Singapore Management University, Emeritus launch CEO programme

KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 30 (Bernama) -- Singapore Management University (SMU), along with online education provider – Emeritus, has rolled out a Chief Executive Officer (CEO) programme that has been curated with a strong emphasis on real-world relevance for CXOs to meet the challenging times and rapidly evolving business needs and trends.

According to a statement, the CEO programme will start on March 27 and the application deadline is Jan 30.

The programme is designed for business leaders with 10 or more years of experience who want to develop a clearer vision with respect to the future of company and re-align the resources and approach towards the long-term directions, capitalise on technology and talent to spearhead the journey of their company in alignment with the global trends, among others.

The programme offers leaders the guidance of eminent Singapore Management University’s faculty with decades of research knowledge and experience that will provide cutting-edge insights and perspectives into the changing market landscape and pertinent business issues.

Blended asynchronous learning via video lectures without disruptions interspersed with live lectures from Ang Ser-Keng (Faculty at the Lee Kong Chian School of Business, Singapore Management University), Markus Karner, (Academic Director and Executive Development), David Gomulya (Professor of Strategic Management, Master of Science in Innovation), Terence Fan (Professor of Strategic Management), Patricia Lui (Senior Lecturer of Marketing) will be available for the participants.

Through the nine to 10 months of the CEO programme, industry leaders will go through a combination of in-depth core and elective modules that focus on key areas such as Strategic Thinking, Innovation Management, Data Driven Approaches, and Executive/Leadership Presence.

Participants who successfully complete the programme will be issued a verified digital certificate by Singapore Management University.

Eddie Tritton, Executive Director, SMU ExD, said: “We are very excited about launching this comprehensive Chief Executive Officer programme. It is a fantastic opportunity for senior business leaders in the region and elsewhere to broaden their capabilities while learning from our best faculty and industry subject matter experts.”

Meanwhile, Mohan Kannegal, CEO, India and APAC, Emeritus, said: “The Chief Executive Officer programme offered by Singapore Management University and Emeritus will develop one to become a leader with vision, purpose and passion.”

Candidates with a minimum 10 years of work experience with minimum of five years of management experience are eligible to apply.

-- BERNAMA

Boyden Japan achieves robust growth via sector specialisation, professional rigour

KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 30 (Bernama) -- Boyden has recorded an impressive growth over the last 18 months, led by Boyden Japan Managing Partner, Stephen Irish, despite global political instability and economic uncertainty.

“Our strategy of providing deeper sector expertise to clients in Japan and global organisations investing in the region has seen Boyden thrive in recent years and enabled our business to achieve growth in key sectors in the Japanese economy.

“We have a very experienced and growing team in Tokyo and a high degree of trust among global colleagues. This has enabled us to deliver exceptional results for global companies, particularly those headquartered in Europe and the United States (US), who are expanding in Japan,” said Irish.

Boyden Japan provides significant expertise to clients in healthcare and life sciences, particularly medical devices, biotechnology and medical technology, and has further growth plans to support financial services, technology and industrial manufacturing in the country.

In a statement, Irish said the pandemic has had an impact on priorities.

“We have seen compensation become a stronger incentive in the US and parts of Europe, and countries in Asia such as Japan, China and India. Executives are increasingly more focused on better work-life balance and pay-for-performance,” he added.

A premier leadership and talent advisory firm with more than 70 offices in over 45 countries, Boyden connects great companies with great leaders through executive search, interim management and leadership consulting solutions.

-- BERNAMA

METADREAM’S NEXT-GEN SOCIAL APP OFFERS NOVEL INTERACTIVE FEATURES

KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 26 (Bernama) -- Singapore-based tech startup Metadream’s recently launched next-gen social app Bondee, offers diverse and trendy avatars as well as novel interactive features.

According to Metadream in a statement, last week, Bondee was ranked as the #1 free app in the App Store.

“Founded by investors from the United States (US) and Australia, Metadream acquired the intellectual property rights of the app True.ly in May 2022 and made a creative and international transformation and gradually launched the app worldwide by the end of 2022,” it said.

In addition to Japan and South Korea as the product, R&D, and operational bases, there are three independent data centres in Singapore, Japan, and the US that were set up to ensure the safe use of products and meet the data security requirements of regional markets.

Metadream also plans to set up regional operation centres in Thailand, the Philippines, and other countries to meet the immediate demands of local users.

In Bondee, users can create trendy avatars and keep their friends posted on what they are up to, while also being able to express themselves freely by sharing their mood and status.

The social app also allows users to personalise their space, visit friends, and post comments as if they were actually living with them.

-- BERNAMA

ST KITTS AND NEVIS ADMINISTRATION VOWS TO CONTINUE ADVANCING ECONOMY TO PROVIDE GREATER SOCIAL AND ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITIES AT FIRST PRESS CONFERENCE OF 2023

Basseterre, Jan 25 (Bernama-GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The Prime Minister of St Kitts and Nevis, Dr. Terrance Drew, along with six other cabinet members from his administration participated in their first press conference of the year on 18 January 2023.

The press conference is one of the methods that Prime Minister Drew’s administration will use to update citizens and residents on matters of national importance such as the 2022 Budget and the upcoming plans and budget for this year. The St Kitts and Nevis government has reiterated several times how it wants to lead with transparency and integrity – ensuring that the twin-island Federation is kept abreast of the administration’s decision-making process and accomplishments during its tenure.

In his opening address, Prime Minister Drew, noted that the government of St Kitts and Nevis continues to work around the clock to fufill the pledges made during the 2022 election campaign.

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Saint Lucia makes tremendous progress offering alternative investment option

KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 26 (Bernama) -- Saint Lucia, one of the youngest Citizenship by Investment (CBI) products in the market, has made tremendous progress in offering an alternative investment option in one of the Caribbean’s most developed and diverse economies.

The island state is emerging as one of the fastest-growing economies in the Caribbean region and the nation is well-known for offering various investment and business opportunities for those looking for options to plan their wealth and diversify their portfolios.

According to a statement, St Lucia has been praised for its advanced and modernised infrastructure and offers one of the most modernised education and healthcare systems in the region.

The country’s CBI Unit has introduced a new investment option for its CBI offerings following approvals from the CBI Board and Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Tourism, Investment, Creative Industries, Culture and Information, Ernest Hilaire.

To participate in the CBI programme of St Lucia, applicants must choose one of four investment options, one of which is the National Action Bond, a new non-interest-bearing Government bond, that has been available since Jan 1, 2023.

