Jump Into Dust-Filled Fun Of Dusty Derby, Now Available In Early Access

KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 29 (Bernama) -- Geniesoft Inc, a South Korean video content platform developer, has officially launched the Early Access version of ‘Dusty Derby’ on Steam.

It is a massively multiplayer online (MMO) battle royale game where players compete as adorable dust characters in a quest to become the “King of Dusts”, according to a statement.

Set in whimsical household environments, players navigate through missions and battle other players to emerge victorious in a fun and accessible experience suitable for all ages.

'Dusty Derby' supports up to 32 players in a single match, offering a casual battle royale experience where players can compete solo or with friends.

The Early Access version includes three stages within each of the three primary settings, namely the living room, bathroom, and kitchen, providing a total of nine unique stages. Future season updates will introduce additional themed settings, such as offices, restaurants, and schools.

The game stands out for its intuitive controls, allowing players of all ages and genders to easily roll their dust characters and engage in strategic moves, such as speeding up, attacking opponents, and throwing objects.

Adding to the excitement, Geniesoft has introduced stage-specific missions, such as dodging vacuum cleaners or deactivating fans, which heighten the sense of tension by adding a new layer of gameplay mechanism.

Character customisation is a key feature, with players able to personalise their dust characters through a variety of colours, materials, facial expressions, accessories, and costumes. Geniesoft plans to further expand the customisation options, enhancing the player experience with social features such as an in-game store and friends list.

'Dusty Derby' has already garnered attention at major gaming events since it was first unveiled across Asia, including G-STAR 2024, and recently hosted a successful 'Dusty Derby Tournament' featuring 32 prominent virtual video game content creators from Indonesia, further building excitement for its global success.

-- BERNAMA

28TH WORLD INVESTMENT CONFERENCE IN RIYADH CONCLUDES WITH CALLS FOR INTERNATIONAL COLLABORATION, INNOVATION, AND SUSTAINABILITY

RIYADH, Saudi Arabia, Nov 29 (Bernama-BUSINESS WIRE) -- International collaboration, innovation and sustainability were the key themes of the 28^th World Investment Conference (WIC28), hosted by Invest Saudi and The World Association of Investment Promotion Agencies (WAIPA) that concluded in Riyadh this week.

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: 
https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20241128896366/en/

 

Commenting on the success of the event, H.E. Khalid A. Al-Falih, Saudi Minister of Investment said, "This event was held under the auspicious patronage of His Royal Highness Crown Prince and Prime Minister, Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud to whom we extend our deepest gratitude for his visionary leadership and unwavering support.

“Over the past three days, we discussed the critical challenges facing global investment and reviewed the boundless opportunities that investment offers. From the robust discussions on harnessing digital transformation and sustainable growth to the landmark agreements announced under Saudi Arabia’s Global Supply Chain Resilience Initiative, WIC28 has reaffirmed our collective commitment to shaping a future defined by collaboration, innovation, and resilience.

"Guided by the principles of Vision 2030, Saudi Arabia has emerged as a global economic growth leader, fostering partnerships that transcend borders and sectors. Together, we have showcased the power of strategic alliances, localized value chains, and cutting-edge technologies to drive meaningful economic impact.

“I extend my thanks to the World Association of Investment Promotion Agencies for partnering with us in hosting this event and I am confident that the insights, connections, and agreements forged here will resonate far beyond this event, inspiring transformative investments and sustainable growth across the globe."

Across three days, WIC28, under the theme of “Harnessing Digital Transformation and Sustainable Growth”, addressed challenges and opportunities that included digital transformation, sustainability, and localized value chains. The conference highlighted Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 as a transformative framework for aligning global partnerships, technological innovation, and sustainable development.

H.E. Bandar Ibrahim Alkhorayef, Saudi Minister of Industry and Mineral Resources, speaking on the ‘Strategic Alliances: Leveraging Partnerships for Investment Success’ panel on Day 3 underscored the Kingdom’s commitment to fostering global partnerships, stating: “It has been part of how we design most of the activities that we plan and are executing today.”

He told his panel: “The question about international collaboration is not whether to do it but how to do it, and where to find the right attractive concepts that make it interesting for different parties to collaborate and connect.”

Saudi Arabia’s incentives, he noted, include its advanced infrastructure – both digital and physical – focused on manufacturing, supply chain, and logistics, which enable investors to reduce costs significantly. “And we have approved three economic zones, offering additional benefits for those targeting not only the local market but also the global market,” he added.

Other sessions at the event included the ‘Bridging Borders’ discussion, which focused on transparent collaboration and regulatory cohesion, while ‘To Finish First, First You Have to Finish’ examined operational excellence in Investment Promotion Agencies (IPAs), emphasizing governance, efficiency, and leveraging technology to enhance investor experiences. Meanwhile, ‘Ready, Set, Go’ delved into Saudi Arabia’s efforts to attract investments in specialized industries, particularly advanced manufacturing and renewable energy, by showcasing the Kingdom’s competitive advantages.

The event was held 25-27 November in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. It is yet to be decided where the next edition will be held.

About WIC: https://waipa.org/wic-info

*Source: AETOSWire 

http://mrem.bernama.com/viewsm.php?idm=49914

CHINA'S WENZHOU RENEWS MARITIME SILK ROAD HUB CHARM VIA INNOVATIVE DEVELOPMENT, GLOBAL COOPERATION

WENZHOU, China, Nov. 29, 2024 /Xinhua-AsiaNet/--

With the year of 2024 approaching its end, the Maritime Silk Road will see another landmark chapter to its prosperous development over the past year, as the 2024 Mayors Exchange Conference on Maritime Silk Road City Influence is set to be held in the time-honored port city of Wenzhou in east China's Zhejiang Province from November 29 to December 1.

As an important platform for promoting the Silk Road Spirit of peace and cooperation, openness and inclusiveness, learning from each other, mutual benefits and win-win results, the conference will unveil the annual list of 2024 top 10 influential cities along the Maritime Silk Road. This list aims to showcase the achievements and charm of Chinese cities along the Maritime Silk Road over the past year.

Situated along the central section of China's eastern coastline and blessed with excellent port conditions where rivers meet the sea, Wenzhou has enjoyed a thriving commercial and logistical sector since its establishment over 2,200 years ago during the Eastern Jin Dynasty.

The Shuomen Ancient Port site, discovered through archaeological excavations in 2021, stands as a remarkable testament to Wenzhou's integral role in the ancient Maritime Silk Road. With its integrated system of city, port, and waterways, this site represents a unique and rare archaeological wonder in China and the world, providing solid evidence of the prosperity and continuity of the ancient Maritime Silk Road.

