Saturday 29 July 2023

George Clinical, Omico Landmark Programme Brings Precision Oncology Trials To Australian Community

KUALA LUMPUR, July 28 (Bernama) -- George Clinical recognised and applauded its collaborative partner Omico, with whom it is aligned in a common goal to revolutionise oncology clinical trial access for patients and improve the efficiency of study enrollment, on the launch of their landmark programme PrOSPeCT.

According to George Clinical in a statement, PrOSPeCT is a programme that brings precision oncology trials to the Australian community by linking genomic technology to trials of new therapeutic products.

Omico is an Australian government-backed national network of leading researchers, clinicians and industry partners, including George Clinical, that are using precision medicine to unlock new potential in Australian research and turn the tide on cancer.

With fast-tracked molecular screening, biomarker-led trial set up and patient enrolment across the entire nation, Omico is accelerating access to next-generation treatments and preventive strategies improving outcomes for all Australians affected by cancer.

Through the PrOSPeCT initiative, Omico is further expanding its reach by opening up new treatment paths across Australia for people with difficult-to-treat cancers including those with ovarian cancers, pancreatic cancers, sarcomas, and advanced and metastatic cancers.

PrOSPeCT aims to screen a magnitude of patients that is beneficial to the Australian public and the economy with 23,000 patients to access free, cutting edge genomic screening.

The programme also aims to match patients to precision medicines in clinical trials that are being conducted across Australia and to create a database of real-world data that will be useful in the future for further research.

A global clinical research organisation founded in Asia Pacific, George Clinical’s success with oncology trials has been driven by scientific expertise and operational excellence.

-- BERNAMA

Friday 28 July 2023

2023 CTBC FINTECH SUMMIT PRESENTS PROMISING PERSPECTIVES FOR TAIWAN’S FINTECH INDUSTRY

Business Weekly and CTBC Holding extended a special invitation to Global fintech trend development specialist Chris Skinner and other industry, government, and academic specialists to share their views on fintech trends in Taiwan. (Photo: Business Wire)

 
KUALA LUMPUR, July 28 (Bernama) -- The 2023 CTBC Fintech Summit, being the first of its kind, showcased the vibrant innovation scenes in the local fintech ecosystem and was a great success with over 2,500 in-person and online participants attending the event.

Co-organised by Business Weekly Taiwan and CTBC Financial Holding Co Ltd (CTBC Holding), the summit focused on topics of financial innovation and sustainable development with “Fintech for Good” as the theme.

According to a statement, Business Weekly Taiwan and CTBC Holding extended a special invitation to global fintech trend development specialist, Chris Skinner to share his views on the future trends in fintech with participation from other industry, government and academic specialists, during the event.

In his opening remarks, CTBC Holding President, James Chen said CTBC strives hard from multiple angles to comply with the government’s policy to promote the digital transformation of Taiwan’s financial sector, bringing the country in line with international banking standards.

Meanwhile, Skinner had insightful discussions on how financial organisations can consolidate technology and sustainability, and believes that “banks aren’t going to disappear.”

During the panel discussion, CTBC Holding Chief Technology Officer, Titan Chia explored various topics with National Chengchi University Fintech Research Center Director, Jennifer L. Wang; Microsoft Taiwan General Manager, Sean Pien; and McKinsey & Company Partner, Charles Tan.

The second half of the summit was dedicated to remarking on innovative results. CTBC has come out with six scenarios for use in tandem with the exclusive Apple Messages for Business app.

The company also extended an invitation to Carl Wegner, Chief Executive Officer of Contour, the digital trade finance platform to give a talk explaining CTBC Holding’s experience in pairing with 20 international banks to create the world’s largest blockchain trade and finance platform.

In addition, Carl-Johan von Uexkul, Chief Commercial Officer of Doconomy, the green tech startup, was also invited to discuss the carbon footprint-reducing services performance of CTBC’s personalised services and Renewables Trading Blockchain Platform.

As the partner of CTBC Holding, Business Weekly Taiwan is happy to see the advancement of its future-facing fintech technology as it strides towards sustainable development, receiving international recognition and accolades.

-- BERNAMA

BlackRock, Jio Financial Services Form Joint Venture To Enter India's Asset Management Industry

KUALA LUMPUR, July 27 (Bernama) -- Financial technology provider, BlackRock and Jio Financial Services Limited (JFS) announced an agreement to form Jio BlackRock, a 50:50 joint venture combining the respective strengths and trusted brands of BlackRock and JFS.

The joint venture is to deliver tech-enabled access to affordable, innovative investment solutions for millions of investors in India, according to a statement.

Jio BlackRock brings BlackRock’s deep expertise and talent in investment management, risk management, product excellence, access to technology, operations, scale, and intellectual capital around markets, while JFS contributes local market knowledge, digital infrastructure capabilities and robust execution capabilities.

Together, the partnership will introduce a new player to the India market with a unique combination of scope, scale and resources with both companies targeting initial investment of US$150 million each in the joint venture. (US$1=RM4.52)

“We are very excited to be partnering with JFS to revolutionise India’s asset management industry and transform financial futures. Jio BlackRock will place the combined strength and scale of both of our companies in the hands of millions of investors in India,” said BlackRock Chair & Head of APAC, Rachel Lord.

Meanwhile, JFS President and Chief Executive Officer, Hitesh Sethia said: “The partnership will leverage BlackRock’s deep expertise in investment and risk management along with the technology capability and deep market expertise of JFS to drive digital delivery of products.

“Jio BlackRock will be a truly transformational, customer centric and digital-first enterprise with the vision to democratise access to financial investment solutions and deliver financial well-being to the doorstep of every Indian.”

The joint venture will launch operations post receipt of regulatory and statutory approvals, with its own management team.

-- BERNAMA

NARDELLO & CO ESTABLISHES SINGAPORE OFFICE WITH VETERAN ADVISOR STEVEN WESTERVELT AS HEAD

KUALA LUMPUR, July 27 (Bernama) -- Global investigations firm, Nardello & Co has launched an office in Singapore, the firm’s eighth worldwide, to be led by Managing Director, Steven Westervelt.

According to a statement, with the establishment of its location in Singapore, the firm continues to build upon its reputation as the premier investigations firm in the Asia Pacific (APAC) region.

Westervelt is the latest high-profile hire for the firm, which last month added Chief Security Officer Timothy Gallagher, a 20-year veteran of the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

Joining Westervelt in Nardello & Co’s Singapore office is Max Abbott, who leads the firm’s Political Risk & Strategic Intelligence practice for the APAC region.

“With corporations, organisations and high-net worth individuals increasingly shifting their Asian operations to Singapore, Steven will play a vital role in advising our clients in this region.

“He joins the formidable team we have established in Asia, including Max Abbott, and will help expand our footprint in this important market,” said Nardello & Co Chairman & Chief Executive Officer, Dan Nardello.

