AHAM CAPITAL, LEADING ASSET MANAGER IN MALAYSIA, SELECTS TEMENOS MULTIFONDS SAAS TO MODERNIZE ITS FUND ACCOUNTING PLATFORM

AHAM Capital is replacing legacy, on-premises systems with Temenos Multifonds Global Accounting on SaaS to drive scalable automation and future growth in the Malaysian market

GRAND-LANCY, Switzerland, Dec 18 (Bernama-GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Temenos (SIX: TEMN) today announced that AHAM Capital has selected Temenos Multifonds Global Accounting delivered as SaaS to drive scalable automation and future growth in the Malaysian market.

Founded in 2001 and majority owned by CVC Capital Partners, AHAM Capital has grown to become one of Malaysia's leading asset management firms. The firm serves the wealth needs of corporates, institutions, pension funds, government-linked companies, high net worth individuals and the mass affluent, with over RM88 billion in Assets Under Administration and more than 160 funds.

Temenos Multifonds was selected after a rigorous evaluation process and detailed proof of concept, recognizing Multifonds as the best solution to support AHAM’s growth over the long-term. Using Multifonds, AHAM will be able to automate its end-to-end operations with a multi-asset and multi-currency solution. Temenos Multifonds can support AHAM’s traditional business while at the same time supporting Islamic funds in accordance with Shariah standards, via Multifonds’ flexibility in chart of account, posting rules and naming conventions.

The Multifonds SaaS solution will allow AHAM to benefit from the flexibility offered by a cloud-based deployment and full management of the application, removing the need to maintain software in-house. AHAM will also be able to connect to surrounding applications in the future with standard Multifonds APIs. 

http://mrem.bernama.com/viewsm.php?idm=50045

HONG KONG-TAIPEI IS 2024 WORLD'S BUSIEST INTERNATIONAL AIRLINE ROUTE, SAYS OAG

KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 18 (Bernama) -- The Hong Kong (HKG) to Taipei (TPE) route has been revealed as the world’s busiest international route in 2024, according to a latest analysis by OAG.

OAG in a statement said the Hong Kong (HKG)-Taipei (TPE) route is among the top 10 that has seen the biggest growth, reaching 6.8 million seats and a 48 per cent capacity increase between 2023 and 2024, pushing it up from third place last year.

Powered by OAG's Global Airline Schedules Data, the analysis provides an overview of route performance and trends, both internationally and domestically.

According to the analysis, Asia Pacific continues to dominate the annual rankings, with seven of the top 10 international busiest routes and nine of the top 10 domestic routes.

The analysis also reveals that Cairo (CAI)-Jeddah (JED) follows in second spot with 5.5 million seats, one of two routes operating in the Middle East that have entered the top 10 since 2019, which has experienced 68 per cent growth in five years. Dubai (DBX)-Riyadh (RUH) holds the sixth position with 4.3 million seats and 37 per cent capacity growth since 2019.

Other international routes seeing impressive year-on-year growth are Seoul Incheon (ICN)-Tokyo Narita (NRT), which jumps from fifth to third spot with 30 per cent capacity growth, and Bangkok (BKK)-Hong Kong (HKG), which returns to the top 10 at seventh after placing 11th in 2023.

For the busiest international route in Europe and in North America, New York (JFK)-London Heathrow (LHR) takes the top spot, while Cairo (CAI)-Jeddah (JED) leads in both Africa and the Middle East, and Orlando (MCO)-San Juan (SJU) is the top route in Latin America.

OAG is a data platform for the global travel industry offering an industry-first single source for supply, demand, and pricing data.

-- BERNAMA

Hello Kitty Celebrates 50th Anniversary with Japanese Fruits Promotion

KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 16 (Bernama) -- The Japan Fruit and Vegetables Export Promotion Council, in collaboration with The Japan Food Product Overseas Promotion Center (JFOODO), has teamed up with the popular Sanrio Co Ltd character “Hello Kitty”.

