EB5 Capital repays funds to investors

KUALA LUMPUR, Feb 18 (Bernama) -- EB5 Capital, a leader in the EB-5 immigrant investor industry has fully repaid eligible investors in its 7th and 8th projects, thus completing its EB-5 investment process.

According to a statement, the investors received their dues as they had completed the conditional residency period and applied for permanent resident status in the United States (US).

“The return of the full investment amount represents a strong and informed EB-5 investment decision on the part of our clients. We’re honoured they chose to make such an important investment with us,” said EB5 Capital President, Angelique Brunner.

The public initially invested US$500,000 (US$1 = RM 4.08) into EB5 Capital’s Kensington Place of Redwood City or Riverfront at the Navy Yard/Dock 79 partnerships. Given the success of each project, the sponsors repaid the partnerships early.

To meet the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services’ 'at-risk’ requirement, each partnership reinvested funds into another EB5 Capital project. As these funds were returned, eligible investors received their investment. 

The company is raising foreign capital from investors in more than 55 countries for investment in job-creating real estate projects across the US. More information available at http://www.eb5capital.com.

-- BERNAMA

Hollard Insurance Company is superb, says AM Best

KUALA LUMPUR, Feb 18 (Bernama) -- AM Best has affirmed the Financial Strength Rating of A- (excellent) and the Long-Term Issuer Credit Rating of ‘a-’ for The Hollard Insurance Company Pty Ltd (HIC), Australia.

According to a statement, HIC’s balance sheet strength assessment is underpinned by its unconsolidated risk-adjusted capitalisation, as measured by Best’s Capital Adequacy Ratio (BCAR), which is expected to improve to a very strong level in fiscal-year 2019.

The growth in underwriting operations at HIC has driven increasing capital requirements, which a combination of capital injections and a hybrid debt issuance has aided to bolster capital adequacy and support planned business expansion.

AM Best’s balance sheet strength analysis also incorporates a neutral holding company impact following an assessment of consolidated risk-adjusted capitalisation at HIC’s immediate parent, Hollard Holdings Australia Pty Ltd.

HIC’s operating performance has also viewed as adequate, reporting operating profits in each of the past five years (fiscal-years from 2014-2018), with an average return on equity ratio of 5.7 per cent.

The company has grown to be one of the top 10 non-life insurers in Australia, based on gross written premiums, albeit occupying a modest market share of two per cent in 2018. It also maintains a strong market position in certain niche segments, including the pet insurance sector.

AM Best is a global rating agency and information provider with a unique focus on the insurance industry. Details are available at www.ambest.com.

-- BERNAMA

HSBC empowers Sarawak's underprivileged students with financial management programme

KUALA LUMPUR, Feb 19 (Bernama) -- HSBC Bank Malaysia Berhad and HSBC Amanah Malaysia Berhad (HSBC Malaysia) completed the ‘Clothes of Confidence: Money and Me’ (CoC) programme to support the financial empowerment of underprivileged students in Sarawak.

The six-day programme, in collaboration with PINTAR Foundation (PINTAR) was aimed at instilling the right skills and attitudes whilst providing the tools needed for the future generation to manage money effectively.

One hundred form four students from Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan (SMK) Tabakang in Serian, Sarawak participated in the financial empowerment and social entrepreneurship workshop to enhance their financial capabilities.

The workshop was specifically targeted at form four students from the B40 income level families to enable them to get a good understanding of basic money management skills as they plan their move into adulthood in the next two years.

“Providing our youth with knowledge on financial literacy is a key part of our sustainability strategy on future skills. Through this project, we hope to equip the young from the communities we serve with the skills, attitudes and tools to be financially capable, managing their money wisely and effectively,” said HSBC Malaysia Chief Executive Officer, Stuart Milne.

“We hope participants will be inspired to become entrepreneurs by leveraging on their increased financial skills, passion and amazing talent and in return, to share their financial knowledge and contribute back to their communities,” he said.