Meanwhile, Westervelt said: “Nardello & Co’s global reputation, capabilities and calibre of talent are unrivalled. Having spent nearly my entire career in Asia, I look forward to leveraging my expertise to help clients navigate the business opportunities and risks in Singapore.”

As office head, Westervelt brings extensive investigations and advisory expertise, including managing significant multi-jurisdictional due diligence investigations and other complex matters.

Prior to joining Nardello & Co, Westervelt was a Director and head of the Singapore office for a boutique investigations firm.

-- BERNAMA

Thursday 27 July 2023

NX VIETNAM OPENS LOGISTICS CENTRE IN BINH DUONG PROVINCE

KUALA LUMPUR, July 26 (Bernama) -- Nippon Express (Vietnam) Co Ltd (NX Vietnam), a group company of Nippon Express Holdings Inc has opened the NX VSIP II Logistics Center in the country's southern province of Binh Duong and will begin its operations on Aug 1.

According to a statement, NX Vietnam's newly established NX VSIP II Logistics Center is located in an area with easy access to Ho Chi Minh City and its thriving manufacturing sector.

The warehouse will provide product storage, sorting and distribution processing services for retailers and serve as a distribution hub for Ho Chi Minh City and surrounding areas, as well as providing bonded inventory management services for export processing enterprises.

As Vietnam's economy has grown, consumer spending has increased and new retailers have continued to expand into the country.

In addition, a steady stream of manufacturing and other companies has poured into Vietnam, drawn by its abundant labour resources.

NX Vietnam will utilise the NX VSIP II Logistics Center as a major logistics base for the northern Ho Chi Minh City area, and will support customers considering launching new businesses in Vietnam or expanding existing ones by offering packaged services.

-- BERNAMA

I SQUARED CAPITAL DEVELOPS SOLAR PLANTS UP TO 1 GIGAWATT IN MALAYSIA

KUALA LUMPUR, July 27 (Bernama) -- I Squared Capital, a global infrastructure investment manager, announced its portfolio company, HEXA Renewables, has signed a memorandum of understanding to develop up to one gigawatt of hybrid solar photovoltaic projects in the southern tip of Peninsular Malaysia.

In a statement, I Squared Capital said the project is the first to be announced under Malaysia’s National Energy Transition Roadmap, which targets that 70 per cent of the country’s energy capacity be sourced from renewables by 2050.

The memorandum is signed with UEM Group Berhad (UEM), a wholly owned subsidiary and the green investment platform of Khazanah Nasional Berhad, the sovereign wealth fund of the Government of Malaysia; and ITRAMAS Corporation (ITRAMAS), the largest vertically integrated solar power plant developer, EPCC and service provider in Malaysia.

“As a pioneer in investing in the renewable and Energy Transition sector with nearly 5.8 gigawatts of renewable assets around the world, we are excited to bring our expertise in green power generation to help catalyse the energy transition in Malaysia, an IPEF founding member,” said I Squared Capital Chief Investment Officer and Managing Partner, Gautam Bhandari.

Meanwhile, I Squared Capital Senior Partner, Harsh Agrawal said: “We will continue to seek out similar climate focused infrastructure projects to support the global energy transition, including in emerging markets and countries party to the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework, pursuant to our partnership with the DFC.”

HEXA Renewables’ commitment to this project follows I Squared Capital’s agreement with the United States International Development Finance Corporation (DFC) to partner in financing sustainable infrastructure projects in emerging markets, including those party to the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework (IPEF), such as Malaysia.

The project will advance I Squared Capital and the DFC’s shared ambition to support inclusive economic development through climate change mitigation.

HEXA and UEM-ITRAMAS will collaborate on the planning, structuring, off-take arrangements, construction and operation of the project.

HEXA is also leveraging its established track record in the energy transition space to support the development of Malaysia’s energy transition related sectors including renewable energy, grid stability, battery energy storage system, clean fuels and energy efficiency.

-- BERNAMA

HITACHI ENERGY CHOSEN TO SUPPLY LONGEST HVDC LINK IN THE UK

KUALA LUMPUR, July 27 (Bernama) -- Hitachi Energy announced it has been selected as preferred technology provider of SSEN Transmission and National Grid, to supply two high-voltage direct current (HVDC) converter stations to interconnect the Scottish and English power grids.

According to Hitachi Energy in a statement, the energy transition requires a collaborative effort that can only be achieved with advanced technologies and new ways of working.

“The UK’s Net Zero Strategy has ambitious targets which will require vast amounts of new renewable generation. Electricity will be the backbone of the entire energy system.

“Our pioneering HVDC technology will ensure that this electricity will reliably and efficiently get where it is needed most,” said Hitachi Energy’s Grid Integration business Managing Director, Niklas Persson.

In appointing Hitachi Energy as their preferred technology provider, SSEN Transmission and National Grid secure best-in-class technology and future production capacity in a rapidly growing market.

For Hitachi Energy, this enables investment in new production capacity and to undertake large-scale recruitment drives, while also strengthening collaboration, standardisation of solutions, and synergies between projects.

The integration of renewables requires solutions that make the grid resilient, stable and flexible. Hitachi Energy’s innovation and long development of voltage sourced converter (VSC) power electronics and control and protection (MACH) technologies meet the requirements alongside many other landmark grid integration projects.

Eastern Green Link 2 will consist of two 525-kilovolt (kV) bipole VSC converter stations connected by 440 kilometres of subsea cable and 70 kilometres of underground cable, making it the longest HVDC link in the United Kingdom (UK).

The link will help to secure power transmission in the northern UK and support the integration of new renewable electricity generation in Scotland, as part of the UK’s Net Zero Strategy.

Hitachi Energy is collaborating with construction company BAM, to provide the civil and installation scope for the project, in which the collaboration will leverage the core competencies of the two companies to deliver a best-in-class solution for the project.

-- BERNAMA

Wednesday 26 July 2023

CHINA TRADING DESK UNVEILS CHINA TRAVEL DASHBOARD AMID RISING OUTBOUND TRAVEL

KUALA LUMPUR, July 25 (Bernama) -- China Trading Desk, a premier provider of marketing and advertising solutions for the Chinese market, has released its game-changing tool - the China Travel Dashboard.

Built to provide unparalleled insights into the evolving attitudes, expectations and behaviours of outbound travellers from China, this dashboard is born out of the company’s deep understanding of the Chinese market.

“We are thrilled to bring this comprehensive tool to our esteemed clients. The China Travel Dashboard is a solid reflection of our relentless commitment to staying on the cutting edge of providing data that is most relevant for our advertisers and agencies,” said its Founder & Chief Executive Officer, Subramania Bhatt.

According to China Trading Desk in a statement, the China Travel Dashboard is designed to act as a compass, helping its clients navigate the complexity of this dynamic market.

