Behavox Quantum Amplifies Vitol’s Compliance Monitoring

KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 22 (Bernama) -- Behavox, the artificial intelligence (AI)-driven compliance and security solutions provider, announced that Vitol, a global energy and commodities company, has successfully implemented Behavox’s Quantum AI Software as a Service (SaaS) solution.

Behavox Quantum enhances Vitol’s risk coverage by providing commodity trading-specific risk coverage to proactively detect misconduct. Vitol has implemented Behavox Quantum AI Risk Policies to ingest and monitor its enterprise communications for compliance risk.

In a statement, Behavox Chief Revenue Officer, Nabeel Ebrahim said: “We are proud to work with an organisation of Vitol’s calibre, who are committed to continuously reviewing and enhancing their communication monitoring programme to meet evolving compliance needs.”

Meanwhile, Vitol Head of Compliance, Odile Roy de Puyfontaine said initial implementation of Behavox technology has been encouraging and provided some valuable insights.

Vitol, one of the world’s leading energy traders, joins some of the largest global energy and commodity trading firms in adopting Behavox Quantum to proactively detect misconduct.

Empowering organisations to proactively detect and mitigate human risks within the organisation, Behavox leverages large language models and generative AI to transform how compliance and security teams manage risks and safeguard organisational integrity.

-- BERNAMA

IMMUNOSCAPE, SINGAPORE’S EDDC JOIN FORCES TO DEVELOP OFF-THE-SHELF TCR-BASED MOLECULES

KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 22 (Bernama) -- ImmunoScape, a biotechnology company focused on next-generation T Cell receptor (TCR)-based immunotherapies, announced a partnership with the Experimental Drug Development Centre (EDDC), Singapore's national platform for drug discovery and development hosted by the Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR), which is set to commence in early next year.

“The benefit of off-the-shelf TCR molecules is that they do not require engineering and manufacturing of the patients’ own T cells, which can make them accessible to a much broader patient population and further results in much lower production costs and shorter timelines for the patients to receive the drug.

“By combining the power of our machine learning-augmented TCR discovery platform with EDDC’s broad expertise in the design of multifunctional constructs, we will aim to rapidly develop novel off-the-shelf TCR-based bispecific molecules that could overcome widespread challenges in cell therapy approaches against solid tumours,” said ImmunoScape Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Choon-Peng Ng.

Meanwhile, EDDC CEO, Damian O'Connell said the company is thrilled to join forces with ImmunoScape to design and produce TCR-based bispecific constructs that could lead to more effective treatments for solid tumours.

“Our deep expertise in progressing projects from discovery and production of antibodies to the design of multifunctional constructs, paired with ImmunoScape’s TCR discovery platform and library of tumour-specific TCRs, will allow us to jointly develop molecules for sensitive and effective tumour targeting in a T cell-independent manner,” he said.

In this new partnership, ImmunoScape will leverage its catalogue of highly potent tumour-specific TCR candidates for the joint development of innovative off-the-shelf TCR-based bispecific molecules with EDDC, according to the company in a statement.

These molecules contain two distinct binding sites and are engineered to bind and activate T cells, redirecting them towards tumour sites for interaction with cells expressing the unique tumour-specific antigen through the TCR.

This approach enables the patient's own T cell repertoire to selectively eliminate cancer cells. EDDC will apply its expertise in therapeutic protein design and antibody engineering to develop these novel TCR-based bispecific molecules.

ImmunoScape’s core antigen-specific T cell immune profiling technology was developed at A*STAR’s Singapore Immunology Network and is exclusively licensed from A*STAR.

Since its spinout from A*STAR in 2016, ImmunoScape has developed a cutting-edge, high-throughput, TCR discovery platform that produces a broad and emerging portfolio of novel, safe, and efficacious TCRs against solid tumours.

-- BERNAMA

Malaysia's Non-life Insurance Segment Outlook Remains Stable - AM Best

KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 19 (Bernama) -- Global credit rating agency, AM Best has maintained a stable outlook on the Malaysian non-life insurance industry segment, citing expectations of solid premium growth and the maintenance of underwriting and pricing discipline maintained amid the phased de-tariffication of motor and fire businesses.

The rating agency’s “Market Segment Outlook: Malaysia Non-Life Insurance” report states that total non-life gross premiums written in 2022 rose 11.7 per cent year over year to RM24.5 billion (US$5.3 billion), with 31 per cent of the growth coming from the general takaful segment. (US$1=RM4.69)

According to AM Best in a statement, the increase was attributed to the recovery in most lines of business, particularly motor, fire and personal accident, after the lifting of the pandemic-related measures.

Over the near to medium term, premium growth will be supported by sustained economic recovery and increased insurance penetration due to government initiatives, greater awareness of the importance of insurance protection and the growing demand for digital insurance and takaful products.

AM Best also notes that since implementation of the phased de-tariffication on these lines of business, Malaysia’s non-life segment has seen an uptick in pricing competition, which is likely to pressure pricing over the near to medium term; however, in the long term, it is seen as helping to strengthen the sustainability of the insurance industry.

Extreme weather events such as floods have hampered the non-life insurers’ profitability in recent periods, according to the report.

Additionally, the higher cost of reinsurance and tighter underwriting terms and conditions have remained material factors during the country’s recent reinsurance renewal periods.

Therefore, the AM Best expects non-life insurers to continue to implement premium rate increases for certain flood-related products and adopt prudent underwriting practices to mitigate the risk.

The report also notes ongoing consolidation and regulatory shifts to bolster the market. Consolidation has been driven mainly by larger international players seizing on acquisition opportunities, and this trend is likely to continue as global insurers seeking geographical diversification see potential in expanding to Malaysia owing to the country’s low insurance penetration rate and to the profitability of this market.

-- BERNAMA

TOP SPOTS TO FEEL CHRISTMAS SPIRIT IN HONG KONG

KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 19 (Bernama) -- Hong Kong, renowned for its exceptional Christmas atmosphere among Asia, is now decked with vibrant holiday decorations, and a number of events are also taking place one after another during the festive season.

Visitors can experience the Christmas vibes in Hong Kong with some of the finest spots such as the city’s tallest outdoor 20-metre-tall giant Christmas tree, standing in the centre of Christmas town.

According to Hong Kong Tourism Board in a statement, the brand new 10-minute "Winter Harbourfront Pyrotechnics" illuminates the seashore of Victoria Harbour and attracts visitors from different places.

In addition, Tsim Sha Tsui and East Tsim Sha Tsui have long been popular spots to enjoy the dazzling Christmas lights, whereby British light artist Rupert Newman presents a digital light show specifically created for Hong Kong during the festive season.

Titled ‘In-Between the Sky: A Festive Beacon’, the show is projected on the Sino LuminArt Façade of Tsim Sha Tsui Centre and Empire Centre.

Furthermore, the ‘Bear Rocket Launch Station’ located at the Ocean Terminal Forecourt in Harbour City is also ready to celebrate a unique Merry Spacemas with tourists.

Not to be missed, the Victorian-style greenhouse botanical garden at 1881 Heritage with the theme "Botanical Christmas", is a must-visit spot for tourists.

-- BERNAMA

AM Best Affirms China’s Qianhai Reinsurance Credit Ratings

KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 19 (Bernama) -- Global credit rating agency, AM Best has affirmed the Financial Strength Rating of A- (Excellent) and the Long-Term Issuer Credit Rating of “a-” (Excellent) of China’s Qianhai Reinsurance Co Ltd (QHR).

The outlook of these credit ratings (ratings) is stable, reflecting QHR’s balance sheet strength, which AM Best assesses as very strong, as well as its adequate operating performance, neutral business profile and appropriate enterprise risk management.

In a statement, AM Best said QHR’s risk-adjusted capitalisation, as measured by Best’s Capital Adequacy Ratio, remained at the strongest level as of year-end 2022.

Going forward, the credit rating agency expects QHR to continue to receive financial support from its major shareholders and explore opportunities in capital markets to bolster its capital structure.

The company has a diversified investment portfolio that focuses on cash and fixed-income securities, albeit with a moderate exposure to debt-type alternative investments.

QHR has remained profitable over the past few years, with a five-year average return-on-equity ratio of 3.0 per cent (2018-2022), although it recorded a 61 per cent year-on-year decline in net profit in 2022 due to negative changes in investment valuations in tandem with capital market volatility.

