REPORT ON NATIONAL FINDINGS 2024 - FINANCIAL CAPABILITY & UTILIZATION OF FINANCIAL ADVISORY SERVICES IN MALAYSIA

 

_{Caption : Cover page of Report of National Findings 2024 : Financial Capability & Utilization of Financial Advisory Service in Malaysia. Download your copies at https://www.mfpc.org.my/cmdf-research-findings/}

KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 27 (Bernama) -- Malaysian Financial Planning Council (MFPC) has released a Report on National Findings 2024 - Financial Capability & Utilization of Financial Advisory Services in Malaysia. The report is the third instalment of a continuous study funded by the Capital Market Development Fund (CMDF), which focuses on three objectives:
i.   to investigate the general financial capability of Malaysians;
ii.  to determine Malaysians’ literacy of Capital Market; and
iii. to understand Malaysians’ preferences with regard to financial advisory services.
 

The previous reports were published in 2018 and 2020, respectively. The digital copies of all these reports are available on MFPC’s website for public consumption, or you may click the following link - https://www.mfpc.org.my/cmdf-research-findings/ .

 
The research team was led by Prof Dr Mohamad Fazli Sabri, Dean of Faculty of Human Ecology, Universiti Putra Malaysia, in collaboration with local academicians and industry practitioners, including the MFPC Secretariat. Data for the study was collected from June to September 2023 and consisted of 2000 samples, of which 500 were repeat respondents. There were four categories of respondents:
i.  public sector employees;
ii. SME/private sector employees/general public;
iii. FELDA/rural area residents; and
iv. youths in institutions of higher learning.
 
There were four sections on the findings:
(i)   demographic and socioeconomic information,
(ii)   Financial Literacy,
(iii)  Financial Capability and
(iv)  Financial Planning Services.
 
The report findings were then used to aid policymakers in understanding the current scenario in Malaysia and to continuously and progressively study the trend and pattern of the above objectives, to be able to facilitate the design and implementation of relevant policies and market needs.
 
Some of the findings’ highlights were:
(i)  Fewer people understand the importance of the Employee Provident Fund (EPF) for retirement, with only 32% considering it sufficient, down from 58% in 2019.
(ii)  Comprehension of the Private Retirement Scheme (PRS) has declined by 16%, indicating a need for better retirement planning education.
(iii)  Respondents showed gaps in capital market literacy, particularly regarding the time value of money and inflation.
(iv)  Over 70% can manage daily expenses and save for emergencies; 44% prioritise current living over future planning.

(i)    Social media is the preferred source of financial information for 75% of respondents.
(ii)   Confusion about the roles of professional financial planners, with many mistaking them for various financial advisors.
(iii)   Robo-advisor usage is low at 9%, possibly due to a perceived lack of empathy and accuracy.
(iv)   The necessity of improving financial literacy, especially in retirement planning and cautious use of digital information.
 
As for recommendations, there is a dire need for:
(i)  Extensive financial education initiatives through seminars, workshops, and empowerment via digital platforms e.g. social media, and robo-tech.
(ii)  Periodic engagement between the public and authorities to keep track of the latest financial innovations and updates to avoid online scams, investment frauds, and Ponzi schemes.
(iii)  Enhancement of financial planners’ competency in providing consistent advisory services and execution.
(iv)  Promoting a better understanding of the financial planner’s various services, roles and responsibilities.
 
Malaysian Financial Planning Council (MFPC)
The Malaysian Financial Planning Council (MFPC) was set up in in 2004 with the objective of promoting nationwide development and enhancement of the financial planning profession. We conduct professional programmes leading to the Registered Financial Planner and Shariah Registered Financial Planner designations. Both qualifications are approved by Bank Negara Malaysia (BNM) as a prerequisite to apply for a Financial Adviser’s Licence and a Financial Adviser’s Representative Licence. The qualifications are also approved by Securities Commission Malaysia for the Capital Market Services Licence (CMSL) application in light of the introduction of the Capital Markets and Services Act 2007.Our mission has extended to include raising the financial literacy of all Malaysians by being at the forefront of efforts to provide financial education to Malaysians from all walks of life. We do this by continuously conducting numerous financial education programmes for the public at no cost, reflecting our contribution and commitment to the positive development of Malaysians and ultimately the nation.
 
SOURCE: Malaysian Financial Planning Council (MFPC)

FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT: 
Name: Mohd Farhan Bin Azizan
External Relations, Research and Publication
Malaysian Financial Planning Council
Tel: +6 019 277 3521
Email: farhan@mfpc.org.my
Our website: www.mfpc.org.my 

--BERNAMA 

MEDIDATA EXTENDS ITS COMMITMENT TO THE PATIENT EXPERIENCE WITH THE LAUNCH OF PATIENT PAYMENTS

New solution accelerates payments to patients participating in a clinical trial, improving experience and access

NEW YORK, Sept 26 (Bernama-BUSINESS WIRE) -- Medidata, a Dassault Systèmes brand and leading provider of clinical trial solutions to the life sciences industry, today announced the launch of Medidata Patient Payments, a new solution that streamlines trial-related stipends and reimbursements for patients participating in clinical research. This offering automates the payment lifecycle and addresses the longstanding challenge of compensating participants for their time, effort, and study-related expenses, while solving for growing concerns around the financial toxicity of clinical trial encounters.

Medidata Patient Payments delivers an intuitive reimbursement experience for patients, allowing them to quickly submit requests for various expenses, including travel, meals, lodging, lost wages, childcare, and mileage. Leveraging the power of the Medidata Platform, stipends are automatically triggered by study activities, such as completing a diary or assessment, offering flexibility and convenience. This integrated approach provides a smooth process, supporting quick implementation and accommodating the preferences of both patients and study sites.

“Our Patient Payments solution is a direct reflection of the commitment and passion we have to deliver an extraordinary patient experience,” said Meghan Harrington, vice president, Clinical Trial Financial Management, Medidata. “Our partnerships with Medidata’s patient and site advisory boards, coupled with the incomparable data housed within our ecosystem, provides us with a unique opportunity to modernize the financial management experience for patients.”

Patient Payments, built on the widely adopted Medidata Platform, offers seamless access via myMedidata for patients and iMedidata accounts for sponsors and sites. Unlike standalone options, it is part of a comprehensive e-clinical suite, enabling robust integration and actionable insights throughout the study lifecycle.

To learn more, visit our website.

About Medidata

Medidata is powering smarter treatments and healthier people through digital solutions to support clinical trials. Celebrating 25 years of ground-breaking technological innovation across more than 34,000 trials and 10 million patients, Medidata offers industry-leading expertise, analytics-powered insights, and the largest patient-level historical clinical trial data set in the world. More than 1 million registered users across approximately 2,200 customers trust Medidata’s seamless, end-to-end platform to improve patient experiences, accelerate clinical breakthroughs, and bring therapies to market faster. A Dassault Systèmes brand (Euronext Paris: FR0014003TT8, DSY.PA), Medidata is headquartered in New York City and has been recognized as a Leader by Everest Group and IDC. Discover more at www.medidata.com and follow us @Medidata.

