapore, a financial hub within the region, IN levels the playing field for businesses in any sector to accessible, efficient, transparent financial solutions encrypted in a single platform. During COVID-19, many traditional MSMEs businesses were affected – they are faced with immense pressure to do things differently and to go digital, and many struggled.   IN's solutions are perfectly poised to digitalize and empower these MSMEs via a unified portal and application, and to improve employer to employee's experience in transitioning to digitalization. By providing a whole range of digital solutions aimed at streamlining business mechanisms, entrepreneurs are able to adopt a hands-free approach for the more administrative tasks. IN offers digital solutions to effectively achieve entrepreneurs' needs with the help of technology. Such time and cost-effective solutions work efficiently to give entrepreneurs and their employees a peace of mind, enabling them to better focus on client-facing issues and other aspects which require a more personal touch. This way, MSMEs are better able to concentrate on running their businesses without having to allocate time for menial, time-consuming admin tasks.   IN aims to ......read more

Expansion: Amphora Health Ltd introduces its high-quality cannabidiol (CBD) brand, Infused Amphora, to the Hong Kong marketplace. Infused Amphora offers a range of premium CBD oil tinctures and vape cartridges Partnership: Distribution partnership established with Smart CBD, one of the largest CBD specialty stores in AsiaProducts: Exciting range of wellness products that contain 100% organic and plant-based ingredients, designed to cater to individual lifestyle needs  HONG KONG SAR - News Direct - 20 October 2021 - Premium British CBD wellness company, Amphora Health, is pleased to announce they have secured the company's first sales in Hong Kong of its 100% owned brand, Infused Amphora. With this first step into the Asian marketplace Amphora Health is initially offering two product categories under the Infused Amphora brand: ultra-high strength CBD infused oil tinctures and premium organic CBD vape cartridges.  CBD consumers in Hong Kong are now able to purchase any of the company's four high-quality, effects-based formulations through our partnership with Smart CBD, the only CBD multi-retail store in Hong Kong.  These formulations are intended to support consumers with individual wellness goals and consist of the following four effects:  INSPIRE: delivers an earthy and herbal vibe with lilac undertones, and a lemon-pepper nose. Allowing you to brainstorm, be unique, think differently or create a masterpiece.PEACE: combines a sweet woody flavour with a tickle of green peppercorn and a clean grapefruit finish. You will feel the embrace of a warm hug that removes the edge off stress. MEND: allows you to slip into a relaxing bath of sweet stone fruits, savory herbs and a pine finish. Find relief from tension and release muscular aches and pains.ZZZ: offers the sensation of walking through a forest after the rain. Like the perfect cup of tea to be taken at bedtime - hints of juniper and lemon.  Removing the day's w ......read more

HONG KONG SAR - Media OutReach - 19 October 2021 - Ev Dynamics (Holdings) Limited (the "Company", Stock Code: 476, together with its subsidiaries, collectively "Ev Dynamics" or the "Group"), a provider of new energy vehicles and integrated technology solutions, has already delivered over 70 units of 6.5-meter COMET electric minibuses to the Philippines. Ev Dynamics' Chongqing plant is at full steam to meet increasing overseas order volumes Ev Dynamics will provide not less than 500 units of the 6.5-meter COMET electric minibus to the Philippines and Malaysia by March 2023 Ev Dynamics is fully armed to complete sales orders from the Philippines and overseas markets The delivery is part of the long-term supply agreement signed in March 2021 between the Company and GET Worldwide Inc. ("GET Worldwide"), following the first batch of COMET electric minibuses supplied to Metro Manila and Davao, the Philippines in December 2020. Under the supply agreement, the Company will provide GET Worldwide no fewer than 500 vehicle units within 24 months from the effective date of the agreement. The electric vehicles will be mainly used in the Philippines and Malaysia.Freddie Tinga, CEO of GET Worldwide, said: "The Philippines alone could have a demand of at least 100,000 units of this type of vehicle. We have to replace over 300,000 old gasoline mini-buses (Jeepneys)."Miguel Valldecabres Polop, CEO of Ev Dynamics, said: "Our production plant in Chongqing, which boasts sufficient capacity and advanced technologies, has been operating at full steam to meet the increasing volume of overseas orders. Though our production schedule and fulfilment of orders have been interrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic, our output has been picking up steadily thanks to the reliable supply chains in the PRC. We are confident that we can complete the sales orders from the Philippines and other orders for e-platforms and e-buses elsewhere overseas. The future is very promisin ......read more

HONG KONG SAR - Media OutReach - 19 October 2021 - Transfer pricing and foreign withholding tax are generally the two most important tax considerations when making outbound investments and engaging in cross-border business. While the new Hong Kong transfer pricing law has been covered in August 2020 (https://henrykwongtax.com/article/hong-kong-codification-of-transfer-pricing-law/), Cheng & Cheng Taxation Services Limited ("Cheng & Cheng's Taxation") will further reveal how a Hong Kong company can help multinational corporations (MNCs) reduce their double taxation risk and thus the overall effective tax rate, with the below discussion areas:Special features of the Hong Kong taxation system, inbound investment into Mainland China and other Asian countries, three examples of how Hong Kong can reduce foreign withholding tax and double taxation risk when doing business in Asia and how to apply for a Hong Kong Tax Residency CertificateA three-minute video relating to each discussion area have been prepared for the better understanding of the issues. Please refer to this link (https://henrykwongtax.com/home/trc-videos/) to access to the videos.   Special features of the Hong Kong taxation system   Hong Kong is a popular jurisdiction for investment holding companies and intra-group trading companies.   Most MNCs have set up companies and maintain small-scale operations in Hong Kong even though Hong Kong is not their major market in Asia. Here the explanation of the rationale.   Local tax lawDividend income and capital gains are taxed at a 0% tax rate in Hong Kong;No withholding tax on dividends, interest, service income or trading profits are imposed in Hong Kong. Only royalties are subject to withholding tax and a low tax rate of 2.475% to 4.95% will usually apply; Hong Kong profits tax (corporation) and salaries tax (individual) are among the lowest rates globally, wi ......read more

HONG KONG SAR - Media OutReach - 19 October 2021 - Henderson Sunlight Asset Management Limited (the "Manager"), as manager of Sunlight Real Estate Investment Trust ("Sunlight REIT"), announces the operational statistics of Sunlight REIT for the first quarter of the financial year 2021/22.At 30 September 2021, the overall portfolio occupancy rate of Sunlight REIT was 93.8% (30 June 2021: 93.7%). Office occupancy rate slightly improved to 93.1% (30 June 2021: 92.4%), while retail occupancy rate registered a mild decline to 95.3% as compared to 96.5% at 30 June 2021. The overall passing rent of Sunlight REIT's portfolio was HK$46.8 per sq. ft. at 30 September 2021, down 1.9% from the last quarter. Reflecting the lingering impact of COVID-19, office and retail portfolios recorded negative rental reversions of 5.3% and 5.4% respectively. Occupancy rate of Dah Sing Financial Centre stood at 88.5% (30 June 2021: 88.3%), while demand for certain Grade B office properties continued to recover, as evidenced by the improvement in occupancy rates of 235 Wing Lok Street Trade Centre and Java Road 108 Commercial Centre to 94.1% and 98.1% respectively. On the Kowloon side, The Harvest and Righteous Centre were almost fully let at 30 September 2021; however, vacancy rate of The Harvest is expected to increase by December 2021 as its core retail tenant has decided not to renew its tenancy upon expiry. On the retail front, the occupancy rates of Sheung Shui Centre Shopping Arcade and Metro City Phase I Property at 30 September 2021 were 94.1% and 95.4% respectively, while their corresponding passing rents were HK$101.6 per sq. ft. and HK$56.0 per sq. ft.. Remarks: Attached operational statistics of Sunlight REIT for the first quarter of the financial year 2021/22. Operational statistics for the first quarter of the financial year 2021/22 PropertyLocationOccupancy Rate (%) 1Passing Rent (HK$/sq. ft.) 2  at 30 Sep 21at 30 Jun 21at ......read more