Its investment performance recovered moderately during the first three quarters of 2023 with the life reinsurance segment remains as the major driver of underwriting results.

A composite reinsurer controlled by three Chinese state-owned enterprises and plays a strategic role in the development of the Qianhai Free Trade Zone, QHR has continued to strengthen its market presence over the past five years.

The company’s non-life underwriting portfolio is diversified by product lines with a focus on Chinese risks as it rebalanced the overseas book to improve business quality.

-- BERNAMA

ALGBRA ANNOUNCES NEW WORLD GROUP'S ADAM SADIQ TO ITS BOARD OF DIRECTORS

 

Adam Sadiq (Photo: Business Wire)

LONDON, Dec 15 (Bernama-BUSINESS WIRE) -- Algbra, the UK FCA licensed fintech and global digital financial infrastructure company that offers its full-stack proprietary technology internationally as a Fintech as a Service (‘FaaS’) solution and operates an ESG-focused and Sharia-compliant B2C platform, has announced the appointment of Adam Sadiq onto its Board of Directors.
 

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20231214989473/en/ 

Adam, a financial entrepreneur and Co-Founder and CEO of New World Group (NWG) - a diversified investment company across financial services, technology, and asset management - was part of the founding team of Algbra in 2020 and led NWG’s investment into the company alongside British Business Investments, Saphira Group, Kasikornbank’s Beacon Venture Capital and others.

Using his deep knowledge and experience of founding new businesses with global footprints and institutional and sovereign investors - as well as currently serving on the boards of Luxury Promise and The Valesco Group - Adam will bring his vast expertise to the Algbra Board and Executive Committee to lead its international growth strategy, particularly across Southeast Asia and the Middle East. Algbra also benefits from Adam’s extensive background in financial services including Société Générale, Western Asset (now Franklin Templeton), State Street Global Advisors and BGC Partners.

Commenting on his appointment, NWG CEO Adam Sadiq said: "I’m excited to be joining Algbra’s Board at this exciting time in the company’s journey. The Algbra team, led by Zeiad, have done a phenomenal job to build and launch an exceptional platform in the UK and I look forward to working with them to achieve the next significant milestones for investment and growth internationally.”

Algbra CEO, Zeiad Idris, added: "Adam has been a core part of Algbra’s founding journey over the past three years, so as we now embark on our exciting international growth and expansion, I can’t think of a better time to formally welcome Adam to the Algbra Board. The company will benefit tremendously from Adam’s deep experience working with institutions and investors, particularly across our future target markets and jurisdictions”. 

http://mrem.bernama.com/viewsm.php?idm=47781

FOODPANDA PARTNERS PINE LABS' QWIKCILVER TO LAUNCH GIFT CARDS

SINGAPORE, Dec 14 (Bernama-BUSINESS WIRE) -- Pine Labs' Qwikcilver, a leading provider of end-to-end gift card and stored value solutions in Southeast Asia and India, and foodpanda, Asia’s largest food and grocery delivery network (outside of China), have partnered to launch foodpanda Gift Cards – an enhanced solution that enables foodpanda customers to easily redeem and cart out purchases.

The new Gift Card feature will be first available to foodpanda corporate customers under ‘foodpanda for business’, the company’s dedicated vertical providing corporate solutions. The integration of Gift Cards simplifies the administrative process for foodpanda’s corporate customers as it now lets them easily purchase and share Gift Cards with their employees via the foodpanda for business portal, enabling them to easily keep track of previous purchases and spends. Upon confirmation of orders, recipients will be able to receive their Gift Cards within 24 hours – providing a convenient and fuss-free way for companies to dish out employee benefits that suit any occasion.

For employees, Gift Cards also allow for greater flexibility for usage as unlike vouchers, Gift Cards allow customers to store any unused balance for later use. Gift Cards can also be used on multiple orders, providing customers with more options to redeem their Gift Cards on foodpanda’s many services including purchasing groceries on pandamart and retail specialty goods on foodpanda shops. The Gift Cards powered by Pine Labs Qwikcilver are currently available for purchase in Thailand and Singapore, and will eventually be rolled out to all 11 markets that foodpanda operates in. There are also plans to make Gift Cards available to all customers (including non-corporate) in the future.

Commenting on the partnership, Abhishek Ahuja, Director of Fintech at foodpanda said, “As flexible working becomes the norm, we want to equip companies with the ability to provide their employees with benefits that they can enjoy anytime, anywhere. Together with Pine Labs’ Qwikcilver, we can now offer companies a user-friendly way that they can show appreciation for their employees through Gift Cards, without the additional administrative and payment burden.”

“With presence in more than 400 cities, foodpanda is a name to reckon with in the online food delivery and grocery space. For Pine Labs’ Qwikcilver brand, it is an absolute thrill to partner tech-first company foodpanda and power their gift cards and vouchers program across 11 APAC countries, and this is just the beginning of future collaborations between the two entities,” said Dheeraj Chowdhry, Chief Business Officer – SEA, Pine Labs.

“Our Gift Cards platform is today powering several multinational, large, and small-sized businesses across diverse industry verticals and geographies. Across these clients we have observed that the Gift Cards or voucher-based cards are a very sound business model, delivering attractive financial benefits. With a single card transaction, our brand partners end up with two customers, i.e., the sender and the recipient. We have also observed that customers tend to purchase more than the card value, resulting in increased sales and basket size for our clients,” added Dheeraj Chowdhry.

About foodpanda

foodpanda is a leading delivery platform in Asia dedicated to bringing consumers a wide range of food, groceries and more, quickly and conveniently. Powered by technology and operational excellence, foodpanda is spearheading the growth of quick-commerce (q-commerce) across the region with its network of retail partners, as well as pandamart cloud stores to provide more on-demand options beyond the millions of food delivery options. foodpanda operates in more than 400 cities across 11 markets in Asia - Singapore, Hong Kong, Thailand, Malaysia, Pakistan, Taiwan, Philippines, Bangladesh, Laos, Cambodia, and Myanmar. foodpanda is a subsidiary of Delivery Hero, a global leader of the food delivery industry. For more information, visit www.foodpanda.com

About Pine Labs

Pine Labs is a leading merchant commerce omnichannel platform operating across India and Southeast Asia. Pine Labs’ tech-first approach to digital payments and focus on simplification at the front end aims to help many businesses embrace fintech products at scale.

In digital payments, our online payments cloud-based software Plural represents a one-stop payments destination across channels.

Our Issuing business is powered by Qwikcilver – Qwikcilver offers a cutting-edge, full-stack, end-to-end technology service solution in the Pre-paid Transaction Management, Gift Cards, and Sales/ Distribution Space, with a strong presence in multiple countries and live service engagements with leading brands and major customers from the Retail, Hospitality and Airline Industries, across the following geographical regions: South Asia - India, South East Asia and the Far East - Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, Philippines, Middle East and Africa - Dubai, Abu Dhabi, South Africa, Europe - Luxembourg and Czech Republic, Australia, New Zealand and Hawaii in the United States of America, at the present moment.

In consumer app, Fave is a fintech platform for the next generation of consumers, providing smart payments and savings, while empowering merchants with a loyalty solution to grow and engage with their customers in a whole new way.

To know more, please visit www.pinelabs.com and www.qwikcilver.com.

View source version on businesswire.com:
https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20231212100988/en/

Contact

Media Contacts

For Pine Labs

Swati Chauhan
Ruder Finn Asia
chauhans@ruderfinn.com
+91- 8505947705

For foodpanda

Katrina Khoe
foodpanda
Katrina.khoe@foodpanda.com
+65 9726 9199

Source : Pine Labs

--BERNAMA

VITAL VOICES 10TH ANNUAL “VOICES OF SOLIDARITY” AWARDS HONORS FOUR REMARKABLE MALE ALLIES IN THE FIGHT FOR WOMEN’S RIGHTS

Legendary Skateboarder Tony Hawk, Rep. Jimmy Gomez (CA-34), Human Rights Activist Fallu Sowe, and Social Justice Artist Omaid Sharifi were honored by Philanthropist & Fashion Designer Diane von Furstenberg and Vital Voices President & CEO Alyse Nelson for their work in advancing gender equality.