The development of the Maritime Silk Road has not only facilitated economic and trade exchanges between Wenzhou and the world but has also fostered cultural and technological exchanges.

Following in the footsteps of monks and merchants, exquisite crafts such as lacquerware and porcelain, as well as printed materials like Buddhist paintings and poetry collections, have traversed the seas and reached the global stage. These exchanges have played a significant role in promoting cultural and technological interactions.

Today, Wenzhou continues to play a vital role as a bridge for the flow of goods, culture, and technology between the East and the West, while actively engaging in the innovative exploration of urban development.

The conference will feature various events, including an academic exchange and research results presentation on the Shuomen Ancient Port site, a Maritime Silk Road intangible cultural heritage exhibition, a seminar and exhibition on innovative approaches in arts and crafts, a world city tourism IP roadshow, the "Night of Wenzhou," and the Song Dynasty-style and Wenzhou characteristic fair.

These activities aim to establish a new international platform for communication and cooperation, with the Maritime Silk Road cities as the carrier, to further strengthen exchanges and cooperation in the fields of culture, arts, science education, healthcare, sports, and tourism. Through these endeavors, the conference aims to promote deeper and broader mutual learning and mutual benefit among Maritime Silk Road cities, extending beyond the realm of economic and trade exchanges.

As the Maritime Silk Road experiences a revival in the 21st century, the thousand-year-old commercial port of Wenzhou continues to drive urban development through innovation. In this new era, Wenzhou is committed to exploring more open development, broader exchanges, and deeper levels of cooperation.

In terms of urban development, Wenzhou has introduced high-level innovation platforms such as Nanyang Technological University in Singapore and the Hong Kong Polytechnic University.

Striving to enhance connectivity, Wenzhou has been advancing transportation infrastructure and is building a comprehensive national transportation hub and a regional international shipping center.

When it comes to international exchanges, Wenzhou has developed 30 friendly cities or cities with friendly exchange relationships, many of which are located along the Maritime Silk Road. Wenzhou's outstanding efforts in building international sister cities have earned it the highest honor in China's international sister city relations -- the "International Friendship City Award for Outstanding Contribution."

During this year's conference, Wenzhou will continue to invite officials from selected representative cities along the Maritime Silk Road to share their experiences in urban development through roundtable discussions, aiming to explore new opportunities for international cooperation.

In addition, the conference will release a consensus on cultural exchange and innovative cooperation among Maritime Silk Road Cities based on in-depth discussions among attending delegates. The consensus seeks to promote a wider dissemination of the Silk Road spirit and promote its increasingly significant role in the new century.

Shared Maritime Silk Road and development goals bring opportunities for cooperation for win-win outcomes. Wenzhou will take the conference as an opportunity to strengthen communication and cooperation with cities along the Maritime Silk Road in a bid to create a more brilliant future for Maritime Silk Road cities in the new millennium.

Source: The 2024 Mayors Exchange Conference on Maritime Silk Road City Influence Executive Committee  

http://mrem.bernama.com/viewsm.php?idm=49909

3Q24 FINANCIAL RESULTS REFLECT SLOWER MOMENTUM DUE TO OPERATIONAL CHALLENGES

 ·  Lower Revenue Contributions from Century Bond’s Offset and Paper Divisions and MDS Advance’s Healthcare Segment
·  Performance Weighed Down by Depreciation of the US Dollar 

SHAH ALAM, Malaysia, Nov 28 (Bernama) -- Kumpulan Perangsang Selangor Berhad (“KPS Berhad” or “the Company” or “the Group”) (KPS, Bursa: 5843; Bloomberg: KUPS:MK; Reuters: KPSB.KL) today reported RM275.6 million in revenue for the quarter ended 30 September 2024. The revenue traction was 4% or RM10.3 million lower than RM285.9 million registered in the same quarter last year (“Q3 FY2023”). The decline was due to weaker demand in the packaging and metal machining business. The operating profit was lower at RM11.2 million, down by 34%, or RM5.9 million, from RM17.1 million in the corresponding quarter last year. As a result, the Group profit after tax and zakat (“PAT”) for the quarter slid to RM4.6 million, easing from RM4.8 million registered in Q3 FY2023.
 
HIGHLIGHTS FOR THE QUARTER ENDED 30 SEPTEMBER 2024
 
The decline in revenue traction this quarter was mainly attributed to the performance of Century Bond Bhd ("CBB") and MDS Advance Sdn Bhd ("MDS Advance"). CBB faced declining order volumes because of competition in the packaging market, further challenged by nearshoring exercises by two of its customers. Similarly, MDS Advance experienced reduced demand in certain healthcare sectors, which was attributed to customer overstocking. Also distinct in the quarter under review was the strengthening of the Ringgit against the US dollar, affecting the subsidiary companies' USD-denominated sales.
 
Being the core business, the Group's manufacturing division, which comprises Toyoplas Manufacturing (Malaysia) Sdn Bhd ("Toyoplas") and CPI (Penang) Sdn Bhd ("CPI"), CBB, and MDS Advance, made up about 84% of the Group's total revenue, contributing RM232.3 million for the quarter, compared with RM243.2 million recorded in Q3 FY2023. 
 
Toyoplas contributed higher at RM120.3 million, compared with the RM114.1 million it registered in the corresponding quarter last year; this was supported by the successful expansion of assembly projects from new and existing customers in Malaysia. Meanwhile, CPI's revenue increased to RM56.3 million from RM56.1 million, with stable sales across all business segments except automotive segments. As highlighted, the decline in manufacturing revenue was mainly due to the business performance at CBB and MDS Advance: at CBB, softer demand in the offset and paper division contributed to the 25% YoY decline in revenue to RM51.2 million from RM67.9 million while at MDS Advance, ongoing customer overstocking issues in the medical segment pushed the revenue down by 12% YoY to RM4.5 million from RM5.1 million.

The trading business, represented by Aqua-Flo Sdn Bhd ("Aqua-Flo"), reported a 6% YoY revenue increase to RM43.3 million this quarter, up from RM40.7 million. This growth was driven by higher demand for water chemicals, supported by key customer contracts.
 