New Dyson V12 Detect Slim™ reveals, removes and counts microscopic dust for more hygienic homesHONG KONG SAR - Media OutReach - 19 October 2021 - In Hong Kong, the changing of the seasons may worsen allergic rhinitis and related conditions like asthma, conjunctivitis and eczema. However, for all individuals with allergies it is a year-round problem caused primarily by dust mites and other hidden allergens found in our homes. Meanwhile, Hong Kong's Consumption Voucher Scheme is now in its second round with all registered consumers receiving their second HK$2,000 voucher either on October 1 or November 1. To receive the final disbursement of HK$1,000, consumers must spend both their vouchers (HK$4,000) within a specified time[1]. For Hong Kong consumers who want to improve the quality of their home environment, an investment in a new Dyson vacuum cleaner home could be a good option.   Creating a more hygienic home is now made easier, with the brand-new Dyson V12 Detect Slim™ vacuum cleaner. Engineered to reveal hidden dust particles as small as 10 microns, equipped with an acoustic piezo sensor to enable scientific proof of what's been sucked up and adjust suction power based on the volume of dust and size of particles, these new Dyson technologies redefine deep cleaning at home, all shown on an LCD screen. Laser Dust Detection Dyson has engineered laser dust technology to ensure you are reassured that your home has been deep cleaned. Laser Dust Detection reveals dust and debris you cannot normally see with a precisely angled laser integrated into the cleaner head.   The idea came about when a Dyson Engineer noticed that airborne particles in their home glistened in the sun. They began to research how they could take this notion and apply it to the fine dust we cannot see in our homes. The team experimented with laser lights in the lab to test how this could be achieved. For human eyes, ......read more

SINGAPORE - Media OutReach - 19 October 2021 - Appvantage, Singapore's leading automotive digital solutions provider, announces the full-scale offering of its Financial Loan Application (FLA) solution to Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) in the automotive industry to spearhead their digital presence and capabilities in auto finance. A pioneering digital solution for auto financing, Appvantage's FLA allows, credit agencies, financial leasing companies, and in-house finance providers to process car loan applications accurately, quickly, and securely.   As its latest addition to an arsenal of tech-led SME solutions, FLA aims to tackle the pain points faced by loan providers when processing loan applications from their dealership partners.   "One of the key issues for loans is that borrowers will need to dig up income statements, notice of assessments, employment details, and other bits and pieces of personal information. Finance providers will then need to scrutinise that data to review finance applications. With Appvantage, that's a thing of the past.", said Appvantage Managing Director Eng Poo Yang.The financial leasing/ credit agency can offer a fixed or customized finance product before requesting for customer verification. Borrowers receive an SMS link to process the application by signing in to S ingpass, and using MyInfo to review and share data with the finance company.   Upon receiving the data from the customer, credit agencies can approve, reject, or re-negotiate the application before informing the dealer to follow up with the customer to complete the sales agreement.   This process ensures applications take no longer than 5 minutes, removes unnecessary paperwork, data entry errors and saves time and resources through the automation of loan applications.   Appvantage's Finance Loan Application solution for financial lea ......read more

One of Asia’s most prestigious design awards honours three trailblazers in the world of design, and the design projects globally that have influenced and meaningful impact on AsiaHONG KONG SAR - Media OutReach - 19 October 2021 - The DFA Awards is a flagship programme of the Hong Kong Design Centre (HKDC). It is comprised of five major awards to acknowledge leaders for their outstanding contributions to the design industry and celebrate projects at the forefront of design excellence with Asian perspectives. Three trailblazers in the world of design have been awarded in 2021: Patrick Whitney, Professor in Residence of Harvard T.H.Chan School of Public Health - DFA Lifetime Achievement Award (DFA LAA), Min-Liang Tan, CEO & Co-founder of Razer Inc. - DFA Design Leadership Award (DFA DLA), and Freeman Lau, Founder of KL&K Creative Strategics - DFA World's Outstanding Chinese Designer (DFA WOCD). In addition, 180 awards were conferred under the DFA Design for Asia Awards (DFA DFAA). Organised by the Hong Kong Design Centre (HKDC) with Create Hong Kong (CreateHK) of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government as the lead sponsor, the DFA Awards was launched in 2003 to underpin the role of designers within society, celebrate design excellence with positive influence and impacts in Asia. Upon reflection of this year's awards, Professor Eric Yim, Chairman of HKDC states: "Design is a vital part of Hong Kong, a city that brings people, culture and ideas together. This is especially critical at a time when the world has witnessed so much uncertainty brought on by the pandemic. This year, I am delighted to honour three exceptional leaders: Patrick Whitney, Min-Liang Tan, and Freeman Lau, all have shown through their work, dedication and leadership how design can be used to inspire communities, unite people from all walks of life through one singularity, and contribute to the betterment of society in Asia and bey ......read more

One of Asia’s most prestigious design awards honours three trailblazers in the world of design, and the design projects globally that have influenced and meaningful impact on AsiaHONG KONG SAR - Media OutReach - 19 October 2021 - The DFA Awards is a flagship programme of the Hong Kong Design Centre (HKDC). It is comprised of five major awards to acknowledge leaders for their outstanding contributions to the design industry and celebrate projects at the forefront of design excellence with Asian perspectives. Three trailblazers in the world of design have been awarded in 2021: Patrick Whitney, Professor in Residence of Harvard T.H.Chan School of Public Health - DFA Lifetime Achievement Award (DFA LAA), Min-Liang Tan, CEO & Co-founder of Razer Inc. - DFA Design Leadership Award (DFA DLA), and Freeman Lau, Founder of KL&K Creative Strategics - DFA World's Outstanding Chinese Designer (DFA WOCD). In addition, 180 awards were conferred under the DFA Design for Asia Awards (DFA DFAA).Organised by the Hong Kong Design Centre (HKDC) with Create Hong Kong (CreateHK) of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government as the lead sponsor, the DFA Awards was launched in 2003 to underpin the role of designers within society, celebrate design excellence with positive influence and impacts in Asia. Upon reflection of this year's awards, Professor Eric Yim, Chairman of HKDC states:"Design is a vital part of Hong Kong, a city that brings people, culture and ideas together. This is especially critical at a time when the world has witnessed so much uncertainty brought on by the pandemic. This year, I am delighted to honour three exceptional leaders: Patrick Whitney, Min-Liang Tan, and Freeman Lau, all have shown through their work, dedication and leadership how design can be used to inspire communities, unite people from all walks of life through one singularity, and contribute to the betterment of society in Asia and beyond." DFA Lifetime Achiev ......read more

HONG KONG SAR - Media OutReach - 19 October 2021 - A collection of extremely rare items associated with Napoleon Bonaparte, the French Emperor and General, is for sale at Bonhams, the world's third largest auction house in London on 27th October. The auction marks the 200th anniversary of Napoleon's death.   Napoleon is the most internationally recognised historical figure and memorabilia associated with his reign are widely collected internationally and were even collected by admirers in his lifetime.   The Bonhams sale includes a newly discovered bicorne hat belonging to Napoleon. Napoleon's distinctively worn bicorne hats are the most iconic symbols of Napoleon. Research has shown the Bonhams bicorne to contain Napoleon's DNA.   The highlight of the sale is an historically important and unique Imperial sabre made for Joseph Bonaparte, Napoleon's older brother and King of Naples and King of Spain. This is the first time the sabre has been on public sale. The estimate is US$350,000-$480,000.   The magnificent sabre was made for King Joseph Napoleon during his reign as King of Naples between 1806 and 1808. The blade is engraved 'VIVA IL RE GIUSEPPE NAPOLEONE' (LONG LIVE KING JOSEPH NAPOLEON). The only other sword with similar engraving was made for Napoleon himself and is now in a museum in Spain.   The luxurious decoration of the sabre reflects King Joseph Napoleon's Imperial status.  The scabbard is richly decorated in gilt ormolu with Joseph's scrolled initials JN in gold surmounted by a crown, an Imperial eagle, and images of Napoleonic military campaign themes.   The sabre, and Napoleon's sabre, was captured by the British under the Duke of Wellington at the Battle of Vitoria in 1813.   Simon Cottle, Bonhams' head of sale, said "This beautiful sword is being offered for sale for the first time. This is a very rare opportunity to acquir ......read more

Attackers rely on small-sized patterns to avoid detection, as predicted by Nexusguard researchersSINGAPORE - Media OutReach - 19 October 2021 - Small bit-and-piece DDoS attacks (distributed denial of service) boomed by 233% in the first half of 2021, revealed Nexusguard researchers in the Threat Report FHY 2021. As the pandemic carried on into 2021, hackers experimented with new attack patterns to avoid signature-based detection. In the first half of 2021, more than 99% of all DDoS attacks were smaller than 10Gbps, as Nexusguard had predicted in 2020. These small, nimble attacks can cripple communications service providers (CSPs) and Internet service providers (ISPs) if they leave detection to threshold or signature-based methods alone.   Attackers are continuing to diversify their approaches with bit-and-piece attacks to bring down target networks and infrastructures. More than 95% of attacks were smaller than 1Gbps each, of which Nexusguard analysts believe a majority were launched using readily available and inexpensive DDoS-for-hire services. Rather than launching large bandwidth attacks against their targets, researchers noted that perpetrators chose to employ attacks using high packet-rate loads of small-sized traffic from DDoS-for-hire services, with the aim of evading DDoS mitigation detection systems.   "The high level of intricacies behind communications service provider networks causes them to generally allow all types of traffic to pass through, which leads to smaller or spoofed types of attacks to strike undetected," said Juniman Kasman, chief technology officer of Nexusguard. "Behavioral detection and mitigation approaches are strongly recommended for targeted networks since they can compare peacetime with battles and take a wider range of factors into consideration than anomalous thresholds o ......read more