The dashboard brings a treasure trove of critical information at your fingertips, transforming it into a must-have tool for formulating and executing digital marketing campaigns aimed at Chinese tourists.

The unique modules of the China Travel Dashboard includes Travel Sentiment which features an exhaustive quarterly survey helmed by the company, assessing the travel inclinations of potential Chinese outbound travellers, thereby providing a snapshot of emerging trends.

Meanwhile, the Pre-Trip module developed in partnership with VariFlight, delivers real-time travel data including daily airport traffic flow from all airports in China to a selected group of 25 countries worldwide, providing a glimpse into preferred destinations.

Partnering with UnionPay, the In-Trip module offers an exclusive window into Chinese tourists' spending patterns and preferences while immersed in their travel experiences.

The dashboard’s data allows businesses to formulate personalised marketing strategies, optimise ad scheduling, undertake destination marketing, predict upcoming trends and facilitate product development.

-- BERNAMA

PLANVIEW OFFERS INDUSTRY-FIRST CONVERGENCE OF PORTFOLIO MANAGEMENT, AGILE PLANNING

Connect software delivery to business outcomes with visibility across the lifecycle of your strategy – from planning to delivery to business impact. Use proactive and predictive value stream management insights to pivot plans and drive on-time delivery (Graphic: Business Wire)

KUALA LUMPUR, July 26 (Bernama) -- Planview has announced a first-to-market offering, Digital Product Insights, that combines portfolio management and agile planning with delivery insights from value stream management and objectives & key results.

Planview is the first and only company in the market to provide organisations with connected, data-driven visibility across the lifecycle of a strategy, effectively connecting software delivery to the business with a comprehensive view of impact and objective performance.

According to a statement, this announcement delivers on Planview’s digital connected work mission by giving companies a concrete way to break down organisational silos with a single view of shared metrics and business outcome insights.

Planview Chief Executive Officer, Razat Gaurav said: “For far too long, a black box has existed between business strategies and how software is delivered against them.

“Planview delivers an innovative way to leverage predictive delivery insights and sentiment details and put them back into portfolio, value stream, and team plans, helping organisations create faster feedback loops that yield better decisions and deliver better outcomes, ultimately shining a light on that black box.”

One of the key data inputs into the new Digital Product Insights is artificial intelligence (AI) powered sentiment analysis, which crawls comments for positive, negative or neutral language to provide a holistic view of plan performance, to further support proactive, data-driven decision making and confident delivery predictability.

Complementing this functionality, Planview is announcing two additional innovations focused on delivering data-driven visibility to further strengthen the connection between software delivery and business outcomes namely Planview Universal Connector and Roadmaps for Teams.

Planview Universal Connector, available via select Planview partners, extends connectivity across the enterprise toolchain, allowing organisations to continue their use of in-house or industry specific applications as part of their value delivery, while seamlessly connecting into the entire Planview ecosystem.

Meanwhile, used in conjunction with Digital Product Insights, Roadmaps for Teams help organisations translate plans into visual timelines for achieving their business outcomes and completing deliverables.

-- BERNAMA

Tuesday 25 July 2023

DESKTOP HEALTH MARKS A BREAKTHROUGH IN BIOPRINTING WITH PRINTROLL LAUNCH

Nicole Black, Ph.D., VP of Biomaterials and Innovation at Desktop Health, examines two tubular medical devices printed on the new 3D-Bioplotter® PrintRoll™ rotating build platform in medical-grade materials. PrintRoll is designed to enable new medical solutions for the body’s thousands of miles of internal channels, such as vascular, digestive, and other systems. (Photo: Business Wire)

KUALA LUMPUR, July 25 (Bernama) -- Desktop Health, the trusted production-grade medical 3D printing brand of Desktop Metal Inc has announced a breakthrough in bioprinting with the launch of PrintRoll.

PrintRoll is an innovative rotating build platform that can produce intelligent tubular solutions for the body’s vascular, digestive, respiratory and reproductive channels on the 3D-Bioplotter premier bioprinting system.

The 3D-Bioplotter is a highly sophisticated extrusion-based 3D printer that processes liquids, melts, pastes, gels or other materials, including cells via a needle tip on a Swiss-made, 3-axis gantry system with high accuracy and temperature, sterility and design controls.

According to a statement, the PrintRoll add-on feature has been in development since 2019 as part of a collaboration with Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz, a public research university in Mainz, Germany.

“Desktop Health exists to deliver 3D printing solutions that improve patient lives, and we are confident that PrintRoll, offered exclusively on the 3D-Bioplotter, will enable all-new regenerative innovations,” said Desktop Metal Founder and Chief Executive Officer, Ric Fulop.

Meanwhile, Desktop Health Vice President of Biomaterials and Innovation, Nicole Black said: “With the PrintRoll, materials are patterned directly on top of a substrate that rolls as the printhead also moves, supporting the deposited layers and therefore expanding the palette of materials that can be 3D printed into these important structures.”

The PrintRoll platform attaches to the modular build plate of the 3D-Bioplotter and features a motor-driven rotating mandrel with spring-loaded, easily exchangeable drums of different sizes, while rotating speed is tightly controlled by the 3D-Bioplotter’s easy-to-use software.

The PrintRoll comes with a 10 millimetre (mm) diameter drum, with 20 mm and 40 mm sizes available, designed to accommodate the development of solutions for a variety of human channels, which vary based on age and gender.

PrintRoll continues the long history of bioprinting innovations on the world’s most researched bioprinting system, as detailed in the last 3D-Bioplotter brochure.

-- BERNAMA


Saturday 22 July 2023

Shanghai is Asia’s Leading Smart City in 2023 - Juniper Research

KUALA LUMPUR, July 20 (Bernama) -- Shanghai is Asia's leading smart city in 2023 due to its comprehensive data systems, according to a new study from Juniper Research, the foremost experts in the sustainability & Internet of Things (IoT) market.

The research analysed Shanghai as leading due to its strong data platform, comprehensive deployment of 5G, and use of innovative technologies, including digital twins, reflecting a well-considered and progressive smart city design, which can be seen as an example for other cities to emulate.

According to a statement, other smart cities ranked by Juniper Research are Seoul, Shenzhen, Sydney and Beijing.

Asian smart city spend is growing by 120 per cent with hardware and software spend on smart city deployments is forecast to reach US$42 billion by 2028, from US$19 billion in 2023. (US$1=RM4.55)

Spend is growing much faster in the rest of Asia Pacific, at 303 per cent over the next five years, compared to the Indian Subcontinent at 231 per cent and Far East & China at 76 per cent, over the same period.

Meanwhile, growth in Far East & China is slowing, with smart city projects being more mature in countries like China, Japan and South Korea.

However, emerging markets such as Indonesia, Thailand and Vietnam will boast much stronger growth, as smart city initiatives get underway, and cities build the comprehensive data systems needed for success.