The Group reported an operating profit of RM11.2 million, 34% lower than the RM17.1 million recorded in the same period last year. This decline was primarily due to a weakening US dollar, resulting in a net foreign exchange loss of RM9.4 million for the quarter. However, the foreign exchange loss was partially mitigated by a reduction in finance costs of RM2.8 million, achieved through the repayment of RM277.9 million in borrowings, by utilising the proceeds from the divestment of a 50% equity stake in Kaiserkorp Corporation Sdn Bhd and the disposal of Plaza Perangsang. Factoring in the operational challenges and impact of foreign exchange losses, the Group PAT decreased to RM4.6 million, down from RM4.8 million reported in Q3 FY2023.
 
HIGHLIGHT FOR THE PERIOD ENDED 30 SEPTEMBER 2024
 
In the first nine months of 2024, the Group’s revenue rose to RM790.2 million, up from RM772.7 million in the corresponding period last year, thanks to better performance in its trading sector. Other income leapt to RM140.6 million from RM55.1 million, mainly due to the disposal of a 50% stake in Kaiserkorp Corporation Sdn Bhd. As a result, the Group’s PAT surged to RM62.4 million, a significant increase from RM7.2 million in the previous year.
 
MANAGING DIRECTOR/GROUP CEO’S PERSPECTIVE
 
This quarter, we experienced constraints in growing the revenue and profitability due to the operating dynamics, necessitating a resilient operational strategy to navigate the operating challenges more effectively.
 
Already, we have been on track to diversify our revenue streams for a stronger earnings base and visibility. We are actively exploring new opportunities in high-growth areas, such as the automation, semiconductor, and healthcare sectors. Another priority is to expand our market reach, such as growing our market share locally and internationally: Toyoplas is looking to expand its presence in the local market in Vietnam and Indonesia, CPI in Thailand, and CBB in Indonesia and Singapore. We continue to enhance operational efficiency by investing in new machinery and automation while streamlining costs by consolidating the non-performing units, enhancing solarisation projects amongst subsidiary companies, and improving production quality and capabilities to withstand uncertainty in industrial dynamics better. We have also enhanced the hedging strategy to mitigate foreign currency risk within our operations.

DIVIDENDS
 
KPS Berhad’s Board of Directors resolved today to pay an interim dividend amounting to RM5.4 million, or 1.0 sen per ordinary share, for the financial year ending 31 December 2024, in line with its financial commitment to its shareholders. The dividend will be payable on 30 December 2024 to shareholders registered in the Records of Depositors at the close of business on 13 December 2024.

GROUP PROSPECT
 
KPS Berhad's growth trajectory would likely be marked with caution for the remainder of the year amidst the complexity of the operating environment, which is expected to impact the Group’s profit margins.  Notwithstanding that, KPS Berhad is committed to strengthening the Group’s revenue traction and refining certain aspects of operations across its businesses to ensure sustainable value creation. Central to the Group’s strategy is building its capacity to support existing and future businesses while optimising operational and financial performance.

About Kumpulan Perangsang Selangor Berhad (www.kps.com.my)
 
Incorporated on 11 August 1975, Kumpulan Perangsang Selangor Berhad (“KPS Berhad” or “the Group”) is a global investment holding company listed on the Main Market of Bursa Malaysia Securities Berhad under the Industrial Products & Services Sector. KPS Berhad has core investments in the Manufacturing sector. While enhancing shareholder value by optimising returns, KPS Berhad is committed to contributing toward sustainable economic, environmental, and social development. 

SOURCE: Kumpulan Perangsang Selangor Berhad

FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT: 
Name: Zul Mawardi
Investor Relations, Sustainability & Communications
Tel: +603 5524 8444
Email: zul@kps.com.my

Name: Ch’ng Geik Ling
Investor Relations, Sustainability & Communications
Tel: +603 5524 8444
Email: chng@kps.com.my

--BERNAMA

JOHOR PLANTATIONS GROUP SETS BENCHMARK IN CORPORATE REPORTING WITH A PLATINUM AWARD WIN AT NACRA 2024

Head of Commercial and Sustainability Division, Wan Adlin Wan Mahmood, received the NACRA award for JPG. JPG was awarded Platinum under the Excellence Award in the Non-Listed Category at the NACRA 2024 for its inaugural Integrated Report 2023.

KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 29 (Bernama) -- Johor Plantations Group (JPG) is pleased to announce that it has been awarded the Platinum accolade under the Excellence Award in the Non-Listed Category at the National Annual Corporate Report Awards (NACRA) 2024. This recognition, awarded for its inaugural Integrated Report 2023, underscores the company’s commitment to corporate transparency, exemplary governance and forward-thinking sustainability practices.

The NACRA award is a hallmark of excellence in corporate reporting, honouring organisations that demonstrate outstanding practices in integrity and accountability. In the Non-Listed Category, JPG shared the spotlight with notable industry leaders including Petroliam Nasional Berhad (Petronas), the Gold Award recipient, and Credit Guarantee Corporation Malaysia Berhad, which received the Silver Award.

"We appreciate the recognition from NACRA for our 2023 corporate report. This award reflects our continued focus to provide clear, accurate and transparent reporting as well as our commitment towards upholding the highest standards of corporate governance as we transition into a next-generation palm oil company. With this recognition, we are inspired to continue raising industry benchmarks across our business,” said Mohd Faris Adli Shukery, Managing Director of Johor Plantations Group Berhad.

JPG’s Integrated Report 2023 highlights the Group’s efforts to improve its corporate reporting practices to ensure that its stakeholders receive a comprehensive understanding of its performance, strategies, and commitment to sustainability. The NACRA Platinum Award comes at a pivotal moment for JPG, following its listing on Bursa Malaysia on 9 July 2024. As the Group navigates its new role as a publicly listed entity, the recognition highlights its readiness to meet the heightened expectations of stakeholders, regulators and the broader investment community.

The company is committed to continue creating value for its stakeholders while further strengthening its corporate governance and sustainability practices, solidifying its position as a trusted leader in the industry.

About Johor Plantations Group Berhad

Established in 1978, Johor Plantations Group Berhad (JPG), is a subsidiary of Kulim (Malaysia) Berhad, which in turn is a subsidiary of Johor Corporation (JCorp). JPG is principally involved in the production of crude palm oil and palm kernels. It primarily owns, manages, and cultivates oil palms and harvests fresh fruit bunches produced on the plantation estates that it owns or rents in Malaysia, primarily in the state of Johor. The subsidiaries of JPG are principally involved in the production of palm oil and palm kernels, production of biomethane, trading of agricultural machineries and parts for plantation use, selling of oil palm seedlings and other plantation products and services, provision of training and safety-related services along with the supply of safety products and refining of oil palm and trading of palm oil products.

