METAHOMES GRANTS CUSTOMERS FREE PROPERTY LISTINGS

KUALA LUMPUR, April 22 (Bernama) -- MetaHomes, an online global real estate platform, announced it will not impose fees or contractual obligations on its customers, granting them the freedom to post properties on its platform for free, underscoring its commitment to democratise access to the real estate market, levelling the playing field for individuals and businesses alike.

This groundbreaking limited time initiative eliminates upfront costs, providing property owners with an equal opportunity to showcase their properties to a vast and diverse audience.

The platform opens its doors to property owners of all backgrounds, offering a chance to display a wide range of accommodations, including homestays, hotels, vacation homes, and apartment rentals, without incurring any listing expenses or contractual bindings.

Responding to that, its Chief Executive Officer, Jerry Wu in a statement, expressed optimism about the company's role in shaping the future of real estate in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and beyond.

In the last couple of decades, the UAE has emerged as a beacon of innovation, prosperity, and opportunity, drawing millions of people globally.

Renowned for its world-class attractions, vibrant lifestyle, robust economic benefits, and progressive governmental initiatives, the country stands as a shining example of modernity and growth in the Middle East and beyond.

One of the key indicators of the UAE's thriving tourism sector is the staggering number of visitors it welcomes each year. The nation played host to over 3.67 million visitors from Jan to Feb alone, according to the Dubai Government Tourism Department, a testament to its enduring appeal as a global travel hub.

Focusing on innovation, collaboration, and customer satisfaction, MetaHomes endeavours to create a seamless and rewarding real estate experience for all stakeholders.

With a vision that transcends borders and boundaries, it aspires to be the catalyst for positive change in the real estate industry, ushering in a new era of technological accessibility, and opportunity for all.

Against this backdrop of prosperity and promise, MetaHomes leverages cutting-edge technology, including artificial intelligence (AI), virtual reality (VR), and Internet of Things (IoT) solutions, to redefine industry standards and offer a seamless real estate experience.

-- BERNAMA

GIAMBATTISTA VALLI DEBUTS BRIDAL COLLECTION IN BARCELONA

KUALA LUMPUR, April 22 (Bernama) -- The Maison Giambattista Valli debuted its bridal runway during Bridal Night, the gala evening of the event organised by Fira de Barcelona with the support of the Catalan Ministry of Business and Labor, in the historic building of the Llotja de Mar.

Held during Barcelona Bridal Fashion Week, Valli showcased 30 creations from his collection, a culmination of silhouettes, representing a comprehensive exhibition of his concept of contemporary bridal dressing, according to a statement.

“I chose Barcelona and Bridal Fashion Week for the debut of my Love Collection 3 because it is an event that attracts a diverse audience of fashion enthusiasts, designers, buyers and media from all over the world, and provides me with maximum global visibility and opportunities for success.

“In addition, Barcelona's romantic and cosmopolitan atmosphere matches perfectly with the theme of my collection, which celebrates love and romance,” Valli said.

The fashion show featured 10 dresses from Valli’s third “Love Collection”, 10 iconic silhouettes from the first and second “Love Collections” and 10 Haute Couture creations, inspiring the magnificence and the savoir-faire of the Ateliers, stepping away from classic wedding rituals and focusing on the significance of the emotions of the “moment” and the joys of celebrations.

Infused with the Maison’s idyllic aesthetic and excellence, Valli's dresses stood out with a contemporary edge, whether through clean lines, unforgettable volumes or unexpected details inspired by the personalities of an imaginary new group which is his friends.

This blend of classic and modern appeals to many brides worldwide looking for a unique wedding gown, in pure Valli style and tied to their own personal storytelling.

The Barcelona Bridal Night boasted a grandiose of audience which include it-girl, model and international fashion icon Olivia Palermo; model and countess Lara Cosima Henckel von Donnersmarck; stylist and designer Pelayo Diaz; actress Hiba Abouk; actress and model Blanca Romero; model Marco Llorente; and TV hostess and actress Marta Torné, among other personalities.

-- BERNAMA

Sanjay D. Goorachurn Takes The Helm As Medisca CEO

KUALA LUMPUR, April 17 (Bernama) -- Recursion, a clinical stage TechBio company has appointed Dr Najat Khan as Chief R&D Officer and Chief Commercial Officer, to lead its research and development, and build its emerging commercial capabilities.

According to Recursion in a statement, Dr Khan has also been appointed to the company’s Board of Directors.

“Najat brings a unique blend of leadership in biological, chemical, and medical sciences, data science, and business. More importantly, she has a vision and passion for transforming drug discovery and development that complements ours and she has a strong sense of urgency to accelerate the industry’s future.

“We are excited to welcome her as a Recursionaut to drive our portfolio pipeline, as well as create commercial strategies as we continue to industrialise the creation of high impact medicines,” said Recursion Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer, Chris Gibson.

Meanwhile, Dr Khan said: “My mission and focus has been to harness the power of science, data, and AI to revolutionise the way we discover, develop, and deliver transformative medicines for patients.

“This seamlessly aligns with Recursion’s goal to pioneer the burgeoning TechBio sector and decode biology and chemistry to radically improve lives. I believe their approach represents the future of our industry, and sets Recursion to be at the forefront to deliver on this vision.”

Dr Khan has deep expertise in the pharmaceutical and healthcare industry, spanning biological, chemical, and medical science, computational and data science, and general business leadership, with a focus on driving substantial patient and business value. 

She also serves as a board member for Alliance for Artificial Intelligence in Healthcare and is a Steering Committee member of the White House’s Moonshot CancerX programme to enhance outcomes for cancer patients. 

-- BERNAMA

EMGA Secures US$50 Mln Financing For Kazakhstan’s MFO KMF

KUALA LUMPUR, April 16 (Bernama) -- Emerging Markets Global Advisory LLP (EMGA) has secured a US$50 million facility senior debt facility from the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) for Kazakhstan’s MFO KMF. (US$1=RM4.78)

EMGA Head of Investment Banking and Managing Director, Sajeev Chakkalakal in a statement said: “We are delighted to have arranged this new landmark debt facility for our long-standing client KMF.

“It has been a real pleasure to work with them again, as they continue to solidify their position as the largest MFI in the country, and further strengthen their financial position in spite of turbulent times.”

Concurrently, EMGA Managing Director, Jeremy Dobson added this new financing will help KMF deliver on its stated mission; to continue to help entrepreneurs throughout Kazakhstan, and to develop its business with a greater focus on female owned businesses and in rural areas.

Meanwhile, KMF Chairman of the Board, Shalkar Zhusupov said this is the first time KMF has entered into a partnership with JICA, whose goals and mission are close to its own.

“The funds from JICA will be used to implement projects to support micro and small enterprises, including rural entrepreneurs, which will create new opportunities and contribute to their economic growth," said Zhusupov.

MFO KMF is one of the leaders in the Central Asian microfinance sector, and the company disburses clients individual and group loans for activities, including business, trade, crop farming and cattle-breeding.