The partnership provides actionable intelligence and deeper insight on the threat landscape, enabling enterprises to proactively detect and contain targeted and advanced threats SINGAPORE - Media OutReach - 19 October 2021 - Ensign InfoSecurity (Ensign), Asia's largest pure-play cybersecurity firm, announced today its partnership with Intel 471, a premiere cybercrime intelligence provider.   The new partnership marks another milestone in Ensign's expansion plan in South Korea as it reinforces its footprint in the market, further strengthening its position as a leading provider of end-to-end cybersecurity solutions.   The government in South Korea, one of the region's most digitally connected markets, recently announced a US$2.6 billion investment in hyperconnectivity and emerging technologies like cloud and blockchain. These technologies will also be rolled out in key sectors including manufacturing, healthcare, education and the public sector [1] . As digitalisation efforts accelerate across key industries, the digital attack surface of enterprises will continue to expand, exposing them to new vulnerabilities and cyber threats.     "With enterprises scaling up their digital initiatives, they will require more data, and richer and relevant insights to strengthen their cybersecurity strategy, and customise their cyber defences," said General Manager Sam Goh at Ensign Korea. "To this end, we can enable South Korean organisations to shift gears and take a proactive, intelligence-led cybersecurity stance, improving their cyber resilience as they expand their digital estate."   "As the number of cyber attacks accelerate and threat actors continue to evolve at an alarming pace, prioritised, relevant, and timely insights into the cyber underground could not be more critical for enterprises around the globe," said Chief Executive Officer, Mark Arena at Intel 471. "This partn ......read more

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - Media OutReach - 19 October 2021 - KVB Global Capital Limited (hereinafter referred to as "KVB Global Capital") is pleased to announce it now connects with Xero, the global small business platform. KVB Global Capital aims to simplify cross-border payment processes and comprehensively improve financial workflows for SMEs, combining the advantages of GCFX to further reduce the costs of engaging in global business. With the rapid changes in the global economy, even though several SMEs are expanding their business globally to increase profits, cross-border payment has become a stumbling block of business development. Given the growing demand by SMEs for international payments, KVB Global Capital now offers multi-currency cross-border payments with competitive exchange rate advantages and a global payment network. Business users only need to connect their GCFX account with Xero to enjoy two major benefits: 1) Automatic bank feeds – Transactions conducted through GCFX will be automatically synchronized to their Xero account daily, without the need for re-entry of data,  simplifying the reconciliation process for the finance team; 2) Express FX payments  of  bills – With the GCFX app, available in the Xero App Store, users can manage payment instructions by currencies, recipients or due dates, and enjoy  a competitive exchange rate to cater for their different business and geographic needs.  Ms. Ning Sun, Executive Director of KVB Global Capital, shares her views on this cooperation: "We are pleased to work with Xero in empowering SMEs engaged in global businesses, and reducing the time and money spent on cross-border settlement for them, along with enjoying an efficient and convenient funds transfer experience." To enhance the customers' experience in using currency exchange services, there is another partnership with Alipay that was established at the b ......read more

HONG KONG SAR - Media OutReach - 18 October 2021 - Managed cloud services are proven to provide the best digital infrastructure and platform, while allowing IT administrators to focus on revenue-generating needs. Sangfor is proud to announce the launch of the much-awaited Sangfor Managed Cloud Services at the upcoming Sangfor EPIC 2021, putting professionally managed and protected cloud services within reach of every enterprise.   Sangfor Managed Cloud Services (MCS) means more personalization for both regional businesses and global enterprises. MCS provides the convenience and flexibility of public cloud, and security, control and service of private cloud.   Sangfor MCS offers Infrastructure-as-a-Service (IaaS), Platform-as-a-Service (PaaS) and Security-as-a-Service (SECaaS).  Customers choose to have their own dedicated cloud host, storage and networking, or choose private cloud, data and recovery services, or all of the above.   Sangfor works closely with local partners across APAC, EMEA and Americas to deliver end-to-end, 24/7 managed services, simplifying and safeguarding customer's digital transformation journey.   Sangfor MCS is available at over 100 globally distributed datacenter sites and comes packed with powerful built-in security capabilities. Businesses love the easy emphasis on local and even international compliance standards. Sangfor also works closely with partner through a convenient partner portal for the ultimate professional services.   Sangfor MCS Has Developed Unique Solutions Including:Elastic Compute & StorageDedicated Compute-as-a-Service Private Cloud & Container-as-a-ServiceManagement of critical applications and data Disaster recovery and Backup-as-a-ServiceHost services for on-premises HCI-based infrastructureManaged Security Services (MDR) The TCO of Sangfor MCS is 30% less th ......read more

HONG KONG SAR - Media OutReach -  18 October 2021 - The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) was awarded three prestigious prizes at this year's TechConnect World Innovation Conference and Expo (TechConnect) in Washington DC.     From left: Dr Hsu Li-Ta,Prof. Hao Jianhua and Dr Shou Dahua and their research teams were respectively awarded the TechConnect 2021 Global Innovation Award.   PolyU research teams excelled in the area of "Materials & Manufacturing" with two innovations being awarded TechConnect 2021 Global Innovation Awards. The PolyU innovators had developed a nature-inspired 'sweatable' textile material capable of ultra-fast sweat dissipation; as well as inventing an environmentally friendly technique to synthesizing MXenes – a promising energy storage material designed to meet rising global energy demands.   In the area of  "AI, Data, Cyber & Software", PolyU has developed 3D LiDAR-aided GNSS precise positioning technology that allows highly robust centimetre-level global positioning in urban environments for automated driving, which also received a TechConnect 2021 Global Innovation Award.   PolyU is the only higher education institution in Hong Kong this year that received the awards, which recognise the top 15% of submitted technologies based on their potential positive impact in different technological areas. Other awarded innovators include those from global-renowned universities, institutes and laboratories, including several national laboratories affiliated with the US Department of Energy. It is the fifth year that PolyU research teams have been awarded the prestigious prizes at the world's largest multi-sector event for fostering development and commercialising innovations.   Professor Christopher CHAO, Vice President (Research and Innovation) of PolyU , congratulated the teams. He said: "I am delighted that PolyU's latest innovations – from advanced manufacturing, materials ......read more

HONG KONG SAR - Media OutReach - 18 October 2021 - Kerry Logistics Network Limited ('KLN'; Stock Code 0636.HK) is honoured to receive the top accolade of Grand Award at the 2021 Hong Kong Management Association ('HKMA') Quality Award (the 'Award'). This marks the second time KLN has been a HKMA Quality Award winner, having first received the HKMA Excellence Award in 2016. As the recipient of the Grand Award, KLN was recognised for its substantial and continuous improvement in the profitability over the past five years and for having outperformed many of its global peers. KLN's senior leaders were commended for leading by example, nurturing a culture of excellence and fostering an environment where internal and external stakeholders can embrace open communication. The Award's examiners also noted that KLN has demonstrated leadership qualities and vision to redesigning and adapting strategies to ensure sustainable operations amid various challenges, and that it has put itself at the forefront of transporting emergencies supplies and household goods across many regions during the ongoing pandemic. William Ma, Group Managing Director of KLN, said, "We are proud and grateful to receive the highly prestigious Grand Award from the HKMA. While we have always strived for excellence in our operations and services, we have markedly stepped up our efforts in the last 18 months to tackle the increasingly complex challenges in the global supply chain. Committed to caring for society, we have also been proactively providing humanitarian logistics services to facilitate the rapid response and aid in disaster and emergency relief operations. That is why we are particularly appreciative of the recognition which HKMA has given us, as it serves as a boost to our morale and as an encouragement for us to keep doing our best in meeting our customers' needs." Established in 1991, the Award is organised annually by HKMA, a non-profit-making professional organisation ......read more