The CoC programme is one of HSBC’s Financial Empowerment projects in Sarawak, with more children from different areas invited to participate and educated via the similar module in the coming months, including students from SMK Mendamit in Limbang.

-- BERNAMA

Align Technology´s imaging system bites into tooth internal structure in real time

KUALA LUMPUR, Feb 19 (Bernama) -- Align Technology, Inc has launched the iTero Element 5D Imaging System, providing a new comprehensive approach to clinical applications, workflows and user experience.

According to a statement, the entire iTero product family, including the newly-launched system will be showcased at the five-day, 38th International Dental Show (IDS) in Cologne, Germany, beginning March 12.

The iTero Element 5D scanner is the first integrated dental imaging system that simultaneously records 3D, intra-oral colour and near-infrared imaging (NIRI) images and enables comparison over time, using iTero TimeLapse.

The system provides doctors with powerful visualisation capabilities, including 3D impressions for restorative and orthodontic work, analysis instruments, NIRI imagery, intraoral camera imagery and many more within a full arch scan, in as little as 60 seconds!

“With this new imaging system, doctors can efficiently and effectively scan every patient at every visit and visualise treatment options together, resulting in more informed decisions for optimum oral care,” said Align Technology CTO and senior vice-president, global research and development, Zelko Relic.

“The system aids doctors in detecting and monitoring the progression of interproximal cavities above the gingiva without harmful radiation, thereby helping to ensure that their patients receive even better care,” said Align Technology, vice-president, global clinical, Dr Mitra Derakhshan.

Align Technology also offers a web-based platform, MyiTero.com that complements the comprehensive visualisation of the new system. It can be used to set up prescription before the appointment and review scans with the patient on multiple devices.

It continues to streamline workflows for dentists and laboratories (lab) with the addition of direct doctor-lab workflow which allows the scan to be automatically sent to the doctor’s lab of choice as the doctor can engage with the lab through the MyiTero.com account.

The iTero Element 5D Imaging System is commercially available in Canada, European Union countries accepting CE-Marking (excluding Greece), Switzerland, Norway, Australia, New Zealand, Hong Kong and Thailand. For more information, visit http://www.itero.com.

-- BERNAMA

Another toy story: Russ Berrie eyes global playground with Kellytoy partnership

KUALA LUMPUR, Feb 15 (Bernama) -- Another toy story in the making to make someone happy.

Zag Toys, LLC, an affiliate of Jazwares LLC has formed a partnership with Kellytoy (manufacturer and distributor of plush toys and pet products) for its wholly owned-brand, Russ Berrie worldwide.

The partnership will continue the 50-plus year legacy of the Russ Berrie brand, positioning it globally as the premier plush brand on retail shelves in Fall 2019 with Kellytoy to market the brand through its worldwide distribution channels.

“By leveraging Russ Berrie and its reputation for quality and commitment to (live up to its slogan) ‘Make Someone Happy’ with Kellytoy’s global footprint, we’ll secure placement in retailers worldwide, putting Russ Berrie in the forefront of today’s plush presence at retail,” said Jazwares chief executive officer (CEO) and president, Judd Zebersky.

Meanwhile, Kellytoy CEO, Jonathan Kelly said the partnership benefitted both companies as Russ Berrie products would complement Kellytoy plush toy lines while its global distribution strength enabled the brand to penetrate new markets.

The companies will work closely on branding and product strategy to focus on both innovation and fan favourites.

The Fall 2019 Russ Berrie line will feature, but not be limited to Li’l Peepers, Yomiko Classics, Petooties Pets, MeBears, Russ Baby, Russ Trends, Russ Pet, as well as seasonal offerings (adorable plush lines for every holiday).

Jazwares is a subsidiary of Alleghany Capital Corporation, a global leader in consumer products including toys, plush, collectibles, musical instruments and consumer electronics. Details are available on https://www.jazwares.com.