New York, N.Y., Dec 13 (Bernama-GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- To mark the 75th Anniversary of International Human Rights Day, this week Vital Voices Global Partnership proudly honored male allies who have shown remarkable courage and commitment to advocating for women’s rights.

Philanthropist and Fashion Designer Diane von Furstenberg and Vital Voices Co-founder, President & CEO Alyse Nelson hosted the 10th Annual Voices of Solidarity Awards on Monday evening at the historic IAC building in New York City – just one day after the 75th Annual Human Rights Day. They honored Legendary Skateboarder Tony Hawk, U.S. Representative Jimmy Gomez (CA-34), Artist & Activist Omaid Sharifi, and Human Rights Activist Fallu Sowe.

Tony Hawk was recognized for championing girls in sports, particularly through his foundation, Skatepark Project, and working with Skateistan in Afghanistan.

Rep. Jimmy Gomez of California’s 34th District was honored for championing equality for caregivers in U.S. national policies and for leading by example in creating the first-ever U.S. Congressional Dads’ Caucus.
Omaid Sharifi, a pioneering artist and activist, was honored for his worldwide efforts to call attention to the oppression of Middle Eastern women and girls through his group, ArtLords, a global grassroots movement founded in Afghanistan to promote peace, women’s rights, and social transformation through street art.
Fallu Sowe, a fearless human rights activist from The Gambia, was recognized for his work in providing critical care services to survivors of gender-based violence.

“For the last decade, it’s been hugely encouraging to count more and more remarkable men as partners in this work. Men’s voices are absolutely critical if we want to accelerate the pace of change — and prove that nothing is impossible,” said Vital Voices Co-founder, President & CEO, Alyse Nelson.

“This year’s honorees are incredible examples of solidarity in action. Each in their own way, they've decided to join the fight for gender equality — a fight that women have been leading for decades, especially the women leaders of Vital Voices,” said Founder and Co-Chairwoman, DVF and Vital Voices Board Member, Diane Von Furstenberg.

Presenting the awards to this year’s honorees were President & CEO of Equimundo Dr. Gary Barker, Ph.D., Zainab Husseini of Afghanistan’s Skateistan, Vital Voices Board Chair Kate James, and Tunisian Human Rights Activist, Entrepreneur & Vital Voices Board Member Amira Yahyaoui.

Photo highlights of the event can be found here.
For more information about the event, contact: media@vitalvoices.org.

###

About Vital Voices Global Partnership
Now celebrating 26 years, Vital Voices Global Partnership has directly invested in more than 20,000 women leaders across 185 countries and territories since its inception in 1997. Driven by the universal truth that women are the key to progress in their communities and nations cannot move forward without women in leadership positions, Vital Voices has provided early support for leaders who went on to become Nobel Peace Prize Laureates, U.S. Youth Poet Laureates, prime ministers, award-winning innovators, pioneering human rights defenders and breakthrough social entrepreneurs, including Amanda Gorman and Malala Yousafzai. To advance and expand this work, in 2022 Vital Voices opened the doors to the world’s first global embassy for women, the Vital Voices Global Headquarters for Women’s Leadership. It is a first-of-its-kind space that allows for convening, innovation, planning, and action—all in the pursuit of serving women leaders who are taking on the world’s greatest challenges.

Find Vital Voices Online:
Facebook: facebook.com/vitalvoices
Twitter: @vitalvoices
Instagram: @vitalvoices
LinkedIn: Vital Voices Global Partnership

AttachmentsVoices of Solidarity
Vital Voices 10th Annual “Voices of Solidarity” Awards HonoreesVital Voices
Media@vitalvoices.org

SOURCE: Vital Voices

--BERNAMA

HONG KONG'S LARGEST EVER NEW YEAR COUNTDOWN FIREWORK MUSICAL TO WELCOME 2024

_{(Photo: Hong Kong Tourism Board)}

HONG KONG, Dec 12 (Bernama-BUSINESS WIRE) -- As the world eagerly anticipates the arrival of 2024, all eyes will turn to Hong Kong for the city's largest New Year's Eve firework display to date on December 31, 2023 (Sunday). Set against the iconic Hong Kong skyline, spectators will be treated to a 12-minute firework musical, surpassing any previous New Year's Eve displays in the city in both coverage and duration.

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20231211938359/en/  

As the clock inches closer to midnight, the façade of the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre (HKCEC) will be adorned with a large-scale countdown clock. At the stroke of midnight, the numerals 2024 will light up the harbourfront building, setting off a synchronised extravaganza featuring a breathtaking display of fireworks, a harmonious blend of artistic fusion music and a vibrant light show. This spectacle will fill audiences around the world with hope and joy as Hong Kong sets the stage for a remarkable beginning to 2024.

The fireworks will take audiences on a captivating journey through the four seasons, symbolizing the cyclical nature of life and the promise of new beginnings. From the serene beauty of winter to the vibrant colours of summer, the pyrotechnics will embody the essence of each season. The accompanying music, thoughtfully curated to enhance the immersive experience, will evoke the mood of each season and further enhance the spectacle.

The grand countdown will ignite a mesmerizing audiovisual experience, blending energetic electronic beats, enchanting classical melodies, and the rich timbres of traditional Chinese instruments. This artistic fusion of music represents Hong Kong's unique blend of old and new, bridging Eastern and Western cultures in a captivating display.

To enhance the atmosphere to its peak at midnight, a pre-show wish-making session will occur every 15 minutes from 11:00 PM. Pyrotechnics will shoot from the rooftops of three prominent harbourfront high-rises on Hong Kong Island, illuminating the sky in four different colours symbolizing love, health, happiness, and wealth for the year 2024.

The New Year countdown spectacle will be shared with viewers worldwide, extending the celebration's global reach through satellite broadcast.

Information of Video and Image Download 
 

Download link: https://assetlibrary.hktb.com/assetbank-hktb/action/browseItems?categoryId=1343&categoryTypeId=2&cachedCriteria=1 

· Reference images of Hong Kong New Year Countdown Celebrations are available for download at the link above.
· Post-event video footage and photos of Hong Kong New Year Countdown Celebrations will be available for download from 1 January 2024, 03:00 Hong Kong Time (31 December 2023 GMT 19:00).

http://mrem.bernama.com/viewsm.php?idm=47757

ISF NET ESTABLISHES SINGAPORE OFFICE AS IT SEEKS TO STRENGTHEN IT TALENT IN ASIA

SINGAPORE and TOKYO, Dec. 7, 2023 /Kyodo JBN-AsiaNet/ --

- GLOBAL ISF PTE. LTD. to Bolster ISF NET, INC's Regional Presence and Support Its Ambitions in Global Expansion - ISF NET, INC., a leading Japanese IT services and staffing company, announced on December 7 the establishment of GLOBAL ISF PTE. LTD. in Singapore as it eyes greater business expansion in the Asian region. Logo: https://cdn.kyodonewsprwire.jp/prwfile/release/M107946/202312063901/_prw_PI1fl_0ynFt98s.jpg As part of its expansion into Singapore, ISF NET will invest approximately USD13.5 million (2 billion yen) in the venture, setting a sales target of USD20.3 million (3 billion yen) for the global business. The company aims to hire 150 employees by 2030 to bolster its support for clients in Singapore and other parts of Southeast Asia. With over two decades of industry experience and with offices in Japan, China and South Korea, ISF NET's entry into Singapore marks a significant step towards strengthening its position in Asia. More significantly, this move represents a strategic shift in ISF NET's focus of services from Japan to the global market. "As a renowned international talent hub, Singapore offers an ideal gateway for multinational companies aiming to grow in Asia," said Yukiyoshi Watanabe, President and CEO, ISF NET, INC. "I am confident that our foray into Singapore will further strengthen our presence in the region and empower clients with tailored IT infrastructure solutions to help them navigate and succeed in a region as diverse as Asia." Business Strategy in Singapore ISF NET's business strategy will focus on providing IT engineering HR support for companies in Singapore and recruiting Japanese-English and Korean-English speaking bilingual IT infrastructure engineers. The engineers will be hired from Singapore and other parts of Asia and will be staffed to IT infrastructure projects in Japan and Korea. "ISF NET's expansion into Singapore underscores our commitment to uplifting engineering talent across Asia through cross-border knowledge sharing. In tandem with this, we aim to foster a globally connected workforce and alleviate the hiring and skills challenges faced by our clients across Asia," said Kohei Wakamoto, Managing Director of GLOBAL ISF PTE. LTD. The company aims to address the increasing scarcity of IT talent in Singapore by growing its IT infrastructure-managed service business, IT talent recruitment and IT talent staffing business. This will connect local engineers eager to enhance their skills through overseas projects with companies which are actively seeking bilingual experts. By fostering collaboration with highly skilled engineers in Singapore and across Asia, ISF NET is committed to delivering advanced projects and cutting-edge technology solutions. As part of future initiatives, ISF NET aims to facilitate remote work for individuals who have relocated from overseas, fostering a flexible and globally connected workforce. In addition, ISF NET will focus on developing key partnerships with Japanese and Korean companies which are looking to expand in Asia but lack the know-how, resources and talent to do so. Leveraging its decades of experience in IT staffing solutions, ISF NET will support these companies in actively recruiting bilingual engineers to strengthen business partnerships within region. This will help solve challenges faced by these companies, namely the increased difficulty in hiring bilingual IT infrastructure engineers and alleviation of the additional burden on current employees.  http://mrem.bernama.com/viewsm.php?idm=47723