Juniper Research’s ranking of 50 world cities is based on an evaluation of many different smart city aspects, covering transportation and infrastructure, energy and lighting, city management and technology, and urban connectivity.

-- BERNAMA


Friday 21 July 2023

EMPLOYERS REMAIN CONFIDENT HIRING BUSINESS SCHOOLS GRADUATE - GMAC SURVEY

KUALA LUMPUR, July 20 (Bernama) -- Employers remain confident in hiring graduates from business schools, despite unfavourable macroeconomic conditions and looming uncertainties, according to a survey of corporate recruiters released by the Graduate Management Admission Council (GMAC).

A global association representing leading business schools, GMAC published findings from the 2023 survey exploring which skills employers think will characterise the future workplace, and how prepared they view candidates of Master of Business Administration (MBA) and business master’s degrees to be.

“The outlook among most employers indicates that business schools are on the right track preparing their graduates with the skills of current and growing importance to successfully navigate an information loaded and AI-affected world,” said GMAC Chief Executive Officer, Joy Jones in a statement.

Employers say communication, data analysis and strategy are currently among the most important skills for business school graduates, and most say their importance will continue to grow.

Notably, the United States (US) employers interested in tech skills highly value their future importance but think business school graduates could be better prepared on specific technological capabilities.

The survey also revealed that US recruiters, along with their colleagues in the finance and accounting sectors, are also more critical of candidates’ preparedness to leverage some important communication skills compared to other regions and think business schools could better build their graduates’ intercultural skills.

Overall, employers tend to believe business school can offer an advantage over talent without a graduate management education. Employers from Asia and Fortune 500 companies have a more optimistic view of the abilities and advancement potential of business school graduates, but also are more likely to recruit more heavily from “leading” business schools.

The survey also examines how macroeconomic conditions are influencing hiring and salary decisions across industries and around the globe.

Encouragingly, even after accounting for inflation, MBA salaries in 2023 in the US are expected to be higher than 2022 projections, while industry and business master’s salaries may drop.

-- BERNAMA

Uniphore's Platform Recognised In 6th Annual AI Breakthrough Awards Programme

KUALA LUMPUR, July 20 (Bernama) -- Uniphore, an artificial intelligence (AI)-native conversational AI provider for the enterprise, announced it has been named “Best Conversational AI Platform” in the sixth annual AI Breakthrough Awards programme.

“We are proud to have won AI Breakthrough’s ‘Best Conversational AI Platform’ award. From the beginning we have set our purpose to transform every aspect that impacts the customer within an enterprise.

“With our AI-native platform that combines Knowledge AI, Generative AI and Emotion AI, we have achieved enterprise-scale with over 725,000 users across 1,500 enterprises globally benefitting from it,” said  Uniphore Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer, Umesh Sachdev.

With both in-house and acquired technologies, Uniphore’s X platform is the only one that supports conversation capture/recording, comprehensive analytics, AI and automated workflows across multiple languages in real-time.

According to a statement, the X platform is the foundation to both the company’s contact-centre-focused U applications, and the most recent Q for Sales.

Complete with emotion AI, knowledge AI, low code/no code technology, computer vision and robotic process automation (RPA), the X platform boasts a robust architecture.

From designing frictionless customer journeys to enabling virtual sales scenarios, the X platform helps improve the customer experiences, while allowing sales teams to better engage with existing customers and new prospects.

The mission of the AI Breakthrough Awards is to honour excellence and recognise the innovation, hard work and success in a range of AI and machine learning related categories, including Generative AI, Computer Vision, Artificial Intelligence for IT Operations (AIOps), Deep Learning, Robotics, Natural Language Processing and industry specific AI applications.

This year’s programme attracted more than 3,200 nominations from over 20 different countries worldwide.

-- BERNAMA

Thursday 20 July 2023

NX GLOBAL ENGINEERING TAKES PART IN CLEANUP ACTIVITY IN SINGAPORE

AsiaNet 100234

TOKYO, July 20, 2023 /Kyodo JBN-AsiaNet/ --

NX Global Engineering Pte. Ltd., a group company of NIPPON EXPRESS HOLDINGS, INC., took part in a cleanup activity at Sembawang Park in Singapore on Thursday, June 22.
 
Logo: https://kyodonewsprwire.jp/img/202307137116-O1-Njx56nC6
 
Group photo of cleanup activity participants:
https://cdn.kyodonewsprwire.jp/prwfile/release/M103866/202307137116/_prw_PI2fl_0S51WR4z.jpg
 
 
Photo taken during the cleanup activity:
https://cdn.kyodonewsprwire.jp/prwfile/release/M103866/202307137116/_prw_PI3fl_17E05ts8.jpg
 
 
The participants were all volunteers seeking to reduce pollutants and contaminants in order to protect the park, the ocean and wildlife. During this recent effort, they cleaned up an area of approximately seven hectares around the park and beach and collected a total of 21 bags of trash, including non-biodegradable empty boxes, plastic bottles, plastic bags, and cigarette butts.
 
The Nippon Express Group will remain aware of its social and public missions as a logistics company and will actively communicate with local communities and engage in community-based social contribution activities to help bring about sustainable societies.
 
Nippon Express website: https://www.nipponexpress.com/
 
Nippon Express Group's official LinkedIn account:
https://www.linkedin.com/company/nippon-express-group/
 
 
Source: NIPPON EXPRESS HOLDINGS, INC.

Phishing, Remote Work Raise Asian Cybersecurity Concerns

 



Companies in Singapore and Malaysia grow more alert to threats, seek end-to-end protection as attack surfaces expand across supply chains, ISG Provider Lens™ report says

SINGAPORE & KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia, July 20 (BUSINESS WIRE) --

The cybersecurity landscape in Singapore and Malaysia is quickly evolving as growing risk awareness changes the way enterprises make security decisions and purchases, according to a new research report published today by Information Services Group (ISG) (Nasdaq: III), a leading global technology research and advisory firm.

The 2023 ISG Provider Lens™ Cybersecurity — Solutions and Services report for Singapore and Malaysia finds that increasing cloud migration and remote work following the COVID-19 pandemic have expanded possible avenues for attack, while the regulations mandating security protection in both countries grow tighter. These trends have heightened the importance of cybersecurity strategy at many organizations, leading even top management to become better informed and more involved in decision-making.

“Cybersecurity is a growing challenge for organizations in Singapore and Malaysia as the number of sophisticated attacks increases and the attack surface expands to include the supply chain ecosystem,” said Joyce Harkness, director, ISG Cybersecurity, for ANZ and Asia Pacific. “Companies are racing to achieve higher visibility and continuous monitoring.”