According to a statement, the collaboration marks Hello Kitty’s 50th anniversary, and aims to promote Japanese-grown fruits and vegetables.

A social media campaign will run, inviting participants to post photos on Instagram centered on the themes of major seasonal events such as Christmas, New Year, Chinese New Year, and Valentine’s Day. These photos are to be entered into the draw to win a special “Smile Japanese Fruits Gift", ideal for family enjoyment.

The campaign will focus on fruits that carry the “Japan-grown Fruit” label, indicating strict quality standards set by the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry, and Fisheries. The target fruits include peaches, grapes, apples, persimmons, citrus fruits, strawberries, and sweet potatoes.

The campaign for Christmas runs from Dec 14 to 31 while the New Year will run from Jan 1 to 10, 2025; followed closely by Chinese New Year from Jan 29 to Feb 14, 2025, and wrapping up with Valentine’s Day from Feb 14 to 22, 2025.

To participate, entrants must follow the official Instagram account japanesefruit_official and post a video related to one of the campaign themes, tagging the account.

Participants can either create videos using the playful japanesefruit x Hello Kitty filter, or share videos or images capturing moments of joy with Japanese fruits. For the latter events like Chinese New Year and Valentine’s Day, posting joyful visuals is sufficient for entries.

Residents of Thailand, Singapore, Malaysia, Vietnam, Hong Kong, and Taiwan are eligible for the draw, with the chance to win the exclusive "Smile Japanese Fruits Gift" set.

-- BERNAMA

 

 

LIVEFREELY ACQUIRES SOMPO HORIZON TO EXPAND AI-POWERED CAREGIVING

Acquisition will enable LiveFreely to expand its product suite with Sompo Horizon’s CareGo solution and drive expansion into the Asia-Pacific region

SAN JOSE, Calif., Dec 13 (Bernama-BUSINESS WIRE) -- LiveFreely Inc., a digital health technology company that empowers seniors and their caregivers to live more freely, connected, and independent lives, today announced the acquisition of Sompo Horizon, a premier caregiving benefits provider and subsidiary of global insurance provider, Sompo Holdings. The acquisition will allow LiveFreely to further scale and integrate its circle-of-care products, including its flagship BUDDY application with Sompo Horizon’s CareGo solution.

LiveFreely’s BUDDY application provides seniors with an AI-driven personal health assistant that provides real-time health monitoring, vitals and code blue alerts, geographic boundary monitoring, and the ability to predict and prevent future falls which is among the leading causes of death among seniors. Paired with Sompo Horizon’s CareGo solution, which provides a comprehensive digital platform, concierge support service, and partner network that enhances the decision-making process for caregivers, today’s acquisition will provide LiveFreely with the ability to expand its digital health technology capabilities to benefit health systems, insurance brokerages, nursing and senior homes, schools, public institutions, individuals, families, and the broader care ecosystem.

“With CareGo, we will be able to unify our digital health technology in BUDDY, creating a one-stop, unified, and AI-enabled care experience,” said Dr. Arthur Jue, CEO and Co-founder of LiveFreely. “We founded this company because of our late father who suffered from falls, and with today’s acquisition, we’re poised to expand our mandate for digital caregiving to service mental health in schools, expand our footprint around the globe, and continue to build our platform to help seniors and caretakers live more freely.” 

http://mrem.bernama.com/viewsm.php?idm=50010

"CHINA IN CHILDREN'S CHORUS": LIGHTING UP THE LIGHT OF CHILDREN'S ART

AsiaNet 0200562

NANTONG, China, Nov. 25, 2024 /Xinhua-AsiaNet/--

Since 2006, Tongzhou District, Nantong City, Jiangsu Province, has launched a new nursery rhyme creation and promotion activity called "China in Children's Chorus". This innovation not only caused a warm response in the local area, but also has gradually developed into a bright business card for children's aesthetic education nationwide in the following 18 years.
 
Over the past 18 years, the "China in Children's Chorus" activity has been continuously held, attracting the wide participation of more than 7,000 primary and secondary schools inside and outside Jiangsu Province, and a total of 530,000 nursery rhyme works have been collected.
 