There are many benefits obtaining citizenship via investment, especially in St Lucia, as it attracts Foreign Direct Investment for the nation which is used for advancing various projects such as the development of infrastructure, advancement of real estate, business expansion and job innovation.

“A paradise for nature seekers, history buffs, and relaxation-seekers, St Lucia also offers citizens all of the tropical benefits of the Caribbean,” said the statement.

-- BERNAMA

OTT business messaging traffic exceeds 93 bln in 2023 - Juniper Research

KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 25 (Bernama) -- Global Over the Top (OTT) business messaging traffic will rise from 93 billion in 2023 to 254 billion by 2027, according to a new Juniper Research study.

In a statement, Juniper Research said this growth of 172 per cent will be driven by increased availability of open OTT messaging APIs and competitive pricing models, creating a viable rich media alternative to established operator-led channels, such as SMS.

OTT business messaging enables brands and enterprises to communicate with customers via the use of third-party messaging applications, such as WhatsApp and WeChat.

The research identified consistently low OTT business messaging pricing as a key driver of adoption by Communications Platforms-as-a-Service (CPaaS) platforms.

As OTT messaging pricing is set by the platform itself rather than operators, this provides a far less volatile pricing model compared to SMS.

The research predicted that the advanced security and rich media properties of OTT business messaging will attract high-spending enterprise users to leverage these services.

It also identified that the increased processing and strict channel verification systems of OTT messaging applications will be key to ensuring OTT communications are not susceptible to the same fraudulent activity found on channels such as SMS.

Additionally, it urged CPaaS platforms to develop advanced security features, including artificial intelligence (AI)-based fraud prevention, that go beyond the capabilities of the OTT messaging channel to provide value-added services for enterprises.

Juniper Research provides research and analytical services to the global hi-tech communications sector, providing consultancy, analyst reports and industry commentary.

-- BERNAMA

Genesis obtains court approval for first day motions

KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 25 (Bernama) -- Genesis Global Holdco LLC (GGH) has received approval from the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of New York (the court) for all the first day motions related to its Chapter 11 filed on Jan 19, 2023.

As previously announced, the Chapter 11 filing includes GGH and two of its lending business subsidiaries, Genesis Global Capital LLC (GGC) and Genesis Asia Pacific Pte Ltd (GAP).

Genesis’s other subsidiaries involved in the derivatives and spot trading and custody businesses and Genesis Global Trading are not included in the filing and continue client trading operations.

“We commenced an in-court restructuring after thoroughly evaluating all potential options with our advisers.

“We firmly believe that this process represents the best path to continue advancing the ongoing, productive conversations with our stakeholders to identify an equitable solution.

“We are pleased by the court’s approval of our first day motions, which enable Genesis to continue serving our trading clients while we move through our restructuring on a parallel track,” said its interim chief executive officer Derar Islim, in a statement.

All aspects of the restructuring process are being overseen by an independent special committee of the company’s board of directors with ongoing executive leadership from Islim.

Genesis is a full-service digital currency prime brokerage providing a single point of access for select qualified individuals and global institutional investors.

-- BERNAMA

Duck Creek recognised for commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion

KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 25 (Bernama) -- Duck Creek Technologies has earned recognition from Insurance Business America as its 2023 5-Star Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion winner for its strong programmes and values around diversity, equity and inclusion (DE&I).

Chief executive officer at Duck Creek, Mike Jackowski said it was an honour for the company to be recognised as a leader of diversity, equity and inclusion in the insurance industry.

“Our people are our greatest asset and they are central to creating a community of belonging and helping us transform the future of insurance through purpose, technology and data.

“The different backgrounds, experiences and ideas of our employees enable our customers’ success and bring value to our entire ecosystem,” added Jackowski in a statement.

Meanwhile, global director – DE&I, Engagement and Culture, Amy Bayer said: “We are dedicated to continuously strengthening our winning culture and expanding our DE&I initiatives to remain a community where employees feel a true sense of belonging and experience opportunities for long-term personal and professional growth.”

As the intelligent solutions provider defining the future of property and casualty (P&C) insurance, Duck Creek is inherently people-focused and proudly made up of diverse individuals and global teams.

The company’s culture and DE&I programmes are a central part of its strategic global vision and it has five dedicated Employee Resource Groups focused on race, ethnicity, gender, military service and career level, and two councils focused on diversity and employee experience.

Duck Creek has championed a workplace that values and celebrates individuals and differences while encouraging and enabling collaboration.

-- BERNAMA

Morrow Sodali And Nestor Advisors Publishes 30-bank Sustainability Governance Report

KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 20 (Bernama) --  Morrow Sodali and Nestor Advisors, a Morrow Sodali Company, has announced the publication of “Governance of sustainability in the largest global banks: A study of the top 30 European and North American banks” which examines the sustainability governance practices of the 30 largest European and North American banks.

“Sustainability is one of the big issues facing banks and their leadership. Shareholders and various stakeholders, including regulators, expect banks to be proactive in sustainability.

“In order to deliver in these areas, global banks have reshaped existing governance and organisational arrangements and have developed some new ones. Our Report examines these arrangements and comes up with interesting, sometimes counterintuitive findings,” said the report’s leading author, Stilpon Nestor in a statement.

Among these findings, the issue of board skills in relation to sustainability was highlighted. All the banks interviewed do not see having sustainability experts on the board as a priority but to make their existing board members more cognizant in the sustainability area emphasising on the development of director skills.

One interesting finding of the report is that banks further advanced in the “maturity spectrum” have done away with special committees and discuss sustainability as part of the general strategy and risk appetite.

Another key finding relates to the role of management in ensuring all business functions strengthen their capabilities to understand sustainability in which most banks worldwide have created senior management committees to oversee this transversal work.

Most banks have also included sustainability parameters in their executive remuneration approach.

The report finds that in the best performing ones, sustainability considerations have a relatively significant “weight” among other factors in determining variable compensation.

-- BERNAMA

AM BEST REVISES OUTLOOKS TO NEGATIVE FOR POST-TELECOMMUNICATION JOINT STOCK INSURANCE CORPORATION

SINGAPORE, Jan 19 (Bernama-BUSINESS WIRE) -- AM Best has revised the outlooks to negative from stable and affirmed the Financial Strength Rating of B++ (Good) and the Long-Term Issuer Credit Rating of “bbb” (Good) of Post-Telecommunication Joint Stock Insurance Corporation (PTI) (Vietnam).

The ratings reflect PTI’s balance sheet strength, which AM Best assesses as strong, as well as its adequate operating performance, neutral business profile and appropriate enterprise risk management (ERM).