Phishing has become by far the most common vector for attacks in Singapore and Malaysia, partly due to the rise in digital customer engagement since the pandemic, ISG says. Attackers often impersonate banks, health authorities, telecommunications providers and delivery companies through email, voice, SMS and even replica websites. Because these attacks exploit human behavior to gain access to sensitive data, they can be very hard to defend against.

Traditional enterprise security approaches based on protecting a defined perimeter are evolving toward strategies that take into account all possible points of entry across a company’s supply chain, the report says. To defend against a wider range of threats, more companies in the region are adopting zero-trust frameworks, security service edge (SSE) and more sophisticated identity and access management (IAM). Demand for integrated solutions, including extended detection and response (XDR), is increasing as more employees in the region work remotely from insecure networks.

As they increase their investments in cybersecurity, many organizations in Singapore and Malaysia want help orchestrating and consolidating their spending, ISG says. This may include rationalizing technologies, outsourcing non-core functions and bringing spending in line with their risk profiles.

Asian enterprises increasingly seek cloud-based, end-to-end security solutions with less complex purchase options and pricing based on operational expenditures, ISG says. In response, providers are packaging expanding sets of offerings as platforms.

“The market is consolidating around platforms,” said Jan Erik Aase, partner and global leader, ISG Provider Lens Research. “Many of the most successful vendors now are those that seek to be the primary solutions provider.”

The report also explores other cybersecurity trends in Singapore and Malaysia, including widespread security staff shortages in enterprises and the growing adoption of managed security services.

The 2023 ISG Provider Lens™ Cybersecurity — Solutions and Services report for Singapore and Malaysia evaluates the capabilities of 82 providers across six quadrants: Identity and Access Management (IAM), Extended Detection and Response (XDR), Security Service Edge (SSE), Technical Security Services, Strategic Security Services and Managed Security Services – SOC.

The report names IBM as a Leader in four quadrants and Accenture, Deloitte and Verizon Business as Leaders in three quadrants each. It names Ensign, EY, Fujitsu, LGMS, Microsoft, NCS, TM One and Wipro as Leaders in two quadrants each. Bitdefender, Broadcom, Cato Networks, Celcom Axiata, Cisco, CrowdStrike, CyberArk, DXC Technology, Forcepoint, KPMG, Netskope, NTT DATA, Okta, Oracle, Palo Alto Networks, Ping Identity, PwC, Rapid7, SailPoint, Singtel, Tech Mahindra, Versa Networks, VMware and Zscaler are named as Leaders in one quadrant each.

In addition, Kyndryl is named as a Rising Star — a company with a “promising portfolio” and “high future potential” by ISG’s definition — in two quadrants. BeyondTrust, HCLTech, HPE (Aruba) and SentinelOne are named as Rising Stars in one quadrant each.

The 2023 ISG Provider Lens™ Cybersecurity — Solutions and Services report for Singapore and Malaysia is available to subscribers or for one-time purchase on this webpage.

About ISG Provider Lens™ Research

The ISG Provider Lens™ Quadrant research series is the only service provider evaluation of its kind to combine empirical, data-driven research and market analysis with the real-world experience and observations of ISG's global advisory team. Enterprises will find a wealth of detailed data and market analysis to help guide their selection of appropriate sourcing partners, while ISG advisors use the reports to validate their own market knowledge and make recommendations to ISG's enterprise clients. The research currently covers providers offering their services globally, across Europe, as well as in the U.S., Canada, Brazil, the U.K., France, Benelux, Germany, Switzerland, the Nordics, Australia and Singapore/Malaysia, with additional markets to be added in the future. For more information about ISG Provider Lens research, please visit this webpage.

A companion research series, the ISG Provider Lens Archetype reports, offer a first-of-its-kind evaluation of providers from the perspective of specific buyer types.

About ISG

ISG (Information Services Group) (Nasdaq: III) is a leading global technology research and advisory firm. A trusted business partner to more than 900 clients, including more than 75 of the world’s top 100 enterprises, ISG is committed to helping corporations, public sector organizations, and service and technology providers achieve operational excellence and faster growth. The firm specializes in digital transformation services, including automation, cloud and data analytics; sourcing advisory; managed governance and risk services; network carrier services; strategy and operations design; change management; market intelligence and technology research and analysis. Founded in 2006, and based in Stamford, Conn., ISG employs more than 1,600 digital-ready professionals operating in more than 20 countries—a global team known for its innovative thinking, market influence, deep industry and technology expertise, and world-class research and analytical capabilities based on the industry’s most comprehensive marketplace data. For more information, visit www.isg-one.com.

Contact

Press:
Will Thoretz, ISG
+1 203 517 3119
will.thoretz@isg-one.com

Julianna Sheridan, Matter Communications for ISG
+1 978-518-4520
isg@matternow.com

Source : Information Services Group, Inc.

PUBMATIC EXPANDS PARTNERSHIP WITH IQIYI FOR PROGRAMMATIC TECHNOLOGY SOLUTIONS

KUALA LUMPUR, July 20 (Bernama) -- PubMatic, an independent technology company announced an expanded partnership with iQIYI International, an on-demand video streaming service, through the implementation of PubMatic’s OpenWrap over-the-top (OTT).

Through cutting-edge technology, iQIYI International delivers relevant and customised premium drama series, movies, variety shows and anime worldwide.

In a statement, PubMatic said after implementing OpenWrap OTT, iQIYI saw a six times increase in programmatic revenue.

“We have been supporting iQIYI for several years as they move increasingly into the programmatic space. “We are helping them lead as a growing global streaming platform while maximising revenue through unified programmatic auctions,” said PubMatic Senior Director, OpenWrap, John Martin.

Meanwhile, iQIYI Vice President International, Frankie Fu said: “We are thrilled with the results we have seen since implementing OpenWrap OTT. We have had an immediate uplift in both bid requests and overall programmatic revenue.

“The PubMatic team worked hand-in-hand with our Southeast Asia and China teams to identify the optimal monetisation setup for our platform, and get it implemented quickly and efficiently.”

OpenWrap OTT is PubMatic’s unified auction solution for OTT and connected TV (CTV) publishers, which offers publishers higher yield via aggregated demand and brand-safe private marketplaces and bespoke deals.

The solution also offers optimised ad pods and a TV-like experience that provide a better user experience, enhance engagement as well as increase revenue opportunities.

-- BERNAMA

Tuesday 18 July 2023

CERTIK IS 1ST WEB3 SECURITY AUDITING FIRM TO ACHIEVE SOC II CERTIFICATION



KUALA LUMPUR, July 18 (Bernama) -- CertiK, a pioneer in blockchain security announced it has become the first Web3 security auditing firm to achieve SOC II certification, reinforcing its commitment to providing the highest level of security and trust for clients and partners in the rapidly evolving blockchain industry.

SOC II compliance is a rigorous standard defined by the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA), ensuring that service organisations meet stringent requirements for security of customer data.