Children not only learn to create nursery rhymes, but also show their observation and creativity through this platform. They record the changes of society and the development of the times from their own perspective. For example, the song "Running" reflects the progress of the times by describing the changes in children's transportation.
 
Nowadays, "China in Children's Chorus" has formed a brand of ideological education and art cultivation for children with Jiangsu as the centre and radiating influence to the whole country.
 
In the future, "China in Children's Chorus" will continue to adhere to the original intention to provide more opportunities for children to show themselves and create art, so that nursery rhymes, a traditional art form, can shine more brilliantly in the new era.
 
Source: CHINA IN CHILDREN'S CHORUSHINA

CGTN: 'GOLDEN PARTNERS': CHINA, BRAZIL SEEK A MORE JUST WORLD, SUSTAINABLE PLANET

BEIJING, Nov 21 (Bernama-GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- CGTN publishes an article on China and Brazil's plans to seek a more just world and a sustainable planet.

In 2014, the cooperation agreement between China and Brazil on the Belo Monte UHV transmission project was signed. The mega-project traverses a vast area, stretching more than 2,000 kilometers over tropical rainforests and rivers.

Creating an "electricity expressway" linking north and south of Brazil, the project has not only provided adequate power to industrial hubs, but also solved the power shortage problem for over 22 million Brazilians, about 10 percent of the country's population.

The project has so far transmitted 180 terawatt hours of hydropower, saving 64 million tonnes of standard coal or cutting 170 million tonnes of CO2 emissions. The project is a major achievement of China-Brazil cooperation in new infrastructure construction.

"China is actively involved in Brazil's ongoing energy transition," Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva told China Media Group.

In talks with Lula on Wednesday in Brasilia, Chinese President Xi Jinping said China is ready to work with Brazil as "golden partners" who help each other succeed, and to keep working toward the goal of building a community with a shared future for mankind.

The two countries have elevated their ties to a China-Brazil community with a shared future for a more just world and a more sustainable planet, and agreed to align the Belt and Road Initiative with Brazil's development strategies.

http://mrem.bernama.com/viewsm.php?idm=49851

OIL AND GAS EXPLORATION VITAL FOR DECARBONISATION DESPITE INVESTMENT DECLINE

KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 22 (Bernama) -- Investment in oil and gas exploration has plummeted two-thirds in the last decade,  but according to Wood Mackenzie's latest Horizons report, the sector remains crucial for decarbonisation and providing advantaged barrels in the energy transition.

The report, titled "No country for old fields: Why high-impact oil and gas exploration is still needed" reveals that there are sufficient existing resources to meet global demand, with approximately three trillion barrels of oil equivalent (boe) in inventory, offering more than 45 years of oil and over 60 years of gas supply.

The report further explained that lowering scope 1 and 2 emissions, or those created in the extraction and refining process, is better served by finding new fields than by cleaning up old ones as new fields are cleaner, due to modern decarbonisation technologies and higher facilities throughput.

New fields, leveraging modern decarbonisation technology, emit less carbon than older fields. For example, new fields starting production in the coming years will average 17 kilogrammes of carbon dioxide equivalent per barrel of oil equivalent (kgCO2e/boe), significantly lower than the 28 kgCO2e/boe from mature fields.

Wood Mackenzie Senior Vice President, Energy Research, Andrew Latham commented that exploration through the current decade is on track to provide 12 per cent of global oil and gas supply.

“If we assume that these new fields displace existing supply options with emissions intensity typical of older fields, then global scope 1 and 2 emissions in 2030 would be cut by around six per cent, or 100 Mtpa CO2e,” he said in a statemet.