The revision of the outlooks to negative reflect AM Best’s assessment that balance sheet strength fundamentals have weakened due to recent capital erosion. In addition, increasing capital requirements arising from higher business growth and higher investment risks could further constrain capital adequacy over the near to medium term. 

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WISTAR RESEARCHER AWARDED 2-YEAR GRANT BY FOUNDATION FOR AIDS RESEARCH

KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 20 (Bernama) -- Wistar researcher, Dr Luis J. Montaner, in collaboration with Dr Mohamed Abdel-Mohsen, was awarded a Target Grant for US$397,663 over two years by amfAR, The Foundation for AIDS Research. (US$1=RM4.29)

According to a statement, Dr Montaner, who leads The Wistar Institute’s HIV Research Program, is studying the ability of a type of immune cell known as natural killer (NK) cells to kill HIV-infected cells.

“This grant to Dr Montaner is the latest of several awards we have made to outstanding scientists at The Wistar Institute.

“Dr Montaner’s well-designed research project has significant potential for moving the HIV cure research field forward. We wish him and his team much success and look forward to receiving updates on their progress,” said amfAR Vice President and Director of Research, Dr. Rowena Johnston.

Meanwhile, Dr Montaner, who is vice president of Scientific Operations and principal investigator of the BEAT-HIV Delaney Collaboratory to Cure HIV said the Montaner lab tests immunotherapy approaches harness several arms of the immune response to win over HIV, including immunotherapy using NK cells.

“This new amfAR grant will allow us to initiate new work that will expand our ongoing studies so we can continue to achieve significant milestones in our research to test HIV cure strategies,” he added.

Dr Montaner and his team are studying whether immunotherapy using gene-modified NK cells that have shown to be effective in treating some forms of cancer have the same effectiveness in treating HIV.

His research relies on optimising NK cells to effectively find and kill HIV-infected cells by modifying them outside the body to better bind to antibodies once infused as cell therapy.

The approach will also include use of a strategy by the Abdel-Mohsen laboratory to alter antibodies to have greater potency in increasing NK cell killing.

Wistar is a member of the Delaney Collaboratory to Cure HIV-1 Infection by Combination Immunotherapy (BEAT-HIV Collaboratory), a consortium of more than 100 top HIV researchers working to test combinations of several innovative immunotherapies under new preclinical research and clinical trials, and one of the largest HIV-cure collaborations in the world.

-- BERNAMA

VENTI TECHNOLOGIES APPOINTS 2 SENIOR LEADERS TO POWER GROWTH

KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 20 (Bernama) -- Venti Technologies, the world leader in autonomous supply chain logistics, has appointed two senior leaders to power growth.

Roy Quek is advising the company on its market expansion and fast-build strategies, bringing a proven track record as a South East Asian government and business leader, successful private investor, and valued adviser to major private equity and venture capital funds.

Sjoerd De Clerck who joins the company as Vice President of Sales, will harness his 30 years of experience leading and managing high tech B2B global businesses to build a strong sales network in the logistics industry to accelerate Venti’s growth.

“I am delighted that Roy and Sjoerd are bringing their global leadership experience and deep business insights to Venti Technologies. These appointments, coupled with our intense recruitment drive for technology staff and technology breakthroughs, will help Venti cement its position as the world leader in autonomous supply chain logistics,” said Dr Heidi Wyle, Venti Founder and CEO in a statement.

Meanwhile, Quek is Chairman and Founding Governor of St Joseph’s Institution International, one of the top private international schools in Asia and was previously a senior member of the elite Administrative Service in Singapore, having served several ministries, including the Prime Minister’s Office.

Quek earned a BS degree in Economics from the London School of Economics and a Masters degree in Public Administration from Peking University.

De Clerck’s responsibilities include developing Venti’s go-to-market strategy, building a strong global sales network, and growing revenues.

Prior to joining Venti, De Clerck was VP, Corporate Synergies at ST Engineering iDirect, and VP Asia Pacific at Newtec where he led a fourfold growth of the APAC business.

.The Belgian national graduated with a MSc in Electrical Engineering from the University of Ghent.

-- BERNAMA

INTER MILAN CROWNED ITALIAN SUPER CUP CHAMPIONS

KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 20 (Bernama) -- Inter Milan won the Italian Super Cup as they defended the title with a 3-0 win over arch rivals AC Milan to lift the trophy in front of over 50,000 spectators at King Fahd International Stadium in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

According to a statement, Deputy Minister of Sports, Badr Abdulrahman Al-Qadi and the President of the Italian Football League, Lorenzo Cassini, crowned Inter Milan with the Italian Super Cup title.

Federico Dimarco scored the first goal at the beginning of the first half, before Edin Džeko fortified Inter's lead with the second goal.

In the second half, Lautaro Martínez confirmed his team's victory by scoring the third goal and won the Super Cup title for the second time in a row, and the seventh in Inter Milan history.

Inter Milan is the third team to be crowned the Italian Super Cup in Saudi Arabia, after Juventus and Lazio who had won the cup previously in Jeddah and Riyadh, respectively.

Brought by the Saudi Arabia Ministry of Sport, the event is hosted with the aim to achieve the goals of the Kingdom’s Vision 2030, and as one of the “Quality of Life” Programme’s initiatives, by hosting the most spectacular and largest international sporting events, to ensure a great experience for the visitors of Diriyah Season.

-- BERNAMA

GUUD Singapore launches ClickargoSG supporting logistics sector digitalisation

KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 20 (Bernama) -- Singapore-headquartered trade technology company GUUD Pte Ltd (GUUD) has launched ClickargoSG, a new digital logistics platform by GUUD Singapore designed to promote the digitalisation of the logistics sector and create greener supply chains using technology.

GUUD Singapore General Manager, Siva Gunesparan said ClickargoSG was launched to help the logistics community kickstart their sustainability journey.

“With these in mind, we’ve brought on board with us, like-minded partners who are willing to walk this journey with us, to encourage our digital platform usage which helps logistics providers to track their carbon emissions, optimise their fuel efficiency, and work slowly but surely towards having greener supply chains,” he said in a statement.

Concurrently, GUUD also inked a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with four key strategic partners, namely Shell Eastern Petroleum (Pte) Ltd (Shell), CO2 Connect Pte Ltd (CO2X), Assure (Singapore) Pte Ltd (Assure) and Yinson Green Technologies Pte Ltd (Yinson) to promote the adoption of ClickargoSG amongst commercial vehicle owners and companies, and to drive sustainability efforts across the supply chain via joint programmes.