On the other hand, JICA is a governmental agency that delivers the bulk of Official Development Assistance for the government of Japan. It is chartered with assisting economic and social growth in developing countries, and the promotion of international cooperation.

With offices in London and New York, EMGA helps financial institutions and corporations seeking new debt or equity capital, completing transactions on behalf of its clients within the world’s emerging markets and frontier economies, including Kazakhstan which remains a key market.

-- BERNAMA

GRADIANT LAUNCHES CURE CHEMICALS FOR THE WORLD'S ESSENTIAL INDUSTRIES

Comprehensive portfolio of over 300 proprietary chemical formulations with on-site expertise and world-class service enhances efficiency and sustainability while maximizing cost savings


BOSTON, April 17 (Bernama-BUSINESS WIRE) -- Gradiant, a global solutions provider for advanced water and wastewater treatment, announced today the launch of CURE Chemicals. Continuing Gradiant’s track record of innovation and commercialization, CURE Chemicals will set new benchmarks in environmental sustainability and operational efficiency for the world’s essential industries.

The CURE Chemicals product line includes over 300 proprietary formulations for corrosion and scale inhibitors, process chemicals, biocides, antiscalants & cleaners, and coagulants & flocculants. These products are engineered to enhance the effectiveness and efficiency of water treatment processes while minimizing their environmental footprint.

"The launch of CURE Chemicals represents a major milestone for Gradiant as we expand our portfolio to include specialty chemicals that complement our end-to-end water solutions capabilities," said Prakash Govindan, COO of Gradiant. "We are now the water industry’s only complete, site-wide portfolio providing bespoke design, proprietary equipment, O&M services, and specialty chemicals uniquely positioned to deliver whole-system expertise complemented by SmartOps AI for accurate, intelligent operation.”

CURE is developed via cutting-edge research combined with operational feedback tailored to meet the demanding requirements of industries ranging from semiconductors to renewables, mining to energy, and food & beverage to pharmaceuticals. "We are excited to bring these chemical solutions to the global market, which not only perform better than incumbents but also adhere to the highest standards of safety and sustainability, all at compelling value to our clients," said Vipan Kalia, Head of Chemicals at Gradiant.

For more information on how CURE Chemicals can benefit your operations, please visit gradiant.com/solutions/cure-chemicals.

About Gradiant
Gradiant is a global solutions provider for advanced water and wastewater treatment. With a full suite of differentiated and proprietary end-to-end solutions, powered by the top minds in water, the company serves its clients' mission-critical operations in the world's essential industries, including semiconductors, pharmaceuticals, food & beverage, lithium and critical minerals, and renewable energy. Gradiant’s innovative solutions reduce water used and wastewater discharged, reclaim valuable resources, and renew wastewater into freshwater. The Boston-headquartered company was founded at MIT and has over 1,000 employees worldwide. Learn more at gradiant.com.

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Contact

Corporate Contact
Felix Wang
Gradiant
Global Head of Marketing
fwang@gradiant.com

Source : Gradiant

SINGLESTORE TO REVOLUTIONISE REAL-TIME, AI SOLUTIONS IN KOREA VIA AGILE PLATFORM PARTNERSHIP

KUALA LUMPUR, April 16 (Bernama) -- SingleStore has announced an exclusive partnership with Agile Platform to bring real-time, artificial intelligence (AI)-driven solutions to the Korean market.

SingleStore's real-time data platform is designed for growing businesses dealing with modern applications, analytics, as well as AI — and its next-generation technology has been gaining significant traction in the Asia Pacific (APAC) region.

“With our strategic alliance with Agile Platform, it is an unparalleled opportunity to empower digital-native and cloud-forward Korean companies to accelerate genAI adoption, build AI-fronted applications, and enhance analytical capabilities,” said SingleStore General Manager of APJ, Sanjay Aurora in a statement.

Meanwhile, Agile Platform Chief Executive Officer, JeongHee Han said: “With our deep understanding of the Korean market and extensive adjacent network, we believe we are the perfect partner to support SingleStore's expansion in APAC and bring its technology to even more Korean businesses.

“This collaboration will enhance the data platform’s market presence but also offer Korean businesses access to a powerful, scalable solution that can effectively handle their growing data requirements,” he added.

Agile Platform is a data-specialised firm that offers various consulting services including those related to SingleStore to enable real-time processing, analysis, and visualisation based on data, both on-premises and in cloud environments.

Actively dedicated to exploring and expanding its presence in the Korean market, leveraging SingleStore, over the past five years, Agile Platform has been recognised for its expertise and technical proficiency via collaborations with various clients.

Having cemented a strong presence in Korea, SingleStore is proud to have leading companies including Kakao, POSCO, LG Innotek, K Bank, Kiwoon Securities, and SK Telecom as customers which have adopted the company's comprehensive data platform for a variety of use cases.

-- BERNAMA

Nike Debuts New Products Line-up Signalling Multi-year Innovation Cycle

KUALA LUMPUR, April 15 (Bernama) -- NIKE Inc has extended its position as the undisputed leader of footwear and apparel innovation by debuting a new line-up of products that signalled a multi-year innovation cycle. 

According to a statement, the company is delivering better, faster, more efficient solutions for athletes this summer and opening a world of creative possibilities including Nike's first sculpted, visible Air Zoom unit in the new Pegasus Premium running shoe.

“For more than 50 years we have listened to and over-delivered for our athletes with the best of Nike innovation. We always push the boundaries of what is possible and take risks to help create the future of sport together.

“This summer, the difference maker is the massive energy return that Nike Air delivers to athletes. Taking what we learned from our super-shoe technology, we are introducing new Nike Air Zoom shapes and sensations across all sports,” said Nike Chief Innovation Officer, John Hoke.

The proprietary, sculpted Air unit connects the heel and forefoot and uniquely contours to the natural profile of the foot, delivering an entirely new springy, smooth sensation. Combined with ZoomX and ReactX foam, the new cushioning system creates more energy return for everyday runners.

In addition, Air, Nike’s most revolutionary, ubiquitous and versatile cushioning platform, powers the products Nike athletes will wear on the track, court and pitch this summer.

Nike has optimised Air by leveraging computational design and incomparable athlete data from the Nike Sport Research Lab to create footwear that helps all athletes break barriers.

The best of Nike’s Air innovation for this summer will debut in the Nike Blueprint Pack, spanning footwear for track and road racing, basketball, football, skate, breakdancing and lifestyle.

The company has also revealed A.I.R. — Athlete Imagined Revolution, whereby in this co-creation project between elite athletes and Nike designers, Nike used innovative design tools to create the future of Air.

-- BERNAMA

18th Guizhou Tourism Industry Development Conference Opens New Avenues

KUALA LUMPUR, April 15 (Bernama) -- The 18th Guizhou Tourism Industry Development Conference kicked off in Xingyi city, Southwest China's Guizhou province, on the basis of "simplicity, delicacy, thoughtfulness and safety", on April 11.