About Dassault Systèmes

Dassault Systèmes is a catalyst for human progress. We provide business and people with collaborative virtual environments to imagine sustainable innovations. By creating virtual twin experiences of the real world with our 3DEXPERIENCE platform and applications, our customers can redefine the creation, production and life-cycle-management processes of their offer and thus have a meaningful impact to make the world more sustainable. The beauty of the Experience Economy is that it is a human-centered economy for the benefit of all – consumers, patients and citizens. Dassault Systèmes brings value to more than 350,000 customers of all sizes, in all industries, in more than 150 countries. For more information, visit www.3ds.com

© Dassault Systèmes. All rights reserved. 3DEXPERIENCE, the 3DS logo, the Compass icon, IFWE, 3DEXCITE, 3DVIA, BIOVIA, CATIA, CENTRIC PLM, DELMIA, ENOVIA, GEOVIA, MEDIDATA, NETVIBES, OUTSCALE, SIMULIA and SOLIDWORKS are commercial trademarks or registered trademarks of Dassault Systèmes, a European company (Societas Europaea) incorporated under French law, and registered with the Versailles trade and companies registry under number 322 306 440, or its subsidiaries in the United States and/or other countries. All other trademarks are owned by their respective owners. Use of any Dassault Systèmes or its subsidiaries trademarks is subject to their express written approval. 

http://mrem.bernama.com/viewsm.php?idm=49404

FICO SURVEY: RISING ACCEPTANCE OF 'LIAR LOANS' AMONG MALAYSIAN CONSUMERS

More than a third of Malaysians think it’s OK to deliberately mislead on personal loans, mortgages, auto and other applications.

KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia, Sept 26 (Bernama-BUSINESS WIRE)--

(NYSE: FICO):

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: 
https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240925312996/en/

 

Highlights

• More than half of Malaysians (55%) think it’s OK or normal for people to exaggerate their income on loan applications, significantly more than the global average of 39%
• More than one in six (18%) of Malaysians believe it’s normal for people to deliberately misrepresent their income on mortgage applications
• Falsifying insurance claims is viewed as the most taboo form of fraud, with close to half (49%) of Malaysian respondents believing it is not acceptable

Global analytics software leader FICO today shared its latest global consumer fraud research, revealing alarming attitudes toward first-party financial fraud both globally and in the Malaysian market.

Three in five Malaysians think it is normal or acceptable in some cases to misrepresent their income on applications for a bank account (66%), automotive financing (64%), or mortgage (59%). Similarly, many Malaysians are comfortable with exaggerating income on personal loan applications, further complicating financial integrity.

About a third (36%) of Malaysian consumers believe it’s never acceptable to exaggerate income on a personal loan application, while another third (37%) find it acceptable under specific conditions. Approximately one in six views exaggerating income on personal loan, mortgage and auto loan applications as common and acceptable behaviour.

Globally, attitudes differ notably. The survey reveals that the majority of consumers (56%) firmly reject the idea of exaggerating income on loan applications, viewing it as never acceptable. One in four (24%) consider it permissible in certain circumstances, while one in seven (15%) view it as a normal practice.

“Malaysian banks are facing the threat of ‘liar loans’ with over half of Malaysian consumers viewing income falsification as either acceptable or justified,” said Aashish Sharma, APAC segment leader for risk lifecycle and decision management at FICO. “It is crucial for Malaysian consumers to understand that misrepresenting income, even unintentionally, can lead to serious consequences.”

More information: https://www.fico.com/en/latest-thinking/ebook/consumer-survey-2023-digital-banking-customer-preferences-and-fraud-controls

Growing Mortgage Sector at Risk of Application Fraud

The FICO survey reveals that more than two in five (41%) Malaysian consumers believe it is acceptable under certain circumstances to lie on mortgage applications, and close to one in five (18%) view it as normal. With residential mortgages accounting for 64% of consumer loans in Malaysia (TA Securities), the findings highlight significant risk assessment challenges and potential bad loan rates that financial institutions face.

Even when a mortgage application from an existing customer appears legitimate on paper, the established banking relationship can be exploited to commit fraud. By exaggerating income, such as inflating self-employment earnings or overstating bonuses, as well as omitting debts or misrepresenting personal circumstances, applicants can manipulate the loan process, making it difficult for lenders to detect these discrepancies without thorough and proactive verification measures.

“Financial institutions can overcome the unique challenges presented by application fraud by leveraging cutting-edge data analytics for risk assessments,” said Sharma. “This will provide holistic views of each customer, enabling early detection of anomalies and signs of sleeper fraud.”

Falsifying Insurance Claims Is Most Taboo

Falsifying insurance claims is viewed as the most taboo form of fraud, according to FICO’s research, with around two-thirds of consumers globally believing it is never acceptable to exaggerate the value of stolen property or add false items to a claim. This sentiment is echoed by close to half of Malaysian respondents (49%).

Matching global trends, attitudes shift regarding other financial products. Half of consumers globally, including more than a quarter of Malaysians (29%), feel it is unacceptable to exaggerate income on a mobile phone contract or an application for automotive financing.

“The FICO survey reveals that cost-of-living pressures on consumers are potentially shaping views about application fraud,” noted Sharma. “This is a strong signal to financial institutions to implement effective fraud prevention strategies to safeguard their business and customers.”

The survey was conducted in November 2023 by an independent research company adhering to research industry standards. 1,001 Malaysian adults were surveyed, along with approximately 12,000 other consumers in Canada, U.S., Brazil, Colombia, Mexico, The Philippines, Indonesia, India, Singapore, Thailand, U.K. and Spain. 

http://mrem.bernama.com/viewsm.php?idm=49407

Airwallex Shifts Perspectives With Lando Norris 3D Sculpture In Singapore

KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 23 (Bernama) -- Airwallex, a global financial platform for modern businesses recently unveiled a first-of-its-kind 3D perception shift sculpture of McLaren F1 team driver, Lando Norris in Singapore to launch its “Shifted Perspectives” campaign locally.

Held from Sept 19 to 22, the exclusive event at 39+ Art Space, located in the Tanjong Pagar Distripark, brought together key figures from motorsport, art, and business to highlight how viewing challenges from a different perspective can turn obstacles into opportunities.

Airwallex Vice President of Global Marketing, Jon Stona in a statement said: “Success in business often comes down to how we choose to see challenges.

“By shifting perspectives, we can turn barriers into building blocks. ‘Shifted Perspectives’ illustrates how, with a fresh approach, what once seemed like an obstacle can become an opportunity for growth.”

In collaboration with renowned 3D perceptual shift artist, Michael Murphy, the sculpture symbolises the powerful role that perception plays in driving success.