As part of the partnership agreement, ClickargoSG users will be able to sign up for CO2X’s carbon emission tracking software which facilitates the optimisation of driver behaviour and provides easier access to green financing.

The Corporate Shell Card will also be available on ClickargoSG and users can enjoy up to 24 per cent off fuels and four per cent off electric vehicles (EV) charging at Shell recharge locations and compensate for the carbon emissions from their fuel usage with the carbon offset programme.

In addition, users will also be able to apply to lease EV from Yinson at discounted rates and secure preferential motor insurance renewal rates from Assure Insurance for vehicles registered on the ClickargoSG platform.

ClickargoSG is now open for registration to freight forwarders and trucking vendors who would like to join the company in their mission to Clic2GoGreen, and enable greener supply chains for a better future.

-- BERNAMA

Banuba enhances seasonal colour analysis on Tint, a virtual try-on for cosmetics

KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 20 (Bernama) -- Banuba has expanded its software offerings by introducing Tint which incorporates an automated system for artificial intelligence (AI) seasonal colour analysis, last year.

In a statement, Banuba said Tint is a recommendation engine that helps users determine their colour profile and received suggestions for the most suitable beauty products and combinations, and is currently the only available solution of its kind on the market.

Tint is an out-of-the-box solution for beauty retailers and cosmetic manufacturers that combines a realistic makeup try-on, an advanced AI beauty adviser and a buyer-friendly user interface (UI).

The lifelike quality of the products are in line with the needs of the most demanding companies and can realistically offer benefits such as a better conversion rate over 200 per cent, an average order value over 30 per cent higher and more than 300 per cent increase in website engagement.

Tint uses AI technology to provide accurate personalised recommendations thus boosts conversions and decreases returns by up to 60 per cent. The software will ensure that users are only shown the products that are guaranteed to look good on them, even if they are unsure of what would fit.

The main competitive advantages of Tint are patented Banuba face tracking technology with 3,308 vertices; a technology that is significantly faster and more accurate; AI face and seasonal colour analysis; AI beauty adviser; makeup look try-on; accessible on almost any connected device with a camera; fast integration that takes up to two weeks; and digitisation of new products in 48 hours.

Banuba is an augmented reality company with over seven years on the market, pioneering face tracking and virtual background technologies.

-- BERNAMA

Abdul Malik designated CT Group Managing Director, Singapore to lead new office

 

Abdul Malik has been appointed to the role of Managing Director, Singapore, for C|T Group. (Photo: Business Wire)

KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 20 (Bernama) -- CT Group has appointed Abdul Malik as Managing Director, Singapore to lead its new office in the island republic, further establishing their vastly growing presence in the region.

He was born and resides in Singapore, and brings a wealth of experience in professional services to his new role at the CT Group.

Most recently, Malik was Chief Operating Officer at the law firm Oon & Bazul LLP, where he was responsible for setting the firm’s commercial and financial strategies, managing a team of 65 lawyers. He was the first non-legal professional to be awarded equity in a law firm in Singapore

Earlier in his career, Malik held Business Development Manager roles at various organisations, including the Energy Market Authority, New Zealand Trade and Enterprise, and British Council Singapore.

In a statement, Executive Chairman and CEO, Lynton Crosby said: “I am delighted Malik is joining us. His sector-leading experience and track record across Southeast Asia will expand CT’s presence, insight and expertise in this crucial region.

“His appointment is a real statement of intent and recognition of the importance and the growing potential of the region.”

Malik added: “Singapore is a natural hub in SEA and this exciting development will complement the great work that is currently undertaken by a group of talented professionals globally. This office will bring us closer, both geographically and relationship-wise to our valued Asian clients.”

“My appointment as Managing Director Singapore is an enormous privilege and I am determined to work with decision makers in this part of the world as their trusted independent adviser of choice and reinforce C|T Group’s position as a leading trusted adviser to businesses, political leaders, private family offices and corporations.”

-- BERNAMA

BUSAN IT INDUSTRY PROMOTION AGENCY SUCCESSFULLY COMPLETES THE 2022 ASEAN-ROK XR TRAINING PROGRAM

 ·   5-day ASEAN-ROK XR training program from November 28th to December 2nd was completed.

·  19 people including officials from the ASEAN countries of Cambodia, Indonesia, Malaysia, and Vietnam as well as Nepal participated in the program.
·   Promotion of ASEAN-KOREA Joint Project through XR and Metaverse information exchange between countries.
 

BUSAN, South Korea, Jan 18 (Bernama-BUSINESS WIRE) -- The Busan IT Industry Promotion Agency (President Jeong Mun-Seob) announced the ASEAN-ROK XR Training Program completion with 19 people from organizations related to cultural tourism as well as local government officials at the ASEAN-ROK ICT Convergence Village in Busan.

During five days from November 28th to December 2nd, the team developed specific cooperation measures between Korea and ASEAN in the field of XR and metaverse technology.

The training program was co-hosted by the Busan IT Industry Promotion Agency, the International Information and Networking Centre for Intangible Cultural Heritage in the Asia-Pacific Region under the auspices of UNESCO (Director-General Kim Ji-Sung) and the Tourism Promotion Organization for Asia Pacific Cities (Secretary General Woo Kyoung-Ha).

The training program was organized to improve cooperation in the field of XR tourism and cultural heritage between Korea and ASEAN countries. The program consisted of XR/Metaverse theory training, Introduction of case studies of Korea XR/Metaverse tourism and cultural heritage and technology industry convergence, Tour of major facilities and companies in Korea and Writing joint project proposals by team and expert mentoring.

The trainees of the training program included 19 members from four ASEAN countries (Cambodia, Indonesia, Malaysia, and Vietnam) and Nepal from ICT, culture and tourism-related organizations, and local governments. Based on the knowledge acquired through the training program, they made proposals for a joint project in the field of tourism and cultural heritage. 

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Barcelona crowned Spanish Super Cup champions

 

KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 17 (Bernama) -- Barcelona won the Spanish Super Cup after beating bitter rivals and defending champions Real Madrid 3-1 on Jan 15 at King Fahd International Stadium in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

According to a statement, the Catalans scored the opening goal through Gavi in the 33rd minute, then Robert Lewandowski doubled Barca's lead just before half-time. Pedri put the game out of reach with his team's third in the 69th minute.

Karim Benzema netted a late consolation for Real Madrid in the 93rd minute, but it was far too late to change the outcome.