BREADTALK, FOOD REPUBLIC, AND POH HENG ARE AMONG THE WINNERS OF THE 2023 - 2024 WORLD BRANDING AWARDS

LONDON, Dec 8 (Bernama-BUSINESS WIRE) -- The 17th edition of the World Branding Awards honoured the success and achievements of some of the World’s Best Brands as National, Regional, and Global Winners. The 2023 - 2024 World Branding Awards saw over 1,500 brands from more than 40 countries nominated as “Brand of the Year”. Of these, less than 200 were declared Winners.
The prestigious Award Ceremony was held at the home of the awards, Kensington Palace, United Kingdom. It welcomed over 100 guests worldwide and was hosted by acclaimed television presenter, David Croft.

Global winners who proved excellence and impeccable branding in their industry include Yakult (Japan), CoCo (Taiwan), LURPAK (Denmark), Marriott International (USA), and The Body Shop (United Kingdom).

Winners from Singapore include Bosch, BreadTalk, Food Republic, Raffles Education, Singapore Airlines, and Poh Heng. Other National tier winners include FERN-D (The Philippines), Sukiya (Japan), Blacklist Coffee Roasters (Australia), Frank & Co. (Indonesia), Thai Life Insurance (Thailand), Tsui Wah (Hong Kong), K-Supermarket (Finland), and Tefal (France), to name a few.

Only 14 brands were selected to receive the Regional Tier award this year, including Nippon Rent-A-Car (Japan), GIG (Kuwait), MR.DIY (Malaysia), M-150 (Thailand), HECOM (Hong Kong), and VITADAY (Thailand). These brands were voted as consumers' favourites in 4 or more countries across 3 or more areas in a specific geographic region.

“This is a celebration of the continuous efforts that is vital to building outstanding brands. To stay relevant as a brand, brands must build an image that resonates and lasts. This means not only building up a culture and community around the brand through marketing, but also ensuring that all generations continue to find the brand interesting.” said Mr Richard Rowles, Chairman of the World Branding Forum.

More than 150,000 consumers participated in the nomination process globally this year. On average, there are only 5 winning brands in each country, proving that winning a World Branding Award is a remarkable accomplishment.

For more information and the full list of winners, visit awards.brandingforum.org.

ABOUT WORLD BRANDING AWARDS

The World Branding Awards is the premier awards of the World Branding Forum, a registered non-profit organisation. The awards recognise the achievements of some of the world’s best brands.

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View source version on businesswire.com:
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Contact

Email: editorial@brandingforum.org

Source : World Branding Awards

--BERNAMA

SUB-FORUM THEMED "GUANGZHOU NANSHA JOINS HANDS WITH THE WORLD" SUCCESSFULLY HELD

GUANGZHOU, China, Dec. 6, 2023 /Xinhua-AsiaNet/--

On December 4, the sub-forum themed "Guangzhou Nansha Joins Hands with the World" was successfully held during the 5th World Media Summit. This grand event was attended by domestic leaders in relevant fields, international media representatives, renowned experts, scholars, and entrepreneurs, all of whom have paid close attention to Nansha's development, according to Nansha District People's Government. Focusing on the theme of the summit, guests from both at home and abroad delivered speeches on topics, such as Characteristics, Conservation, and Utilization of China's Marine Ecology, Green Environment and Climate Change, Science & Technology and Industrial Innovation, Green and Beautiful Nansha and the Construction of an Ecological Bay Area, and International Commercial Arbitration. Wei Min, Member of the Standing Committee of the CPC Nansha District Committee and Executive Deputy Head of Nansha District, said in his speech that Nansha has benefited from multiple national support strategies as the only state-level new area in Guangdong Province, the largest area in China (Guangdong) Pilot Free Trade Zone, and the demonstration zone of all-round cooperation among Guangdong, Hong Kong, and Macao. As stressed by Xie Peng, Vice Editor-in-Chief of the Outlook Weekly of Xinhua News Agency, the media community should play an active role in promoting international friendship and boosting global development. Nansha should take advantage of the summit to showcase its stance and determination to join hands with the world. Embarking on a new journey, Nansha, at the heart of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA), is answering with confidence to worldwide media's questions of the times. With a vibrant momentum, Nansha is attracting more attention from global media and emerging as a new window through which China will show the world its remarkable achievements for modernization and high-quality development. In recent years, Nansha has been stepping up efforts towards investment promotion. Since the beginning of this year, Nansha has signed 17 new 10-billion-level projects with a total investment of over 450 billion yuan and also introduced more than 270 projects from the Fortune Global 500 companies. At the heart of the GBA, Nansha is brimming with boundless vitality and allure. With the ambition of creating a "window to the world", Nansha is building a fertile ground for multinational enterprises to develop. "Our company has decided to settle in Nansha not only for its strategic position as the geometric center of the GBA, but also for the forward-thinking plans of the Nansha District Government in aspects such as future development, social construction, and talent attraction. I cannot wait to see Nansha become a metropolitan area that attracts global capital and talent," said Xin Weixian, Deputy General Manager of Guangzhou Lee & Man Technology Co., Ltd. http://mrem.bernama.com/viewsm.php?idm=47710

Malvern College Tokyo Kicks Off First Academic Year With Grand Opening Ceremony

 

KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 6 (Bernama) -- Malvern College Tokyo (MCT) held its grand opening ceremony on Dec 4, officially marking the commencement of the school’s first academic year, which began in August 2023.

According to MCT in a statement, more than 300 guests, including representatives from the fields of politics, education and business, celebrated the event.

Malvern College Tokyo Founding Headmaster, Mike Spencer highlighted MCT’s diverse and thorough educational approach, which aims to provide its pupils with the complete set of tools they need to navigate a bright future ahead. 

“Across all our academic, co-curricular and holistic educational efforts, Malvern College Tokyo is aligned with the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals to drive inclusive, equitable, quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all,” he said.

Meanwhile, the British Ambassador to Japan, Julia Longbottom CMG spoke about the importance of a hallowed British educational institution launching in Japan.

“It is a school which can draw on the strengths of two distinct cultures as you look to extend the boundaries of international education,” said Longbottom.

Malvern College Tokyo is United Kingdom-based Malvern College’s seventh overseas school, and aims to be the first British-branded all-through International Baccalaureate (IB) school in Tokyo, initially accommodating pupils from Years 1 to 9, growing to provide 950 places for primary and secondary pupils up to Year 13 by 2027.

-- BERNAMA

DUCK CREEK TECHNOLOGIES UNVEILS THE NEXT GENERATION OF DATA MANAGEMENT AND ANALYTICS WITH THE LAUNCH OF DUCK CREEK CLARITY™

The company’s newest product introduction will transform the future of data-driven excellence for the insurance industry

BOSTON, Dec 6 (Bernama-GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Duck Creek Technologies, the intelligent solutions provider defining the future of property and casualty (P&C) and general insurance, announces the release of Duck Creek ClarityTM, an innovative, cloud-native technology solution and the successor to Duck Creek Insights, designed to empower insurers with advanced data management, reporting, and analytics capabilities. With the introduction of Duck Creek Clarity, the company also modernizes the traditional technology upgrade cycle through a unique "Active Delivery" approach, which provides continuous updates and eliminates the need for insurers to undergo timely and costly upgrade projects.