For more information, please visit www.johorplantations.com

SOURCE: Johor Plantations Group Berhad

FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT:
Johor Plantations Group Berhad
Name: Dalilah Ibrahim
Head of Corporate Communication
Tel: 012-328 1727
Email: dalilah@johorplantations.com

Perspective Strategies Sdn Bhd
Name: Amiruddin Azran
Tel: 011-1145 2867
Email: amiruddin.azran@perspective.com.my

--BERNAMA

Mavenir Wins Glotel Awards For Advancing AI In Telecom

KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 28 (Bernama) -- Mavenir, the cloud-native network infrastructure provider, has won the Advancing Artificial Intelligence Global Telecoms (Glotel) Award for its Network Intelligence as a Service (NIaaS).

Applying state-of-the-art artificial intelligence (AI)/machine learning (ML) to telco operations, Mavenir in a statement said its NIaaS elevates problem-solving and decision-making capabilities to improve the user experience.

Its Senior Vice President and General Manager of Cloud, AI & IMS Business Strategy, Brandon Larson said the future of the telecom industry lies with autonomous networks, and communication service providers (CSPs) need to rapidly adopt AI in their operations to remain relevant.

“Mavenir’s NIaaS applies state-of-the-art AI in telecom operations to build the future of networks today, enabling CSPs to offer advanced services and improved user experience to their consumers at a lower cost and realise enhanced operational efficiency,” he said.

Enhancing resource efficiency and reducing cost, NIaaS is an integral part of Mavenir’s market-leading portfolio of solutions enabling autonomous 5G networks.

As network operations become increasingly complex, the capability of autonomous networks has become crucial, with Mavenir’s solutions for autonomous networks leveraging leading open-source frameworks – spanning K8s/container cloud, GitOps-based cloud-native automation, and state-of-the-art AI/ML algorithms – and optimising them for the unique needs of CSPs.

In commercial service, Mavenir’s NIaaS has elevated problem-solving and decision-making capabilities of operational personnel, enabling them to improve network operations productivity, enforce service level agreements, enhance end-user experience, and utilise network resources more efficiently.

The NIaaS provides a visualisation layer displaying the inferencing of output of the ML model in a user-friendly manner, enabling telco operations personnel who do not have a background in data science to easily understand the output of the ML models.

In addition, NIaaS creates a digital twin of the operational network, using generative AI models, to derisk closed-loop operations, whereby the digital twin serves as a live test tool to evaluate optimisation actions suggested by NIaaS, before implementing them on the live network.

-- BERNAMA

NX BANGLADESH CARRIES OUT AID EFFORTS IN FLOOD-STRICKEN AREAS

KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 28 (Bernama) -- Nippon Express Bangladesh Ltd (NX Bangladesh), a group company of Nippon Express Holdings Inc, has carried out a relief distribution programme to assist communities in eastern Bangladesh devastated by severe flooding caused by heavy rains since mid-August.

In a statement, NX Bangladesh said it has distributed food, medical supplies, and conducted other relief efforts in the six sub-districts of Feni District, one of the hardest-hit flood districts.

Four employees transported relief supplies to areas lacking clean water and food due to flooded roads. Together with the residents, they provided food, emergency medicines, oral rehydration solution, drinking water, and other supplies to approximately 100 households.

The floods, which affected over 5.8 million people, damaged infrastructure, including highways, railways, and disrupted communication networks, isolating more than one million people.

NX Bangladesh will continue helping to improve the lives of locals through various initiatives. The entire NX Group sincerely hopes that the disaster-stricken areas will recover and rebuild as soon as possible.

It remains committed to fulfilling its responsibility for social development by connecting people, companies, and communities.

-- BERNAMA

LIAM CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER MARK O'DELL HONORED WITH LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD AT THE 28TH ASIA INSURANCE INDUSTRY AWARDS 2024

Ms Daisy Tsang, Chief Executive Officer, HSBC Insurance (Asia) & HSBC Life (International), presenting the Lifetime Achievement Award to Mark O’Dell, LIAM CEO at the 28th Asia Insurance Industry Awards ceremony.

KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 28 (Bernama) -- Mark O’Dell, Chief Executive Officer of Life Insurance Association of Malaysia (LIAM) was honored with the prestigious Lifetime Achievement Award for his outstanding contributions to the insurance industry at the 28th Asia Insurance Industry Awards 2024. The ceremony, organised by Asia Insurance Review, was held at the Marina Bay Sands Expo and Convention Centre, Singapore.

The Lifetime Achievement Award recognises Mark O’Dell’s 44-year career in the insurance industry celebrating his unwavering dedication, vision, and impactful contributions. This accolade underscores his role as a transformative leader and his lifelong commitment to advancing the sector.

The awards ceremony highlighted excellence across the insurance industry with winners selected by a distinguished panel of judges comprising regional and international market leaders, association heads, and regulators.

Appointed as LIAM CEO in 2019, Mark O’Dell has been instrumental in embedding four strategic pillars into the core of LIAM operations: Advocacy, Public Awareness and Education, Industry Development and Industry Support. These pillars have become the foundation of LIAM’s initiatives, enabling it to be effectively represent its 16 member companies as a unified voice for the industry.

Under Mark’s leadership, LIAM has undergone a significant transformation, strategically refining its vision and mission to elevate the life insurance industry in Malaysia. His forward-thinking approach, innovative strategies, and steadfast commitment have positioned the Association as a reputable and influential organization, recognised both locally and internationally.

Mark is an internationally acclaimed speaker, frequently sharing his insights and expertise at global life insurance conferences.

His leadership has driven LIAM’ proactive efforts to align with the Financial Sector Blueprint 2022-2026, focusing on increasing insurance penetration rate in Malaysia; ensuring the sustainability and affordability of private medical and health insurance; supporting digital transformation within the industry; strengthening skills development, professionalism, and distribution networks; addressing the impact of climate change, risk management, and disclosures; enhancing product transparency and customer experience through better disclosure practices; increasing consumer education via active engagement with the Financial Education Network platform; and encouraging public-private partnerships to address catastrophic risks.

In conjunction with LIAM’s 50th Anniversary this year, Mark has been at the forefront of spearheading initiatives such as financial education programmes, social media awareness campaigns, Corporate Social Responsibility projects and ESG initiatives, all aligned with the FSBP 2022-2026 objectives.