Saudi Arabia succeeded in hosting the Spanish Super Cup, which is part of the kingdom’s mission to bring international sporting tournaments and events to the country, thus confirming the Kingdom’s high capabilities in organising the most prominent and important events and being the hub for global sporting events.

Brought by Saudi Arabia Ministry of Sport, the event is hosted with the aim to achieve the goals of the Kingdom’s Vision 2030, and as one of the “Quality of Life” Programme’s initiatives, by hosting the most spectacular and largest international sporting events, to ensure a great experience for the visitors of Diriyah Season.

-- BERNAMA

Financial crime prevention software spend exceeds US$28 billion by 2027 - Juniper Research

KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 17 (Bernama) -- Global software spend on financial crime prevention tools will exceed US$28.7 billion by 2027, based on a new study by Juniper Research. (US$1=RM4.319)

In a statement, Juniper Research said the growth of 30 per cent, an increase from US$22.1 billion in 2023 will be driven by cybercriminals’ strategies of targeting the ever-growing transaction volume of payments over digital channels to maximise financial gain.

“Financial crime prevention software enables financial institutions and merchants to automate fraud detection monitoring, Know Your Customer (KYC) and Know Your Business (KYB) procedures, as well as behavioural analytics to mitigate risk of financial crime,” it said.

The research assessed leading financial crime prevention software platforms and evaluated them on a number of criteria, including depth and breadth of offerings, service innovation and future prospects; thus providing extensive analysis of the competitive landscape in this dynamic market.

The top three vendors according to its Competitor Leaderboard are FICO, LexisNexis Risk Solutions and Verafin.

FICO demonstrates a broad set of capabilities, access to high-value data for crime mitigation and impressive artificial intelligence (AI)-based analytical systems within its product portfolio.

“Competing vendors must prioritise frequent platform updates to keep pace with rapid cybercriminal innovations and maximise their market share,” said its research co-author Mélissa Amouny.

By 2027, the research predicted that fraud detection and KYC systems will account for 88 per cent of global financial crime prevention spend, enabling financial institutions to improve the mitigation of many common crime types, including account takeovers.

The report urged financial crime prevention tool vendors to use AI for intelligent verification system orchestration, enabling enterprises to adapt to increasingly complex cyberattacks, choosing the right verification capability for each scenario.

-- BERNAMA

South China Insurance Credit Ratings affirmed - AM Best

KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 16 (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 South China Insurance Co Ltd (South China Insurance), Taiwan.

The outlook of these Credit Ratings (ratings) is stable, according to a statement.

The ratings reflect South China Insurance’s balance sheet strength, which AM Best assessed as very strong, as well as its adequate operating performance, neutral business profile and appropriate enterprise risk management.

The company’s investment portfolio remained liquid and diversified with a majority of its assets held in investment grade bonds and cash. The company continues to manage currency risk in its investment portfolio through currency hedging.

AM Best notes that the company is exposed to a low and controlled level of ultimate claims arising from pandemic-related insurance products.

South China Insurance continued to be profit generating in 2021, as supported by positive underwriting and investment results.

The company’s business continued to expand in 2021 with a gross premium written growth of 7.6 per cent, while net combined ratio improved by 3.2 percentage points to 95.2 percent.

Its positive investment results continued to support the company’s overall operating performance in 2021 through a stable stream of interest and dividend income. South China Insurance remained profitable during the first three quarters of 2022.

South China Insurance remains a medium-sized insurer in Taiwan’s non-life market. The company’s underwriting portfolio remains moderately diversified with motor dominating its business.

The company continues to source its revenue from a diversified distribution network while leveraging cross-selling opportunities more broadly with its affiliates in Hua Nan Financial Holdings Co Ltd.

-- BERNAMA

Cloudflare-Microsoft integrations deploy seamless Zero Trust security for business

KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 13 (Bernama) -- Cloudflare Inc, the security, performance, and reliability company helping to build a better Internet, has expanded its relationship with Microsoft to help customers easily deploy, automate and enhance their organisation’s Zero Trust security.

Cloudflare chief executive officer and co-founder, Matthew Prince said the company wanted to make it easier than ever for information technology (IT) leaders to deploy Zero Trust security across the enterprise and keep users safe wherever they worked from.

“I’m thrilled that we are deepening our integration with Microsoft so we can help our joint customers easily deploy Zero Trust security across some of the most used applications in the workplace,” said Prince in a statement.

Through these new integrations which combined Microsoft Identity solutions and Cloudflare network security tools to create a quality Zero Trust offering, Cloudflare now provides a comprehensive identity driven approach to protect applications, users, devices and networks from attacks.

Working from anywhere is more common than ever, and critical applications have moved to the cloud which no longer resides inside an office protected by a secure perimeter.

“As chief information officers continue to navigate this paradigm shift, Cloudflare has developed a new set of integrations with Microsoft to help organisations on this journey.

“Mutual customers can seamlessly deploy Zero Trust security tools in minutes, with no complex code changes, and add industry-first features, such as Cloudflare’s Remote Browser Isolation technology” it said.

Cloudflare and Microsoft Azure Active Directory customers can now deploy Zero Trust Security without changing one line of code; isolate high-risk users automatically with industry leading browser isolation technology; and save IT teams hundreds of hours of manual work.

In addition, by connecting Azure Government Cloud to Cloudflare’s global network via the Secure Hybrid Access programme, government customers will be able to keep sensitive traffic secure by staying off the public Internet.

-- BERNAMA

WILSONHCG ACQUIRES PERSONIFY FOR HEALTHCARE, LIFE SCIENCES TALENT SOLUTIONS EXPANSIONS

KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 11 (Bernama) -- WilsonHCG, a global talent leader, has acquired Personify, a recruitment process outsourcing (RPO) provider to further expand its healthcare and life sciences talent solutions.

Headquartered in Raleigh, North Carolina, United States, Personify specialises in the life sciences, healthcare, biotechnology and pharmaceuticals sectors and other industries experiencing critical skills shortages, providing executive search and recruitment marketing services alongside its RPO solutions.

“This expansion enables continued growth while cementing our position as a global leader in talent acquisition.

"The partnership aligns two mission-driven organisations with a desire to exceed client expectations and together, we'll set new standards in the talent space,” said WilsonHCG chief executive officer (CEO), John Wilson in a statement.

Meanwhile, Personify president and CEO, Ryan Carfley said: “The partnership accelerates our access to new markets, and together we'll become the global go-to talent solutions provider in healthcare, biotechnology, life sciences and beyond."

WilsonHCG completed two acquisitions last year in which the company acquired Tracking Talent, a talent solutions provider based in South Africa, in October and in March, it acquired Claro Analytics, a leading labour market intelligence platform.