Hosted by the People's Government of Guizhou Province, the Guizhou Tourism Industry Development Conference has been held annually since 2006, aimed to accelerate the development of Guizhou's tourism industry and cultivate it into a pillar industry.

Themed "Promoting Deep Integration of Culture and Tourism and Building a World-class Tourist Destination", the conference has been successfully held for 17 sessions, in rotation by all cities and prefectures in Guizhou.

The tourism resources in this region are mainly composed of mountain landscapes, ethnic cultures and historical relics, according to the People's Government of Guizhou Province in a statement.

In recent years, Qianxinan Prefecture has promoted Health Tourism by combining the original mountain tourism resources. Numerous health tourism projects and top quality tourism routes have been launched to attract healthy lifestyle-seeking tourists.

Qianxinan Bouyei and Miao Autonomous Prefecture is located in the southwest of Guizhou Province, China, with excellent transportation infrastructure and is famous for its well-preserved and unique natural scenery and rich ethnic cultures.

With typical karst landform, famous scenic spots include Maling River Canyon and Wanfeng Forest in Xingyi, Wanfeng Lake, and Guizhou Longhua Stone Group in addition to "Eight-Note Seated Singing" which is a type of Bouyei ethnic group's talking and singing folk art.

-- BERNAMA

I Squared Capital Partners Japanese Investors To Fast-track India’s Energy Transition

KUALA LUMPUR, April 15 (Bernama) -- I Squared Capital, an independent global infrastructure investor, announced a consortium of Japanese investors will become strategic minority shareholders in the Natural Gas Transition Platform (the Platform), a Singapore-based holding company with investments in Indian city gas distribution networks.

According to I Squared Capital in a statement, the transaction will diversify the Platform’s shareholder base and bring in additional long-term capital from the consortium members.

“We are very pleased to attract these long-term and experienced partners to our growing energy Platform. The additional capital provided will be used to support the energy transition in India through the expansion of last-mile city gas distribution infrastructure.

“We regard natural gas as a transitional energy source that will play an important role in global decarbonisation, substituting for more polluting fuels such as diesel and coal, while at the same time supporting India’s urbanisation and industrialisation with stable and affordable energy,” said I Squared Capital Senior Partner, APAC, Harsh Agrawal.

The Platform has active investments in last-mile city gas distribution businesses, including THINK Gas and AG&P Pratham. Together, these companies are developing city gas infrastructure across 19 geographical areas covering 325,000 square kilometres and serving over 85 million people.

Through the use of new infrastructure developed over the last four years, including over 9,000 kilometres of low-pressure gas pipelines, 30 Liquefied Compressed Natural Gas (LCNG) and compressed gas stations and over 430 CNG stations, the Platform will serve millions of vehicles per day and thousands of commercial and industrial users by 2030.

In addition to gas distribution, the Platform will increase investments to boost the consumption of renewable natural gas (biogas) in India, as it is already one of the largest procurers of the country’s biogas and aims to procure about five million tonnes over the next 25 years.

This will support the Indian government’s vision to increase the consumption of biogas, generate employment at the local level, and reduce pollution from crop burning, in addition  to also looking to increase the use of green hydrogen using the city gas network.

In the future, the Platform will continue to introduce global best practices, industry-leading technology and best-in-class social and governance practices across the natural gas value chain in India.

-- BERNAMA

AMOGY JOINS FORCES WITH THE MARITIME AND PORT AUTHORITY OF SINGAPORE AND PARTNERS TO ESTABLISH FUTURE FUELS TRAINING HUB FOR MARITIME WORKFORCE

SINGAPORE, April 15 (Bernama-BUSINESS WIRE) -- Amogy, a provider of mature, scalable, and efficient ammonia-to-power solutions, on the Opening Day of Singapore Maritime Week 2024 has signed a Letter of Intent (LOI) with the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) and other collaborators to develop a Maritime Energy Training Facility (METF) to train maritime professionals in operating ships powered by alternative fuel systems.

The LOI to establish the METF was signed by the MPA and 22 partners, including international organizations, engine makers, classification societies, trade associations, unions, and institutes of higher learning. The establishment of a training facility follows a recommendation put forth by the Tripartite Advisory Panel, formed in early 2023. This panel aims to identify emerging and future skills and competencies needed to build the maritime workforce of the future.

The METF will be a decentralized facility based in Singapore, utilizing the various partners’ assets and training technologies to train global seafarers in the use, manning, and operation of vessels powered by zero or near-zero emission technologies.

With hundreds of crew changes conducted daily in Singapore, the METF's establishment is strategically positioned to support vessel operators and ship management companies with their crew training needs as part of their crew change arrangements. This approach is expected to result in significant time and training cost savings for the shipping community by utilizing the METF's training facilities. When fully operational, the METF is anticipated to benefit around 10,000 maritime personnel, including seafarers, from now to the 2030s.

“We are thrilled to embark on this exciting and important project in partnership with the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore and other esteemed collaborators,” says Seonghoon Woo, CEO at Amogy. “This initiative showcases Singapore's leadership in driving sustainable maritime solutions and underscores our commitment to advancing ammonia as a clean energy source for maritime shipping and equipping the global maritime workforce with the necessary skills to navigate the future of shipping.”

To learn more about Amogy and its clean energy technology, please visit www.amogy.co.

About Amogy

Amogy provides carbon-free energy solutions to decarbonize hard-to-abate sectors such as maritime, power generation, and heavy industry. Proven in real-world applications, its patented ammonia cracking technology is mature, scalable and a highly efficient method for splitting liquid ammonia, generating electrical power in combination with hydrogen fuel cells at five times the energy density of lithium batteries.

Amogy is headquartered in Brooklyn, New York, with additional locations including Houston, Texas, Norway, and Singapore. Amogy is backed by investors including Amazon’s Climate Pledge Fund, Temasek, SK Innovation, Aramco Ventures, Mitsubishi Corporation and AP Ventures. For more information, follow Amogy on LinkedIn, X, Instagram, Threads, Facebook, and YouTube, or visit www.amogy.co.

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Media
amogy@famapr.com

Source : Amogy

MONEYHERO GROUP HOSTS SINGAPORE'S LARGEST PERSONAL FINANCE FESTIVAL FOR SEVENTH STRAIGHT YEAR

The iconic annual event, which was held on April 6^th and is produced by Seedly, the Company’s market-leading platform in Singapore, drew over 5,000 attendees

Featured speakers included: Dr. Tan See Leng, Singapore’s Minister for Manpower and Second Minister for Trade and Industry; Mr. Nelson Neo, Head of Financial Planning Advisory & Head of POSB, DBS Bank; and nearly 70 other notable names from across Singapore’s financial, insurance, and government landscapes

MoneyHero partnered with 35-plus major banking institutions and insurance providers in Singapore for the 2024 Festival—including CIMB Bank, Citibank, DBS Bank, Manulife, POSB Bank and Singlife

SINGAPORE, April 12 (Bernama-GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- MoneyHero Limited (NASDAQ: MNY) (“MoneyHero” or the “Company”), a market leading personal finance and digital insurance aggregation and comparison platform in Greater Southeast Asia, today announced the successful completion of the Company’s seventh annual Seedly Personal Finance Festival (“PFF” or the “Festival”).