As LIAM celebrates this milestone anniversary, Mark’s unwavering leadership continues to drive the Association’s mission to develop a progressive life insurance industry to serve the nation’s needs and raises awareness about the importance of life insurance protection.

About LIAM

Formed in 1974, the Life Insurance Association of Malaysia (LIAM) is a trade association registered under the Societies Act 1966. LIAM has a total of 16 members, of which 14 are life insurance companies and 2 life reinsurance companies. LIAM’s objectives are to promote a progressive life insurance industry; to enhance public understanding and appreciation for life insurance; to upgrade the image and professionalism of the life insurance industry and to support the regulatory authorities in developing a strong industry.

SOURCE: Life Insurance Association of Malaysia (LIAM)

FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT:
Name: Puan Norizan Hassan
Head of Corporate Communications
Life Insurance Association of Malaysia
Tel: 603-2691 6168 / 6628 / 8068
Email: liaminfo@liam.org.my
Website: www.liam.org.my
Facebook: LIAM – Life Insurance Association of Malaysia
Instagram: @liamalaysia

--BERNAMA

PETRONAS GAS BERHAD RECORDS STRONG PROFIT FOR FIRST NINE MONTHS OF 2024

KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 27 (Bernama) -- PETRONAS Gas Berhad (PGB or the Group) has recorded solid Profit After Tax (PAT) of RM1.50 billion for the first nine months of 2024 (9MFY2024), a 4.8% increase compared to RM1.44 billion posted in the same period last year, on the back of strong operational performance.

PGB has announced a third interim dividend of 18 sen per share, maintaining the same rate as the previous quarter, demonstrating continued value delivery to shareholders.
 
For the first three quarters of 2024, revenue stood at RM4.92 billion, an increase of 1.2% from RM4.86 billion posted in the same period last year. The increase was primarily driven by higher revenue from Gas Processing segment due to higher reservation charges under the new term agreement. However, this was offset by lower revenue from Utilities segment, reflecting lower product prices.
 
The Group’s commitment to effective maintenance programmes has ensured capacity availability in our plant operations across all PGB’s assets, driving higher PAT for 9MFY2024 compared to the same period last year. This is further supported by improved Utilities margin on the back of lower fuel gas costs following the downward movement of Malaysian Reference Price (MRP).
 
Abdul Aziz Othman, Managing Director and CEO commented, “PGB Group is expected to deliver strong financial performance in 2024, underpinned by the stable-earning contracts and sustained operational performance. The Group remains committed to optimising cost efficiencies to mitigate the impact of an inflationary cost environment”. 

About PETRONAS Gas Berhad

PETRONAS Gas Berhad (PGB) is the leading gas infrastructure and utilities company with PETRONAS Group holding 51% of its equity. Incorporated in 1983 and listed on the Main Board of Bursa Malaysia on 4 September 1995, PGB operates four integrated businesses, which are gas processing, transportation, regasification and utilities.

Our strategically located assets and strong operational performance ensures safe and reliable supply of products and services throughout Malaysia and Singapore. With over 30 years of experience in gas and utilities infrastructure operations, PGB steps up to pursue growth opportunities in domestic and emerging market as part of our integrated gas solutions.
 
PGB is a constituent company member of FTSE4Good Index Series, showing the Company's commitment to operate in a responsible manner in the environmental, social and governance (ESG) fronts.
 
Further details on PGB can be found at www.petronas.com/pgb

Issued by:
PETRONAS Gas Berhad 
 
SOURCE : PETRONAS Gas Berhad 

FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT:
Name: Faris Fahmi
Tel: +6012 7717 857 
Email: faris.mohd@petronas.com 

--BERNAMA

TRANSFORMING PUBLIC SECTOR PRODUCTIVITY THROUGH EFFECTIVE WORK DESIGN AND AI-DRIVEN SOLUTION

KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 28 (Bernama) -- In line with Malaysia’s commitment to enhance public sector productivity, work design strategies are being prioritized to drive efficient service delivery and resource management. By optimizing workflows, integrating technology, and fostering supportive work environments, the public sector can significantly boost their effectiveness and responsiveness to citizens’ needs.

“Effective work design is essential to public sector success. Thoughtful structuring of tasks, roles, and processes reduces inefficiencies, improves outcomes, and helps us better serve the Malaysian public.” says Zahid Ismail, Director General of Malaysia Productivity Corporation (MPC).

Work design focuses on aligning organisational tasks and roles with strategic goals while enhancing employee performance and satisfaction. In Malaysia’s public sector, this approach optimizes workflows, addresses bottlenecks, and enhances collaboration across departments.

Artificial Intelligence (AI) and digital tools play a transformative role by streamlining repetitive tasks and enabling data-driven decision-making. AI offers new ways to improve public service management. Integrating AI into work design allows the public sector to focus on high-value tasks, reduce delays, and drive innovation. For instance, AI-powered OCR and NLP can quickly digitize and categorize paperwork, allowing routine cases to be processed automatically and freeing staff for more complex work.

A core principle of work design is the analysis and optimization of workflows to identify inefficiencies. Removing outdated procedures and redundant steps helps allocate resources more effectively and speeds up service delivery. AI-driven analytics further enhance productivity and responsiveness by pinpointing areas for improvement.

Promoting sustainable work practices, including flexible arrangements, well-being initiatives, and continuous training, are essential for maintaining high productivity. Countries like Singapore and New Zealand have adopted these practices successfully, demonstrating how technology and effective work design can reshape the public sector for lasting impact.

MPC has been instrumental in guiding the public sector to embrace these productivity-enhancing strategies. By adopting global best practices and integrating AI innovations, MPC aims to align public sector productivity with national goals, ensuring that public services remain efficient and effective.

“Our role at MPC is to empower Malaysia’s public sector with the tools and insights needed to deliver meaningful results. By combining work design with technology, we aim for a future where public services are not only efficient but also make a genuine difference in the lives of our citizens,” says Zahid Ismail.

With MPC’s continued guidance, Malaysia’s public sector is set to build a more productive, innovative, and citizen-focused government for years to come.

About Malaysia Productivity Corporation (MPC)
MPC is a statutory body under the Ministry of Investment, Trade and Industry (MITI). It drives national productivity holistically at the national, sectoral, and enterprise levels through three main thrusts: developing future talent, driving digitization and innovation, and building a robust ecosystem. It collaborates strategically with the private and public sectors by emphasising productivity as a key agenda to boost productivity growth and national competitiveness, ultimately leading to shared well-being and prosperity.