-- BERNAMA

Pico appoints Bo Zhou APAC Head

KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 10 (Bernama) -- Pico, a global provider of mission-critical technology services, software, data and analytics for the financial markets community, has named Bo Zhou, PhD, as Head of Asia-Pacific (APAC) to oversee its continued growth in the region.

According to a statement, Zhou will drive Pico’s expansion efforts in APAC while overseeing all sales, operations and engineering throughout the region, in partnership with key global executives.

“Pico continues to increase its global footprint and has expanded into all the major APAC markets including Singapore, Japan, Greater China, South Korea, and Australia.

“I’m excited about this tremendous opportunity to help Pico’s global clients realise the benefits APAC’s emerging markets have to offer, in addition to offering APAC clients global connectivity through Pico’s network,” said Zhou.

Meanwhile, its chairman, founder and chief executive officer, Jarrod Yuster said the company has focused on building its leadership team with the most talented individuals in the industry as Pico continues to expand globally.

“Bo’s background in the APAC region, her experience growing businesses and her trading and markets expertise will help accelerate Pico’s growth in the APAC market,” he added.

Zhou has more than 15 years of financial markets industry experience and was most recently partner and senior managing director for IHS Markit (now S&P Global) where her team was responsible for significant growth throughout the region.

Prior to working for IHS Markit, she served in various leadership positions at Bloomberg, such as company director and regional business manager for its global fixed income and trading solutions in Hong Kong and New York.

-- BERNAMA

Connected vehicles surpass 367 mln worldwide by 2027 - Juniper Research

KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 9 (Bernama) -- A new study by Juniper Research revealed that the number of connected vehicles in service will reach 367 million globally in 2027, an increase of 91 per cent from 192 million in 2023 driven by the advancement of both Advanced Driver Assistance Systems and the capabilities of in-vehicle infotainment systems.

The research identified 5G’s high speed and low-latency capabilities as transformative to these goals, requiring effective collaborations between automotive original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) and operators to realise.

According to Juniper Research, operators are critical to unlocking new use cases, such as autonomous driving and data-heavy infotainment via 5G which account for 23 per cent of automotive cellular connections, representing an opportunity worth US$3.6 billion for providing 5G connectivity enablement in 2027 globally. (US$1=RM4.382)

Its research co-author Nick Maynard said 5G can allow automotive OEMs to upgrade the in-vehicle experience, transitioning to electric vehicles, improving the user experience is key.

“Operators hold the critical role in enabling this in a reliable way, making them the partners of choice as their 5G networks rapidly expand,” he said in a statement.

Accordingly, the research recommended that automotive OEMs prioritise integrations with common fleet tracking systems out of the factory to maximise the benefits of connectivity, and to enable commercial fleet owners to maximise efficiency in their processes.

By 2027, it is expected that commercial vehicles will only account for 20 per cent of connected vehicles worldwide, representing a small increase from 16 per cent by 2023-end.

Juniper Research provides research and analytical services to the global hi-tech communications sector; providing consultancy, analyst reports, and industry commentary.

-- BERNAMA

CONAGEN STARTS FIRST COMMERCIAL PRODUCTION OF SUSTAINABLE TYRIAN PURPLE FOR TEXTILE DYE

New era for green tech alternatives to replace petrochemical synthesized dyes.


Bedford, Mass., Jan 10 (Bernama-GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Conagen announced the successful scale-up of its sustainable, cost-effective Tyrian purple, a historically coveted and expensive dye found in rare and limited sources in marine nature.

Conagen is the world's first and only biotechnology company commercializing a sustainable Tyrian purple by fermentation. As with any biologically-sourced textile dye, this color-fast compound reduces pollution and carbon footprints when used as an alternative to petrochemically synthesized dyes commonly used in the textiles industry today.

Also known as Phoenician purple, royal purple, imperial purple, or imperial dye, this rare dye dates back several millennia to the bronze age when the Phoenicians from Tyre, Lebanon, on the Levantine coast, produced it for the ancient Greeks, Persians, Byzantines, and the Roman empire to clad emperors and kings with luxury textiles. Tyrian purple was once worth more than its weight in gold for its prized deep rich purple. In 301 CE, during the Roman Empire, one pound of Tyrian purple dye was priced at approximately three Troy pounds of gold, roughly $66,000 in today’s currency.

Current producers extract and harvest Tyrian purple from the murex shellfish in much the same way as the ancient Phoenicians. Thousands --- approximately 10,000 or (54 kilograms (119 lb.) of these predatory sea snails are required to make diminishing quantities of Tyrian purple to produce 1 gram of the dye, making it impracticable, expensive, and environmentally unfriendly. Ancient dye producers all but drove the murex species to extinction along the coasts of Phoenicia, evident in the vast deposits of the shells excavated on the outskirts of Sidon, Tyre, and across the Mediterranean.

Conagen’s Tyrian purple, produced by precision fermentation and bioconversion, is a natural, sustainable dye ideal for textile companies under pressure to deliver fashions more sustainably and with a reduced global environmental footprint, especially from manufacturing.

“Conagen is democratizing the exclusive use of a color once reserved for royalty --- now obtainable on a global scale,” said Casey Lippmeier, Ph.D., senior vice president of innovation. “Our fermentation and bioconversion technologies enable us to offer true-to-nature products. By leveraging Conagen’s bioengineering and commercial manufacturing capabilities, we’re unlocking Tyrian purple’s great potential as an accessible and sustainable dye. We expect Tyrian purple to inspire fresh ideas in multiple industries, making this rare and exciting color more marketable with planet-conscious consumers.”

The Tyrian purple technology is based on two of Conagen’s many key bioengineering platforms, which enable accelerated product development timelines for its competitive phenolics, terpenoids, proteins, and peptide molecules.

As an example, Conagen’s phenolics platform was used to make an important antioxidant, hydroxytyrosol, the active health ingredient found in oil, juice, and fruit in olives. Using another platform, Conagen has optimized the production of different amino acid-based products, including the nutraceutical antioxidant ergothioneine, a “longevity vitamin” currently branded as “Ergoactive” by Conagen’s pipeline partner Blue California. To produce the Tyrian purple, Conagen drew from both proprietary platforms to develop novel enzymes which increase the conversion efficiency of precursors to the dye.

“Conagen has further solidified its leadership in the bioeconomy by rapidly producing multiple novel and interesting molecules, such as Tyrian purple,” said Lippmeier. “Our technology platforms have been meticulously engineered and improved upon for over a decade, and they are extremely efficient at making targeted compounds from an expanding array of molecular classes for our internal product development and collaborative ventures.”