HONG KONG SAR - Media OutReach - 18 October 2021 - The technology voucher/ TVP application was first launched in November 2016. The purpose of the technology voucher is to subsidize local SMEs to use technology services and solutions through using technology vouchers to enhance productivity and to upgrade and transform their businesses. Holman Management Consultant Limited, a Web Design company, acknowledges that the application process of the technology vouchers is often challenging. Therefore, the company aims to support TVP applicants in the technology voucher application process by overcoming the crucial application stages such as requesting quotations and submitting TVP application forms and materials required for technology voucher applications.   Companies that succeeded in the technology voucher application are granted a technology voucher subsidy for their online retailing platforms and online stores.   TVP applications are very similar to the applications of general government projects. Technology voucher applicants must provide sufficient evidence to prove that their business projects can promote improvement, transformation, and increase the productivity of their businesses. The required supporting documents for the TVP application include: 1) Copy of a valid business registration certificate 1(a) or a certified copy of the company registration form NAR1 Copies of all supporting documents of the actual business (such as recent invoices/receipts, commercial contracts, recent audited accounts, etc.) 2) Copy of the ID card of the signatory of the TVP application 3) Copy of valid business registration certificate of technical consultant (if applicable) 4) Copy of all sent quotation invitations/invitation letters Certified copies of quotations for various expenses, including audit fees (if applicable)   Holman Management Consultant is a Website Design Company that provides professional technology voucher/ TVP applicati ......read more

HONG KONG SAR - Media OutReach - 18 October 2021 - Thanks to a generous donation from the Otto Poon Charitable Foundation (the Foundation), The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) has established two research institutes in support of the University's research endeavours in the areas of smart cities and sustainable energy. The two research institutes are named the Otto Poon Charitable Foundation Smart Cities Research Institute (SCRI) and the Otto Poon Charitable Foundation Research Institute for Smart Energy (RISE) in appreciation of the Foundation's significant contributions. Officiated by Dr David Chung, Under Secretary for Innovation and Technology of the HKSAR Government, the naming ceremony was held earlier this month. It was attended by Ir Dr Otto Poon Lok-to, Founder of the Otto Poon Charitable Foundation, Dr Lam Tai-fai, PolyU's Council Chairman, Professor Jin-Guang Teng, PolyU's President and others. (from left) Dr Lam Tai-fai, PolyU's Chairman of Council; Dr David Chung Wai Keung, JP, Under Secretary for Innovation and Technology of the HKSAR Government; Ir Dr Otto Poon, BBS, OBE, Founder of the Otto Poon Charitable Foundation, and Prof. Jin-Guang Teng, PolyU's President, unveiled a plaque to formally name the two research institutes.   In his welcoming remarks, PolyU's Council Chairman Dr Lam Tai-fai extended his heartfelt gratitude to Ir Dr Otto Poon Lok-to for his long-standing support to PolyU, "Dr Poon is a strong advocate of using innovation and technology to solve societal problems. Smart cities and energy challenges are two topics of great importance to society today. We are excited to join hands with Dr Poon to set up two research institutes focusing on these strategic areas in order to contribute to the further development of Hong Kong, the Nation and the wider international community."   The Under Secretary for Innovation and Technology, Dr David Chung , said that the Government ......read more

HONG KONG SAR - Media OutReach - 18 October 2021 - Amid Covid-19 pandemic, cross-border trades fall sharply. In order to accelerate digital transformation and achieve durable growth for multinational enterprises, in 2020 Yonyou Network Technology has released YonBIP, a brand new business innovation platform. This year, Yonyou launches a global treasury management product - TMS Cloud in Yonyou Hong Kong, the headquarters of Overseas Business Unit, aiming to provide treasury management solutions for multinational enterprises with cross-border businesses. For enterprises, financial management is the front-runner in the process of the digital transformation, and the digitalization of treasury management continues to gain importance in the business strategies of enterprises. As treasury management becomes more complex and professional, traditional tools and services can barely meet the needs in the rapidly changing markets.   Mr. Bowen Guo, General Manager of Yonyou Hong Kong, pointed out that Yonyou has been serving Chinese enterprises treasury management for over two decades, connecting 1,700 domestic and foreign banks with enterprises and helping more than 10,000 conglomerates to operate treasury efficiently. However, for Chinese enterprises going global, treasury management is restricted by local policies and regulations, derailing the globalization in business.   Yonyou is the transformational leader that rebuilds an innovated and digitalized financial ecosystem, supporting Chinese enterprises to expand internationally. The newly launched TMS Cloud will help Chinese enterprises to set up a global treasury center in Hong Kong, which takes advantage of the metropolitan's role as a bridgehead of China's 'domestic-international dual circulation' and accelerates the development of 'headquarters economy' to achieve one-stop treasury management with real-time visibility. In terms of connectivity, TMS Cloud will adopt cu ......read more

SINGAPORE - Media OutReach - 18 October 2021 - Completion Products Pte Ltd (CP) is one of the many successful companies that have made proactive changes to digitalise its internal processes, and was able to lower its operating expenditure significantly by 10%. With the support of Enterprise Singapore (ESG), CP was able to implement an integrated Enterprise Resource Planning solution that has since then made a significantly positive impact on the company's corporate functions. Completion Products is now utilizing a digital program under industry process 4.0  which produces extremely efficient results from its employees.   CP's Quality Specialist from the production and supply chain emphasized how the system was able to help him generate accurate reports in just a click of a button. The then tedious work that takes up more time than needed, is now converted to a simpler task that can be done much faster, saving up almost two hours of work time. QMS allows people to accomplish complex tasks without having to sacrifice quality and precision.   The company's shift to the incorporation of digital methods contributes to the overall streamlining of its corporate and operational processes. Because of the firm's success in digitalisation, it has received recognition from the Minister of State for Trade and Industry, Low Yen Ling during her speech at the launch of the Marine and Offshore Engineering Industry Digital Plan. Moreover, Completion Products was featured by notable media sources—The Straits Times and The Business Times, in its online publications. The articles squarely highlight how CP was able to create more opportunities and simplify daily duties, giving out an apparent meaning that the transition phase of the firm's digitalisation has been by far, smooth and steady.   With the firm being part of the Oil and Gas Industry, it is being affected by the increasing demand and intense compet ......read more

LONDON, UK - Media OutReach - 18 October 2021 - MES (abbreviation for METAVERSE EMPIRE) is jointly initiated by a group of blockchain geeks and senior game enthusiasts from the UK and Canada. Based on the Binance Smart Chain to build two tokens, MES and MEF, combined with the new gameplay of NFT and Metaverse exchanges. The platform currency MES is used as the value carrier to anchor virtual scene applications, and the ecological currency MEF is used for value circulation. The application of technology subverts the economic model of traditional games and gives games more financial and economic attributes. MEF will be used as the platform governance token of Metaverse Exchange, and unlimited destruction will boost the ecological development of games and exchanges.   Let players not only earn huge profits through games, reach a community consensus system, and establish a medium for value transmission. At the same time, every value transfer is accompanied by a deflation model and a destruction mechanism, thereby forming a stable economic system and value-driven model with the MES ecology.   There are precedents for outstanding cases, the game empire breaks the capital market. The most popular blockchain game and Metaverse project at the moment is undoubtedly Axie. The price of its native token exceeded US$110 last weekend, bringing its market value to US$30 billion. In addition, the game's current transaction volume has exceeded US$29.5 billion. . Axie's achievements as a benchmark are enough to prove the development prospects of blockchain games. However, with the development of new technologies, it is carrying the banner of blockchain to transform the game industry all the way forward. There are more than 100 categories but the scale is still not as large as traditional Internet games. It's a drop in the bucket, and the contest between power and resistance, every bit of trial has become more precious. In ......read more

Innovative “one level up/down” outpatient coverage and a new digital platform deliver adaptable and inclusive options to customersHONG KONG SAR - Media OutReach - 18 October 2021 - MSIG Insurance (Hong Kong) Limited ("MSIG") today announced its SME Group Medical Insurance plan ("the plan") targeting SMEs with flexible coverage options as well as MediGo, a new digital portal for onboarding and policy management. Drawing from its experience providing health and commercial insurance, MSIG designed the plan to meet the unique needs of SMEs in today's fast changing digital business environment.   The plan offers six levels of coverage – from essential to premium – to ensure every employee can have the right level of benefits. MSIG has also developed an innovative "one level up/down" feature that allows employers to choose one of three levels of Optional Outpatient Benefits corresponding to each hospitalisation plan. This empowers SMEs to provide groups of employees with tailored cover appropriate to their needs.   As the next stage in its digitalisation programme, MSIG has also launched the MediGo portal which offers online access for the convenience of both employees and employers. Specially designed features mean that users can easily manage their SME group medical policies and benefits. Employees can now find panel doctors, submit and track claims, upload documents, access digital medical cards and monitor their benefits, all in one place. Employer services have also been enhanced to include online inquiries and 24/7 access to policy details and member information. In due course all MSIG group medical insurance customers will be able to enjoy the benefits of MediGo as it is rolled out to MSIG healthcare customers.   Philip Kent, Chief Executive Officer of MSIG, said: "The SME community in Hong Kong is a critical part of our economy and presents a significant opportunity for insurers.  We have ......read more