-- BERNAMA

DOCOMO TO PROVIDE PHOTO ALBUM SERVICE ON OEM BASIS TO FET IN TAIWAN

TOKYO, Feb 18 (Bernama-BUSINESS WIRE)-- NTT DOCOMO, INC. announced today that it has agreed with Far EasTone Telecommunications Co., Ltd. (FET), one of Taiwan’s largest mobile operator, to provide DOCOMO’s d photo^TM photo album service on an OEM basis for launch in Taiwan. The service will launch as “friDay Pai Pai Ben” on February 18.

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here:https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20190217005043/en/

FET’s customer base of some 7.17 million subscribers accounts for a leading 27 percent of share of the Taiwanese market as of December 2018.

The arrangement will include the involvement of ITOCHU Techno-Solutions Corporation (CTC), major Japanese system integrator, which will develop and manage a dedicated application and necessary systems. In addition, Asukanet Co., Ltd., a photo album making company, will develop and deliver physical photo albums containing visual content that customers store via their friDay Pai Pai Ben accounts.

In Japan, customers use DOCOMO’s d photo cloud service to save photos and videos, and print photos to make original photo albums for a flat monthly fee of JPY 280, including shipping (excluding tax). The service is especially popular among families, including those with small children.

Going forward, DOCOMO aims to expand its popular service in the greater Asian market based on insights gained with the Taiwanese launch.

About NTT DOCOMO

NTT DOCOMO, Japan's leading mobile operator with over 77 million subscriptions, is one of the world's foremost contributors to 3G, 4G and 5G mobile network technologies. Beyond core communications services, DOCOMO is challenging new frontiers in collaboration with a growing number of entities ("+d" partners), creating exciting and convenient value-added services that change the way people live and work. Under a medium-term plan toward 2020 and beyond, DOCOMO is pioneering a leading-edge 5G network to facilitate innovative services that will amaze and inspire customers beyond their expectations. DOCOMO is listed on the Tokyo Stock Exchange (9437). www.nttdocomo.co.jp/english.

Malaysia ´Doing Better´ than giants China, India in philanthropy

KUALA LUMPUR, Feb 18 (Bernama) -- Malaysia is ‘Doing Better’ in the philanthropy and social investment sector, judging by the performance of 15 Asian countries in the Doing Good Index (DGI).

DGI measured the respective performances in terms of four clusters - ‘Doing Well’, ‘Doing Better’, ‘Doing Okay’ and ‘Not Doing Enough’. Each cluster represents the distance left to travel towards a conducive environment for doing good.

Malaysia was categorised in the ‘Doing Better’ cluster, together with Hong Kong, Korea, the Philippines, Sri Lanka, Thailand and Vietnam.

Japan, Taiwan and Singapore led in the ‘Doing Well’ cluster.

Meanwhile, China, India and Pakistan are merely ‘Doing Okay’, leaving Indonesia and Myanmar trailing in the ‘Not Doing Enough’ cluster.

In Malaysia, the study was conducted by Youth Trust Foundation (also known as myHarapan) and co-funded by Yayasan Hasanah, a sister entity of Khazanah Nasional, the investment holding arm of the Malaysian Government.

Malaysia also particularly, did well in two sub-indexes – Regulations and Ecosystem.

The Regulations sub-index evaluates laws and policies pertaining to philanthropic activity, examining some of the practicalities around what makes the giving and receiving of social investments.

The Ecosystem sub-index maps the supportive environment for giving of philanthropic funds and the delivery of services through four groups of indicators – public perception, institutional recognition, talent infrastructure and good governance.

DGI is a biennial study based on a set of indicators to show the regulatory and institutional infrastructure enabling or impeding philanthropic giving.

Four main areas were covered – regulatory regimes, tax and fiscal policy, government procurement and socio-cultural ecosystem, with the index revealing how Asian economies are catalysed philanthropic giving.

The survey was carried out from January to April 2017 with the participation of 1,579 social delivery organisations.

-- BERNAMA