Exploration also presents economic advantages, with new field discoveries providing high returns. Wood Mackenzie highlights that full-cycle returns from exploration have been consistently in double digits every year since 2015, averaging 15 per cent, with new discoveries creating over US$160 billion in value. (US$1=RM4.46)

Meanwhile, frontier and deepwater exploration, offers significant resource potential, with deepwater projects yielding much higher recovery per well and lower emissions intensity. The report noted that deepwater will offer most new opportunities for exploration as most of the world’s deepwater basins, in waters from 400 metres (m) to over 3,000m, are barely drilled.

Despite a perception problem that exploration harms the climate, the report underscores its role in decarbonising oil and gas supply, showing that there are still abundant untapped resources to be found, especially in deepwater basins.

Wood Mackenzie is the global insight business for renewables, energy and natural resources, with a team of over 2,000 experts operate across 30 global locations, inspiring customers’ decisions through real-time analytics, consultancy, events and thought leadership.

-- BERNAMA

YANTAI REVEALS INTERNATIONAL ZERO-CARBON ISLAND COOPERATION INITIATIVE AT COP29

KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 18 (Bernama) -- Yantai City, Shandong Province, has launched the International Zero-Carbon Island Cooperation Initiative together with 32 island cities, international organisations, research institutions, enterprises, and other founding entities at home and abroad.

This initiative, released at the Launch Conference of International Zero-Carbon Island Cooperation Initiative held during the UNFCCC COP29 on Nov 13, aims to promote global climate governance through joint efforts.

The launch event, hosted by the Ministry of Ecology and Environment and the Shandong Provincial People's Government, was supported by the Shandong Provincial Foreign Affairs Office, the Shandong Provincial Department of Ecological Environment, and the Yantai Municipal People's Government.

Representatives from China, island nations, and international organisations attended and voiced their support for the initiative, according to a statement.

With over 50,000 islands worldwide facing shared challenges due to climate change, the need for an international organisation dedicated to supporting islands sustainability has become urgent.

Yantai City mayor, Zheng Deyan called on global island stakeholders to unite under the initiative to contribute to both sustainable development and global climate campaigns.

The International Zero-Carbon Island Cooperation Organization, the world's first international organisation dedicated to zero-carbon islands, will focus on enhancing the climate resilience of islands, strengthening infrastructure and disaster response capabilities, and promoting mutual assistance in the sharing of emergency relief supplies.

The organisation aims to explore zero-carbon pathways, build clean energy systems, promote green buildings, transportation, and communities, and foster the development of low-carbon industries such as modern marine fisheries, modern agriculture, and low-carbon tourism.

It will also protect ecological resources, strengthen the protection, development, utilisation, research, and management of island resources, and enhance academic and cultural exchange among islands.

-- BERNAMA

EAACI To Kick Off World Anaphylaxis Awareness Day Amplifying Life-saving Allergy Education

KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 14 (Bernama) -- The European Academy of Allergy and Clinical Immunology (EAACI) announced the inaugural World Anaphylaxis Awareness Day on Nov 21.

This landmark initiative, held on the opening day of FAAM-EUROBAT 2024 in Athens, Greece, seeks to raise awareness and promote essential steps in preventing and managing anaphylaxis, a severe, potentially life-threatening allergic reaction, according to EAACI in a statement.

With this initiative, we hope to empower individuals, families, and healthcare providers with the knowledge and tools to prevent and respond to anaphylaxis. This is an essential step toward improving patient care and reducing the impact of this serious health condition,” said EAACI President, Dr Maria Torres.

FAAM-EUROBAT 2024, EAACI’s renowned Food Allergy and Anaphylaxis Meeting, will run until Nov 23, featuring global leaders in allergy research and care, in which World Anaphylaxis Awareness Day will serve as a key moment within the conference to highlight EAACI’s commitment to patient safety and allergy awareness.

Anaphylaxis affects approximately one to two per cent of the global population, with incidents on the rise worldwide. This severe allergic reaction demands immediate medical intervention and often stems from exposure to common allergens, including specific foods, insect stings, medications, or latex.

Despite the risks, awareness of anaphylaxis symptoms, causes, and emergency responses remains low. World Anaphylaxis Awareness Day addresses these knowledge gaps and fosters a global understanding of this critical health issue.