Conagen aims to replace petroleum-based ingredients and reduce carbon footprints with green technologies. Tyrian purple adds to Conagen’s natural color offerings, including several carotenoids made by fermentation which have been scaled to global production. As a dye, Tyrian purple is ideal for textile fabrics, clothing, handbags, and related accessories.

###

About Conagen

Conagen is making the impossible possible. Our scientists and engineers use modern synthetic biology tools to program micro-organisms and enzymes on a molecular level to produce high-quality, sustainable, natural products manufactured worldwide via precision fermentation and bioconversion. We focus on the bioproduction of high-value ingredients for food, nutrition, flavors and fragrances, pharmaceuticals, and renewable materials.

Attachments

• Bolinus brandaris, also called sea snail or purple dye murex
• Tyrian purple dye for textiles

Ana Arakelian, Head of Public Relations and Communications
Conagen
+1-781-271-1588
ana.arakelian@conagen.com

SOURCE : Conagen

RIMKUS APPOINTS JONATHAN E. HIGGINS PRESIDENT, CEO

KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 10 (Bernama) – Rimkus, a worldwide provider of engineering and technical consulting services, has appointed Jonathan E. Higgins as its new president and chief executive officer (CEO), succeeding Robert “Bob” Kocher.

After more than 25 years at Rimkus, Kocher has retired as president and CEO and assumed a new role as vice chair on the board of directors.

“Having worked at Rimkus for more than 20 years, I am passionate about our people’s success, our commitment to help solve our clients’ most complex problems and our vision to be a global one-stop resource for our partners,” said Higgins.

In a statement, Rimkus said Higgins played a pivotal role in executing the global firm’s strategic plan and solidifying Rimkus’ market position in forensic consulting, dispute resolution and construction management services, solutions for the built environment, and life sciences support for the consumer, industrial, and healthcare industries.

“As we approach our 40th anniversary, it’s an exciting time to welcome new leadership. We have full confidence that Jon will drive our business forward during this next chapter. He is a proven operating executive and a strong champion of our workplace culture,” said its chairman and executive director, Curtis Brown.

A graduate of the University of Arizona with a Bachelor of Science degree in civil engineering, with an emphasis in structural engineering, Higgins previously served as chief operating officer at Rimkus.

He has over 27 years of engineering and leadership experience, drawing on the foundation and core values developed during his military service in the United States Navy where he served as a civil engineering corps officer.

– BERNAMA

AM Best affirms credit ratings of Hong Leong Insurance (Asia)

KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 9 (Bernama) -- AM Best has affirmed Hong Kong-based Hong Leong Insurance (Asia) Ltd (HLIA) financial strength rating of A- (Excellent) and the long-term issuer credit rating of “a-” (Excellent).

AM Best said in a statement the outlook of these credit ratings (ratings) is stable.

The ratings reflect HLIA’s balance sheet strength, which AM Best assessed as very strong, as well as its strong operating performance, limited business profile and appropriate enterprise risk management.

“The stable outlooks reflect AM Best’s expectation that HLIA’s underwriting performance will recover to the pre-COVID level over the short to intermediate term, and overall profitability will not be materially undermined by equity market volatility,” it said.

The insurance company overall profitability is mainly supported by its underwriting profits. Although its combined ratio remains significantly better than the industry average, it exhibits an increasing trend as the proportion of its lower profit margin business has increased over time.

The credit rating agency said HLIA’s risk-adjusted capitalisation remains at the strongest level as measured by Best’s Capital Adequacy Ratio, and it maintains a low underwriting leverage and an appropriate reinsurance programme backed by reinsurers of good credit quality.

“However, the company’s modest capital size, concentration risk in real estate holdings and moderate reinsurance dependency are partially offsetting factors,” it added.

While accident and health insurance continues to make up the largest portion of total net premiums, HLIA is expanding its commercial lines business, for instance, by tapping opportunities in the small- to medium-sized enterprise segment through local brokers and agents.

-- BERNAMA

Women scientists bag 2023 King Faisal Prize for Medicine, Science laureates

KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 5 (Bernama) -- Two women scientists were awarded the King Faisal Prize for Medicine and Science laureates for their significant and priceless contributions to humankind in the areas of medicine and science.

According to a statement, the prize recognised COVID-19 vaccine developers, nanotechnology scientists and eminent figures in each of its Arabic Language & Literature, Islamic Studies and Service to Islam categories.

A Covid-19 vaccine developer, Professor Sarah Gilbert and a nanotechnology scientist, Professor Jackie Yi-Ru Ying were selected to receive the King Faisal Prize in medicine and science, respectively.

The woman behind Oxford–AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine, Dr Gilbert has co-created the vaccine which has been in use in more than 180 countries saving billions of lives due to its efficiency, low cost and accessibility.

Meanwhile, Dr Ying was chosen for her work on the synthesis of various advanced nanomaterials and systems, and their applications in catalysis, energy conversion and biomedicine. Her inventions have been used to solve challenges in different fields of medicine, chemistry and energy.

Dr Gilbert is the Saïd Chair of Vaccinology in the Nuffield Department of Medicine at Oxford University, while Dr Ying is the A*STAR Senior Fellow and Director at NanoBio Lab, Agency for Science, Technology and Research.

Six more people were named King Faisal Prize laureates for having enriched humanity with key and invaluable achievements and discoveries in the fields of Medicine, Science, Arabic Language & Literature, Islamic Studies, and Serving Islam.

Two other Medicine and Science Prize laureates selected for 2023 were Professor Dan Barouch and Professor Chad Mirkin, respectively.

Professor Abdelfattah Kilito was announced the laureate for the Arabic Language and Literature prize focusing on “Classical Arabic Narrative and Modern Theories”, while Professor Robert Hillenbrand won the Islamic Studies prize in “Islamic Architecture”.

As for the Service to Islam Prize, Professor Choi Young Kil-Hamed and His Excellency Shaikh Nasser Abdullah Al Zaabi were this year’s laureates.

Each prize laureate is endowed with US$200 thousand; a 24-carat gold medal weighing 200 grams; and a Certificate inscribed with the Laureate’s name and a summary of their work which qualified them for the prize. (US$1=RM4.40)

-- BERNAMA

CINDY HOOTS JOINS ZOOM BOARD OF DIRECTORS

KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 6 (Bernama) -- Zoom Video Communications Inc (Zoom) has appointed Cindy Hoots, chief digital officer and chief information officer of AstraZeneca, as an independent director on Zoom board of directors, effective immediately.