Duck Creek Clarity is a cloud-native offering that simplifies the process of accessing, managing, and unifying data originating from Duck Creek's SaaS-based (software-as-a-service) core systems, including policy, billing, and claims solutions. With the ability to seamlessly integrate external data sources, Duck Creek Clarity enables teams to gain comprehensive insights, leading to enhanced decision-making and improved loss ratios. Insurers can harness this powerful service for both daily operational reporting and strategic long-term planning, setting the stage for portfolio-wide improvements.

Duck Creek Clarity leverages the Snowflake Data Cloud to equip insurers with curated data layers and a suite of pre-built business intelligence dashboards and reports, facilitating more informed underwriting and renewal decisions, as well as team performance evaluation. This new offering also simplifies data integration into AI/ML (artificial intelligence/machine learning) models, consumer and agent/broker applications, and third-party systems, empowering insurers to make well-informed decisions at every stage of the insurance lifecycle, from underwriting to billing and claims.

"We are ushering in a new era of data-driven excellence with the launch of Duck Creek Clarity,” said Jess Keeney, Chief Product & Technology Officer, Duck Creek Technologies. “Duck Creek has proven the solution’s robust capabilities are an essential element that supports data ownership and agile decision-making, which offers insurers a greater competitive edge in the marketplace. This is only the beginning of Duck Creek's commitment to ongoing investment in data and analytics that enable insurers across the globe to be smarter and faster in their response to market opportunities. Duck Creek Clarity is a pivotal step in our technology roadmap vision to provide insurers with the means to ‘execute with intelligence,’ optimize operational efficiencies, and provide more personalized customer experiences.”

“Data is a critical building block for insurance companies looking to unlock the true power and efficacy of advanced analytics and generative AI,” said Tom Benton, Partner at ReSource Pro (formerly known as Strategy Meets Action). “Insurers need data management and analytics tools like Duck Creek Clarity that can break down data silos and provide a path toward rapidly accelerating their level of data maturity, and ultimately help insurance product management, underwriting, and claims teams make smarter decisions and deliver more differentiated customer experiences.”

Join the Duck Creek Technologies live product launch webinar on Thursday, December 7, 2023, at 12:00 p.m. ET to learn more about empowering data-driven insurance decisions with Duck Creek Clarity.

About Duck Creek Technologies

Duck Creek Technologies is the intelligent solutions provider defining the future of the property and casualty (P&C) and general insurance industry. We are the platform upon which modern insurance systems are built, enabling the industry to capitalize on the power of the cloud to run agile, intelligent, and evergreen operations. Authenticity, purpose, and transparency are core to Duck Creek, and we believe insurance should be there for individuals and businesses when, where, and how they need it most. Our market-leading solutions are available on a standalone basis or as a full suite, and all are available via Duck Creek OnDemand. Visit www.duckcreek.com to learn more. Follow Duck Creek on our social channels for the latest information – LinkedIn and Twitter.

Media Contacts:

Carley Bunch
carley.bunch@duckcreek.com

SOURCE: Duck Creek Technologies

--BERNAMA

NX PHILIPPINES AND NX LOGISTICS PHILIPPINES PARTICIPATE IN PHILIPPINE SEMICONDUCTOR AND ELECTRONICS CONVENTION AND EXHIBITION (PSECE)

TOKYO, Dec. 5, 2023 /Kyodo JBN-AsiaNet/ --

- Companies Seeking to Strengthen Their Approaches to Semiconductor and Electrical/Electronic Industries in Philippines -

Nippon Express Philippines Corporation (hereinafter "NXPH") and NX Logistics Philippines, Inc. (hereinafter "NXLP"), both group companies of NIPPON EXPRESS HOLDINGS, INC., took part in the three-day Philippine Semiconductor and Electronics Convention and Exhibition (hereinafter "PSECE") held at the World Trade Center in Pasay City, the Philippines, from Wednesday, October 25, to Friday, October 27.

Logo: https://kyodonewsprwire.jp/img/202311303609-O1-ZDmNoP3e

Exhibit booth:
https://cdn.kyodonewsprwire.jp/prwfile/release/M103866/202311303609/_prw_PI2fl_6JaRv27N.jpeg

Visitors stopping by the booth:
https://cdn.kyodonewsprwire.jp/prwfile/release/M103866/202311303609/_prw_PI3fl_5awJ9qEP.jpeg

PSECE is the largest annual electrical/electronics and semiconductor exhibition held in the Philippines. It features keynote speeches from leading companies in the semiconductor and electrical/electronic industries, presentations by prominent officials at government agencies and institutions of higher learning, business-matching efforts and industry-academia collaborative initiatives with educational institutions.

NXPH and NXLP participated for the first time in this year's exhibition, showcasing the NX Group's global network and advanced logistics services, displaying special cold-storage boxes, and exchanging ideas with many visitors about services and solutions.

The NX Group will continue meeting customers' challenges and supporting their business expansion with its global network and accumulated advanced logistics know-how.

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.

--BERNAMA

KRIS+ BY SINGAPORE AIRLINES SELECTS AIRWALLEX TO EXTEND LIFESTYLE REWARDS APP IN AUSTRALIA

· Kris+ by Singapore Airlines selects Airwallex to extend its lifestyle rewards app to more than 1.3 million KrisFlyer members in Australia

· Kris+ will integrate Airwallex’s Payment for Platforms solution into its app to enable a seamless payment experience that supports miles earning and redemption capabilities in Melbourne and Sydney

SINGAPORE & MELBOURNE, Australia, Dec 4 (Bernama-BUSINESS WIRE) -- Kris+ by Singapore Airlines selects Airwallex, a leading global fintech platform, to power the expansion of its lifestyle reward app for its over 1.3 million KrisFlyer members in Australia.

The Kris+ app combines dining, retail and entertainment discounts, allowing Kris+ users to earn miles from everyday spend or to pay for purchases and experiences. Kris+ will use Airwallex’s Payment for Platforms in Australia to facilitate payments from its customers and payouts to partner merchants.

Arnold Chan, Airwallex’s General Manager of Asia said, “Kris+ by Singapore Airlines sought a partner that could provide a suite of payment processing and financial solutions that could modernise their payments infrastructure and better serve their customers.

“Our global financial infrastructure is ideally positioned to meet Kris+'s needs. By integrating Airwallex's end-to-end turnkey solutions into its app, Kris+ users can enjoy a frictionless payments and rewards experience.

“We are proud to be working with Kris+ to support their growth internationally and are committed to help other Singapore-based businesses who have the ambition to scale.”

Luke Latham, Managing Director of Airwallex Australia and New Zealand said, “Australia is a special place for Airwallex as our birthplace, and we’re committed to supporting local businesses to grow globally while also opening doors for international brands to do business in Australia.

“Partnering with Kris+ by Singapore Airlines to expand their KrisFlyer programme in Australia is a great example of this, and we’re so excited to be helping them reach their customers here.

“With international travel to Australia increasing significantly in the past year, the growing influx of visitors highlights the potential of Kris+ to offer added value to both tourists and businesses in Australia."

The number of international visitors to Australia reached close to 1.75 million¹ in October 2023, the highest number of monthly visitors recorded so far this year. That number is set to continue to rise ahead of the holiday season. By 2025, international visitors are expected to surpass pre-pandemic levels and reach a total of 11 million².

In Australia, Kris+ users will be able to earn a rate of up to three miles for every dollar spent at selected partners in Melbourne and Sydney. Between now and 31 December 2023, new Kris+ users can earn up to 2,000 bonus miles upon making payments of at least AU$15 on the app. Around 100 partner merchants are expected to join the programme within the first month of launch, building upon an initial roster of popular brands including Benjamin Barker, The Ugg Shop, D1 Store and 124 Shoes.

More details on Kris+ expansion into Australia can be read here.