SOURCE : Malaysia Productivity Corporation (MPC)

FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT:
Name: Nik Haneez Amizan Nik Rosdi
Tel: 019 – 718 1804
Email: nikhaneez@mpc.gov.my

Name: Khairun Nabihah Abd Rashid
Tel: 013 – 442 5597
Email: nabihah@mpc.gov.my

--BERNAMA

TELEDYNE DALSA UNVEILS Z-TRAK 3D APPS STUDIO FOR IN-LINE MEASUREMENT, INSPECTION

KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 27 (Bernama) -- Teledyne DALSA, a Teledyne Technologies company and global leader in high-performance digital imaging and semiconductors, has introduced Z-Trak 3D Apps Studio, a suite of software tools developed for in-line 3D machine vision applications.

Designed to work with Teledyne DALSA’s Z-Trak family of laser profilers, it simplifies 3D dimensional measurement and inspection tasks on production lines, according to a statement.

Capable of handling 3D scans of objects with varied surface types, sizes and geometric features, Z-Trak 3D Apps Studio is ideal for factory automation applications across a wide range of industries, including electric vehicles, automotive, electronics, semiconductors, packaging, logistics, metal fabrication, and lumber.

The Z-Trak 3D Apps Studio features streamlined tools for measuring object thickness, inspecting glue-beads, weld seams, and identifying defects on flat, inclined, and curved surfaces on machined, assembled, or extruded parts.

The software also includes anchoring and data enhancement features like reflection elimination to ensure reliable and repeatable results under diverse operating conditions.

Teledyne’s Z-Trak family of laser profilers features various multi-sensor topologies to enhance the field of view while preserving height resolution, to overcome occlusion, or to provide a 360-degree view of objects for inspection and measurements.

The Z-Trak 3D Apps Studio simultaneously acquires, processes, and analyses 3D scans and 2D greyscale images (reflectance data) all with 3D visualisation capabilities.

For easy integration and quick deployment, the Z-Trak 3D Apps Studio is accessible via Sherlock 8.30 (or higher), a field proven, no-code, graphical development environment for factory floor applications, while its laser profilers include a Sherlock 8 licence for in-line measurement applications.

A part of Teledyne Vision Solutions (TVS), Teledyne DALSA was established in 1980 and designs, develops, manufactures, and markets digital imaging products and solutions, in addition to providing semiconductor products and services.

-- BERNAMA

INAUGURAL WIC HIGHLIGHTS SAUDI’S LEADERSHIP IN GLOBAL INVESTMENT OPPORTUNITIES

KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 26 (Bernama) -- The 28th World Investment Conference (WIC) was officially launched today in Riyadh by Invest Saudi and the World Association of Investment Promotion Agencies (WAIPA).

Themed ‘Harnessing Digital Transformation and Sustainable Growth: Scaling Investment Opportunities’, the first day brought together more than 2,000 attendees from 130 countries, including 30 ministers, to explore key strategies for overcoming global investment challenges and unlocking opportunities for the future.

Saudi Minister of Investment, Khalid Al-Falih delivered the opening keynote, highlighting the Kingdom’s transformation under Vision 2030 and its emergence as a global investment hub.

According to a statement, he identified the critical global trends shaping investment, such as the rise of green and blue economies, the impact of new technologies, the reconfiguration of global supply chains, and demographic shifts.

The Minister also shared impressive figures, noting that Saudi Arabia's gross domestic product (GDP) has grown by 70 per cent since the launch of Vision 2030 to US$1.1 trillion, with non-oil economic activities contributing half of that growth, while foreign direct investment (FDI) has tripled, with international investors increasing tenfold. (US$1=RM4.45)

Meanwhile, WAIPA President and Invest India Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Nivruti Rai also addressed the audience, highlighting the importance of collaborative global efforts to reshape economics and drive sustainable growth.

Day one panels covered topics such as the evolving role of emerging economies, FDI’s role in economic transformation, industrial policies aligned with investment promotion, and transformative innovations in climate action.

A panel featuring Saudi, Egyptian, and Tunisian ministers discussed how emerging economies are redefining the role of investment promotion agencies (IPAs) and creating new opportunities for FDI amidst challenges like geopolitical shifts and sustainability goals.

The conference also featured a masterclass on artificial intelligence-driven analytics and virtual reality site visits, along with matchmaking sessions that connected investors with small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and government representatives.

Minister Khalid Al-Falih also brought up the topic of supply chain resilience ahead of the Global Supply Chain Resilience Event (GSCRI) being held on the sidelines WIC tomorrow. The second day of the conference will focus on technology innovation, industrial transformation, and sustainable partnerships.

-- BERNAMA 

KOLMAR BNH REVOLUTIONIZES ESG WITH HEMOHIM, AN ECO-FRIENDLY HEALTH SUPPLEMENT

SEOUL, South Korea, Nov 26 (Bernama-BUSINESS WIRE) -- Kolmar BNH (KRX: 200130), a leading Korean health functional food Original Development Manufacturing (ODM) firm, is at the forefront of Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) management through eco-conscious research and development (R&D).

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: 
https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20241125344450/en/

 

The company is dedicated to investing in eco-friendly products using green technologies, as well as fostering a virtuous cycle of resources through upcycling. Notably, Kolmar BNH is working towards carbon neutrality by applying eco-friendly technologies to its flagship health supplement, HemoHIM, while also making social contributions through the dissemination of cultivation technologies.

The company is committed to sustainable research and development, investing over 2% of its annual sales to R&D efforts. It has also expedited its eco-friendly research by dedicating more than 30% of its workforce to R&D. In recognition of these efforts, Kolmar BNH became the first company in Korea’s health functional food industry to earn the ‘Green Technology Certification’ and ‘Green Technology Product Certification’ for two consecutive times. These certifications, granted by the Ministry of Agriculture, Food, and Rural Affairs, recognize technologies that promote efficient energy use and resource conservation.

HemoHIM is a health functional food that enhances immune function and has earned certification as a green technology product. Kolmar BNH has upgraded the alcohol (ethanol) recovery system to extract key ingredients from domestic natural products such as angelica gigas, cnidium officinale, and paeonia japonica, earning certification as an eco-friendly technology. This advanced system reduces carbon emissions by over 94% by recovering and reusing ethanol in the production of HemoHIM or repurposing it for other products.

Kolmar BNH further operates a smart farm to ensure the stable supply for raw materials for HemoHIM and to achieve sustainable R&D. The farm employs a hydroponic cultivation method, dissolving nutrients in water to grow natural crops in an environmentally friendly manner.