Held this past week on April 6^th at the Marina Bay Sands Expo and Convention Center, the 2024 PFF was once again a rousing success, demonstrating the continued growth and influence of the largest event of its kind in Singapore. The annual Festival, which held its first event in 2018, is produced by Seedly, MoneyHero’s market-leading platform that builds the largest personal finance community in Singapore. Impressively, the 2024 PFF gathered more than 5,000 attendees, with 70 business, financial, and government leaders speaking, and 35-plus prestigious finance and insurance organizations serving as sponsors.

During the event, Seedly also launched a new app – ShopHero by Seedly, the Ultimate Shopping Companion, where users can get instant alerts for discounts, personalise deals and maximise rewards with best-fit credit cards. 

http://mrem.bernama.com/viewsm.php?idm=48357

China's First Batch Of Imported Washed Feather And Down Cleared Customs In Guangxi

 

Guigang Customs staff are inspecting the goods.

KUALA LUMPUR, April 12 (Bernama) -- A shipment of approximately 18.5 tonnes of washed white duck feathers imported by Jialu Feather Products Co Ltd through Qinzhou Port passed customs inspection smoothly after joint supervision by Qinzhou Port Customs and Guigang Customs on March 28.

This shipment marked the successful implementation of the General Administration of Customs' pilot reform of imported washed feather and down customs clearance supervision in Guigang, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region.

"The goods were shipped from overseas to Guigang and cleared customs in just eight days. This new model is 17 days faster than the traditional customs clearance via Hong Kong, significantly reducing time and economic costs!" said the company’s General Manager in Guigang, Yang Chaodong.

Meanwhile, Secretary of the Gangnan District Committee of Guigang City, Tao Jianquan introduced that the down industry is a traditional advantageous industry in the Gangnan District of Guigang.

There are currently 170 feather and down processing enterprises, processing approximately 90,000 tonnes of feathers and down per year, accounting for about 28 per cent of China's total feather and down processing volume and 18 per cent of the world's total.

In recent years, Guigang has seized the opportunities of the construction of the Western Land-Sea Corridor, implemented a three-year action plan for industrial transformation and upgrading, in a bid to optimise the business environment and promote the upgrading of the down industry.

As a result, a complete industry chain from primary feather sorting and processing to washed feather and down processing and down product processing has taken shape.

In 2023, the total output value of the down industry in the Gangnan District of Guigang reached 4.7 billion Chinese yuan, according to the Publicity Department of Gangnan District in a statement. (100 Chinese yuan = RM65.90)

However, about 40 per cent of the raw materials need to be imported from abroad, with an annual import demand of 30,000 to 50,000 tonnes.

In order to support the upgrading and development of the down industry in Guangxi, the General Administration of Customs recently issued a pilot reform plan for imported washed feather and down customs clearance supervision, aiming to leverage the supervision resource advantages of Qinzhou Port, Guigang Port, and local customs to optimise the customs clearance supervision operation mode for imported washed feather and down.

-- BERNAMA

SWEET SUCCESS: MANGO INDUSTRY, A "GOLDEN KEY" TO PROSPERITY FOR CHINA’S BAISE CITY

KUALA LUMPUR, April 12 (Bernama) -- Mango industry has led Baise City in the Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region to rural revitalisation, after 40 years of development.

One of the major mango producing areas in China, Baise has rapidly formed a robust industrial chain in recent years, leveraging its advantages in mango cultivation areas, according to Baise Fruit Industry Development Center in a statement.

In 2023, the total mango area in Baise reached 1.37 million mu (roughly 913.33 square kilometres), accounting for approximately 24.19 per cent of the total mango area in China; the output was 1.25 million tonnes, representing about 27.8 per cent of the total national mango production.

The continuous breakthrough of double "million" targets in planting area and output has made Baise the largest mango production base among prefecture-level cities in the country. The rapid development of planting, output, and output value has stimulated the intrinsic power of the research and development system.

Focusing on key issues in the seed industry, Baise has not only built a big data platform for the mango industry but also implemented projects for digitalising this industry and established a smart cloud platform to develop digital agriculture.

In addition, efforts have been intensified to enhance germplasm resources, focusing on research in mango breeding technology and germplasm innovation, new technologies for facility planting, and a total of 107,000 farmers have been trained.

As of 2023, the city has introduced 14 enterprises for deep processing of mangoes, with the city's capacity for deep processing of mangoes has reached 300,000 tonnes, with an output value exceeding 1.5 billion Chinese yuan, significantly increasing the added value of products. (100 Chinese yuan = RM65.90)

Simultaneously, it has established the largest mango deep processing production area in the country. In 2023, Baise mango, with a brand value of 10.556 billion Chinese yuan, ranked 32nd on the national regional brand top 100 list, at the China Mango Industry Development Conference.

By constructing logistics cold chain and sorting bases, introducing logistics companies such as SF Express, Sanke, and CIMC to build large-scale warehousing logistics, adding 152,000 tonnes of room temperature warehousing capacity and 58,000 tonnes of low-temperature warehousing capacity, it has enhanced its capacity of risk control for the mango industry.

Baise, by creating a powerful characteristic mango industry cluster covering production, processing, circulation, research, and service, has developed "small mangoes" into a "big industry".

-- BERNAMA

Vonage SIP Trunking API Enhances LEAP's Global Customer Reach, Scalability

KUALA LUMPUR, April 12 (Bernama) -- Singapore-based LEAP, THE HORIZON INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY, has announced it is leveraging Vonage’s Communications application programming interfaces (APIs)  to expand its global customer reach and scale.

Vonage Senior Vice President Global Sales, Sunny Rao said through Vonage’s platform, LEAP offers businesses a truly global, reliable customer centric contact centre solution.

“We are happy to support LEAP as it connects businesses to the cloud so they can work faster, save money, and avoid restrictions on capacity and location,” said Rao in a statement.

Meanwhile, LEAP Project Director, Carry Chen said: “Choosing Vonage has given LEAP the ability to provide its customers with stable, reliable customer engagement that can scale on demand.

“The businesses we support are located all throughout Southeast Asia, and their customers are global. Vonage ensures that we have the capacity and reach to provide quality customer support when and where needed.”

LEAP is dedicated to providing a professional contact centre, Interactive Voice Response Designer and social media services for Southeast Asian enterprises. It can connect to the cloud via Vonage SIP Trunking, enabling the company to scale up or down with virtually unlimited capacity, reduce costs with per-second billing, and easily go global.