In a statement, Hoots said Zoom has changed the way companies worldwide do business and is ushering in entirely new ways to transact business internationally.

“Global leaders have the responsibility to ensure our ecosystem of employees, partners, customers, and our community can connect and collaborate seamlessly in a sustainably responsible way.

“I am thrilled to join Zoom’s board and chief executive officer Eric Yuan, an inspirational leader with a strong vision and believed this company has an important role in making a meaningful impact on people's lives,” she said.

Meanwhile, Zoom founder and CEO, Eric S. Yuan said Hoots’ experience leading large global companies in highly regulated and complex industries will bring tremendous value to the company.

Founded in 2011 and headquartered in San Jose, California, United States, Zoom is the only communications platform that started with video as its foundation.

-- BERNAMA 

TESSA THERAPEUTICS UNVEILS 2023 STRATEGIC OUTLOOK, CORPORATE UPDATE

KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 4 (Bernama) -- Singapore-based Tessa Therapeutics Ltd (Tessa), a clinical-stage cell therapy company developing next-generation cancer treatments for hematological malignancies and solid tumours, will prioritise the development of its allogeneic “off-the-shelf” CD30.CAR-modified Epstein-Barr virus-specific T-cell (EBVST) therapy platform this year.

At the same time, the company will seek strategic options for the development of its TT11 autologous CAR-T platform with other companies, based on its strategic outlook and corporate update for 2023.

“The decision to prioritise the allogeneic or “off-the-shelf-approach” over the autologous platform followed the progress and new data with the TT11X clinical programme.

“The data demonstrated TT11X to be well-tolerated at all dosing levels, eliciting a 79 per cent overall response rate and 43 per cent complete response rate among 14 heavily pre-treated CD30-positive Hodgkin lymphoma patients,” it said in a statement today.

The company added that these developments are the first of what is expected to be a milestone-rich year ahead as the company seeks to build the value of its pipeline to its fullest potential with available resources.

Its president and chief executive officer (CEO), Thomas Willemsen said he believed that this strategic refocus on the allogeneic platform positions the company at the forefront of CAR-T innovation for 2023 and beyond.

“This optimism is based on the compelling safety and efficacy data that continue to be generated by our TT11X programme and the potential patient benefit in treating CD30-positive lymphomas, and potentially solid tumours where there is a significant unmet medical need,” he said.

In 2022, Tessa enhanced its executive management team with the appointment of Willemsen as CEO and Wilson W. Cheung as chief financial officer.

The company also expanded its board with the addition of Amy Schulman and Darren Carroll from Polaris Partners, which led the company’s US$126 million Series A financing round.

-- BERNAMA

CSOP CSI STAR, CHINEXT 50 Index ETF listed on Singapore Exchange

KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 3 (Bernama) -- Asia’s leading ETF issuer, CSOP Asset Management Ltd (CSOP) is proud to be among the first to participate in the Singapore Exchange (SGX)and the Shenzhen Stock Exchange (SZSE) exchange-traded fund (ETF) link.

Under the ETF link, CSOP CSI STAR and CHINEXT 50 Index ETF (Stock Code: SCY) is listed on the SGX as a feeder fund of China Southern CSI STAR and CHINEXT 50 ETF, which is listed on SZSE, on Dec 30, 2022.

CSOP said the listing has unlocked unique investment opportunities into 50 Chinese companies with the highest growth potential in ChiNext and China's Nasdaq-style ShanghaiStock Exchange Science and Technology Innovation Board (STAR Market).

“SCY is traded in SGD at an initial price of SGD1 (SGD1=RM3.27) with a board lot size of one unit,” it said in a statement.

Chief executive officer, Ding Chen said the SZSE - SGX ETF cross-listing will greatly enrich the cross-border product offering and investment channels and meet the growing needs of Singapore and Chinese investors seeking more diversified investment solutions.

“Participation in the ETF link scheme is a milestone for CSOP’s development in Singapore and we hope the scheme can benefit both markets’ investors,” she said.

SCY tracks 50 fast-growing star performers with hard technology from the STAR and ChiNext Markets from SZSE.

The stocks listed on STAR and SZSE’s ChiNext boards represent key breakthroughs with high market recognition in China.

The SZSE-SGX ETF link was established under the auspices of the 17th China-Singapore Joint Council for Bilateral Cooperation as a new initiative to expand and strengthen financial cooperation between Singapore and China.

The SZSE and SGX Group entered a Memorandum of Understanding on Dec 28, 2021 to facilitate China and Singapore ETF issuers to access cross-border capital flows through the listing of ETFs that feed into master ETFs listed on the other exchange.

According to CSOP, the listing of CSOP CSI STAR and CHINEXT 50 Index ETF on SGX and China Southern CSOP CGS-CIMB FTSE Asia Pacific Low Carbon Index ETF on SZSEsignifi es the deepening financial connection between China and Singapore, providing investors more diversified investment opportunities.

-- BERNAMA

CTBC INVITATIONAL GOLF TOURNAMENT KICKS OFF IN KAOHSIUNG, OFFERING A TOTAL PRIZE POOL OF NT$5 MILLION

 

Back row: CTBC Holding vice chairman Thomas Chen (fourth from right), chief administration officer Roger Kao (right), Tokyo Star Bank chairman Hwang Tsing-yuan (second from left), Taiwan Ladies’ Professional Golf Association chairwoman Liu Yi-chen (second from right), Kaohsiung Golf and Country Club director Chen Jian-fu (third from left) attended the pre-tournament news conference. (Photo courtesy of CTBC Bank) 

TAIPEI, Taiwan, Dec 28 (Bernama-BUSINESS WIRE) -- The 2022 CTBC Invitational, an annual women’s golf tournament hosted by CTBC Bank, will be held at the Kaohsiung Golf and Country Club for three consecutive days from December 29 this year, with total prize money of NT$5 million up for grabs. The CTBC LADY GOLF STARS, namely, Teresa Lu (盧曉晴), Cheng Ssu-chia (程思嘉), Hou Yu-sang (侯羽桑), Vivian Hou (侯羽薔), An Ho-yu (安禾佑), Jessica Peng (彭婕), June Ting (丁子云) and Heather Lin (林子涵) are among the 64 players from Taiwan, Japan, and Thailand to vie for the championship and the top prize of NT$1 million. The three-day tournament is open to the public for free and it can also be watched online or on television through MOD, Facebook, and YouTube. 

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