About Airwallex

Airwallex is a leading global financial platform for modern businesses, offering trusted solutions to manage everything from payments, treasury, and spend management to embedded finance. With our proprietary infrastructure, Airwallex takes the friction out of global payments and financial operations, empowering businesses of all sizes to unlock new opportunities and grow beyond borders. Proudly founded in Melbourne, Airwallex supports over 100,000 businesses globally and is trusted by brands such as Brex, Rippling, Navan, Qantas, SHEIN and many more. For more information, visit https://www.airwallex.com

¹ International tourism results, Tourism Research Australia (Note: October 2023 remain provisional until full quality assurance done) https://www.abs.gov.au/statistics/industry/tourism-and-transport/overseas-arrivals-and-departures-australia/latest-release

² Tourism forecasts for Australia https://www.tra.gov.au/en/economic-analysis/tourism-forecasts

View source version on businesswire.com:
https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20231203866852/en/

Contact

For media inquiries, please contact press@airwallex.com

Source : Airwallex

--BERNAMA

AM Best Affirms, Withdraws Blue Cross (Asia-Pacific) Insurance Credit Ratings

KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 30 (Bernama) -- Global credit rating agency, AM Best has affirmed the Financial Strength Rating of A (Excellent) and the Long-Term Issuer Credit Rating of “a+” (Excellent) of Hong Kong’s Blue Cross (Asia-Pacific) Insurance Limited.

Concurrently, AM Best has withdrawn these ratings as the company requested to no longer participate in the rating agency’s interactive rating process.

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

It also incorporates the rating enhancement that Blue Cross receives from its ultimate parent, AIA Group Limited (AIA).

Blue Cross’s risk-adjusted capitalisation, as measured by Best’s Capital Adequacy Ratio, remained at the strongest level as of year-end 2022. The company’s balance sheet strength is supported by AIA’s capital support, a prudent investment strategy, strong liquidity, low reinsurance dependency and a debt-free balance sheet.

AM Best expects Blue Cross’s risk-adjusted capitalisation to remain supportive of the very strong balance sheet strength assessment over the short to intermediate term.

Meanwhile, the company’s operating result in 2022 was impacted negatively by a material one-off loss from discontinued operations and unfavourable investment results and going forward, it intends to expand its premium revenue at higher-than-average double-digit growth rates over the short to intermediate term.

Notwithstanding, AM Best expects Blue Cross’s earnings to remain marginal in 2022 and 2023, due to elevated levels of operating expenses stemming from integration with AIA, and considers the company’s operating performance to be commensurate with its adequate assessment, overall.

Leveraging its established franchise, in particular the medical insurance segment, Blue Cross is expected to play a strategic role in AIA’s integrated health strategy, in which the company continues to benefit from explicit and implicit support from AIA.

-- BERNAMA

AM BEST TO JOIN 5TH ASEAN INSURANCE SUMMIT IN VIETNAM

KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 1 (Bernama) -- Global credit rating agency, AM Best will participate at the upcoming Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Insurance Summit, on Dec 5, in Halong City, Vietnam.

In a statement, AM Best said its managing director (MD) and chief executive officer (CEO) of Singapore operations, Rob Curtis will moderate a CEO panel discussion, titled, “The Future of Insurance in ASEAN: Staying in Pole Position”.

This session will provide an overview of the key trends in the insurance industry, including tailwinds and headwinds affecting the market and growth opportunities over the next five years.

Joining the panel will be Malaysian Reinsurance Berhad president and CEO, Ahmad Noor Azhari Abdul Manaf; APAC (ex-China, ex-Japan) commercial and partnership senior manager – Vietnam and Philippines country head, Long Minh Thuy (Tyler); Tune Protect CEO, Rohit Nambiar; and Syarikat Takaful Brunei Darussalam Sdn Bhd (Takaful Brunei) MD and CEO, Shahrildin Jaya.

Themed “ASEAN Insurance Industry's Transformation and Sustainability: Accelerating Ambitions into Actions”, the fifth annual insurance summit will be held at the Royal Halong Hotel.

The ASEAN Insurance Council is the main regional platform for insurance industry participants to share their expertise in various areas of the insurance industry.

-- BERNAMA

Smart City Expo Doha 3rd Edition To Foster Sustainable Urban Development

KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 29 (Bernama) -- The third edition of Smart City Expo (SCE) Doha, the region's leading urban innovation event, is being held within the International Horticulture Exhibition of Qatar, Al Bidda Park from Nov 29 to 30.

Organised by the Qatar Ministry of Communications and Information Technology (MCIT), SCE Doha is an event of Smart City Expo World Congress and Fira Barcelona International, bringing together 70 local and international speakers from more than 80 countries.

Aimed at fostering innovation and harnessing disruptive technologies to shape the urban future, the event will also be streamed live on the Tomorrow.city platform, according to a statement.

Themed "A World of Data, Connecting People, Elevating Lives", the event will claim the fundamental role of data, connectivity and technology in building smarter, more sustainable and liveable cities for their citizens, with an emphasis on the transformative potential of cutting-edge technologies.

During the two-day event, the 70 speakers will deliver more than 20 sessions on four main themes, namely, Green Urban Environments, Digital Governance, Cognitive Cities and Livable Places.

Some 40 leading companies and organisations will also participate and explain, discuss, inspire and exchange their knowledge and innovative ideas on how to bring smart development to cities, showcasing different projects, initiatives and solutions for a more innovative, sustainable and inclusive urban future.

SCE Doha is part of the internationalisation strategy of Smart City Expo World Congress, the world's leading exhibition on smart cities and urban solutions organised annually by Fira de Barcelona, which held its 13th edition last November.

Along these lines, foreign editions have been held in 2023 in Argentina, Brazil, Colombia, the United States, Mexico and China.

-- BERNAMA

CSOP: APAC's First Saudi Arabia ETF Debuts In Hong Kong, Gateway For Asian Foreign Investment

KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 29 (Bernama) -- CSOP Asset Management Limited (CSOP) has announced the listing of CSOP Saudi Arabia ETF, the first exchange traded product in Asia Pacific (APAC) tracking the Saudi Arabian equity market.

According to CSOP in a statement, it has the opportunity to work with the Public Investment Fund (PIF) on this new venture, opening up a gateway and a unique opportunity for Asian foreign investment and access to Saudi’s dynamic and diversified equity market.

A global, long-term, impactful investor and catalyst of change, PIF plays a critical role in unlocking opportunities to accelerate economic growth and CSOP brings Saudi Arabia’s wealth of investment opportunities to the doorstep of investors in Asia.

“We are excited and honoured to bring to Hong Kong Asia’s first Saudi Arabia ETF, taking the first step in connecting the capital markets between HK and Saudi.

“CSOP has always been dedicated to enriching Hong Kong’s ETF ecosystem, and we endeavour to keep bringing interesting and differentiated products to our clients in the region,” said CSOP Chief Executive Officer, Chen Ding.

CSOP Saudi Arabia ETF tracks the FTSE Saudi Arabia Index, providing exposure to more than 50 leading large and mid-cap companies listed on Tadawul, Saudi Arabia's stock exchange.

The ETF comprehensively covers sectors including financials, basic materials, energy and telecommunications, capturing the drivers of Saudi Arabia’s economy while providing diversified exposure.

CSOP Saudi Arabia ETF is a physical ETF that adopts a combination of physical and synthetic representative sampling strategy, investing up to 100 per cent of its net asset value in a representative portfolio of securities that collectively has a high correlation to the FTSE Saudi Arabia Index, to achieve its investment objective.

The ETF will list with an initial investment of over US$1 billion, making it the largest Saudi Arabia ETF globally, and it has a listing price at around HKD78 per unit, trading lot size of 10 units and annual management fee of 0.99 per cent. (US$1=RM4.64)

-- BERNAMA

GHD ADVISORY RESEARCH IDENTIFY OBSTACLES PREVENTING ORGANISATIONS FROM IMPLEMENTING SUSTAINABILITY PLANS

KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 29 (Bernama) -- GHD Advisory, a professional services company, has published the results of its global corporate sustainability research to uncover what is holding organisations back from executing their sustainability strategies, ahead of the 28th Conference of Parties (COP28).

According to a statement, GHD Sustainability Monitor 2024: From Ambition to Action research found that the scale of sustainability ambition is unnerving for most organisations and the gap between intention and action is significant.

While a promising 97 per cent of executives believe that their sustainability agenda is adding commercial value, more than 50 per cent of executives feel that economic uncertainty has reduced or significantly reduced commitments and actions.