HONG KONG SAR - Media OutReach - 18 October 2021 - Infinera (NASDAQ: INFN) and Telstra, a leading global telecommunications and technology company, announced the deployment of Infinera's coherent 800G solution across Telstra's international network. The deployment follows a significant industry milestone that Telstra achieved with Infinera, leveraging Infinera's ICE6 800G coherent technology on its GX Series Compact Modular Platform over a dispersion-managed subsea cable between Hong Kong and Singapore, a segment that spans 2,940 kilometers. With Infinera's ICE6 solution, Telstra can realize a 45% increase in capacity over previous-generation technology and 20 times the original design capacity of the cable, underscoring the value of Infinera's innovative solutions.   Bandwidth demand continues to rise at exponential rates, putting pressure on older subsea cables and potentially shortening their economic lifespan, even though they are designed for a 25-year operational life. At the same time, network operators like Telstra are challenged with scaling and delivering capacity in the APAC region, one of the fastest growing regions for submarine network capacity. By deploying Infinera's ICE6 solution, network providers are equipped to get the most out of their dispersion-managed subsea cables with the unique features of highly granular baud rate configuration, industry-leading long-codeword probabilistic constellation shaping (LC-PCS), and Nyquist subcarriers, on which Infinera has a five-year implementation lead.   "Telstra designed and deployed its dispersion-managed cable, EAC-2A1, long before coherent transmission was developed. The success of our ICE6 trial illustrates that we can successfully upgrade our existing cable systems to meet growing bandwidth demands," said David Robertson, Executive International Networks & IT at Telstra. "This success was the driving force behind selecting ICE6. With ......read more

TIANJIN, CHINA - Media OutReach - 18 October 2021 - Sports stars from many countries sent their wishes to the 26th birthday of Tiens Group on October 16, 2021. They recognized and encouraged Tiens for its achievements and contributions in health products and services. Li Jinyuan, Chairman of Tiens Group, said that it was gratifying to receive such blessings and recognition as a global enterprise group in the field of comprehensive health. Tiens Group has taken health products and services as the carrier and has always been the disseminator of health culture in its 26 years of development. It has actively developed and exported health products suitable for different ages and people, effectively promoted, accelerated and popularized the global dissemination of health management concepts, and its health products and services have benefited more than 47 million families around the world, helped them establish a healthy lifestyle, which effectively improved the overall immunity of families.   It is known that Tiens Group will launch a new global coverage plan for all-round health care experience stores and flagship stores in 2021. Experience items of the experience store mainly cover weight loss and shaping, comprehensive skin management, eugenics and good education, physiotherapy and maintenance, four high chronic diseases, dampness and cold elimination, healthy spine and bone, immunity improvement, vision care, etc. Experience store not only focuses on the experience effect of instruments and equipment, but also pays more attention to standardized, humanized and professional health management services, helps people cultivate healthy living habits, pursue exquisite life, and leads a wide range of consumers to more deeply recognize importance of health management to disease prevention.   Tiens Group expects to deepen and increase cooperation and exchanges with relevant subjects in the field of global comprehensive health i ......read more

#AccelerateTheChangeHONG KONG SAR - Media OutReach - 18 October 2021 - After ReThink HK's successful debut in 2020, the event returned to the city in early October (5-6 October 2021) this year at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre to convene the one-of-a-kind two-day expo and multi-stream conference for the business of sustainability. As transformative change often requires time and collaboration, the ambitious business event has this year partnered with the Business Environment Council Limited (BEC) as exclusive co-organiser for the first time. The partnership between ReThink HK and BEC has facilitated opportunities for the event to engage with new stakeholders and communities from diverse sectors, on multiple levels."Achieving business sustainability is challenging. It is important to empower businesses to lead and make impact, and to support Hong Kong to 'Build Back Better', and to accomplish HKSAR Government's goal of reducing the total carbon emissions by 50% before 2035 from the 2005 level.  Through our exclusive partnership with ReThink HK in this year's two-day conference, we have engaged sustainability leaders from large corporations to SMEs through a series of insightful programmes. The discussions will continue at ReThink HK 2022 and other BEC 30th anniversary events next year." Mr Adam Koo, CEO of BEC. Business leaders, sustainability practitioners, NGOs and government officials united to explore sustainable development and the latest solutions from a Hong Kong context. Through a wide range of showcasing, panel discussions, workshops and seminars, the fully-packed event attracted 2,243 unique attendees from across all business sectors. "It's a brilliant event to showcase how organisations make a difference and clearly changing to make the world more sustainable. The convention allowed delegates a rare insight into all areas surrounding sustainability that are rather less discussed and this really allows ......read more

LAGOS, NIGERIA - EQS Newswire - 18 October 2021 - Nearly four months after the launch of its prestigious Tier III facility at Appolonia City, Accra, Ghana, MDXi, a MainOne company has announced the expansion of its data center facilities in Lekki, Lagos.  This expansion tagged "Lekki II" will be the latest addition to the portfolio of MDXi, which is already the leading commercial data center provider in the region. The new Tier III data center is being deployed on a very aggressive timeline and with provision for growth using the latest modular data center technology to deliver unparalleled quality of services to our customers. MDXi's Chief Operating Officer, Gbenga Adegbiji, while commenting on the expansion stated that "The Lekki II Data Center will continue to deliver the same excellent services that our customers across West Africa have come to expect from MDXi". He expressed optimism that global organizations interested in establishing a presence in West Africa would enjoy similar world-class quality of services offered in advanced markets with the new MDXi Lekki II, consistent with the experience with the existing Lekki facility. MDXi offers a variety of colocation, cloud and interconnection services, delivered via world-class infrastructure, a highly skilled and certified support team. Its carrier neutral data centers with combined capacity of 5 MW across the key markets of Nigeria, Ghana and Cote d'Ivoire provide access to all leading internet exchanges, network providers and ISPs in the West African region.   Download image: Architectural Image of MDXi Lekki II (https://bit.ly/3p9SeGT)  ...read more

One of Southeast Asia’s largest steel companies aims to give back to local community by supporting academic research and action on the green economyJAKARTA, INDONESIA - Media OutReach - 15 October 2021 - Gunung Raja Paksi (GRP), one of Southeast Asia's largest privately-owned vertically integrated steel companies, today announces its collaboration with the Institut Pertanian Bogor (IPB University) in an effort to strengthen the education institution's environmental, social, and governance (ESG) efforts. GRP has been at the forefront of policies on eco-sustainability and climate change following its decision to set up a Transparent, Accountable, and Professional (TAP) management framework earlier this year. As a sign of its continued commitment to ESG, GRP has now signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with IPB University's Sharingyuk social mobilisation community. The collaboration aims to support research into environmental preservation by tapping the university's pool of academic expertise. GRP will work closely with IPB University in a bid to strengthen the public-private ecosystem in Indonesia and foster a national green economy agenda. Mr Kimin Tanoto, Commissioner of Gunung Raja Paksi and a firm advocate for the Green Economy, currently leads the ESG Task Force for the Indonesian Iron and Steel Industry Association, and has plans to invest in new technologies that reduce the carbon footprint of the manufacturing sector. Kimin Tanoto, Commissioner of Gunung Raja Paksi, said: "I'm delighted to partner with IPB University on this important ESG initiative. Our joint focus is on educating, inspiring, and empowering businesses in Indonesia to rise to the challenge of transforming the economy for a greener and more socially-responsible tomorrow. My hope is that the actions taken by GRP and IPB University today will serve as an example to other public-private partnerships businesses across the country, and encourage more positive action to be t ......read more

Engaging over 100 speakers on- and offline and facilitating deal flow between investors and start-ups HONG KONG SAR - Media OutReach - 15 October 2021 - The Cyberport Venture Capital Forum (CVCF), Cyberport's premier annual venture forum, returns on 2-3 November. With the theme of "Venturing for Success: Resilience, Growth & Opportunity", CVCF 2021 will bring together industry leaders, top-notch investors, enterprises and technopreneurs. Amidst promising market dynamics and rapid emergence of unicorns in the post-Covid era, these experts will discuss and share insights on trends in the global I&T sector and venture capital, investor strategies, emerging venture capitals, opportunities and prospects in the Greater Bay Area, and more. This year's event will present a brand-new hybrid format with a unified experience of online and offline engagement, allowing start-ups to interact with potential investors in the physical forum while showcasing their innovative tech solutions using the virtual platform. This multi-channel set-up enhances global exposure, facilitates deal flow and provides extensive opportunities for start-ups to explore fundraising opportunities.   As the digital technology flagship of Hong Kong, Cyberport is dedicated to facilitating deal flow for start-ups and enriching the regional venture capital landscape.  The main forum of CVCF gathers more than 70 international and local experts from major industry players, including Alibaba Group, HKEX, Founders Space, Verizon Ventures, Two Sigma, Lever VC, Gobi Partners China, and IESE Business School, who will conduct in-depth discussions and sharings on popular areas in the tech venture landscape, covering topics such as disruptive tech (NFT, robotics, foodtech, etc), FinTech/cross-border financing, 5G technology and the family offices.  Also prominent will be emerging investment themes including the new space economy, special purpose acqui ......read more