By fusing art, technology, and motorsport, Airwallex showcases how shifting perspectives can be the foundation for growth in business.

“Shifted Perspectives” builds on Airwallex’s partnership with McLaren Racing, first announced in early 2024, and emphasises both brands' shared commitment to innovation and pushing boundaries.

Murphy, celebrated for his perceptual art, brings this to life in a unique piece, which centres on Norris as a representation of resilience and adaptability, qualities essential for success in both business and sport.

Just as McLaren Racing and Airwallex continually adapt to overcome challenges, this campaign invites businesses to rethink their approach to global finance and unlock new possibilities.

-- BERNAMA

TELEDYNE INTRODUCES NEXT GENERATION AI-POWERED SMART CAMERA FOR INDUSTRIAL AUTOMATION AND INSPECTION

BOSTON, Sept 27 (Bernama-GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Teledyne DALSA, a Teledyne Technologies [NYSE:TDY] company and global leader in machine vision technology, is pleased to announce its next generation AI-powered BOA™3 smart camera for industrial automation and inspection.

The new BOA3 smart camera is designed to leverage the best features from previous BOA generations and combine them with new sensor and AI (Artificial Intelligence) inspection technologies developed by Teledyne. BOA3 is a highly integrated vision system in a compact, rugged smart camera format designed to meet the needs of the most complex, demanding machine vision applications.

“The new BOA3 is an exciting next step in our smart camera development,” said Szymon Chawarski, Product Line Manager, Vision Systems. “Its modular and flexible architecture will allow us to offer new and powerful solutions for embedded machine vision inspections.”

BOA3 offers sensor resolutions from 1.2 to 12MP, integrated or C-mount lens options, onboard I/O, and includes easy-to-use machine vision software, all in one common platform. BOA3 smart cameras deliver the flexibility and uncompromised functionality to enable quick, cost-effective embedded machine vision deployments.

BOA3 comes with iNspect™, an easy-to-use, no-code inspection development software with tools for positioning, part locating, pattern matching, measuring, barcode reading, feature or defect detection, including automatic reading of characters (OCR) based on a pre-trained AI inference network. Combine the broad range of traditional vision tools with powerful AI Classification or Object Detection models created in Astrocyte™, Teledyne DALSA’s GUI-based AI Trainer software.

Camera Details and Availability

BOA3 models with 1.2, 5MP, and 12MP monochrome sensors are available immediately. Color versions are planned for release at the end of 2024. New sensor and lens options will be added to the platform in 2025.

Find out more about BOA3 smart cameras at VISION in Stuttgart, Germany from October 8-10 at Teledyne booth 8 B10. Please visit the BOA3 product page for more information. For sales enquiries, visit our contact page.

Teledyne DALSA is part of the Teledyne Vision Solutions group and a leader in the design, manufacture, and deployment of digital imaging components for machine vision. Teledyne DALSA image sensors, cameras, smart cameras, frame grabbers, software, and vision solutions are used in thousands of automated inspection systems around the world and across multiple industries. For more information, visit www.teledynedalsa.com/imaging.

Media Contact
Brooks Riendeau
brooks.riendeau@teledyne.com

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at 
https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/06fd6d5a-7e0f-48e2-ae35-cdf77c31b8a2 


SOURCE : Teledyne DALSA

2024 INTERNATIONAL YOUTH FORUM ON CREATIVITY AND HERITAGE ALONG THE SILK ROAD: YOUNG PEOPLE CAN CREATE THEIR OWN "DIGITAL AGE"

CHANGSHA, China, Sept. 26, 2024 /Xinhua-AsiaNet/--

The 2024 International Youth Forum on Creativity and Heritage Along the Silk Road kicked off in Changsha on Monday. The forum is held in Changsha and Nanjing from September 22 to 28.
 
The forum, themed "Reimagining Our Heritage: Stories of Resilience and Change," discussed the new opportunities and challenges brought by big data, artificial intelligence, metaverse, and other new technologies to the inheritance and protection of cultural heritage in the era of digitalization and globalization.

60 young representatives from 53 countries (including China) along the Silk Road, representatives from UNESCO's "Creative Cities Network" member cities at home and abroad, gathered to exchange ideas and engage in cross-cultural dialogue.
 
During the forum, in addition to academic sharing and exchanges, many experiential activities were also held, such as the Sino-foreign Youth Gala Evening, Changsha Intangible Cultural Heritage Experience, and Night Tour of Tianxinge Pavilion, allowing participants to personally experience the unique charm of Changsha as the "World's Media Arts Capital." Through communication and exchanges, young people from various countries generated ideas collisions, carried out cooperation and enhanced friendships through experiential interactions, and also provided new ideas and paths for the protection and inheritance of youth creativity and heritage.
 
Source: Organizing Committee of 2024 International Youth Forum on Creativity and Heritage Along the Silk Road  

http://mrem.bernama.com/viewsm.php?idm=49406

TOSHIBA'S 1200V ADDITIONS TO ITS LINEUP OF THIRD-GENERATION SIC SCHOTTKY BARRIER DIODES WILL CONTRIBUTE TO HIGH EFFICIENCY IN INDUSTRIAL POWER EQUIPMENT

KAWASAKI, Japan, Sept 26 (Bernama-BUSINESS WIRE) -- Toshiba Electronic Devices & Storage Corporation ("Toshiba") has added the “TRSxxx120Hx Series” of 1200V products to its lineup of third-generation silicon carbide (SiC) Schottky barrier diodes (SBD) for industrial equipment, such as photovoltaic inverters, EV charging stations and switching power supplies. Toshiba today started shipments of the ten new products in the series, five in a TO-247-2L package and five in a TO-247 package.

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: 
https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240924320459/en/

 

The new TRSxxx120Hx Series are 1200V products that use the improved junction-barrier Schottky (JBS) structure^[1] of Toshiba’s third-generation 650V SiC SBD. Use of a new metal in the junction barrier allows the new products to achieve industry-leading ^[2] low forward voltage of 1.27V (typ.), low total capacitive charge and low reverse current. This significantly reduces equipment power loss in more higher power applications.

Toshiba will continue to expand its SiC power device lineup, and to focus on improving efficiency that reduces power loss in industrial power equipment.

Notes:
[1] Improved JBS Structure: A structure that incorporates the Merged PiN Schottky (MPS) structure, which reduces forward voltage at high currents, into the JBS structure, which lowers the electric field at the Schottky interface and reduces current leakage.
[2] Among 1200V SiC SBDs. As of September 2024, Toshiba survey.