Through various educational activities, World Anaphylaxis Awareness Day will underscore the importance of prompt emergency responses and preventive measures.

In conjunction with this day, EAACI will also release “A Practical Guide for Patients”, a comprehensive resource developed to support patients and caregivers in understanding, managing, and preventing anaphylactic reactions.

This guide offers practical insights on identifying triggers, using adrenaline auto-injectors correctly, and creating personalised action plans to manage risk in everyday life.

-- BERNAMA

Third-annual "One Duck Creek-India Inclusion Summit" To Kick Off In Mumbai

KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 8 (Bernama) -- Duck Creek Technologies, the intelligent solutions provider defining the future of property and casualty (P&C) and general insurance, will host its third-annual “One Duck Creek-India Inclusion Summit” in Mumbai.

According to a statement, this two-day event focuses on creating a workplace where inclusion, belonging, and well-being actively thrive as part of Duck Creek’s dedication to fostering a diverse, resilient workforce.

“The One Duck Creek-India Inclusion Summit embodies our commitment to fostering a workplace where everyone feels valued and empowered. As we gather in Mumbai, we are reminded of the strength that comes from uniting diverse voices, experiences, and talents.

“This summit not only reinforces our dedication to creating an inclusive culture but also serves as a catalyst for deeper collaboration and innovation across our organisation and within the technology community in India,” said its Vice President of Engineering, Gowri Sivaprasad.

The summit features immersive panels, networking opportunities, and hands-on cultural celebrations, including a Diwali event, aligning with the company’s mission to develop an environment where every individual feels supported, valued, and engaged both personally and professionally.

Building on the success of last year’s event, this year’s Inclusion Summit delves into meaningful discussions led by Duck Creek’s DEI Advisory Board, Employee Experience Council, Employee Resource Groups and other key One Duck Creek programmes within the company.

In addition, Duck Creek’s Executive Leadership Team will host a town hall to share the company’s updates and encouraging open dialogue across the organisation.

The Duck Creek Gives Back Event invites attendees to support the Life Lab Foundation, whose mission is to combine learning with play, and inspire a new generation of learners.

-- BERNAMA

SHANGHAI VOLUNTARY LOCAL REVIEW UNVEILS CHINESE SUSTAINABLE URBAN DEVELOPMENT PRACTICES

KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 5 (Bernama) -- The 2024 Shanghai Voluntary Local Review to mark the World Cities Day shared practices and experiences of mega and super-sized cities in promoting sustainable development with the world.

Themed “Inclusiveness · Low-carbon · Growth”, the 2024 Shanghai Voluntary Local Review undertakes a comprehensive assessment of eight priority review targets, according to Shanghai Coordination Center of World Cities Day.

The eight targets are Zero Hunger; Gender Equality; Clean Water and Sanitation; Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure; Sustainable Cities and Communities; Climate Action; Life Below Water; as well as Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions.

According to a statement, the report presents key initiatives and exemplary cases of Shanghai's practices in the field of sustainable development from various perspectives.

During the United Nations Sustainable Development Summit on Sept 25, 2015, all 193 member states signed the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, which outlined 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) covering the economic, social, and environmental aspects.

In response to the invitation from UN-Habitat, Shanghai initiated its voluntary local review in 2021, in which the Shanghai Voluntary Local Review currently has achieved comprehensive review covering all 17 SDGs.

The local review offers a logical framework for the strategic vision for urban development and the sustainable development goals of Shanghai.

It systematically reviews the measures and progress made in various areas of promoting urban sustainability in Shanghai and consistently introduces local cases of sustainable development.

-- BERNAMA

PANGEA LAUNCHES TWO NEW ADVANCED MATERIALS

Pulvera & Verita Offer Industry-Leading Luxury with Reduced Environmental Impact 


ROCHESTER, Mich., Nov 6 (Bernama-GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Pangea, a leading innovator in sustainable materials for the automotive industry, proudly announces the launch of two groundbreaking products: Pulvera and Verita. These advanced automotive leathers represent a bold step in Pangea's ongoing commitment to sustainability and responsible manufacturing practices, aligning with the company's vision of creating eco-friendly materials that meet the needs of a changing world.