MSIG Asia with CEO Alan Wilson invited employees across Asia to gain insights into building resilience & mental readiness with Guinness World Record holder Chris BertishRecognising the need to invest in caring for employees' mental wellbeing, MSIG has been ramping up online activities to engage its employees since the pandemic outbreakSINGAPORE - Media OutReach - 15 October 2021 - As part of its continuous internal engagement efforts for the wellbeing of its employees, MSIG Asia invited its 4,700 employees across the region to take time off yesterday while a vast majority are still working from home, to hear from international motivational speaker and best-selling author, Chris Bertish, at its regional townhall aptly themed "Readiness, Resilience, Responsibility".   Speaking virtually through Teams Live Event, Bertish shared his personal stories on resilience, and the importance of being mentally ready in the face of challenges, even life-threatening moments. He urged MSIG employees at the end of his presentation: "If we build the readiness, we build the resilience, and we build it into a purpose greater than ourselves to be able to give back to help others and look after ourselves, our clients and nature, we can overcome obstacles, any challenge any change and we can literally achieve anything, even the seemingly impossible." In a fireside chat with CEO Alan Wilson, they talked about the importance of trust which is fundamental to MSIG because as a general insurer being in the business of mitigating risk, at the heart of what the MSIG sells is a promise that when something adverse happens then the company will help them out.   Taking one of the most voted question from the floor about how Bertish got through 93 days in his expedition across the Atlantic Ocean without a phone and connection to the outside world, Bertish responded by admitting he did not have any down time to feel lonely when he was occupied with cha ......read more

HONG KONG SAR - Media OutReach - 15 October 2021 - Today, IX Asia Indexes Company Limited announced the 3rd quarter review of the ixCrypto Index ("IXCI"). This is the first crypto benchmark index launched in Hong Kong.    According to the Constituents Enhancement Rule, there are two constituents' additions and deletions. The number of the constituent cryptos will stay at 11 after the changes. The changes are as follows:   Deletions:      Stella, VeChain Additions:      Terra, Polygon   The free float adjusted market capitalization coverage is 74.88%, while the 90-day-average volume coverage is 74.9%. The constituents change and recapping at 40% will be effective on October 22, 2021 (Friday).   Since the last review, there has been an increase in the crypto total market capitalisation from USD1.42tn to USD1.92tn (+35.2%), and a fall in the daily volume from USD93bn to USD89bn (-4.3%). Bitcoin remains as the largest crypto in the constituent list, with its price has gone up by 16% since the last review.   More details about the ixCrypto Index, including its constituents and constituents' weight, are provided in the Appendices, or refer to the website https://ix-index.com/   Appendix 1 ixCrypto Index ("IXCI")   Universe All crypto coins traded in at least two different exchanges around the world Selection Criteria Cryptocurrencies ranking in the top 80% of cumulative full market capitalization ("MC") coverage and in the top 25 of 90-days-average-trading-volume. Number of Constituents Variable/11 currently Launch Date 12th December 2018 Base Date 3rd December 2018 Base Value ......read more

Trend Micro Vision One Named a Leader in firm’s first major XDR vendor evaluationHONG KONG SAR - Media OutReach - 15 October 2021 - Trend Micro Incorporated (TYO: 4704; TSE: 4704), a global cybersecurity leader, has announced the latest industry recognition for its Trend Micro Vision One platform. Trend Micro was named one of only two Leaders in The Forrester New Wave™: Extended Detection and Response (XDR) Providers, Q4 2021 report, and scored highest in the current offering category in the latest report of its kind by a major analyst firm.   To read a full copy of the Forrester New Wave™ report, please visit https://www.trendmicro.com/explore/forrester-wave-xdr.   "Their capabilities of truly providing a full view of the environment from the security stack is unusual and impactful," said customers cited in the report. Per the Forrester report, "[It] is the best fit for companies that need a robust, easy-to-operate security suite. Organizations that want a platform to deliver cross-telemetry integration of traditional security tools and top customer service will benefit from a relationship with Trend Micro."   "Today's security analysts are faced with a daunting set of responsibilities to identify critical threats and limit lasting damage from attacks," said Wendy Moore, vice president of product marketing at Trend Micro. "Yet major visibility gaps and alert overload are all too common. We created a single unified platform with these challenges in mind, so it's fantastic to see Forrester's independent analysis position us as a leader."   The New Wave report also cited that "Trend Micro has loyal customers confident in the security efficacy of the offering."   "They cite Trend Micro's roadmap transparency and above-and-beyond customer support (including support at the prospect stage) as key to its success," it added.   Of the fourteen vendors evaluated, Forrester gave Trend Micro's XDR offering differenti ......read more

With washable, anti-bacterial, and anti-viral functions in one product, AkzoNobel aims to help parents sleep better at night SINGAPORE - Media OutReach - 15 October 2021 - AkzoNobel announces the launch of its new Dulux Wash & Wear Anti-Viral paint today. The new range adds to Dulux's existing interior washable paint portfolio as an improved variation of the Wash & Wear range that comes with the proprietary KidProof+ Technology, and an added layer of anti-viral protection from the Silver Ion Technology™. The Wash & Wear Anti-Viral paint will be available for purchase at all leading paint stores across the country from October 18 onwards.   The world has been spending considerably more time in their own houses, and Singapore is no exception. As a "man's home is his castle", and in the current pandemic climate, it is expected that many consumers have become more mindful of cleanliness and hygiene, especially so for parents with young children. Beyond commonly used items such as tables, doorknobs, remote controls, and cushions, viruses and bacteria are also often present on inconspicuous places such as the walls. With the introduction of Dulux Wash and Wear Anti-Viral's new proposition, the added protection against viruses provides for a safer environment, enabling parents to have less worries and sleep better at night.   Powered by Silver Ion Technology™, the Wash and Wear Anti-Viral comes with an added benefit of anti-virus property that helps to effectively work against certain viruses such as the human coronavirus NL-63 virus1. In addition to the anti-viral properties, its KidProof+ Technology offers a higher level of protection against tough stains and helps make cleaning common household stains on walls easy as it delays stains from penetrating further into the paint film, while aiding to inhibit growth of bacteria2 on walls.   "At AkzoNobel, we are constantly on the lookout for technologies to push the boundaries i ......read more

SINGAPORE - Media OutReach - 15 October 2021 - 21 national qualifiers from seven countries are set to compete in the TOYOTA GAZOO Racing (TGR) GT Cup ASIA 2021 Regional Finals this Saturday, 16 October 2021. The skilled e-Motorsport racers will compete for the ultimate championship and the chance to progress to the Global Finals of the TGR GT Cup 2021 taking place in December. Toyota has made it possible for thousands of motorsports enthusiasts to relive the thrill and experience of watching Toyota GR cars on iconic racing circuits through TGR GT Cup Asia 2021. Return of Rivals Finalists from the GR Supra GT Cup Asia Regional Round last year are back again in this year's star-studded line-up of racers who will be competing to be crowned Regional Champion of TGR GT Cup ASIA 2021.   Muhammad Aleef of Singapore, Taj Aiman from Malaysia, and Nathayos Sirigaya from Thailand will compete head-to-head-to head again in their respective groups as they battle it out on four different racing circuits on the Tokyo Expressway in the newly introduced GR Yaris.   "This year's TGR GT CUP ASIA will be oh so close, with so many top-class drivers, all prepared to put everything on the line to win, you can never predict how it's going to turn out," said Muhammad Aleef of Singapore, champion of the GR Supra Cup Asia 2020.   "If last year's event is anything to go by, All I can say is that the TGR GT CUP ASIA is insanely competitive considering we will be racing against the region's best drivers," Said Taj Aiman. "The most important thing will be to remain focus and consistent. You cannot afford to make mistakes on any of the four races, and if you do, the odds of bouncing back into championship contention will be anything from slim to impossible." Cars in the Gran Turismo, like the GR Yaris, will drive like the real vehicle with GR-Four 4WD Traction   For the first time, each car will spor ......read more