Applications

• Photovoltaic inverters
• EV charging stations
• Switching power supplies for industrial equipment, UPS

Features

• Third-generation 1200 V SiC SBD
• Industry-leading^[2] low forward voltage: V_F＝1.27V (typ.) (I_F=I_F(DC))
• Low total capacitive charge: Q_C=109nC (typ.) (V_R=800V, f=1MHz) for TRS20H120H
• Low reverse current: I_R＝2.0μA (typ.) (V_R=1200V) for TRS20H120H 

http://mrem.bernama.com/viewsm.php?idm=49402

LYB SECURES CAPACITY TO REACH ITS 2030 RENEWABLE ELECTRICITY GOAL

HOUSTON and ROTTERDAM, the Netherlands, Sept 25 (Bernama-GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- LyondellBasell (LYB) today announced it signed a power purchase agreement with Eneco N.V. This agreement brings LYB’s total secured renewable electricity capacity to 100% of its renewable electricity procurement target.
 

“Taking climate action is a key part of our strategy to create value for our stakeholders, the environment and society. I am therefore delighted that this latest agreement will help us reach our 2030 renewable electricity goal once all projects become operational,” said Peter Vanacker, LyondellBasell CEO. “Power Purchase Agreements are a critical lever in our efforts to reduce our absolute scope 1 and 2 greenhouse gas emissions.”

Approximately 15% of LYB’s 2020 baseline scope 1 and 2 greenhouse gas emissions come from its electricity consumption. The company target to procure a minimum of 50% of its electricity from renewable sources by 2030 is based on 2020 procured levels.

Under the 15-year PPA signed today, LYB will secure 25 megawatts (MW) of renewable electricity generation capacity from the Hollandse Kust West VI (HKW-VI) ecology plot offshore wind farm in the North Sea, the Netherlands.

Eneco will deliver approximately 103 gigawatt-hours (GWh) of offshore wind power to LYB annually, starting in 2027. This is comparable to the annual electricity consumption of approximately 28,500 European homes. The offshore wind park will rank among the largest of its kind in the Netherlands.

About LyondellBasell

LyondellBasell is a leader in the global chemical industry creating solutions for everyday sustainable living. Through advanced technology and focused investments, we are enabling a circular and low carbon economy. Across all we do, we aim to unlock value for our customers, investors and society. As one of the world’s largest producers of polymers and a leader in polyolefin technologies, we develop, manufacture and market high-quality and innovative products for applications ranging from sustainable transportation and food safety to clean water and quality healthcare. For more information, please visit or follow @LyondellBasell on LinkedIn.  

Forward-Looking Statements

The statements in this release relating to matters that are not historical facts are forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are based upon assumptions of management of LyondellBasell which are believed to be reasonable at the time made and are subject to significant risks and uncertainties. Actual results could differ materially based on factors including, but not limited to, the availability, cost and price volatility of utilities; our ability to meet our sustainability goals, including our ability to reduce our emissions and achieve net zero emissions by the time set in our goals; our ability to procure energy from renewable sources; and the successful construction and operation of the projects described in this release. Additional factors that could cause results to differ materially from those described in the forward-looking statements can be found in the "Risk Factors" section of our Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023, which can be found at www.LyondellBasell.com on the Investor Relations page and on the Securities and Exchange Commission's website at www.sec.gov. There is no assurance that any of the actions, events or results of the forward-looking statements will occur, or if any of them do, what impact they will have on our results of operations or financial condition. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date they were made and are based on the estimates and opinions of management of LyondellBasell at the time the statements are made. LyondellBasell does not assume any obligation to update forward-looking statements should circumstances or management's estimates or opinions change, except as required by law. 

http://mrem.bernama.com/viewsm.php?idm=49391

PARATUS SCIENCES, NHCS JOIN FORCES TO ACCELERATE HEART FAILURE CARE

KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 25 (Bernama) -- Paratus Sciences Singapore (Paratus) has partnered National Heart Centre Singapore (NHCS) in advancing the research of heart failure (HF) prevention through investigations on bats’ hearts.

In a first of its kind pilot study on the hearts of bats, NHCS researchers discovered that bats have the ability to increase the pumping strength of the hearts when in stress. This suggests that the hearts of bats are highly robust and capable of preserving heart function during intense periods of stress and hence are protected against HF.

“We are thrilled to embark on this pioneering collaboration with the NHCS. It is a partnership that represents a pivotal advancement in our mission to reveal the genetic and evolutionary edge of bats to accelerate the discovery of human therapeutics.

“By merging our expertise in bat genomics and drug discovery with the groundbreaking research of NHCS in heart failure, this collaboration underscores our shared commitment to uncover transformative insights that could revolutionise therapeutic strategies and improve outcomes for patients,” said Paratus Sciences Chief Executive Officer, Dr Theresa G.H. Heah in a statement.

Meanwhile, NHCS National Heart Research Institute Singapore Director, Professor Derek Hausenloy said: “There is much we can learn from the bat’s exceptionally high metabolic rate and efficient heart system, and we look forward to identifying the key factors that can protect the human heart and enhance patient outcomes.”

Following the preliminary discovery of the pilot study, NHCS is advancing the research through its "PREVENT-HF” research platform to further investigate the physiology of the bat heart to understand how it adapts to stress and discover new treatments to improve the heart system in humans to potentially affect positive outcomes for individuals with HF.

As Singapore’s foremost cardiac centre and expertise in generating human patient-specific beating heart cells, NHCS and Paratus will take this collaboration forward with the aim of identifying potential factors that help the hearts of bats adapt to stress, validating these factors, and applying the findings in human patient-specific beating heart cells.

Paratus Sciences Singapore, a subsidiary established by Paratus Sciences, is a start-up biotechnology company that unlocks novel disease targets and accelerates medication discovery by leveraging the extraordinary adaptive biology of bats.

It is developing a proprietary discovery platform that integrates cell biology, genomics and informatics, enabling Paratus to analyse extensive data and compare patterns of disease resistance and health management in bats with disease development and progression in humans.

Through this data-driven comparative analysis, Paratus and the team from NHCS aim to rapidly identify and validate treatment targets. With target identification, Paratus plans to accelerate the development of therapies for human diseases.

-- BERNAMA

Nippon Kinzoku Introduces Welded Drawn Pipe Series

KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 24 (Bernama) -- Tokyo-based Nippon Kinzoku Co Ltd, a stainless steel rolling and processing provider for the automotive, battery, semiconductor and other markets, has commercialised “FINE PIPE”, a welded drawn pipe that surpasses “seamless pipe”.

According to the company in a statement, this pipe uses carefully selected materials and unique processing technologies (welding, drawing, annealing) only available from a raw material manufacturer.

These products meet the needs for higher precision in small-diameter pipe manufacturing, and it has received many inquiries and orders for the “FINE PIPE” series are expanding.

Nippon Kinzoku’s “FINE PIPE” is eco-friendly, high quality, and low cost, and is used in various fields such as automotive parts, measuring instruments, and industrial equipment to meet the high precision and high quality requirements of its customers.

In response to the recent needs for higher performance and higher speed in analytical and medical equipment, the company has developed “high-precision internal surface” small-diameter pipes and “FINE PEEK-ST”, a small-diameter composite tube made of stainless steel and PEEK resin, based on its proprietary technology in “FINE PIPE”.