In 2024, Pangea's global teams set out to design a new class of leather materials specifically for the automotive industry. These products are not only nearly 90% bio-based in their finished state but also actively divert materials from landfills, dramatically reducing waste in an innovative way.

“Nothing Replaces Real: Charting the Path to a Zero-Waste Future”
As part of the Pangea Corporate Trend Show series, Pangea introduced "Chart the Path," a key chapter in the company's sustainability journey. Engaging with customers, Pangea outlined how durable, natural materials are transforming the automotive industry while aligning with global sustainability goals. The highlight of the series was the launch of Pulvera and Verita, two new product offerings that set new benchmarks for lower environmental impact, innovative recycled chemistry, and reduced Global Warming Potential (GWP).

Introducing Pangea Pulvera: Ecological Leather with a Circular Process
Pulvera is a full-bodied leather that embraces a circular manufacturing process. By incorporating a recycled compound made from buffing waste, Pulvera significantly reduces its environmental footprint. This unique process, which utilizes water and renewable energy, transforms leather waste into a valuable resource that replaces nearly half of the chemicals used in dyeing and softening the leather.

• Renewable Chemistry: 29% of all chemicals used
• Recycled Chemistry: 37% in the retanning process; 16% of all chemicals overall
• Environmental Impact: Global Warming Potential (GWP) impact up to 40% lower than traditional retanning processes

Pulvera stands out as a luxurious, sustainable material that exemplifies Pangea's commitment to eco-friendly innovations in automotive interiors.

Introducing Pangea Verita: Lavish, Compostable Leather with Low Environmental Impact

Pangea Verita elevates the art of leather craftsmanship by creating a compostable substrate through an alternative metal-free tanning process. This semi-aniline material highlights the natural beauty of the animal hide with minimal coating, emphasizing its unique characteristics while maintaining a lower environmental footprint.

• Renewable Chemistry: 45% of all chemicals used
• Global Warming Potential (GWP): Up to 12% lower than standard chrome-tan substrates
• Biogenic Carbon: 92% bio-based as a finished product

Verita's innovative design and sustainable chemistry enable a higher biogenic carbon content, enhancing its alignment with a circular economy and reducing its overall impact on the environment.

Building a Sustainable Future with Bio-Based Materials
Pangea's new products, Pulvera and Verita, showcase how high bio-based content materials can revolutionize the automotive industry without compromising performance. With traditional Pangea leathers already achieving 80-85% bio-based content, Pulvera and Verita push these boundaries further, reaching up to 92% bio-based in their end products.

These advancements reinforce Pangea's belief that leather, as a natural and highly renewable material, plays a vital role in creating a more sustainable future for the automotive industry. By increasing the use of bio-based resources, Pangea is dedicated to reducing the carbon footprint of its products and contributing to a healthier planet.

About Pangea

Pangea is a global leather supplier to the world’s leading automotive brands, providing sustainable solutions that drive the future of interiors. Headquartered in Rochester Hills, Michigan, Pangea serves its customers on four continents with 3,000 team members. For more information, visit www.pangeamade.com, and follow us on LinkedIn.

Media Contact

Jacquelyn Smith, Pangea
248-436-2200
jsmith@pangeamade.com


Media Attachments 

Photos accompanying this announcement are available at

https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/f2c32e02-b825-4e44-b87b-5fcfbc759fb9

https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/cfcc917f-8319-4571-abc1-dcaf4ace7bd1

https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/15726cd1-c6fc-4161-ba24-17c08a2649d8

A video accompanying this announcement is available at

https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/0f84f732-42fd-47eb-8f17-dd74c3bfdb4a    


SOURCE : Pangea

ICEF2024: INITIATIVE TOWARDS GREEN TRANSFORMATION REALISATION

KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 30 (Bernama) -- The 11th Annual Meeting of the "Innovation for Cool Earth Forum" (ICEF2024) that took place in Tokyo, Japan, on Oct 9-10, gathered approximately 1,700 participants from 93 countries and regions.