Giant screen with slim design and cinematic vision and soundFeature Highlights Sharp, bright 4K UHD LED picture Enhanced contrast, color, and sharpness with vibrant HDR10+ video New Apple TV+ content with the Apple TV app Health-protecting antibacterial remote control Ambilight fills the room for an immersive experience Smooth motion from the Philips P5 Perfect Picture Engine Dolby Atmos sound ensures you hear every word clearly   TAIPEI, TAIWAN - Media OutReach - 15 October 2021 - The Philips 8500 series, a 4K UHD LED Android Displays, are now available in Taiwan. This new TV features Ambilight, to extend the display into the room, and a safety-oriented antibacterial remote control – and it is also among the many Philips displays that now boast Apple TV+ coverage via the Apple TV app.   Fluid motion. True color. Incredible depth   Whatever the video source, the Philips P5 Perfect Picture Engine gets the most out of the stunning 4K LED screen, always delivering perfection, and bringing you to another realm of visual experience. The fidelity of Dolby Vision and Dolby Atmos sound technology, ensures you'll enjoy all the same contrast, brightness and color that the director intended, along with sound that's punchy, dynamic but crystal clear to ensures you hear every word.   If you start playing a game on a connected games console, the 8500 series automatically switches to a low latency setting, and the fast display response means that gamers can always stay on top of the game. No matter what you're watching, Ambilight fills the room for an immersive experience, taking the emotion beyond the screen.   Now with Apple TV+ for even more viewing choices   The Apple TV app features Apple TV+, Apple's video subscription service offering award-winning original shows, movies and documentaries from the world's most creative ......read more

Make sweet music together, with Philips TAT4556 true wireless headphonesProduct Highlights Up to 29 hours play time with charging case IPX4 splash and sweat resistant Mono mode for more call time and shared sounds Hybrid active noise canceling (ANC) Includes comfortable eartips in 3 sizes Easy control and pairing   HO CHI MINH CITY, VIETNAM - Media OutReach - 15 October 2021 - Philips and STAYC are working together to introduce the new Philips TAT4556 true wireless headphones with active noise canceling and up to 29 hours play time. STAYC is the girl group that is widely recognized as one of the top Rising Korean Artists, featuring six unique talents that combined to create top ten hit albums and singles like Star to a Young Culture, Staydom, and ASAP.   Like STAYC, you let nothing come between you and your music. So Philips TAT4556 headphones always keep you focused on the sounds that matter – and, whether you're having fun, working hard, or working out, they don't mind a little rain or sweat, thanks to their IPX4 protection rating. Choose the color that best suits your lifestyle: they are available in black, white, green and purple.   Hear your music anywhere   With their sleek charging case, Philips TAT4556 headphones let you take your music anywhere. You get great sound and solid bass from the 12 mm neodymium drivers, for a whole 9 hours of play time from a single charge and up to 29 hours with the charging case (battery endurance measured with ANC off). For a quick boost, pop your headphones in the case and get an extra hour of play time within 10 minutes.   Wider and deeper noise cancellation means these headphones filter out all the noise you do not want to hear, so you are free to be with the tunes you love. But Awareness Mode always allows you to let the world back in instantly, whenever you need to.   Enjoy ......read more

JAKARTA, INDONESIA - Media OutReach - 13 October 2021 - The pandemic started a global crisis which ravaged economies and businesses around the world. It has certainly brought everything to a standstill and forced SMEs in Indonesia to adapt and change their business plan and strategy to survive. Indonesian SMEs form the backbone of the nation's economy and contribute largely towards the nation's GDP as well as the employment market. Despite the massive hit it took, Indonesia is showing signs of recovery with business owners relying on resilient and agile planning to overcome the fog of uncertainty brought by the pandemic. "When the pandemic started, no one expected the drastic effects it had on our livelihood and the implications it has to the economy. There were lots of uncertainties but 2021 is the year of hope and many of the winners here today have reaped the benefits of resilience and agile planning. With that tenacious spirit, Indonesia is well on track to return with a vengeance to spur the economy forward" said William Ng, group publisher and editor-in-chief of Business Media International and organizer of SME100 Awards. The SME100 Awards serves as pinnacle of trust and a benchmark of reliability among business owners. Be it for business ventures or attracting investors and clients in both foreign and domestic markets alike, The SME 100 Awards has become the beacon of attention on all platforms across all industries. Indonesia is one of the four ASEAN member states to organize SME100 Awards, after Malaysia, Vietnam, and Singapore.SME100 Award Winners Indonesia:NoCompany1PT. EDSEN GUDANG KOMPUTERINDO2PT AIDIA MEDIA SEMESTA3PT ULIVE EDUCATION CENTER4PT CAKRA ALPHA SPEKTRUM5PT TIRTA MARITIM INTERNASIONAL6PT TOKOPLAS ECOMMERCE INDONESIA7PT TRIFECTA SINERGI INTERNATIONAL8PT NCIG INDONESIA MANDIRI9PT TALENTA UNGGUL INDONESIA10PT INDONESIA POLYURETHANE INDUSTRY11PT AGUNG BUMI AGRO12PT SURVEYOR INDONESIA13PT MENARAVISI14PT KEDAI SAY ......read more

The remote work economy has accelerated a Zero Trust culture in APAC, but companies urgently need to upgrade their defence to adapt to a new threat landscapeSINGAPORE - Media OutReach - 14 October 2021 -  Across Asia Pacific, the unprecedented mass migration of organizations' IT infrastructure to cloud and digital systems in the past year has compressed years of planned digital transformation into a matter of months – or even weeks. While this agility is impressive, the addition of countless new devices, networks and applications to organizations' IT ecosystems within a short period of time has increased businesses' vulnerability to threat actors, who now have more avenues to exploit. The need for Zero Trust Security – which emphasises a "never trust, always verify" approach through continuous assessment of user access privileges for individual resources – has thus become crucial, especially with greater adoption of cloud-based technologies.  To learn more about how organizations in the region are approaching Zero Trust Security today, and in a post-pandemic world where hybrid working becomes a norm, leading independent identity provider Okta surveyed 400 security leaders in Asia Pacific, as part of a study – The State of Zero Trust Security in Asia Pacific 2021.     Notably, APAC organizations prioritise Zero Trust Security the most – COVID-19 has accelerated Zero Trust Security as a priority in 77% of APAC organizations –  higher than EMEA (76%), and North America (74%). Despite the emphasis on Zero Trust Security, at the time of the survey APAC organizations were clearly lagging their counterparts in EMEA and North America – only 13% had already implemented a Zero Trust Security strategy, compared to 20% of organizations each in EMEA and North America. The greatest challenges for Asia Pacific organisations in adopting a Zero Trust Security infrastructure include:Talent/skill shor ......read more

KUALA LUMPUR, MALAYSIA - Media OutReach - 14 October 2021 -There is hardly anyone left who is not familiar with the bitcoin bull market. A few but dramatic corrections made this historic run more exciting. Blockchain technology is here to stay. And the way legacy institutions and governments react will determine the future of finance. The global broker OctaFX prepared an expert article exploring whether peaceful co-existence might be an option. The U.S. and bitcoin: teasing as a sign of affection   Corporate America is slowly but surely approving bitcoin as a credible long-term investment and even payment method. Elon Musk's electric vehicle manufacturer Tesla temporarily granted selling its cars for bitcoin. Elon Musk is known for his advocacy for new technologies and his interest in blockchain. Popular online payment service PayPal started offering cryptocurrencies to get into this emerging market. Social media platform Twitter recently launched tipping in bitcoin for followers to support their influencers financially. It is worth keeping in mind that even Goldman Sachs, which until very recently underestimated bitcoin publicly and showed expert distaste for the opinion that cryptocurrency would be a powerful investment, changed its position.   The influential multinational investment bank, having close ties to the most powerful governments in the world, announced in March 2021 a 'full-spectrum' cryptocurrency investment offer, including bitcoin, for its private clients.   Although, the narrative from U.S. governmental institutions suggests a different approach.   U.S. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen said she is eager to crush the influence of cryptocurrencies by pushing International Monetary Fund (IMF) capacities further. Many financial experts consider the IMF to be the future issuer of a new worldwide digital currency—centralised, of course. Who are the new kids on ......read more