Founded in 1930, Nippon Kinzoku will continue to provide new value to society with highly value-added products.

-- BERNAMA

Mitsubishi Electric To Co-Host Football Clinics For Southeast Asia Children

KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 23 (Bernama) -- Mitsubishi Electric Corporation announced it will collaborate with the ASEAN Football Federation (AFF) to co-organise football clinics for children in Southeast Asia, when the ASEAN Mitsubishi Electric Cup 2024 trophy tour visits local cities between Sept 28 and Nov 9.

According to a statement, the clinics will be held in six cities, namely Bangkok, Singapore, Kuala Lumpur, Hanoi, Jakarta and Manila, with the last venue in recognition of the Philippines being newly added as one of the tournament’s 11 host countries.

Clinic participants will include coaches from FC Imabari, a Japanese professional football team in the Meiji Yasuda J3 League, with which Mitsubishi Electric signed an executive partnership agreement in November last year.

In addition, legendary players from each country’s national team, will conduct lessons and mini-games to help children learn about football, the joy of sports and the importance of pursuing dreams.

Mitsubishi Electric is the title partner of the ASEAN Mitsubishi Electric Cup 2024, a biennial tournament that the AFF will organise for 11 Southeast Asian national teams between Dec 8, 2024 and Jan 5, 2025.

Besides helping solve pressing issues in global society and contributing to sustainability via its businesses, the company also strives to create a more vibrant and enjoyable world through activities involving culture, the arts and sports.

When the company was the title partner of the tournament in 2022, it invited legendary football players from the national teams of Southeast Asian countries to conduct football clinics for children in Thailand, Singapore, Malaysia, Vietnam and Indonesia.

With more than 100 years of experience in providing reliable, high-quality products, Mitsubishi Electric is a recognised world leader in the manufacture, marketing and sales of electrical and electronic equipment.

-- BERNAMA

LYB STARTS CONSTRUCTIONS OF ADVANCED RECYCLING PLANT IN GERMANY

KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 23 (Bernama) -- LyondellBasell (LYB) advanced its journey toward sustainable growth and value creation by laying the foundation of its first, catalytic advanced recycling plant at its Wesseling, Germany site.

German Federal Chancellor Olaf Scholz and North Rhine-Westphalia Minister-President Hendrik Wüst attended the celebrations, underscoring the project’s importance for both the region’s and Germany’s goals for a circular, low carbon economy.

Targeted startup for the new unit is set for 2026, as part of the company’s strategy to build a profitable Circular and Low Carbon Solutions business.

Its Chief Executive Officer, Peter Vanacker said with investments like these, the company is creating solutions and addressing rising demand for more sustainable products from its customers and society.

“The new facility has the potential to turn back hard to recycle, processed mixed plastic waste of more than 1.2 million German citizens into valuable raw materials to make new products. And this is only the first unit that we are building, we are already working on our future MoReTec plants,” he said in a statement.

Meanwhile, Chancellor Scholz said the German government is committed to strengthening and further enhancing Germany as a location for the chemical industry.

Using LYB proprietary MoReTec technology, this plant will be the first commercial scale, single-train advanced recycling plant, designed to demonstrate its capability for further scalability.

This unit will convert pre-treated, mixed waste plastic into raw materials to produce new plastic polymers that will be sold under the LYB CirculenRevive brand.

LYB anticipates its MoReTec technology will gradually help shift the use of traditional fossil-based raw materials toward circular resources, as the catalytic nature of the technology allows it to conserve energy and significantly lower greenhouse gas emissions, while serving as a blueprint for future investments.

-- BERNAMA

BEST'S SPECIAL REPORT: MORE RATING UPGRADES THAN DOWNGRADES FOR ASIA PACIFIC (RE)INSURERS IN 2023 AMID GEOPOLITICAL UNCERTAINTY

OLDWICK, N.J., Sept 23 (Bernama-BUSINESS WIRE) -- Long-Term Issuer Credit Rating (Long-Term ICR) upgrades exceeded downgrades for AM Best-rated Asia-Pacific (re)insurers in 2023, driving predominantly by improved balance sheet strength and favorable operating performance, according to a new AM Best report.

The Best’s Special Report, “Asia-Pacfic Benchmarking: Positive Signs While Navigating Climate and Geopolitical Uncertainty,” states that eight Long-Term ICRs were upgraded in 2023 with four downgraded on a range of factors, including falling Best’s Capital Adequacy Ratio (BCAR) scores and weakening operating results. Additionally, AM Best assigned 10 new ratings in the region during the year.

AM Best’s geographical rating coverage across Asia and Oceania is broad, and more than 75% of AM Best’s ICRs for Asia-Pacific rating units carried a Long-Term ICR of “a-” or higher, with mature markets skewing more favorably than emerging markets. The report highlights dynamics at work in mature and emerging markets.

“Mature markets generally have more stable economic conditions and insurers may face fewer underwriting risks due to better-established risk management practices, more-accurate actuarial modeling and a deeper understanding of market dynamics,” said David Lopes, senior industry research analyst, AM Best. “At the same time, emerging markets typically have simpler insurance products, resulting in lower probability of adverse claims development, and low insurance penetration.”

The report compares various rating drivers and building-block assessments in aggregate on rated carriers in mature and emerging markets. Despite elevated catastrophe activity in recent years, most outlooks on Asia-Pacific rating units were stable at year-end 2023, at 87%, though a larger proportion of those stable outlooks were for companies operating in mature markets than emerging-market participants. Of the outlook revisions that did occur in 2023, most were moved to positive from stable and on companies operating in mature markets; in particular, New Zealand and Singapore.

The types of companies rated, operating in mature and emerging markets, are diverse and include reinsurers, insurers, mutuals, captives, credit and health insurers, takaful operators and protection and indemnity (P&I) clubs.

To access the full copy of this special report, please visit http://www3.ambest.com/bestweek/purchase.asp?record_code=347004.

AM Best is a global credit rating agency, news publisher and data analytics provider specializing in the insurance industry. Headquartered in the United States, the company does business in over 100 countries with regional offices in London, Amsterdam, Dubai, Hong Kong, Singapore and Mexico City. For more information, visit www.ambest.com.

Copyright © 2024 by A.M. Best Rating Services, Inc. and/or its affiliates. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. 

http://mrem.bernama.com/viewsm.php?idm=49379

MENLO SECURITY NAMED LEADER FOR SECURE ENTERPRISE BROWSING IN GIGAOM RADAR REPORT

KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 23 (Bernama) -- Menlo Security, the pioneer of Secure Enterprise Browsers, has announced its position as a Leader and Fast Mover in the GigaOm Radar Report for Secure Enterprise Browsing.

Specifically, GigaOm recognised Menlo Security’s Secure Enterprise Browser, powered by the Menlo Secure Cloud Browser, as a Leader and Fast Mover in the Innovation/Platform Play quadrant of the Radar chart.