Kolmar BNH’s smart farm-developed cultivation technology is also fostering coexistence with the local community. The company is enhancing farm competitiveness by developing mass production technology of virus-free plants and distributing the technology to neighboring farms.

These comprehensive ESG activities have earned Kolmar BNH an integrated A grade in the 2024 ESG Rating Evaluation conducted by the Korea Institute of Corporate Governance and Sustainability (KCGS). This distinction is unparalleled in Korea’s health functional food ODM sector. KCGS annually assesses the sustainable management practices of listed companies across the environmental (E), social (S), and governance (G) domains.

Kolmar BNH has also achieved remarkable success in the social and governance sectors. It has fortified workplace safety by maintaining ISO 45001 certification for its occupational health and safety management systems across all manufacturing facilities. Furthermore, the company has demonstrated a commitment to a secure work environment, recording ‘zero’ serious accidents for three consecutive years. In governance, Kolmar BNH has consolidated a transparent management framework by integrating the anti-corruption management system (ISO 37001) and the compliance management system (ISO 37301).

A Kolmar BNH official said, “Developing eco-friendly technologies is an essential mandate for ODM companies. We will continue to expand our R&D-centered ESG management and make comprehensive efforts to establish ourselves as a sustainable global health food company.” 

http://mrem.bernama.com/viewsm.php?idm=49886

TABREED STEERS URGENT, GLOBAL CONVERSATION AROUND SUSTAINABLE COOLING AT COP29

ABU DHABI, United Arab Emirates, Nov 25 (Bernama-BUSINESS WIRE) -- Tabreed, the UAE’s leading international district cooling company, has completed its week-long activities at COP29 in Baku, Azerbaijan. During this vitally important global event, the company’s representatives delivered keynote addresses, participated as panellists and delivered presentations that positioned Tabreed as, not only the global leader in this vital industry but also one that’s ready, willing and able to export its unmatched international expertise to new territories, such as Southeast Asia, where it is needed more than ever before.

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: 
https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20241124842153/en/

 

Following a successful collaboration during 2023’s COP28 in Dubai, Tabreed once again supported the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP)-led Cool Coalition as a Silver Sponsor of the Buildings and Cooling Pavilion in the heart of the Blue Zone. As a supporter of UNEP’s Global Cooling Pledge, implemented during COP28, Tabreed is at the forefront of decarbonisation and this year’s pavilion in Baku hosted dozens of sessions targeted at global legislators and developers who are working towards more sustainable practices, with cooling high on the agenda.

Tabreed’s involvement in COP29 is seen as crucial to CEO, Khalid Al Marzooqi, who said: “District cooling’s energy efficiency brings huge benefits through large scale avoidance of carbon emissions, making it an essential player in the drive for net-zero. That’s why Tabreed is a constant presence at pivotal global events such as COP, and I am proud that we’re leading the conversation on sustainable cooling at such a crucial moment in world history.”

During the packed programme, Tabreed showcased its award-winning innovations, such as the new G2COOL geothermal plant, which has been grabbing the headlines across Southeast Asia in recent months, while interacting with audiences from around the world eager to know more about the well-documented environmental and operational benefits provided by district cooling.

Shikha Bhasin, Senior Adviser to UNEP and the UNEP-Led Cool Coalition, said: “Tabreed’s involvement at COP29 helps position the company at the forefront of decarbonisation while adding further proof that the UAE is setting new standards in the drive for genuine sustainability. District cooling is becoming a focal point for increasing numbers of countries affected by climate change and we’re grateful that Tabreed continues to champion the work of the Cool Coalition, bringing its decades’ worth of expertise to these incredibly important discussions.”

About Tabreed

Tabreed provides essential and sustainable district cooling services to iconic developments in the Middle East and Asia – a leading driver of progress for people, communities and environments around the world towards a more sustainable future. Founded in 1998 and publicly listed on the Dubai Financial Market, it is one of the UAE’s strongest growth companies.

Through its extensive regional and international operations, industry-leading reliability and efficiency, R&D programmes and investment in AI technology, Tabreed is the district cooling industry’s global leader.

*Source: AETOSWire 

http://mrem.bernama.com/viewsm.php?idm=49876

SIMPPLE DEPLOYS 89 AUTONOMOUS CLEANING ROBOTS ACROSS SINGAPORE'S MRT STATIONS

KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 25 (Bernama) -- SIMPPLE Ltd, a technology provider and innovator in the facilities management sector, through its subsidiary, has completed the sale and deployment of 89 autonomous cleaning robots across Singapore, marking the largest robotic fleet in the land transport sector with rail operator SMRT Trains.

“We are thrilled to supply our robots all across Singapore’s MRT stations. Partnering with SMRT Trains to transform facility management operations with autonomous cleaning robots is a step in the right direction as Singapore transitions to outcome-based contracting,” said SIMPPLE chief executive, Norman Schroeder.

Aligned with the broader Singapore Government initiative to push towards greater automation and digital transformation, SMRT Trains awarded the autonomous cleaning robot contract to SIMPPLE’s subsidiary to deploy across three major Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) lines in Singapore.

These robots utilise advanced sensors and artificial intelligence (AI) to navigate through MRT stations with precision, ensuring a more thorough and consistent clean without human intervention.

Intended to significantly accelerate the speed and efficiency of cleaning operations, these robots relieve the cleaning workforce of strenuous and repetitive tasks, according to SIMPPLE in a statement.

As demand for environmental services continues to rise, driven by economic sophistication and urbanisation, public expectations on maintaining good standards of public hygiene remain high amidst Singapore’s international reputation as a Clean and Green city.

That said, the tight labour market and ageing workforce in Singapore compel forward-looking enterprises like SMRT Trains to adopt new technologies like SIMPPLE’s robotics to complement an already manpower-lean workforce while enabling existing staff to focus on more complex tasks.

As part of the contract to work in tandem with the cleaning workforce, SIMPPLE also trained the cleaners at the MRT stations to operate robots, analyse robot-collected data, and project trends to optimise workflows to maximise efficiency.

Over the past months, SMRT Trains has witnessed a cleaner environment and a more productive workforce as these autonomous cleaning robots clean a defined area three times faster than workers, which in turn frees up time for them to focus on restroom cleanliness and productive task assignments.

-- BERNAMA

NURSERY RHYME INITIATIVE CELEBRATES 18 YEARS OF INSPIRING CREATIVITY, CULTURAL EDUCATION

KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 25 (Bernama) -- A nursery rhyme creation and promotion activity called "China in Children's Chorus", which was introduced in 2006 in Tongzhou District, Nantong City, Jiangsu Province, has caused a warm response in the local area.