The Vonage Communications Platform (VCP) has more than one million registered developers and offers a full suite of programmable voice, video, messaging, and email services to forward-thinking businesses throughout the Asia Pacific market and worldwide.

A part of Ericsson, Vonage is a leader in cloud communications helping businesses accelerate their digital transformation, and through its partners, Vonage’s platform is a leading driver of digital transformation in the region for both established businesses and startups.

-- BERNAMA

Banle Group To File 2023 Financial Report, Host Investor Webinar

KUALA LUMPUR, April 12 (Bernama) -- Banle Group, a reputable marine fuel logistics company in the Asia Pacific, announced it will file its annual report on Form 20-F for the year ended Dec 31, 2023 on April 18.

According to a statement, Banle Group will also host an Investor Webinar on April 23, which is now open for registration.

Banle Chairman & Chief Executive Officer, Teck Lim Chia together with its Chief Financial Officer Raymond Chiu, will discuss the group’s business strategies and recent developments during the webinar.

Established in 2015, CBL International Limited is the listing vehicle of Banle Group, is committed to providing customers with one stop solution for vessel refuelling, primarily focused in over 55 major ports worldwide.

-- BERNAMA

AM BEST AFFIRMS HONG KONG’S TUGU INSURANCE CREDIT RATINGS

KUALA LUMPUR, April 12 (Bernama) -- Global credit rating agency, AM Best has affirmed the financial strength rating of B+ (Good) and the Long-Term Issuer Credit Rating of “bbb-” (Good) of Hong Kong’s Tugu Insurance Company Limited (TIC).

In a statement, AM Best said these credit ratings (ratings) which have a stable outlook reflected TIC’s balance sheet strength, which was assessed as strong, as well as its marginal operating performance, limited business profile and marginal enterprise risk management (ERM).

TIC’s risk-adjusted capitalisation, as measured by Best’s Capital Adequacy Ratio, is assessed at the strongest level and expected to remain so over the short to intermediate term.

Offsetting balance sheet strength factors include the volatility in the absolute capital and surplus size due to underwriting volatility, concentration risk in investment properties, and fair value movements of these properties.

The company’s marginal operating performance is demonstrated by its volatile bottom line, contributed both from underwriting and investment experience; nonetheless, its operating expense ratio remains high with a limited premium base.

Despite stable rental income from its investment properties and interest and dividend income arising from its liquid assets, TIC experienced investment losses in 2022 and 2023 due to a decline in the fair value of investment properties. The company’s overall profitability is expected to remain modest over the intermediate term.

TIC’s ultimate parent company is PT Pertamina (Persero), a state-owned integrated oil and gas company in Indonesia. While TIC obtains a substantial portion of its top line from its parent, it also has expanded other revenue sources actively for more diversification, including overseas business and domestic business in Hong Kong, over the past few years.

The rating agency also assesses TIC’s ERM as marginal with key areas of concern include underwriting, investment concentration, strategic planning and reserving capability.

To address these concerns, the company has taken remediation actions including developing its risk management framework with refined risk appetite and risk policies, and performing relevant stress and scenario testing to ensure compliance with the latest regulatory requirements and internal concerns.

-- BERNAMA

ASIAN PRODUCTIVITY ORGANIZATION AWARDS OUTSTANDING PRODUCTIVITY CHAMPIONS

TOKYO, April 12 (Bernama-BUSINESS WIRE) -- The Asian Productivity Organization (APO), an intergovernmental organization comprising 21 member economies, unveils the recipients of the 2024 APO Regional and Meritorious and Distinguished Awards.

Since its inception in 1978, the APO Awards have celebrated the achievements of productivity champions who have significantly contributed to productivity improvement across the Asia Pacific. In commemoration of the APO’s 60th anniversary in 2021, several enhancements have been made to the award schemes to reflect the evolving landscape of productivity and innovation.

2024 APO Regional Award and Meritorious and Distinguished Award Recipients

This year, the APO proudly confers two Regional Awardees, recognized for their outstanding contributions that extend beyond national borders, and impacting the Asia-Pacific region.

1. Dr. Pao-Cheng Chang, President, China Productivity Center
2. Anilkumar Manibhai Naik, Chairman Emeritus, Larsen & Toubro Limited

In addition, five Meritorious and Distinguished Award recipients were conferred for their inspiring and exemplary achievements and contributions leading to centrality of productivity.

1. Dr. Bountheung Douangsavanh, Deputy Minister, Ministry of Industry and Commerce, Government of Lao PDR
2. Datuk Wira (Dr.) Haji Ameer Ali Mydin, Managing Director, Mydin Mohamed Holdings Berhad
3. Yamaaranz Erkhembayar, Chairman and CEO, Mongolian Productivity Organization
4. Prof. Ahsan Iqbal, Federal Minister of Planning, Development and Reforms, Government of Pakistan
5. Dr. Ha Minh Hiep, Acting Director General, Directorate for Standards, Metrology and Quality, Ministry of Science and Technology

The presentation of the awards would be conducted at the conferral ceremony during the 66th Session of the APO Governing Body in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, 28–30 May 2024 as well as the designated occasions by the APO Directors of respective countries of awardees based on the APO Regional Meritorious and Distinguished, and National Awards. The APO is dedicated to leveraging the knowledge and experience of these awardees to inspire and steer future productivity initiatives, thereby foster learning, innovation, and collaboration among APO members. We extend our warmest congratulations to all the award recipients and look forward to their ongoing contributions to productivity and excellence in the region.

For more information on the latest APO Award recipients, please visit our website at https://www.apo-tokyo.org/recognizing-apo-productivity-champions/.

About the APO

The Asian Productivity Organization (APO) is a regional intergovernmental organization dedicated to improving productivity in the Asia-Pacific region through mutual cooperation. It is nonpolitical, nonprofit, and nondiscriminatory. Established in 1961 with eight founding members, the APO currently comprises 21 member economies: Bangladesh; Cambodia; the ROC; Fiji; Hong Kong; India; Indonesia; I.R. Iran; Japan; the ROK; Lao PDR; Malaysia; Mongolia; Nepal; Pakistan; the Philippines; Singapore; Sri Lanka; Thailand; Turkiye; and Vietnam.

The APO is shaping the future of the region by fostering the socioeconomic development of its members through national policy advisory services, acting as a think tank, institutional capacity-building initiatives, and knowledge sharing to increase productivity. 

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Blood Glycans May Accelerate Biological Ageing In HIV Patients - Wistar Findings

KUALA LUMPUR, April 12 (Bernama) -- The Wistar Institute’s associate professor Mohamed Abdel-Mohsen, along with his team and collaborators, has identified sugar abnormalities in the blood that may promote biological ageing and inflammation in people living with HIV (PLWH).

The findings, taken from a large data study comprising more than 1,200 participants, are detailed in the new paper, “Immunoglobulin G N-glycan Markers of Accelerated Biological Aging During Chronic HIV Infection”, published in the journal Nature Communications.