According to CertiK in a statement, by obtaining SOC II certification, the company demonstrates its commitment to these industry-leading standards of client data protection.

As the Web3 ecosystem continues to grow and evolve, security has become a paramount concern for individuals, businesses and organisations operating in the decentralised space.

CertiK's compliance with SOC II standards positions the company at the forefront of this rapidly expanding industry, offering clients an unparalleled level of confidence in the security of their blockchain applications and smart contracts.

Its SOC II compliance was achieved via a comprehensive audit and evaluation process conducted by an independent third-party auditor, in which SOC II audit covers a key number of aspects of CertiK's security controls, processes and policies to ensure they met the stringent criteria set forth by SOC II standards.

The company remains dedicated to delivering cutting-edge security solutions that empower individuals, businesses and enterprises to leverage the full potential of blockchain technology without compromising on security.

-- BERNAMA

Friday 14 July 2023

NIPPON EXPRESS (VIETNAM) OPENS NX YEN PHONG LOGISTICS CENTER IN BAC NINH PROVINCE

AsiaNet 100221

TOKYO, July 14, 2023 /Kyodo JBN-AsiaNet/ --

Nippon Express (Vietnam) Co., Ltd. (hereafter "NX Vietnam"), a group company of NIPPON EXPRESS HOLDINGS, INC., has opened its NX Yen Phong Logistics Center in that country's northern province of Bac Ninh and begun operations there.
 
Logo: https://kyodonewsprwire.jp/img/202307117029-O1-gbm9xS2o
 
Photo1: Warehouse exterior
https://cdn.kyodonewsprwire.jp/prwfile/release/M103866/202307117029/_prw_PI2fl_zjnN69Ag.jpg
 
 
Photo2: Warehouse interior
https://cdn.kyodonewsprwire.jp/prwfile/release/M103866/202307117029/_prw_PI3fl_579zrtYo.jpg
 
 
The NX Yen Phong Logistics Center is conveniently located, about a 30-minute drive from Noi Bai International Airport, and has excellent access to Hanoi City. Many Japanese and other foreign companies have set up operations in this area, and so demand for logistics services is expected to increase in the future.
 
The warehouse will perform tasks such as inventory control, sorting, and packing of apparel and electrical/electronic equipment. It will also serve as a distribution center for Hanoi and other parts of northern Vietnam, providing bonded inventory management services for export processing enterprises (EPEs).
 
NX Vietnam will continue expanding its services to meet the diversifying logistics needs of customers in the rapidly growing Vietnamese market.
 
Profile of new warehouse
- Name: NX Yen Phong Logistics Center
- Address: Lot CN4-1, Industrial Park Yen Phong, Dung Liet Commune, Thuy Hoa Commune, Tam Da Commune, Yen Phong District, Bac Ninh Province, Vietnam
- Total floor area: 10,744.25 m2
- Key facilities: Rack system, raised-floor truck berths on both sides (12 in total), surveillance cameras, access control, private power generation equipment
- Start of operations: May 1, 2023
 
Nippon Express website: https://www.nipponexpress.com/
 
Nippon Express Group's official LinkedIn account:
https://www.linkedin.com/company/nippon-express-group/
 
 
Source: NIPPON EXPRESS HOLDINGS, INC.

Cellebrite to Report Second-Quarter 2023 Financial Results on August 8, 2023

PETAH TIKVA, Israel and TYSONS CORNER, Va., July 13 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Cellebrite (NASDAQ: CLBT), a global leader in Digital Intelligence (“DI”) solutions for the public and private sectors, today announced it will report its second-quarter 2023 financial results before market open on Tuesday, August 8, 2023.

Later that same morning, Cellebrite will host a live conference call and webcast to review the Company’s financial results for the first quarter of 2023 and discuss its full-year 2023 outlook. Pertinent details include:

Date:Tuesday, August 8, 2023
Time:8:30 a.m. ET
Call-In Number:203-518-9848
Conference ID:         CLBTQ223
Event URL:https://investors.cellebrite.com/events/event-details/cellebrite-q2-23-earnings
Live Webcast URL:https://edge.media-server.com/mmc/p/f896bks4
  

In conjunction with the conference call and webcast, historical financial tables and supplemental data will be available on the quarterly results section of Company’s investor relations website at https://investors.cellebrite.com/financial-information/quarterly-results. A transcript of the call will be added to this page along with access to the replay of the call.

About Cellebrite
Cellebrite’s (NASDAQ: CLBT) mission is to enable its customers to protect and save lives, accelerate justice, and preserve privacy in communities around the world. We are a global leader in Digital Intelligence solutions for the public and private sectors, empowering organizations in mastering the complexities of legally sanctioned digital investigations by streamlining intelligence processes. Trusted by thousands of leading agencies and companies worldwide, Cellebrite’s Digital Intelligence platform and solutions transform how customers collect, review, analyze and manage data in legally sanctioned investigations. To learn more, visit us at www.cellebrite.com and https://investors.cellebrite.com.

Media
Victor Cooper
Sr. Director of Corporate Communications + Content Operations
Victor.cooper@cellebrite.com
+1 404.804.5910

Investor Relations
Andrew Kramer
Vice President, Investor Relations
investors@cellebrite.com
+1 973.206.7760