According to a statement, the activity has also gradually developed into a bright business card for children's aesthetic education nationwide in the following 18 years.

Continuously being held since its inception, the activity attracted a wide participation of more than 7,000 primary and secondary schools inside and outside Jiangsu Province, and a total of 530,000 nursery rhyme works have been collected.

Children not only learn to create nursery rhymes, but also show their observation and creativity through this platform. They record the changes of society and the development of the times from their own perspective.

At present, the "China in Children's Chorus" activity has formed a brand of ideological education and art cultivation for children with Jiangsu as the centre and radiating influence to the whole country.

In the future, the activity will continue to adhere to the original intention to provide more opportunities for children to show themselves and create art, thereby nursery rhymes, a traditional art form, can shine more brilliantly in the new era.

-- BERNAMA

PALLION GROUP WELDS RESILIENCE AND CUSTOMER EXPERIENCE INTO DYNAMIC GOLD AND JEWELLERY BUSINESS WITH BOOMI

 

Pallion Group Welds Resilience and Customer Experience Into Dynamic Gold and Jewellery Business With Boomi (Graphic: Business Wire) 

Group of six Australian precious metals and jewellery brands bolster CX through reliable connectivity and data visibility, helping lay foundation for generative AI

SYDNEY, Nov 22 (Bernama-BUSINESS WIRE) -- Boomi™, the intelligent integration and automation leader, today announced that Australian precious metals and jewellery company Pallion Group has bolstered resilience and customer experience (CX) across its brands, and laid a foundation for generative AI using the Boomi Enterprise Platform as the baseline for its data strategy.

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20241121138990/en/ 

Sydney-headquartered Pallion comprises six brands that source, manufacture, distribute, sell, and provide secure storage for gold, silver, and custom jewellery to organisations and individuals in Australia, Hong Kong, and China. The company implemented Boomi’s integration platform as a service (iPaaS) to simplify and improve connectivity between its technology systems and establish visibility over highly sensitive financial, commercial, and product supply data.

“Pallion supplies high-value precious metals and jewellery subject to dynamic, fast-changing pricing, with strict compliance requirements around them. We’re handling people’s and companies’ money after all – that includes banks, superannuation funds and major retailers,” said Simon Smith, Group Chief Information Officer (CIO) at Pallion Group. “This means we need consistent uptime of and between our systems so that data flows back and forth in real time, while giving our teams a consolidated view of customer information on one screen. Boomi powers our data strategy by giving us a clean, hub-and-spoke integration framework to connect business-critical platforms and centralise data to make this possible.”

Pallion implemented the Boomi Enterprise Platform in February 2024 to support the foundations of its digital transformation and replace a “spaghetti mess” of hundreds of outdated point-to-point integrations, according to Smith. The Boomi platform has already been used to connect Pallion’s Microsoft Dynamics 365 enterprise resource planning (ERP) stack, and its finance and human resources (HR) systems, and the company affirms its use of iPaaS will scale up as its digital transformation strategy progresses. Meanwhile, data ingested by Pallion’s systems is already centralised in Boomi DataHub.

“Boomi has fostered an environment we know we can trust to get data across to the right people and places securely with no downtime – spanning production operations through to the websites our customers use to buy precious metals and jewellery,” said Smith. “This has amplified CX, as the information buyers and our teams see is always accurate. If there are ever any issues, Boomi’s integration model allows us to rapidly pinpoint and resolve the issue – a process that could formerly take days is now completed in a few hours.”

http://mrem.bernama.com/viewsm.php?idm=49857

GTLF EVOLVES WITH PRIVATE SECTOR SUPPORT

GEORGE TOWN, Penang, Nov 22 (Bernama) -- The 14^th edition of the George Town Literary Festival (GTLF) returns on November 29 – December 1 with the theme “Word on the Street”.

This theme suggests the stories, voices and language uses that shape George Town, and highlights the importance of literature in expressing urban experiences and the power of language in moulding society.

Penang Institute as owner and new organiser of the festival announced its main sponsor for 2024 to be Greatech Technology, followed by HSBC Malaysia.
 
The festival is proud to soon be hosting prominent Malaysian writers such as Malaysian novelist, the Man Asian Literary Prize and Walter Scott Prize for Historical Fiction winner Tan Twan Eng, Shih-Li Kow, winner of Prix du Premier Roman Etranger, Dublin Literary Award 2024 longlist Aishah Zainal, Freeman Book Award Winner Hanna Alkaf, Malaysian poets Hafiz Hamzah and Qurratul Ain.
 
Additionally, GTLF2024 will welcome celebrated international figures such as Flemish author Jeroen Olyslaegers, Governor General's Award-nominated author Sheung-King from Canada, and award-winning Taiwanese novelist Kevin Chen.
 
The Festival’s principal venues for this year will be Bangunan UAB (Think City), Bangunan Wawasan, the E&O Hotel, Khoo Kongsi, and several other locations across George Town. Thus far, the line-up includes 40 writers from 12 countries. GTLF2024 will be offering an engaging programme comprising of panel discussions, readings, book launches, exhibitions, film screenings, and workshops. Detailed programme information is available on the website.
 
Local reader magnet, Gerakbudaya Penang, returns as the festival’s official bookstore. It will offer a wide-ranging collection of titles by GTLF2024's line-up of writers and speakers at their pop-up store in Bangunan UAB from November 29 to December 1.
 
GTLF2024 expresses its sincere gratitude to the Embassy of Belgium in Malaysia, the Embassy of France in Malaysia, Embassy of Italy in Malaysia, Embassy of Netherlands in Malaysia, the Canada High Commission in Kuala Lumpur, the Ministry of Culture, Taiwan, the Taipei Economic Cultural Office in Malaysia (TECO), Think City, Victoria Garden Hotel, Royale Chulan Penang, Wawasan Open University, MABECS Malaysia, and other cultural organisations and foreign embassies for their unwavering support and commitment to GTLF's vision. Programming partners for this edition include Hin Bus Depot.
 
Most GTLF programmes remain free for the public.
 
For more details, visit: www.georgetownlitfest.com 

SOURCE: Advertising.com.my

FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT: 
Name: Mr Fazil Irwan Som
Director of Communications, Penang Institute
Tel: 017-6221088
Email: fazil@penanginstitute.org

--BERNAMA