“Being named a Leader and Fast Mover in GigaOm’s Radar Report for Secure Enterprise Browsing validates the benefits of Menlo Security’s trusted and proven approach.

“We continue to address enterprise and government needs, making it easy to manage leading browsers, protecting users and securing access to applications and data, transparent to the end user,” said Menlo Security Vice President of Security Strategy, Andrew Harding.

According to a statement, the Menlo Secure Cloud Browser delivers high-efficacy, artificial intelligence (AI)-driven defences and an easy-to-own solution for secure remote access and zero trust applications.

Menlo also provides comprehensive visibility into browser behaviour and enforces software as a service (SaaS) governance and secure web gateway policy.

With support for both public SaaS and private web applications, Menlo is easy for users and easy on administrators, as the intuitive tile interface and policy-based access make it perfect for contractors, remote teams, and third-party users.

The GigaOm Radar Report evaluates 13 of the top Secure Enterprise Browsing solutions available across a range of criteria, and serves as a resource for security and information technology leaders to make informed decisions regarding available solutions to protect this critical business asset.

-- BERNAMA

CIOS FIND AI BOTH EXCITING, STRESSFUL - EXPEREO STUDY

KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 23 (Bernama) -- Expereo in its latest survey revealed that 64 per cent of technology leaders from large global enterprises find it challenging and/or stressful to meet the technology demands of the business and that artificial intelligence (AI) is a key source of both pressure and opportunity.

The research conducted by IDC and commissioned by Expereo delves into the complexities chief information officers (CIOs) face as AI becomes a major force of innovation and disruption, revealing that AI has raised the profile and expectations of technology leaders at board level, a double-edged sword for many senior technology decision-makers.

While 60 per cent of global respondents say their focus on AI has boosted their personal reputation, 47 per cent also say their board has unrealistic demands regarding the impact of AI on international business performance and 39 per cent felt their job is more stressful or negative because of their added profile.

Expereo Chief Executive Officer, Ben Elms said technology leaders are at the forefront of driving innovation and transformation in their organisations, but they also face significant challenges and pressures from the business and the board.

“It is vital that CIOs align with their CEOs to ensure they are given the proper support by their stakeholders, teams and their external partners, to help them make the most of a challenging but exciting technology landscape,” said Elms in a statement.

The report, titled Enterprise Horizons 2024: Technology Leaders' Priorities on Their Digital Business Journey, highlights the perceived impact of AI on the workforce, both within and outside of information technology (IT) which could be partly causing this ‘AI-anxiety’.

While the emergence of a chief AI officer (CAIO) role could bring businesses new opportunities, 40 per cent of technology leaders say a CAIO role will take over much of the CIO’s responsibilities within two years, and 38 per cent of them are worried that AI could replace their or their team’s role.

Moreover, 46 per cent of global respondents believe increased automation will also result in some roles outside of information technology (IT) being displaced.

However, technology leaders are also excited about the pace of technology innovation, with the survey showing that 68 per cent of respondents say this is the most exciting time to be a technology leader, and 71 per cent of them are confident that they or their team can support growth and efficiency gains through their current technology strategy.

The survey also shows that technology leaders are expected to contribute to various aspects of the business, such as growth, risk management, and IT modernisation, but their role will become even more demanding in the next two years, as they will have to orchestrate digital transformation and generate digital revenue.

-- BERNAMA

PREQIN EXPECTS GLOBAL ALTERNATIVE MARKETS TO SURPASS US$30 TRILLION BY 2030

KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 23 (Bernama) -- Preqin in its Future of Alternatives 2029 report forecasted the global alternatives industry to reach US$29.2 trillion in assets under management (AUM) by 2029, from US$16.8 trillion at the end of 2023. (US$1=RM4.20)

In a statement, the company said while not part of the official report forecasts, the analysis predicted the industry is on course to exceed US$30 trillion in AUM by 2030.

This signifies an annualised growth rate of 9.7 per cent in the forecast period, 2023-end to 2029, which represents a slowdown from 10.5 per cent during the 2017 to 2023 period due to softer expectations for the private equity and venture capital markets.

Preqin Global Head of Research Insights, Cameron Joyce said global alternatives markets continue to evolve rapidly, especially as individual investors’ access opens up, as the private wealth channel’s growth continues to gather pace.

Private wealth and weak exit markets are expected to drive secondaries to an annualised growth rate of 13.1 per cent, with secondaries forecast to be the fastest growing area of alternatives from 2023-end to 2029.

Currently, the secondaries market remains a buyer’s market, as investors’ portfolios face liquidity constraints, and Preqin anticipates ongoing demand for secondaries strategies from the private wealth channel, as they offer inherent advantages for investors that are new to private markets.

Meanwhile, private equity is predicted to remain the largest private capital asset class, with Preqin forecasting it is on course to more than double in AUM from 2023-end to 2029, from US$5.8 trillion to US$12.0 trillion, at an annualised growth rate of 12.8 per cent.

The report also found that artificial intelligence (AI) is expected to be one of the factors buoying early-stage venture capital with annualised AUM growth at 13.2 per cent, followed by venture (general) at 11.1 per cent, from end-2023 to 2029.

By 2029, global private real estate AUM is forecast to continue its steady growth to US$2.7 trillion; global unlisted infrastructure AUM to reach US$2.4 trillion as the energy transition lifts fundraising and deals from 2027 onwards; and global hedge funds AUM to surpass US$5.7 trillion but outflows are predicted to impact performance-based growth.

The Future of Alternatives report series forecasts the size and growth of the global alternatives industry based on Preqin’s Research Insights team’s data-driven predictive models and analysis, as well as covers all alternative asset classes, including by strategy, across major global regions.

-- BERNAMA

MARY KAY EXPANDS INTO KYRGYZSTAN, FURTHER ELEVATING BEAUTY AND EMPOWERMENT AROUND THE WORLD

 

Mary Kay’s expansion into Kyrgyzstan marks another step forward in the company’s mission to enrich women’s lives around the world, offering top-tier beauty products and unparalleled business opportunities. (Photo: Mary Kay Inc.)

DALLAS, Sept 20 (Bernama-BUSINESS WIRE) -- Mary Kay Inc., a global leader in skin care and cosmetics, is proud to announce its expansion into Kyrgyzstan, marking a significant milestone in its ongoing international growth strategy. This exciting development underscores Mary Kay’s commitment to empowering women and providing innovative, high-quality skincare and beauty products across the globe.
 

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240919159057/en/ 

The beauty and personal care market is experiencing robust growth internationally, with sales volume in these categories almost doubling over the past several years. The beauty market is expected to reach approximately $580 billion by 2027, growing by a projected 6 percent per year¹ while the direct selling market size is estimated to reach $286.7 billion by 2028². This phenomenal growth is due to more individuals turning to entrepreneurship and seeking flexible and rewarding business opportunities. Recognizing this upward trend, Mary Kay has strategically expanded into Kyrgyzstan to meet the increasing demand for premium beauty products and entrepreneurial opportunities.