According to a statement, Abdel-Mohsen seeks to understand how chronic viral infection causes this accelerated biological ageing, which refers to the body ageing faster than one’s chronological years would typically indicate.

By understanding the molecular mechanisms behind accelerated biological ageing in people living with chronic viral infections, scientists can begin to formulate strategies to mitigate the negative effects.

Abdel-Mohsen said utilising glycan signatures to predict early onset of diseases in people living with HIV marks a pivotal shift towards proactive healthcare.

“This could significantly alter clinical outcomes, allowing for timely interventions and personalised treatment plans. The impact on treatment and management in the HIV community could be revolutionary.

“Beyond biomarkers, antibodies glycoengineered to mimic biologically younger glycans offer a new therapeutic avenue. This method could enhance immune responses, paving the way for innovative treatments,” he added.

Abdel-Mohsen's research investigates whether living with a chronic viral infection, such as HIV infection, exacerbates these changes, leading to premature ageing and related diseases.

By comparing glycan profiles in over 1,200 individuals, both with and without HIV, the team discovered that PLWH exhibit elevated levels of inflammatory and pro-ageing IgG glycan signatures.

In a remarkable step forward, the team developed a machine-learning model that uses these glycan signatures to estimate the biological age of PLWH and assess the rate of ageing acceleration. This glycan signature also has the potential to predict the onset of comorbid conditions in PLWH, such as cancer, years in advance.

-- BERNAMA

AACSB’s 2024 Influential Leaders Initiative Recognises 22 Impactful Business School Researchers

KUALA LUMPUR, April 9 (Bernama) -- AACSB International (AACSB), the world’s largest business education alliance, announced its 2024 Class of Influential Leaders, a group of 22 AACSB-accredited business school faculty demonstrating impact through their research.

Now in its ninth year, AACSB’s Influential Leaders member spotlight programme highlights the value that business schools bring to business and society, whether through the alumni who have used their business education to improve the industries and communities they serve, or the faculty leading positive impact via their research.

“The 2024 Influential Leaders demonstrate the potential of business school research to address some of today’s most critical challenges.

“The knowledge they are producing will help inform and create real change in the world,” said AACSB president and chief executive officer, Lily Bi in a statement.

All faculty from this year’s class are from one of AACSB’s more than 1,000 accredited business schools worldwide.

Support provided by Academic Partnerships, the 2024 Influential Leaders initiative recognised honorees who are advancing research in the areas of artificial intelligence, healthcare, sustainability, finance, and entrepreneurship, among others.

The selected leaders exemplify the important role of business school faculty in developing new knowledge that provides timely and relevant solutions for business and societal challenges.

These faculty changemakers are using their expertise to encourage environmental responsibility, improve healthcare outcomes, enable digital innovation, empower marginalised populations, and transform investment practices.

Each influential leader was nominated by their school, which shared inspiring research examples that demonstrate how the honoree leads in new knowledge creation, engages in timely solutions, and positively impacts business and society.

-- BERNAMA

ASICS GLOBAL STUDY SHOWS LINK BETWEEN REGULAR EXERCISE IN TEENAGE YEARS AND POSITIVE MENTAL WELLBEING IN ADULTHOOD

LONDON, April 9 (Bernama-GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Today, ASICS is announcing the results of its second Global State of Mind Study, which reaffirms a positive link between physical exercise and mental wellbeing and uncovers a link between being physically active in teenage years and positive mental wellbeing in adulthood.

The study of over 26,000 respondents across 22 countries found that the more people exercise, the higher their State of Mind scores¹. Across the globe, respondents who are regularly active² have an average State of Mind score of 67/100, while inactive³ people have a much lower State of Mind score of just 54/100.

What’s more, the study uncovered that being physically active in your teenage years directly impacts your mind later in life. Participants who engaged in exercise throughout their adolescence report higher activity levels and State of Mind scores as adults. The findings indicate that remaining active as a teenager is key to establishing good exercise habits that last into adulthood and positively impact adult mental wellbeing.

In fact, the study was able to pinpoint the ages of 15-17 as the most critical years for staying active and when dropping out of exercise significantly affects your mental state for years to come. Those who regularly exercised at 15-17 years old are found to be more likely to remain active later in life and report higher State of Mind scores as adults (64/100 vs 61/100) than those who weren’t active during these years.

In comparison, respondents who dropped out of exercise before the age of 15 displayed the lowest activity levels and lowest State of Mind scores in adulthood. 30% are still inactive as adults and they are shown to be 11% less focused, 10% less confident, 10% less calm and 10% less composed compared to those who were able to exercise throughout adolescence.

In fact, every year a teenager remained engaged in regular exercise is associated with improved State of Mind scores in adulthood. Those who stopped exercising before the age of 15 display an average State of Mind score 15% lower than the global average, while a decline in physical activity at 16-17 and before the age of 22 reduced their average scores by 13% and 6% respectively.

Worryingly, the study also uncovered an exercise generation gap, with younger generations being increasingly less active. 57% of the Silent Generation (aged 78+) said they were active daily in their childhoods compared to just 19% of Gen Z (aged 18-27), showing a concerning trend of younger generations dropping out of physical activity earlier and in larger numbers than the generations before them.

Globally, members of Gen Z have the lowest State of Mind scores with an average of 62/100 compared to the Baby Boomers’ 68/100 and the Silent Generation’s 70/100.

Professor Brendon Stubbs, a leading researcher in exercise and mental health from King’s College London, said: “It is worrying to see this decline in activity levels from younger respondents at such a critical age, particularly as the study uncovered an association with lower wellbeing in adulthood”.

Gen Zs across the world are already exhibiting the lowest State of Mind scores (62/100) in comparison to the Silent Generation (70/100), so this could be hugely impactful for future mental wellbeing across the world.”

Tomoko Koda, Managing Executive Officer for ASICS, said: “ASICS was founded on the belief that sport and exercise benefit not only the body, but also the mind. It’s why we’re called ASICS: ‘Anima Sana in Corpore Sano’ or ‘Sound Mind in a Sound Body’. The results of our second global State of Mind Study show how important it is that young people stay active and the impact this can have on their minds for years to come. At ASICS, we’re committed to supporting and inspiring people to move for positive mental wellbeing throughout their lifetime.”

To find out more visit: 
https://www.asics.com/us/en-us/mk/stateofmindstudy2024

NOTES FOR EDITOR

About the ASICS 2024 State of Mind Study
The 2024 State of Mind Study was conducted between 17 November – 21 December 2023 and explored the relationship between exercise and State of Mind across the world.

Over 26,000 people were surveyed across 22 markets including Australia, Brazil, Canada, Chile, China, Colombia, France, Germany, India, Italy, Japan, Malaysia, Netherlands, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, South Africa, Spain, Sweden, Thailand, UAE, the UK and the US. Each market sample was nationally representative by age and gender.