Caution Regarding Forward Looking Statements

This document includes “forward looking statements” within the meaning of the “safe harbor” provisions of the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward looking statements may be identified by the use of words such as “forecast,” “intend,” “seek,” “target,” “anticipate,” “will,” “appear,” “approximate,” “foresee,” “might,” “possible,” “potential,” “believe,” “could,” “predict,” “should,” “could,” “continue,” “expect,” “estimate,” “may,” “plan,” “outlook,” “future” and “project” and other similar expressions that predict, project or indicate future events or trends or that are not statements of historical matters. Such forward looking statements include estimated financial information. Such forward looking statements with respect to revenues, earnings, performance, strategies, prospects, and other aspects of Cellebrite’s business are based on current expectations that are subject to risks and uncertainties. A number of factors could cause actual results or outcomes to differ materially from those indicated by such forward looking statements. These factors include, but are not limited to: Cellebrite’s ability to keep pace with technological advances and evolving industry standards; Cellebrite’s material dependence on the acceptance of its solutions by law enforcement and government agencies; real or perceived errors, failures, defects or bugs in Cellebrite’s DI solutions; Cellebrite’s failure to maintain the productivity of sales and marketing personnel, including relating to hiring, integrating and retaining personnel; uncertainties regarding the impact of macroeconomic and/or global conditions, including COVID-19 and military actions involving Russia and Ukraine; intense competition in all of Cellebrite’s markets; the inadvertent or deliberate misuse of Cellebrite’s solutions; political and reputational factors related to Cellebrite’s business or operations; risks relating to estimates of market opportunity and forecasts of market growth; Cellebrite’s ability to properly manage its growth; risks associated with Cellebrite’s credit facilities and liquidity; Cellebrite’s reliance on third-party suppliers for certain components, products, or services; challenges associated with large transactions and long sales cycle; risks that Cellebrite’s customers may fail to honor contractual or payment obligations; risks associated with a significant amount of Cellebrite’s business coming from government customers around the world; risks related to Cellebrite’s intellectual property; security vulnerabilities or defects, including cyber-attacks, information technology system breaches, failures or disruptions; the mishandling or perceived mishandling of sensitive or confidential information; the complex and changing regulatory environments relating to Cellebrite’s operations and solutions; the regulatory constraints to which we are subject; risks associated with different corporate governance requirements applicable to Israeli companies and risks associated with being a foreign private issuer and an emerging growth company; market volatility in the price of Cellebrite’s shares; changing tax laws and regulations; risks associated with joint, ventures, partnerships and strategic initiatives; risks associated with Cellebrite’s significant international operations; risks associated with Cellebrite’s failure to comply with anti-corruption, trade compliance, anti-money-laundering and economic sanctions laws and regulations; risks relating to the adequacy of Cellebrite’s existing systems, processes, policies, procedures, internal controls and personnel for Cellebrite’s current and future operations and reporting needs; and other factors, risks and uncertainties set forth in the section titled “Risk Factors” in Cellebrite’s annual report on Form 20-F filed with the SEC on March 29, 2022,as amended on April 14, 2022 and in other documents filed by Cellebrite with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”), which are available free of charge at www.sec.gov. You are cautioned not to place undue reliance upon any forward looking statements, which speak only as of the date made, in this communication or elsewhere. Cellebrite undertakes no obligation to update its forward looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future developments or otherwise, should circumstances change, except as otherwise required by securities and other applicable laws. 

Source: Cellebrite DI Ltd

Thursday 13 July 2023

JAPAN MARITIME DAILY HOLDS THE FIRST GLOBAL SHIPPING SEMINAR IN SINGAPORE ON 4 SEPTEMBER 2023


Applications have just opened

Valuable discussion for Net-Zero emissions will be held among Mr. Jeremy Nixon, the CEO of ONE, and key global VIP speakers.


TOKYO, July 13 (Bernama-BUSINESS WIRE) -- On Monday, 4 September 2023, the leading maritime newspaper in Japan, Japan Maritime Daily (JMD) will host the company's first global seminar in Singapore, Future of Shipping towards Net Zero, with the theme of 'Decarbonization for the Future of Shipping'. Co-organized with the Singapore Exchange (SGX), the seminar will show how to achieve shipping carbon neutrality through the initiatives of major shipping companies and panel discussions.

The keynote speaker will be Jeremy Nixon, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Ocean Network Express (ONE), who will explain ONE's efforts towards decarbonization.

Following this, SGX Group's Director Kenneth Ng will speak about SGX's FFA (freight futures) product and other topics. Additionally, a team of analysts from UK-based maritime consultants MSI (Maritime Strategies International) will discuss the impact of decarbonization on shipping.

In addition, a panel discussion moderated by Mr. Jigo Hayashi, Joint General Manager of Tokyo Century Corporation's Ship Finance Division, will include Mr. Peter Norborg, CEO of Swire Bulk, and Mr. Sung Yong Do, Managing Director of Meadway Shipping Singapore, on the challenges of decarbonization, including new fuels. A networking party will be held after the seminar, free of charge.

Date and time: 4 September 2023 (Monday), 1:30 pm - 4:00 pm (seminar).
Networking party after the seminar.
Venue: SGX Auditorium, 2 Shenton Way, #02-02 SGX Centre 1, Singapore
Language: English (A summary will be published in The Japan Maritime Daily later.)
Participation fee: Free of charge. Capacity of 100 persons.

[Agenda]
Opening remarks:
Mr. Hidemi Oyama, Chairman and Representative Director, JMD,
Mr. William Chin, Executive Director, SGX Group.
Keynote speech:
"Managing Decarbonization in a Shipping Company" by Mr. Jeremy Nixon, CEO, ONE
"Connecting global trade growth through SGX Freight" by Mr. Kenneth Ng, Director, SGX Group
- Speech 'The Outlook for the Shipping Markets Against a Decarbonisation Backdrop' (MSI)
- Panel discussion
Mr. Peter Norborg, CEO, Swire Bulk
Mr. Sung Yong Do, Managing Director, Meadway Shipping Singapore
Mr. Jigo Hayashi, Joint General Manager, Tokyo Century Corporation (moderator)
Additional speaker or topic to be confirmed.

To register, please apply via https://form.jotform.com/231840106003439

View source version on businesswire.com: 
https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230710673886/en/

Contact

seminar@jmd.co.jp
+81‐3-3436-3222
Seminar Bureau/The Japan Maritime Daily

Source : Japan Maritime Daily Co., Ltd.

Northern Trust Partners Nus To Support Blockchain Development For Institutional Use

KUALA LUMPUR, July 12 (Bernama) -- Northern Trust, the National University of Singapore’s School of Computing (NUS Computing) and Asian Institute of Digital Finance (NUS AIDF) announced a series of research and industry development initiatives that will advance efforts to define the future of blockchain for institutional investors, via a strategic partnership.

In a statement, Northern Trust global head of Digital Assets and Financial Markets, Justin Chapman said: “The financial markets will continue to evolve rapidly as we embrace technologies such as blockchain and artificial intelligence.

“Our partnership with NUS is an important step in our strategy to provide thought leadership and develop future leaders who will shape the industry. I believe this is only the starting point of a productive collaboration between the two organisations.”

The strategic partnership includes a joint research project on “Custody in the age of digital assets”, investigating different methods for maintaining control and possession of digital assets on third-party blockchains, and ways for clients to achieve a real-time view of assets across digital and traditional markets.

In addition, a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with NUS AIDF, a university-level institute in NUS, signifies Northern Trust’s commitment to growing the fintech ecosystem in Singapore.

Northern Trust is currently providing mentorship to Insightic, a RegTech start-up incubated at AIDF, with a distinct focus on risk assessment for Web 3.0-based virtual asset service providers.

The partnership also includes an agreement between Northern Trust and NUS Computing to provide an industry-linked internship opportunity to a student in the Master of Digital Fintech programme, which will expose the intern to critical market advocacy and digital development work that Northern Trust is spearheading in the Asia Pacific region.

With offices across Asia Pacific in Beijing, Bengaluru, Hong Kong, Kuala Lumpur, Manila, Melbourne, Pune, Singapore, Sydney and Tokyo, Northern Trust has strong relationships with some of the region’s largest central banks, sovereign wealth funds, government agencies and corporations.