New survey finds finance remains a top career choice; graduates consider more education and credentials; optimism exists while reevaluating career trajectories SINGAPORE - Media OutReach - 14 October 2021 - CFA Institute, the global association of investment professionals, today releases results from a survey conducted on the career outlook of more than 15,000 current university students and recent graduates aged 18 – 25 years old from 15 markets, including Australia, Hong Kong SAR, India, Japan, and Singapore in the Asia Pacific region. The results find that globally, 58 percent of respondents still feel confident about their future career prospects in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.   The findings also indicate that traditionally stable fields, such as finance, remain attractive for graduates navigating these uncertain times. In fact, respondents across all 15 markets ranked finance as one of the top five most valuable majors for finding a career. Overall, graduates felt that medicine/science was most stable and attractive, followed by healthcare and education.   Nick Pollard, Managing Director, Asia Pacific, at CFA Institute, said, "Graduating and starting a career amid the COVID-19 pandemic requires a mindset shift to be workforce-ready. While some graduates don't feel prepared or willing to jump into the job market where it's currently at, others, ironically, are going to be better suited to the new normal of hybrid workplaces, video conferencing, remote working and flexible hours. With a job market that will likely remain somewhat distorted for the foreseeable future, it is clear there is value in developing skillsets that are adaptable, flexible, and ready to pivot at any time."   Graduates have a positive outlook overall, despite the COVID-19 pandemic causing them to reassess their career paths.   A majority of graduates believe their future career will be as good or better ......read more

Investment focusing on development of talent and technology to be made over a period of five yearsDUBLIN and SINGAPORE - Media OutReach - 14 October 2021 - Medtronic plc (NYSE: MDT), a global leader in healthcare technology, today announced the launch of the Medtronic Open Innovation Platform (OIP) in Singapore. The OIP will bring strategic collaboration in healthcare technologies among various stakeholders across the healthcare ecosystem through capability development, partnerships and business organizations networking in the areas of medical technology and digital health in APAC, with Singapore as the epicenter. Medtronic Open Innovation Platform (OIP) supported by the Economic Development Board of Singapore was launched today. Wan Yee Goh, senior vice president and head, Healthcare, EDB (left) and Chris Lee, president for Asia Pacific, Medtronic (right) signed the MOU at the launch ceremony which will focus on development of talent and technology under this platform.  Focusing on the unique healthcare needs of the APAC, this first-of-its-kind platform will be supported by the Singapore Economic Development Board (EDB). This will enable Medtronic and the EDB to support talent and technology development which can help Medtronic leverage data, AI, and automation to address patient needs.   "Singapore has been a strategic hub for Medtronic with a manufacturing facility, its APAC regional headquarters, and now an epicenter for the Open Innovation Platform. We are excited to work with EDB's support on this program, aligned with our vision to lead the way for healthcare technology and address the complex challenges of the sector," said Chris Lee, president for Asia Pacific, Medtronic, at the signing ceremony of the memorandum of understanding (MOU) between Medtronic and EDB.   "Medtronic's decision to establish its first ever Open Innovation Platform for Asia Pacific in Singapore is a testament to our leading role as a vibra ......read more

NORTH CAROLINA, USA - News Direct - 14 October 2021 - Microban® International, the global leader in antimicrobial additives and odor control solutions, is proud to announce the appointment of Michael Ruby as President of the corporation and Graham Harvey as Senior Director of Business Development for the global Built-in business, effective October 1, 2021. The team would also like to welcome Bart Kennedy as the new Senior Director of Business Development leading the global textiles team. These important strategic moves will align the organizational structure to reflect the ongoing mission of continuing to build on the success of all brands, including the global trustmark Microban and the emergent ingredient brand Ultra-Fresh®. Since joining Microban in 2018, Michael Ruby has been instrumental in implementing a sustainable development process and business strategy that has seen the company skyrocket in success. He was also heavily involved in executing the consolidation of the Microban and Thomson Research businesses earlier this year, alongside Joe Lyons, the previous President who will now take time to focus on the wider goals of the entire Barr Brands International group.   Leading the Global Built-in team will be Graham Harvey, who joined the company in 2018 and has contributed significantly to the increase in branded partnerships and revenue across all international territories. Graham will report to Michael and, together, they will bring profound global expertise and knowledge of Microban's operational and strategic goals to the leadership team, helping to drive consistent value growth and market expansion.   Bart Kennedy joins the company with a wealth of experience in sales and marketing leadership in the global textiles marketplace for leading international brands, where he will help the team develop new and expand existing relationships with home, healthcare, apparel, and PPE textile partners i ......read more

SINGAPORE - Media OutReach - 14 October 2021 - IFS, the leading global enterprise applications company, has announced Andy Watts as a key new member of its team. The new Vice President for Asia (including ASEAN, India, Sri Lanka, Korea and China) has over 20 years of experience in the IT industry and brings a wealth of knowledge and leadership across sales and software as a service.   Andy's key areas of expertise include building high performance teams that go above and beyond, backed by a great working culture. His focus and customer centricity helps customers across enterprise businesses in both the private and public sectors maximize value and success from their investments.   Andy's previous roles include Senior Vice President APJ at ServiceMax. He also held sales positions in RightNow and Oracle, and most recently established and launched Sitetracker across Asia Pacific.   "I am very excited about joining IFS and scaling the Asia region further. There is a tremendous opportunity for our existing customers and for those who have not yet joined us, to gain high value from IFS's excellent single platform of products and deliver exceptional moments of service in a region that is experiencing growth and transformation," said Andy as he shared his thoughts on his move to IFS.   Andy who is married and has two young daughters both born in Japan, spends most of his spare time with his young family. He loves the sport of boxing and martial arts. His other passion is motorcycles and he plans to own a Harley Davidson in the near future.   For more information about IFS cloud-based field service management visit ifs.com or follow us on Twitter: @ifs.  About IFSIFS develops and delivers enterprise software for companies around the world who manufacture and distribute goods, build, and maintain assets, and manage service-focused operations. Within our single platform, our ......read more

Pickupp received additional funds from Temasek-backed investor to fuel Asia expansion and launch new satellite warehouses.SINGAPORE - Media OutReach - 14 October 2021 - Pickupp, the on-demand delivery and tech startup redefining logistics, today announced that it has secured additional investments from Reefknot, a venture fund backed by Temasek Holdings and Kuehne + Nagel, bringing the total value from its series A and A+ funding to approximately US$20 million.   Pickupp has over 100,000 delivery agents across Asia and Singapore.   Along with funds from its initial series A+ round of funding in July 2021, Pickupp will be using the additional injection of funds from Reefknot to strengthen its operational efficiency to accommodate the growing use of online-to-offline (O2O) services in Singapore, along with the other markets that Pickupp operates in - Hong Kong, Taiwan and Malaysia. The funds will enable Pickupp to strengthen its dispatch network with the expansion of new satellite warehouses across different markets. It will go on to further support innovation and developments in Pickupp's technology to enhance the capabilities and cost-savings of its existing products and introduce new services to meet the evolving demand for last-mile deliveries.   "The e-commerce and last-mile delivery landscape is growing at a fast pace in Singapore, with sales from year-end promotions and delivery orders expected to reach record highs in the coming months," said Lee Chee Meng, Co-Chief Operating Officer at Pickupp Singapore. "We pride ourselves as an innovative logistics technology company, and with the support of our investors, we aim to further the momentum in improving our technology and offerings in the coming years. We also will continue to invest in the welfare of our delivery partners for them to grow in a productive and conducive environment at Pickupp."   Pickupp will welcome at least 10 n ......read more

The venture-backed and tech-driven fashion rental platform has seen strong reception since its launch – a 193% increase in number of users shows that the Hong Kong market is ripe for sustainable fashion. HONG KONG SAR - Media OutReach - 13 October 2021 - Style Theory, Southeast Asia's largest circular fashion subscription platform, is taking deeper roots in Hong Kong come final quarter of 2021 with their flagship rental memberships. Likened to Netflix's subscription-based business model and its diverse selection of shows, Style Theory similarly provides people with a monthly access to a limitless closet of designer wear at a fraction of the retail price. Style Theory members can rent from 2,000+ designer bags for $899 per month.Photo credit: Style TheoryWith over 9,000 users locally and more than 100,000 users in Singapore and Indonesia, this proven model has been the cornerstone for the SoftBank-backed enterprise to raise USD30 million since its conception in 2016 by power couple, Chris Halim and Raena Lim."We are in the business of innovating practical ways for users to make sustainable choices and normalize it," says Raena Lim, Co-Founder of Style Theory. "Our business model relates to the universal problem for anyone who wants to enjoy fashion freedom and access designer wear without the guilt of overconsumption or worry about their budget."Despite COVID-19 headwinds, Style Theory has grown its Hong Kong users by 193% over the past year, and it continues to amass strong demand in across sharing economy, preloved fashion, and subscription-based rental services. Its membership program offers each user an expertly cleaned and maintained designer bag that can be rented for HKD899 a month.Style Theory's Infinite Wardrobe offers members access to designer collections from Chanel, Gucci, Louis Vuitton, Saint Laurent, Dior, and more. Photo credit: Style TheoryStyle Theory is targeting to reach 3 times growth in Hong Kong by Q ......read more