Held as a hybrid event with online sessions, it is an initiative of "Tokyo GX Week" toward realisation of green transformation (GX) for transition to a clean energy-based economy, society and industrial structure, leading to decarbonisation and economic growth.

Organised by the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI) and the New Energy and Industrial Technology Development Organization (NEDO), ICEF2024 featured 13 sessions.

According to a statement, ICEF2024 is an international forum where world leaders from industry, academia and government discuss technological innovation, which holds the key to address global warming.

In the keynote sessions, the speakers presented a dialogue, lectures and a video message, focusing on innovation, which is necessary to advance toward the achievement of carbon neutrality as the world continues to confront various difficulties.

In each session, the focus was on green innovation, which will be the key to solving the problem of global warming, under the main theme of “How to Live within the Planetary Boundaries of Green Innovation”.

The topics discussed included planetary boundaries and the energy transition, climate change stabilisation technologies such as carbon dioxide removal, hydrogen readiness and nuclear energy.

In addition, a draft of the "Artificial Intelligence (AI) for Climate Change Mitigation 2.0" version roadmap was also released, while the final roadmap will be released at COP29, taking place in the Republic of Azerbaijan on November this year.

-- BERNAMA

APO Unveils Green Productivity 2.0 At 65th Workshop Meeting Of NPO Leaders

 

_{(Photo: Business Wire)}

KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 28 (Bernama) -- The Asian Productivity Organization (APO) convened its 65th Workshop Meeting (WSM) of Heads of National Productivity Organizations (NPOs) in Nadi, Fiji from Oct 23 to 25.

Hosted by the Government of Fiji, this annual event gathered 51 NPO Heads and advisers from 19 APO members to outline the future of sustainable productivity in the region, with a focus on Green Productivity (GP) and artificial intelligence (AI).

The inaugural session was honoured by the presence of Fiji’s Deputy Prime Minister, Manoa Seru Nakausabaria Kamikamica, who emphasised the unique challenges island nations face in balancing economic growth with urgent climate action.

According to a statement, a highlight of this workshop was the launch of the APO Green Productivity 2.0: The Road Ahead report.

Japan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) Science and Technology Advisor and member of the APO GP Advisory (GPA) Council, Professor Yoichiro Matsumoto presented the evolution of the GP concept since its inception by the APO in 1994.

The report offers a forward-thinking roadmap for governments, businesses, and individuals to adopt GP 2.0 strategies, merging productivity with environmental responsibility.

Presentations from experts, including GP 2.0 Technical Working Group Chair, Dr Chin-Hsu Lin, and representatives from the Korea Development Institute (KDI) and MOFA Japan, emphasised how integrating GP and AI can foster sustainable growth in the region.

At the Welcome Dinner hosted by APO Chair 2024-2025 and Director for Fiji, Jone Maritino Nemani, Fiji President, Ratu Wiliame Maivalili Katonivere, delivered a keynote speech and called for greater international cooperation to combat climate change as well as emphasised the role of GP in driving sustainable development.

The WSM also featured a strategic planning session where NPO Heads discussed programme plans for 2025 and 2026, in which these plans focus on supporting APO members in leveraging GP and AI to address pressing productivity challenges and shaping the organisation’s strategic transition post-Vision 2025.

As the region faces ongoing global challenges, the 65th WSM reinforced the APO’s leadership in driving socioeconomic growth and strengthening the collective resolve of member economies to champion sustainable development for a greener, more prosperous future.