“The GHD Sustainability Monitor 2024 reveals the barriers which help to identify practical and tangible ways to overcome challenges and close the gap between ambition to action through new levels of engagement, collaboration and action,” said GHD Advisory Executive General Manager, Richard Fechner.

GHD is attending COP28 with a strong on-the-ground presence and programme of activity across the blue and green zones, as well as Climate Action’s Sustainable Innovation Forum.

Among findings from the research show that 95 per cent of executives said sustainability is central to their organisation’s vision and strategy. Executives cited less confidence in integrating sustainability strategy across internal stakeholders.

In addition, 79 per cent of executives believed a moderate to significant gap exists between what they are trying to achieve and what has been implemented. The need for a step-change in external and internal stakeholder collaboration is seen as a hurdle.

Also highlighted, 75 per cent of executives said there are fundamental contradictions in the sustainability agenda with for-profit companies working towards making a positive impact while furthering the bottom-line.

The report also outlines five ways to expedite immediate sustainability action including actualise sustainability; lead with social engagement; prioritise corporate sustainability regulation; and tackle Scope 3 emissions.

The global research examines the state of corporate sustainability involving 550 executives across the United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, United States, Canada, New Zealand, Australia, and India.

-- BERNAMA

XOOX Leads Pet Networking Services Arena With Innovative Features

KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 22 (Bernama) -- XOOX, a pet networking service (PNS) application featuring short-form content challenges, launched this month, has won over global pet owners.

According to a statement, XOOX commenced its service with an advertisement in New York's Times Square, underscoring its exclusive focus on its four-legged companions.

It operates uniquely under pet accounts through Pet ID registration devised by its global research and artificial intelligence teams, including veterinary experts worldwide, utilising innovative biometric identification techniques such as eyelid patterns and eye wrinkles.

In XOOX, pets become influencers through their IDs, boosting visibility by sharing their daily lives, engaging with followers, and participating in short-form content challenges, earning points for various activities, usable in connected apps, while pet owners, known as Petlers, manage their pets' IDs and support them in their activities.

Its Technical Advisor, Peter Kim said XOOX aimed to create a positive space where modern individuals can escape from complicated reality and connect with their pets.

“XOOX will allow pets to create more memories with their Petlers by utilising a storyscaping approach and unique and informative services,” he said.

The world of XOOX is full of exclusive content for pets, with its most popular music app, XOOX M lets Petlers to select music that suits the pet's preferences, as well as for pets waiting for their owners, currently hosts over 3,000 songs.

At the same time, Petlers can also create and upload their own music, earning points for popularity, which can be spent by their pets, with XOOX M ensuring a pet-friendly listening experience at a comfortable decibel level.

In celebration of the launch, XOOX is giving away 10,000 free urine test kits to account holders worldwide, in which the test kits detect illnesses through animal urine, making them ideal for pets in areas with limited access to veterinary care.

With XOOX empowering pets to play a central role in our world, there is a strong belief that it will significantly contribute to creating a more supportive and pet-friendly environment.

-- BERNAMA

TDCX Q3 PROFIT RISES TO US$23.2 MLN

KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 22 (Bernama) -- TDCX Inc, an award-winning digital customer experience (CX) solutions provider profit surged to US$23.2 million in the third quarter (Q3) ended Sept 30, 2023, from US$22.7 million in the corresponding quarter last year, primarily driven by cost optimisation efforts, lower tax and higher interest income. (US$1=RM4.66)

In a statement, TDCX said however, its total revenue dropped 5.4 per cent to US$119.8 million from US$126.6 million previously.

The revenue was primarily driven by a decrease in revenue from content, trust and safety services; omnichannel CX solutions services rendered partially offset by an increase in revenue from sales and digital marketing services.

Its Chief Executive Officer and Founder, Laurent Junique said this quarter, the company welcomed new clients including a global airline based out of Asia and one of the world’s most popular mobile messaging apps, which are testament to the sector expertise it has built in travel and hospitality as well as social media platforms.

“We are also seeing results from our efforts to diversify our client base. Our revenue from clients outside the top five has increased 51 per cent year-on-year.

“I am confident that the steps we have taken to enhance our value to our clients and to increase our efficiency will position us strongly for the long term,” he said.

Among the third quarter business highlights, TDCX recorded strong client growth, with client count up 31 per cent year-on-year (YoY), bringing total client count to 94 as of Sept 30 compared with 72, same period last year.

The company has also improved revenue diversification in which revenue from clients outside the top five rose 51 per cent YoY, while revenue mix from top five clients lowered to 71 per cent in third quarter this year, from 82 per cent in the same quarter, last year.

Headquartered in Singapore, TDCX provides transformative digital CX solutions, enabling world-leading and disruptive brands to acquire new customers, build customer loyalty and protect their online communities.

-- BERNAMA

RSPO MARKS TWO DECADES OF IMPACT, REAFFIRMS PARTNERSHIPS FOR NEXT 20

KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 22 (Bernama) -- The Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO) marked a special milestone at its Annual Roundtable conference (RT2023), to reflect on nearly two decades of impact made possible via the collaborative efforts of its members and partners.

Themed “Partners for the Next 20”, the RT2023 presented an opportunity to take unified action on the core challenges facing the sustainable palm oil industry, including mitigating climate change, increasing uptake of certified sustainable palm oil (CSPO), and protecting labour rights.

RSPO Chief Executive Officer, Joseph D’Cruz in his opening remarks said through nearly two decades of voluntary action, its members have banded together to raise the bars of sustainability within the industry.

“The impact we have collectively achieved is increasingly being acknowledged by stakeholders outside our industry, and we are seeing a definite shift in the sustainable palm oil narrative in our favour,” he added.

In a statement, RSPO highlighted its key achievements over the last two decades, including the increase in global certified area from just 125,000 hectares in 2008 to 4.9 million hectares across 23 countries this year.

The CSPO supply reached a new milestone at 15.4 million metric tonnes, while RSPO Trademark licences have increased significantly to more than 1,600 licences in over 100 countries and territories, with growth seen in China, Japan and Southeast Asia, signalling significant opportunities in these markets.

In addition, the RSPO Smallholder Support Fund (RSSF) has provided US$4.2 million in funding to support 44,203 farmers in 12 countries since 2013. (US$1=RM4.66)

Charting new territory, RSPO’s Certification, Trade and Traceability System (CTTS), launched last month with the formation of the tripartite consortium of global agri-tech experts, exemplifies how the organisation is advancing and digitising its tracking and traceability systems into an end-to-end digital infrastructure.

For nearly 20 years, the RSPO has facilitated global change to make the production and consumption of palm oil sustainable, with 200 members from 16 countries in 2004, and now grown more than 5,700 members in over 100 countries and territories globally.

-- BERNAMA

AM Best To Join IFRS 17-Related Panel At Hong Kong Actuary Symposium

KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 21 (Bernama) -- AM Best Senior Director of Analytics Christine Lee will join a panel discussion on International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) 17 and its impact on insurance companies at the Actuarial Society of Hong Kong’s Appointed Actuary Symposium.

According to the credit rating agency in a statement, the session taking place on Nov 30 in Hong Kong will focus on what changes the IFRS 17-era will bring to the insurance industry.

Topics will include how insurers are approaching the new accounting standard and how IFRS 17 impacts AM Best’s rating assessments on insurance companies.

Based in AM Best’s Hong Kong office, Lee is responsible for rating analytics of insurers in the Northeast Asia region, covering Greater China, Japan and Korea. She also is a Fellow of the Actuarial Society of Hong Kong and the Casualty Actuarial Society.

The symposium, which will be held at The Langham and is by invitation only, covers topical issues and challenges actuaries face, as well as the evolving financial and regulatory landscape.

Headquartered in the United States, AM Best is a news publisher and data analytics provider specialising in the insurance industry, in addition to being a global credit rating agency.

-- BERNAMA

PINGPONG AT SFF 2023: KEYS TO SUCCESSFULLY NAVIGATING THE RISKS IN A VOLATILE GLOBAL MARKET

 How cross border payment companies can empower businesses 

SINGAPORE, Nov 20 (Bernama-GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- PingPong, a global payment platform, announced several significant milestones and achievements in advancing the cross-border payments industry during the Singapore Fintech Festival 2023.