“I’m confident our expansion into Kyrgyzstan will inspire countless women to discover the transformative power of Mary Kay’s award-winning products and strengthen our position as the #1 Direct Selling Brand of Skin Care and Color Cosmetics in the World³,” said Tara Eustace, President of Mary Kay Europe Region. “Mary Kay Ash often said we’re doing far more than just selling cosmetics—we’re changing lives. This belief is at the heart of everything we do, and I am excited to witness the incredible impact we will have on the women of Kyrgyzstan.” 

http://mrem.bernama.com/viewsm.php?idm=49368

EBC BAGS BROKERSVIEW BEST TRADING EXPERIENCE AWARD, STRENGTHENING GLOBAL LEADERSHIP

SINGAPORE, Sept 20 (Bernama-GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- At the BrokersView Award Ceremony in Vietnam in September 2024, EBC Financial Group (EBC) was awarded the “Best Trading Experience” Award, once again solidifying its position as a world-class leader in the financial industry specialising in forex, CFDs, and stocks. The latest award recognised EBC’s commitment to facilitating the most robust trading conditions and delivering an exceptional trading experience.

Although the global forex trading market is growing at a rapid pace and is expected to surpass US$10 trillion by 2028 (Source: Yahoo Finance), participation in this increasingly popular financial planning tool is marred by widespread misinformation and volatility, leading to a lack of trust among traders (Source: Finance Magnates). EBC aims to address these challenges by fostering a stable and reliable trading environment, guided by its core belief that every investor engagement should receive the seriousness and sincerity it deserves.

Going beyond active efforts to innovate its trading platform and ensure highly competitive spreads, EBC is dedicated to ensuring compliance with stringent regulation, fair and transparent pricing mechanisms, and multi-layered security measures.

Expanding Global Reach and Strategic Presence

EBC Financial Group has long established its position as a global brokerage firm, with an extensive presence in key financial hubs such as London, Hong Kong, Tokyo, Singapore, Sydney, and across emerging markets in Latin America, Southeast Asia, Africa, and India.

This global expansion is driven by EBC’s strategy to localise its operations to meet the unique regulatory requirements of different regions, while tailoring its offerings to address the specific needs of clients in each market. Through strategic investments in regulatory licenses, institutional-level liquidity, and advanced trading infrastructure, EBC is positioning itself to serve a broader international clientele with a diverse range of trading tools and services.

EBC's growth in emerging markets, particularly in Southeast Asia, Latin America, India and Africa, is part of the company's commitment to empowering traders with access to robust financial ecosystems, which have traditionally been underserved by major financial institutions. As EBC scales its operations, the company is continuing to expand its support infrastructure in these regions to ensure traders can enjoy the same seamless experience available in more established financial hubs.

BrokersView: An Industry-Leading Broker Review Platform
BrokersView, a FastBull brand, is a leading financial information portal that helps investors identify suitable brokers quickly and efficiently. Winning the “Best Trading Experience Award” was no easy feat among a sea of strong contenders. In evaluating EBC for their 2024 awards, BrokersView conducted a rigorous assessment of EBC on six key aspects – trading speed, stability, liquidity, slippage, spreads, and swap rates.

Real-time data was examined for predetermined trading conditions and, ultimately, EBC’s tailored trading platform, featuring fast and optimal order executions, low spreads, and 24/7 customer service, helped the firm stand out as a mark of assurance and played a crucial role in securing this prestigious award.

EBC’s mission as a global brokerage group is to create a superior trading ecosystem that empowers traders worldwide. To achieve this, EBC invests in comprehensive regulatory licences, advanced infrastructure, institutional-level liquidity, robust risk management, and proprietary trading algorithms. Moreover, security and confidentiality are paramount at EBC. The firm employs 256-bit SSL encryption and dedicated trading channels to protect its clients' information and build customised solutions to ensure a seamless trading experience.

Celebrating A Spirit of Excellence
Adding to the accolades at the BrokersView Award Ceremony, EBC’s senior analyst, Al Hamidi, was also honoured with the “Best Innovative Trading Strategy” Award at the FastBull 2024 Trading Influencers Awards Ceremony, which was held in conjunction with the BrokersView Award Ceremony; the FastBull 2024 Trading Influencers Awards Ceremony is aimed to celebrate individuals with outstanding contributions to the industry.

With over a decade of related experience, Hamidi has been spearheading theoretical advancements in market strategy analysis and relevant compliance research. His expertise in disaster recovery and business continuity protocols (BCP) was instrumental in helping EBC agilely navigate market events like the CrowdStrike outage in 2024. This award highlights the wealth of experience and expertise within EBC’s diverse team, and the group’s efforts to foster a culture of learning through financial literacy and knowledge sharing.

The latest haul brings EBC’s total awards tally in 2024 thus far to seven. Most recently in August 2024, EBC was named the Best Broker in the Asia Pacific region at the Finance Magnates Annual Awards.

Looking ahead, EBC Financial Group remains focused on its global development roadmap, delivering the ultimate trading experience and keeping traders at the core of its operations. The company's longstanding goal remains unchanged: to empower traders with informed decisions and to be their trusted partner on every trading journey.

About EBC Financial Group
Founded in the esteemed financial district of London, EBC Financial Group (EBC) is renowned for its comprehensive suite of services that includes financial brokerage, asset management, and comprehensive investment solutions. EBC has quickly established its position as a global brokerage firm, with an extensive presence in key financial hubs such as London, Hong Kong, Tokyo, Singapore, Sydney, the Cayman Islands, and across emerging markets in Latin America, Southeast Asia, Africa, and India. EBC caters to a diverse clientele of retail, professional, and institutional investors worldwide.

Recognised by multiple awards, EBC prides itself on adhering to the leading levels of ethical standards and international regulation. EBC Financial Group's subsidiaries are regulated and licensed in their local jurisdictions. EBC Financial Group (UK) Limited is regulated by the UK's Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), EBC Financial Group (Cayman) Limited is regulated by the Cayman Islands Monetary Authority (CIMA), and EBC Financial Group (Australia) Pty Ltd is regulated by Australia's Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC).

At the core of EBC Group are seasoned professionals with over 30 years of profound experience in major financial institutions, having adeptly navigated through significant economic cycles from the Plaza Accord to the 2015 Swiss franc crisis. EBC champions a culture where integrity, respect, and client asset security are paramount, ensuring that every investor engagement is treated with the utmost seriousness it deserves.