¹The ASICS State of Mind score is out of 100, calculated based on the accumulative mean scores across ten cognitive and emotional traits – positive, content, relaxed, focused, composed, resilient, confident, alert, calm, energized.

²150 minutes or more of physical activity per week (as defined by Sport England).

³Less than 30 minutes of physical activity per week (as defined by Sport England).

Anima Sana In Corpore Sano, meaning “A Sound Mind in a Sound Body,” is an old Latin phrase from which ASICS is derived and the fundamental platform on which the brand still stands. The company was founded more than 60 years ago by Kihachiro Onitsuka and is now a leading designer and manufacturer of running shoes as well as other athletic footwear, apparel and accessories. For more information, visit www.asics.com.

The stripe design featured on the sides of the ASICS^® shoes is a registered trademark of ASICS Corporation. 

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AI-MEDIA'S LATEST INNOVATIONS SET TO REVOLUTIONISE CAPTIONING MARKET

KUALA LUMPUR, April 9 (Bernama) -- AI-Media, the global leader in AI-powered captioning, is set to unveil two new products LEXI DR (Disaster Recovery) and LEXI Recorded, at the prestigious NAB Show 2024, scheduled from April 14 to 17 in Las Vegas, United States.

In a statement, AI-Media, renowned for its cutting-edge innovations serving the broadcast industry, said its latest offerings are poised to revolutionise the captioning market.

The highlight of AI-Media’s presentation at the event will be the new LEXI DR product, a groundbreaking solution that ensures uninterrupted captioning delivery even in the face of cloud and connectivity disruptions.

With seamless caption workflow integration, on-premises redundant servers and flexible setup options, this solution offers 99.99 per cent caption uptime, scalability with up to 10 instances available per LEXI DR unit plus the confidence that data is secure with robust encryption and security measures.

The product exemplifies AI-Media's commitment to providing reliable, resilient, and secure captioning solutions for the broadcast industry.

AI-Media will also introduce LEXI Recorded, designed to streamline the captioning process for recorded content. The solution offers unprecedented turnaround speed and cost efficiencies, boasting features such as bulk processing, accuracy above 98 per cent, flexible file output types, and multilingual options.

It can be integrated into the caption workflow, ensuring fast, cost-effective captioning of broadcasters’  recorded content with unmatched precision and ease.

In addition to the product launches, AI-Media will feature an "Innovation Station" at its NAB booth, where attendees can explore exciting new technologies that are part of the company's product roadmaps.

Previews will showcase advancements in generative AI and its application in crafting topic models, also referred to as custom dictionaries. Additionally, previews will feature innovations such as speaking subtitles or dubbing, as well as automated audio description.

AI-Media is able to leverage decades of broadcast experience to ensure its captioning solutions are interoperable across different workflows, video standards and regions, and the company remains committed to driving progress and shaping the future of accessible media worldwide.

-- BERNAMA

ANAQUA SETS BENCHMARK FOR PATENT SEARCH CAPABILITIES VIA PLATFORM ENHANCEMENT

KUALA LUMPUR, April 9 (Bernama) -- Anaqua, an innovation and intellectual property (IP) management technology provider, has enhanced its powerful patent search platform, AcclaimIP, setting a new standard in patent search capabilities.

According to Anaqua in a statement, with a focus on empowering patent searchers with unparalleled control and assistance, AcclaimIP Patent Search offers access to a vast global patent database comprising over 100 million patents worldwide.

Its Chief Executive Officer, Bob Romeo said AcclaimIP is a powerful patent search platform that represents its commitment to innovation and excellence in the IP industry.

“By internally developing AI-powered tools that leverage market-leading solutions, we strengthen our position as the leader in IP management solutions, providing fully integrated solutions that empower IP professionals to succeed,” he said.

Designed to cater to the diverse needs of IP professionals, AcclaimIP Patent Search boasts a user-friendly interface that enhances the search experience, facilitating efficient exploration of results and swift discovery of relevant information.

AcclaimIP ensures a seamless and comprehensive search process, regardless of the user's preference to create their own queries or leverage powerful interfaces for assistance.

One of the most significant features of AcclaimIP Patent Search is its cutting-edge artificial intelligence (AI) Patent Summaries tool. Harnessing the power of generative AI, this innovative tool delivers consistent and optimised summaries of patents, enabling patent searchers to better understand search results and interpret patent implications.

By leveraging large language models guided by tailored prompts, AcclaimIP's AI Patent Summaries tool promises substantial time savings and mitigates the risk of overlooking critical intelligence.

-- BERNAMA

H2O.AI NAMED LEADER IN COMPUTER VISION TOOLS BY FORRESTER RESEARCH

KUALA LUMPUR, April 9 (Bernama) -- Artificial intelligence (AI) Cloud leader H2O.ai, has announced its recognition as a Leader in The Forrester Wave: Computer Vision Tools, for the first quarter of 2024.

According to a statement, this evaluation by Forrester Research, one of the most influential research and advisory firms in the world, underscores H2O.ai's commitment to excellence and innovation in the rapidly evolving field of computer vision (CV).

“For us, this acknowledgement is a reflection of our relentless pursuit of empowering organisations with state-of-the-art AI solutions that drive real-world impact.

“H2O.ai's cutting-edge computer vision capabilities are part of a broader suite of AI tools that enable businesses to transform vast amounts of visual data into actionable insights,” said its founder and chief executive officer, Sri Ambati.

In a comprehensive analysis of computer vision tools, Forrester assessed 12 vendors that possess enterprise-class CV platforms and a significant presence in the market.

H2O.ai received the highest scores possible in 12 criteria, including data and model testing, innovation, partner ecosystem, adoption, as well as pricing flexibility and transparency.

The Forrester Wave report and the in-depth Forrester Evaluation Overview details how the company's products were evaluated across various criteria including data management; model development; data and model testing; model inference; architecture; and complementary functionalities.

The report offers a wealth of knowledge for businesses looking to leverage the power of computer vision and AI to stay ahead in their respective industries.

Since its inception in 2012, H2O.ai has consistently been at the forefront of AI and machine learning technology, aiming to bring together the world’s top data scientists with customers to co-create Generative AI (GenAI) applications that are usable and valuable by everyone.

-- BERNAMA

ONE MAKER GROUP CHAMPIONS CSR THROUGH SUCCESSFUL BADMINTON CHARITY TOURNAMENT 2024

KUALA LUMPUR, April 8 (Bernama) -- One Maker Group Sdn Bhd, a leading Malaysian estate agency, developer, and G7 contractor, proudly announces the successful conclusion of the Badminton Charity Tournament 2024, held at SK Badminton Academy on April 6, 2024. The event, organised in collaboration with esteemed sponsors and partners, underscored the company's commitment to promoting sports, nurturing young talent, and supporting charitable causes.

The tournament, a day-long affair from 10 am to 5 pm, attracted 32 teams in the double-competition and 32 teams in the under-10 single-competition. It was a spectacular showcase of badminton skills, sportsmanship, and community spirit, with enthusiastic participation from players and active support from their families.