The event featured an insightful keynote address by PingPong’s CEO of Global Businesses, David Messenger, sharing strategies for enterprises navigating the dynamic global macroeconomic and business landscapes and a strategic partnership announcement with MODIFI, a Fintech leader in digital trade finance.

Keynote Address: Navigating Global Complexity

David Messenger, CEO of Global Businesses for PingPong, shared strategies to protect, manage, and grow cross-border enterprises amid uncertainties. Addressing volatility, regulatory changes, and evolving supply chains, Messenger stressed the importance of technology combined with local teams, and most importantly, strong local connections with valued partners. He emphasized the need for quick adaptation to changing FX and legal landscapes.

Global Payment Network: Partnering for Mutual Growth

PingPong highlighted its capability to partner with enterprises worldwide, seeking world-class global partners in Singapore and Southeast Asia for mutual growth. This approach emphasizes the platform's adaptability to diverse needs and its commitment to fostering partnerships globally.

Major Payment Institution (MPI) Approval by MAS

PingPong recently secured approval as a Major Payment Institution in Singapore by the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS). This allows PingPong to offer a comprehensive range of payment services, facilitating faster global expansion for local businesses.

David Messenger, CEO of Global Businesses for PingPong, stated, "These announcements underscore our commitment to empowering businesses globally. From protecting against uncertainties to driving digital trade, PingPong is at the forefront of reshaping cross-border transactions and financing."

Adaptation and Innovation in a Changing Landscape

PingPong supports customers in adapting to the new geopolitical and economic conditions, demonstrating the ability to adapt and change to take advantage of market opportunities. Messenger highlighted the human and people aspects, emphasizing the need for fintechs to marry the power of technology with being local, people-driven companies. Investment in, and development of strong ties with the right local partners is essential for sustained success.

About PingPong

Founded in 2015, PingPong is a leading global technology company. The PingPong ecosystem is built on the vision that empowers cross-border digital commerce to grow. Our one-stop innovative, secured, compliant and comprehensive suite of products includes e-commerce payment, B2B trade payment, acquiring service, card issuing, FX management, supply chain financing, enterprise solutions, and more.

Over the years, PingPong has accommodated business flows from over 200 markets and regions. Our tested and proven global infrastructure has processed over US$100 billion in transaction volume and connects over 100 international e-commerce marketplaces and ecosystem partners, as well as over 100 international financial institutions.

For media inquiries, please contact:

Jason Madhosingh
sff@pingpongx.com

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/35749124-21ce-440f-a1fe-424ea9583dd6 

SOURCE : PING PONG GLOBAL HOLDINGS LIMITED

VESTA, STRIPE ALLIANCE SAFEGUARDS BUSINESSES FROM FRAUDULENT TRANSACTIONS

KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 17 (Bernama) -- Vesta has announced a partnership with Stripe, a financial infrastructure platform for businesses, to enable a comprehensive fraud prevention and risk protection solution that indemnifies merchants from losses from fraudulent transactions.

“Vesta and Stripe share a goal of making online transactions as simple and worry-free as possible, and collaborating with Stripe allows Vesta to directly reach more merchants with what we love to do, help them grow revenue and eliminate the losses from fraud,” said Vesta Chief Executive Officer, Ron Hynes.

Under the partnership, Vesta Payment Guarantee, which provides 100 per cent indemnification from fraudulent chargebacks, will incorporate Stripe Radar risk scores to offer a comprehensive fraud and revenue protection option to increase transaction approval rates and thwart first-party and third-party chargebacks.

According to a statement, this is particularly attractive to merchants who are at-risk due to high fraud or excessive disputes, and they can access Vesta Payment Guarantee on Stripe App Marketplace in the first half of  2024.

Second, Vesta will integrate Stripe Connect, which lets businesses facilitate purchases and payments between third-party buyers and sellers, in which Vesta merchants and their customers will have a holistic solution that mitigates fraud and risk while processing payments quickly and securely.

A global transaction guarantee platform delivering unparalleled approval rates and a frictionless customer experience while eliminating chargebacks and other forms of digital fraud, Vesta brings a deep understanding of the world’s most serious threats and challenging markets.

-- BERNAMA

AI Influence Prompts 'hallucinate' As Cambridge Dictionary Word Of The Year 2023

KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 15 (Bernama) -- The Cambridge Dictionary, the world’s most popular online dictionary for learners of English has revealed ‘hallucinate’ as the Word of the Year for 2023, as the term got a new additional definition relating to artificial intelligence (AI) producing false information.

AI hallucinations, also known as confabulations, sometimes appear nonsensical. But they can also seem entirely plausible, even while being factually inaccurate or ultimately illogical, and have already had real-world impacts.

The traditional definition of hallucinate is “to seem to see, hear, feel, or smell something that does not exist, usually because of a health condition or because you have taken a drug”.

The new, additional definition is “When an artificial intelligence (a computer system that has some of the qualities that the human brain has, such as the ability to produce language in a way that seems human) hallucinates, it produces false information”.

In a statement, Cambridge Dictionary’s Publishing Manager, Wendalyn Nichols said: “The fact that AIs can ‘hallucinate’ reminds us that humans still need to bring their critical thinking skills to the use of these tools.

“At their best, large language models can only be as reliable as their training data. Human expertise is arguably more important, and sought after, than ever, to create the authoritative and up-to-date information that LLMs can be trained on.”

The news follows a year-long surge in interest in generative AI tools like ChatGPT, Bard and Grok, with public attention shifting towards the limitations of AI and whether they can be overcome.

AI tools, especially those using large language models (LLMs), have proven capable of generating plausible prose, but often do so using false, misleading or made-up ‘facts’. They ‘hallucinate’ in a confident and sometimes believable manner.

Beyond hallucinate, several additions reflect rapid developments in AI and computing, such as prompt engineering; large language model; GenAI; train; and black box.

Several other words experienced spikes in public interest and searches on the Cambridge Dictionary website. They included implosion; ennui; grifter; and GOAT (abbreviation for Greatest Of All Time).

-- BERNAMA

AI-MEDIA TO SHOWCASE CUTTING-EDGE CAPTIONING TECH AT GLOBAL MEDIA CONGRESS

ABU DHABI, United Arab Emirates, Nov 14 (Bernama-GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The Global Media Congress is scheduled to take place in Abu Dhabi, UAE, from November 14 to 16, 2023, following its successful 2022 edition. This year, AI-Media,  will play a central role as the live caption and translation provider, offering advanced solutions to enhance the live event experience.

In today's world, events like the Global Media Congress provide a valuable platform for media professionals to connect, discover trends, and collaborate. Ensuring that the content reaches a diverse, international audience is crucial, and AI-Media's technology is making this more achievable than ever.

James Ward, Chief Sales Officer, AI-Media, commented about the event:

“I am thrilled to see AI-Media's innovative captioning and translation solutions take centre stage at the Global Media Congress. Our technology is not just a game-changer; it's a bridge-builder, enabling diverse audiences to connect seamlessly and engage in a global conversation. We're proud to contribute to making events like this more accessible, inclusive, and internationally connected."

AI-Media's Innovative Solution Features:

· Remote Translation to 5 UN Languages: AI-Media's technology can seamlessly translate content from English into five United Nations languages: Arabic, French, Russian, Chinese, and Spanish. This capability eliminates language barriers and promotes inclusivity.

· Audio Translation on the Same Stream: In addition to text translation, AI-Media offers real-time audio translation, allowing attendees to listen to content in their preferred language, enhancing engagement.

· Accessibility for All: In-venue attendees can access live translated content from their own smartphones or web devices through the event app. This simple solution makes events more accessible and engaging for all participants.

Expanding Reach and Enhancing Satisfaction:

AI-Media's captioning and translation technology goes beyond convenience; it broadens the reach of events and broadcasts. Offering multilingual content and real-time translation can significantly increase global reach and satisfaction levels, creating more immersive experiences for all.

AI-Media's LEXI captioning and translation solutions are at the forefront of making events like the Global Media Congress more accessible, inclusive, and globally connected. By overcoming language barriers, AI-Media facilitates cultural exchange and shared knowledge.

For inquiries about how AI-Media can enhance your next event or broadcast with inclusive, multilingual content, visit AI-MEDIA.TV 

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