-- BERNAMA

Wednesday 12 July 2023

CERTIK COMPLETES SECURITY AUDIT OF AUTOMATED MARKET MAKER ON XRP LEDGER



KUALA LUMPUR, July 12 (Bernama) -- CertiK, a leader in blockchain security and auditing, announced the completion of a comprehensive security audit for XLS-30d, an innovative Automated Market Maker (AMM) built on the XRP Ledger (XRPL).

The XRPL is a Layer 1 open-source, energy-efficient and decentralised blockchain powered by a global developer community, according to a statement.

“XRPL’s AMM implementation represents an important evolution in decentralised exchange functionality, and we are honoured to have been able to ensure it meets the highest standard of security,” said CertiK Chief Business Officer, Jason Jiang.

The AMM, developed under the technical specification XLS-30d proposed by Ripple has been designed to extend the exchange functionality and utility for XRPL token holders and builders on the XRP Ledger.

CertiK’s audit was an extensive process, meticulously examining the underlying smart contract architecture for potential vulnerabilities and assessing the overall security of the AMM implementation.

Key features of the XLS-30d AMM, as validated by CertiK, include a protocol native build, a continuous auction mechanism, single-sided liquidity provision, no Miner Extractable Value (MEV) or front-running, and CLOB DEX integration.

CertiK's audit confirms that the AMM built on the XRPL meets the highest standards of security, demonstrating CertiK and Ripple’s shared commitment to advancing the security and reliability of the global blockchain ecosystem.

-- BERNAMA

CIP REACHES FIRST CLOSE ON CI V AT NEARLY EUR 6 BILLION - SET TO BECOME THE WORLD'S LARGEST FUND OF ITS KIND

On June 30, 2023, Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners (CIP) reached first close on its fifth flagship fund Copenhagen Infrastructure V (CI V) at EUR 5.6 billion in capital commitments received – putting it on track to reach its target fund size of EUR 12 billion and become the world’s largest dedicated greenfield renewable energy fund.

COPENHAGEN, Denmark, July 10 (Bernama-GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- A large group of leading institutional investors across continental Europe, the Nordics, the UK, North America, and the Asia-Pacific region participated in the first close of CI V. Backed by the strong appetite of additional investors already in process, the fund is on track to reach its target fund size of EUR 12 billion and is set to become the largest fund globally dedicated to greenfield renewable energy infrastructure investments.

“We’re delighted by the continued trust in CIP from our existing investors, and are pleased to welcome the many new investors to our renewable energy platform. Reaching nearly EUR 6 billion at first close is a testament to the importance of the fund, and the confidence placed in our industrial approach to energy infrastructure investments. With its greenfield focus and large and diversified portfolio, CI V has the potential to significantly contribute to, and accelerate the energy transition on a global scale, while generating strong returns for our investors,” says Jakob Baruël Poulsen, Managing Partner at CIP.

The investment strategy is a continuation of the predecessor flagship funds CI I, CI II, CI III, and CI IV, applying the same well-tested industrial value-creation approach, whereby projects are entered early and significantly de-risked and optimised, prior to the start of construction to capture the attractive greenfield premium. The fund will focus on greenfield investments within large-scale renewable energy infrastructure. It has a global reach and intends to diversify investments across technologies such as contracted offshore wind, energy storage, onshore wind and solar in low-risk OECD countries in North America, Western Europe, and Asia Pacific. 

Tuesday 11 July 2023

COUNTRY GARDEN’S FOREST CITY PROMOTES CULTURAL DIVERSITY VIA EVENTS

KUALA LUMPUR, July 10 (Bernama) -- Forest City, a real estate project developed by Country Garden, is dedicated to promoting a vibrant and inclusive community, with two recent events exemplifying its commitment to celebrating diversity.

The first event, Shoreline Morning Run brings residents together from diverse cultural backgrounds with a shared passion for fitness and well-being has garnered a strong turnout, attracting participants from various countries along the scenic coastline.

Meanwhile, the second event, Forest City Cup Junior Golf Tournament serves as proof of Forest City's commitment to multiculturalism, offering a platform for young athletes to learn from one another, showcase their skills, and experience fun while promoting cultural exchanges and mutual understanding.

According to a statement, Forest City boasts two world-class golf courses and has consistently been ranked among the "Top 100 Golf Courses in Asia" for four consecutive years.

Among them, the Classic Golf Course was designed by Liang Guokun, a Chinese golf course design master, while the Legacy Golf Course is an 18-hole international championship-level course jointly designed by golf champions Jack Nicklaus and his son Jack Nicklaus II.

Furthermore, visitors can enjoy the luxurious accommodations the two five-star hotels provide, namely the Marina Hotel and the Golf Hotel, which feature luxurious rooms and amenities, surrounded by lush greenery that seamlessly blends with the natural environment.

Visitors can indulge in leisure facilities within the hotels while also experiencing a range of captivating outdoor activities.

Forest City proactively cultivates a thriving community, hosting a variety of engaging activities and offering residents and visitors a vibrant and immersive lifestyle experience.

-- BERNAMA

Monday 10 July 2023

AM BEST AFFIRMS SOUTH KOREA’S HANWHA GENERAL INSURANCE CREDIT RATINGS

KUALA LUMPUR, July 10 (Bernama) -- AM Best has affirmed the Financial Strength Rating of A (Excellent) and the Long-Term Issuer Credit Rating of “a” (Excellent) of Hanwha General Insurance Company Limited (HGI), South Korea.

According to the global credit rating agency in a statement, the outlook of these Credit Ratings (ratings) is stable.

The ratings reflect HGI’s balance sheet strength, which AM Best assessed as strong, as well as its adequate operating performance, neutral business profile and appropriate enterprise risk management, as well as reflecting the support that the company receives from its parent, Hanwha Life Insurance Co Ltd (Hanwha Life).

HGI’s risk-adjusted capitalisation, as measured by Best’s Capital Adequacy Ratio, is assessed at the strongest level, underpinned by various capital replenishment actions undertaken by the company in 2022.

Although the company faced pressure on its reported capital from rising interest rates in 2022, AM Best expects the interest rate sensitivity of capital and solvency ratio to be largely subdued under the new accounting and solvency regimes (IFRS 17 and K-ICS), further supported by HGI’s improved asset-liability durations in recent years.

With a five-year average consolidated return on equity of 5.5 per cent (2018-2022), HGI’s operating performance assessment remains as adequate.

Profitability of its long-term insurance line improved materially in 2022 as the accumulated effect of the rate hikes in prior years for unprofitable legacy medical indemnity policies started to materialise.

HGI is the sixth-largest non-life insurance company in South Korea, with a market share of approximately seven per cent in terms of gross premiums written in 2022, as well as a business focus on long-term insurance.

The rating lift considers various forms of implicit and explicit support from Hanwha Life, the second-largest life insurer in the country in terms of premium income, including co-branding to increase operational synergy, product distribution and capital support.

-- BERNAMA