One Maker Group Sdn Bhd, in its role as the main organiser, was joined by key sponsors, including Pentens - Dong Ji (M) Sdn Bhd as the main sponsor and Aegis Communication Sdn Bhd as the media sponsor. The event also saw contributions from co-sponsors ETA Group, SCland Group, Knight World Realty, I-Quick, Wall Craft, Penang Chendul, First Group, IO Architect, Megafields, and Most Capital, all of whom played a vital role in the event's success.

The tournament's mission extended beyond the badminton court, with a strong focus on social responsibility. A total of RM20,000 was raised through the event, which was donated to the Lee Chong Wei Foundation and the Kiwanis Down Syndrome Foundation (National Centre). These contributions will support the foundations' ongoing efforts in nurturing young sports talents and providing assistance to children with Down syndrome.

"We are thrilled with the outcome of the Badminton Charity Tournament 2024. It was heartwarming to see the community come together for a day of sports and giving back," said Andrew Lim, Founder of One Maker Group Sdn Bhd. "Our collaboration with our sponsors and partners exemplifies our shared commitment to social responsibility and community engagement."

The event not only highlighted the sporting talents of the participants but also served as a platform for One Maker Group Sdn Bhd and its partners to reinforce their dedication to corporate social responsibility. By supporting charitable causes and promoting a healthy and active lifestyle, the company continues to make a positive impact on society.

One Maker Group Sdn Bhd extends its heartfelt gratitude to all the sponsors, participants, and volunteers who made the Badminton Charity Tournament 2024 a resounding success. The company looks forward to continuing its efforts to support meaningful causes and foster community spirit through future events.

SOURCE : Aegis Communication on behalf of One Maker Group Sdn Bhd 

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NX Vietnam's New Office In Da Lat Pathway To Sustainable Economic Development

KUALA LUMPUR, April 8 (Bernama) -- Nippon Express (Vietnam) Co Ltd (NX Vietnam), a group company of Nippon Express Holdings Inc, opened a new office in Da Lat, a highland city in central Vietnam’s Lam Dong Province, on Feb 22.

With the opening of the Da Lat Office, NX Vietnam will be better able to contribute to the region’s sustainable economic development by facilitating exports of not only fresh flowers but also a variety of other agricultural products from central Vietnam, according to a statement.

Located at an altitude of 1,500 metres above sea level, Da Lat sits at the heart of Vietnam’s Central Highlands and enjoys a cool climate throughout the year.

The city has become increasingly important in recent years as an agricultural production centre, known in particular for its flower industry.

The government of Lam Dong Province intends to make Da Lat one of Southeast Asia’s leading fresh flower production centres in line with its strategy for developing the flower industry through 2030.

Hence, exports of fresh flowers as well as other agricultural products are expected to expand.

The NX Group will continue striving to meet the diversifying needs of its customers in all parts of the world and leveraging its global network to provide logistics services best suited to their needs.

-- BERNAMA

EXP REALTY PROMOTES LEO PAREJA AS CEO

KUALA LUMPUR, April 8 (Bernama) -- eXp Realty, the core subsidiary of eXp World Holdings Inc, has appointed Leo Pareja as its new Chief Executive Officer (CEO), effective immediately, succeeding Glenn Sanford, who will now fully dedicate his efforts to his position as Founder, Chairman and CEO of eXp World Holdings.

"Leo's innovative and recognised industry leadership has elevated our agent-value proposition by reshaping referrals and lead-generation.

"His deep industry experience and influence on our community have been profound, and I trust that under his direction, eXp Realty will further fortify its competitive advantage and deliver unparalleled value to our agents, further cementing our position as a ground-breaking leader in the real estate industry," said Sanford in a statement.

Meanwhile, Pareja said: "As we step into this new chapter at eXp Realty, I am honoured to lead a company that has always placed innovation and agent success at the forefront of its mission.

“Together, we will not only continue to redefine the real estate landscape through technology and unparalleled agent support but also empower every member of our community to achieve their full potential."

Pareja, who previously served as the Chief Strategy Officer was instrumental in solidifying eXp Realty's standing in the competitive real estate marketplace. His visionary leadership and remarkable track record has greatly enriched the company's value proposition to its agents, such as the successfully launched strategic initiatives such as eXp Exclusives, Revenos and significant enhancements to eXp Solutions.

Having joined eXp Realty in 2022, Pareja brings over two decades of real estate experience, highlighted by numerous accolades including recognition in RealTrends’ The Thousand report, topping the National Association of Hispanic Real Estate Professionals’ Top 250 list, and being named a 30 under 30 agent by Realtor Magazine.

The announcement comes as eXp Realty is recognised in the top spot in five categories on the coveted RealTrends 500 report including Transaction Sides, Five Year Top Movers (Sides), Five Year Top Movers (Volume), Best Brokerages and Public Independent.

The company also moved up to the top three in two categories namely Volume and Billionaires’ Club as it continues to prove its model as it gains market share, welcoming the best agents in the industry.

-- BERNAMA

HONG KONG’S CMB WING LUNG INSURANCE RATED EXCELLENT - AM BEST

KUALA LUMPUR, April 8 (Bernama) -- Global credit rating agency, AM Best has affirmed the Hong Kong’s CMB Wing Lung Insurance Company Limited (CMBWLI) financial strength rating of A (Excellent) and the long-term issuer credit rating of “a” (Excellent).

In a statement, AM Best said these credit ratings (ratings) which have a stable outlook reflected CMBWLI’s balance sheet strength, which was assessed as very strong, as well as its strong operating performance, neutral business profile and appropriate enterprise risk management.

CMBWLI’s very strong balance sheet strength assessment is underpinned by its robust risk-adjusted capitalisation, as measured by Best’s Capital Adequacy Ratio (BCAR).

The company’s capital base continued to grow organically in 2022, supported by its positive operating results and profit retention, partially offset by a one-off dividend in specie to CMB Wing Lung Bank in 2022. During 2022 and 2023, cash and cash equivalents remained as CMBWLI’s largest asset type.

Additionally, the insurer continues to enhance the credit quality of its bond investments, which remains as its largest investment asset type other than cash, as well as the de-risking of its equity portfolio during 2023.

The company’s overall operating performance has been consistently strong and better than average, as evidenced by annualised returns on equity of eight per cent and nine per cent respectively, in 2022 and 2023.

Net earnings continued to be supported by decent growth in premium volume and profitable underwriting results. CMBWLI’s investment performance continues to be supported by a stream of interest and dividend incomes during 2022 and 2023.

A medium-size, non-life insurer in Hong Kong, and one of the major market players in its domestic market’s employees’ compensation (EC) segment, CMBWLI ’s product mix remained diversified in 2023, with EC, motor and property damage making up the bulk of its business.

CMBWLI has continued to strengthen its risk management over the last few years, including investment risk controls, risk identification and monitoring tools, as well as risk governance.

-- BERNAMA