EBC is the Official Foreign Exchange Partner of FC Barcelona, offering specialised services in regions such as Asia, LATAM, the Middle East, Africa, and Oceania. EBC is also a partner of United to Beat Malaria, a campaign of the United Nations Foundation, aiming to improve global health outcomes. Starting February 2024, EBC supports the 'What Economists Really Do' public engagement series by Oxford University's Department of Economics, demystifying economics, and its application to major societal challenges to enhance public understanding and dialogue.

https://www.ebc.com/
 

http://mrem.bernama.com/viewsm.php?idm=49376

"BLOOMING FLOWERS AND FULL MOON" CHINA-VIETNAM MID-AUTUMN FESTIVAL GALA DEBUTED IN HO CHI MINH CITY

CHINA, Sept 19 (Bernama) -- On the eve of the Mid-Autumn Festival, which falls on September 17 this year, the Information Office and the Foreign Affairs Office of the People’s Government of Yunnan Province held the Reception Celebrating the 75^th Anniversary of the Founding of the People’s Republic of China & the “Blooming Flowers and Full Moon” China-Vietnam Mid-Autumn Festival Gala in Ho Chi Minh City and the Chinese Consulate-General in Ho Chi Minh City.

A couple of days ago, Super Typhoon Yagi wreaked havoc in northern Vietnam, causing significant property damage and heavy casualties. The typhoon also unleashed destruction across multiple provinces in southern China. Before the artistic performances started, a dozen Chinese-funded business associations in Vietnam including the China Business Association Ho Chi Minh City Branch donated VND3.8 billion (equivalent to RMB1.1 million) to the Vietnam Fatherland Front in Ho Chi Minh City.

The gala opened with the dance performance “Beauty in Harmony.” Themed “Blooming Flowers and Full Moon,” the gala consisted of four parts: “Flowers” (Blossoms in Abundance), “Prosperity” (A Year of Good Fortune and Prosperity), “Moon” (Full Moon during Mid-Autumn Festival), and “Reunion” (Celebrating Together). Chinese and Vietnamese artists and art troupes together celebrated the Mid-Autumn Festival and the China-Vietnam friendship with wonderful song and dance performances.

In Vietnam, the Mid-Autumn Festival is an important occasion for family reunions and fun for the kids. The gala featured an interactive program “Blessings from Chang’e,” which was specifically designed for Vietnamese children. Dressed as Chang’e, the Chinese Goddess of the Moon, the dancers moved through the audience, distributing Mid-Autumn Festival themed cultural and creative products such as drawstring pouches, little rabbit figurines, and lanterns.

“I have been to Kunming, Dali, and Shangri-La in Yunnan. Yunnan is an amazing and beautiful place, and the Chinese people are very friendly and hospitable to us,” said Lam Quang Duc from Vietnam, who works as a Vietnamese-Chinese translator. He praised the fantastic performances by Vietnamese and Chinese artists at the gala, noting that they celebrated the deep friendship between the two countries.

“This is a gala featuring the interaction and merging between the traditional cultures of China and Vietnam,” said Miao Peng from Yunnan, China. He added that artists from both countries conveyed their best wishes for the future with song and dance performances, hoping to further expand people-to-people exchanges and promote mutual understanding and people-to-people bond between the two countries.

The gala is part of the 2024 “Blooming Flowers and Full Moon” Mid-Autumn Festival Cultural Exchange. The five-day event also features the “Sharing the Same Moon” Mid-Autumn Festival Cultural Salon and the “Harmony under the Same Moon” Photo Exhibition on A Many-Splendored Life in Yunnan. 

http://mrem.bernama.com/viewsm.php?idm=49364

SMART MODULAR TECHNOLOGIES INTRODUCES FLASH MEMORY DRIVES WITH SEU MITIGATION FOR REMOTE APPLICATIONS

Single-Event-Upset mitigation technology significantly reduces service costs in demanding networking, telecom, and edge server applications

NEWARK, Calif., Sept 18 (Bernama-BUSINESS WIRE) -- SMART Modular Technologies, Inc. (“SMART”), a division of SGH (Nasdaq: SGH) and a global leader in memory solutions, solid-state drives, and advanced memory, announces a proprietary technology to mitigate the adverse impact of single event upsets (SEUs) in high-reliability flash-memory based systems. SMART Modular’s MP3000 NVMe SSD products with SEU mitigation reduce annual failure rates from as high as 17.5k/Mu (million units) to less than 10/Mu and can save hundreds of thousands of dollars in potential service costs by helping to ensure hundreds of hours of uninterrupted uptime, especially important for tough-to-repair remote deployments.

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: 
https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240917451798/en/

 

“Our industry standard SATA and PCIe NVMe boot drives can slash annual failure rates by as much 99.7% by recovering from soft errors due to single event upsets,” states Satya Iyer, SMART’s vice president of specialty memory. “In networking and telecom applications in remote and hard-to-service locations, SEU mitigation and the ability to recover from soft errors can make the difference for systems that require 24/7 uptime.”

SEUs are an inadvertent change in “bit status” that occurs in digital systems when high-energy neutrons, or alpha particles, randomly strike and cause bits in memory -- logic components -- to literally flip their state. These high-energy particles can originate from terrestrial or extraterrestrial sources such as cosmic rays. SEUs can lead to abnormal operation of digital systems or total system failure. Addressing these errors or upsets within the SSD enable recovery without the need for a full system reboot which is critical in terms of maintaining reliable operations and uninterrupted runtimes.

The SEU mitigation technology is superior to other solutions that simply rely on ECC for the internal SRAM. By having the ability to gracefully reboot itself without a host system reboot, the SSD also handles possible flipped bits in other components within the SSD which might account for an additional 10% of failures. Designed for applications that require maximum uptime, these boot drives with SEU mitigation come in storage capacity ranges from 60GB to 1.92TB, and are available in commercial and industrial temperature grades.

The ME2 SATA M.2 and mSATA drives with SEU mitigation provide 60GB to 1.92TB of storage and are available in commercial grades (operating temperature: 0 to 70°C) and industrial grades (operating temperature: -40 to 85°C). The M.2 2280 also supports SafeDATA^™ power loss data protection.

The MP3000 NVMe PCIe drives with SEU mitigation provide 80GB to 1.92TB of storage in M.2 2280, M.2 22110 and E1.S form factors and are available in commercial temperature grades (operating temperature: 0 to 70°C) and industrial temperature grades (operating temperature: -40 to 85°C). They also support SafeDATA^™ power loss data protection. Visit SMART’s website to learn more.

The stylized “S” and “SMART” as well as “SMART Modular Technologies” are trademarks and/or registered trademarks of SMART Modular Technologies, Inc. All other trademarks and registered trademarks are the properties of their respective owners.

About SMART Modular Technologies, Inc.

For more than 30 years, SMART Modular Technologies has been helping customers around the world enable high performance computing through the design, development and advanced packaging of specialty memory solutions. Our robust portfolio ranges from today’s leading edge technologies to standard and legacy DRAM and Flash storage products. We provide standard, ruggedized and custom memory and storage solutions that meet the needs of diverse applications in high-growth markets. 

http://mrem.bernama.com/viewsm.php?idm=49350