-- BERNAMA

TRIBE PAYMENTS EXPANDS INTO APAC WITH NEW SINGAPORE OFFICE

Building on European success, Tribe Payments targets the fast-growing Asia-Pacific market

LONDON, Oct 24 (Bernama-BUSINESS WIRE) -- Tribe Payments, the pioneering digital payments and infrastructure orchestrator that specialises in issuer and acquirer processing, announces the opening of its Singapore office. The move comes as part of Tribe’s strategic expansion into the Asia-Pacific (APAC) region, signalling its ongoing commitment to delivering world-class digital payment solutions across global markets.

To lead its efforts in this dynamic region, Tribe has appointed payments industry veteran Matt Weir as General Manager – Asia Pacific.

Tribe already serves over half a dozen clients in the region, and this physical expansion into APAC follows a period of significant growth across Europe and Asia. The new office in Singapore will serve as a hub to support banks, fintechs, and financial institutions across the region who want to tap into the company’s innovative payment platform.

Tribe’s platform, renowned for its agility and scalability, is designed to deliver customised financial services at speed, enabling clients to adapt quickly to the ever-changing digital payments landscape.

Matt Weir brings with him extensive global payments experience, having lived and worked across Europe, the Middle East, and Asia for over two decades.

His career spans both the issuing and acquiring sides of the industry, with a successful track record of driving growth and developing payment strategies in corporate environments, such as at JCB, Visa, and Euronet, and at fintech companies, including EedenBull and Praemium.

Having been based in Singapore for the past 17 years, Matt is well-positioned to lead Tribe’s expansion into the region. His deep understanding of the APAC payments landscape, its cultural nuances, and his extensive network of senior industry contacts will all play a pivotal role in establishing Tribe's presence. 

http://mrem.bernama.com/viewsm.php?idm=49599

EBC FINANCIAL GROUP EXPANDS PARTNERSHIP WITH DINAPOLI'S LEADING INDICATORS, REVEALING KEY STRATEGIES FOR NAVIGATING BLACK SWAN EVENTS

TAIPEI, Taiwan, Oct 22 (Bernama-GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- EBC Financial Group (EBC), in partnership with DiNapoli Experts, is proud to host ‘Harnessing the Power of DiNapoli Indicators to Conquer Black Swan Events,’ an exclusive gathering that brought together financial experts, traders, investors, and economic strategists to explore key strategies for navigating volatile markets. This event, part of EBC’s broader commitment to thought leadership in finance, offered critical insights not only for traders but for those seeking a deeper understanding of global financial trends, including the impacts of geopolitical tensions, inflation, and the evolving role of technology in market prediction.

Operating across global financial hubs such as London, Hong Kong, Tokyo, Singapore, and Sydney, EBC Financial Group is regulated by major international bodies, including the UK’s FCA, CIMA in the Cayman Islands, and ASIC in Australia. These credentials underscore the Group’s mission to deliver sound, ethical, and transparent financial services across key markets.

With markets facing challenges from geopolitical instability, rising inflation, and shifting monetary policies, EBC’s commitment to investor empowerment and education stands firm. The discussions provided participants with exclusive insights into managing risk and seizing opportunities in global markets, and attendees engaged with some of the industry’s top experts, gaining hands-on insights into critical factors influencing today’s global markets.

Building on the momentum from the successful signing ceremony in Thailand, where EBC Financial Group solidified its partnership with DiNapoli’s Leading Indicators, the Taiwan event marks a key milestone in EBC’s ongoing mission. Through this collaboration, EBC is empowering traders with advanced tools to navigate Black Swan events.

Global Instabilities Threaten Market Stability: Insights from David Barrett
David Barrett, CEO of EBC Financial Group (UK) Ltd, issued a stark warning about the growing economic fragility facing global markets. Speaking to an audience of financial professionals, Barrett highlighted that the Federal Reserve’s recent rate cuts have unsettled bond markets, exposing deep vulnerabilities in the global financial system. While the U.S. equity market has enjoyed a brief rally, Germany’s economic downturn threatens to spiral into a wider Eurozone crisis, Barrett explained. 

http://mrem.bernama.com/viewsm.php?idm=49575

Xsolla Partners IT Park Uzbekistan To Unlock New Level In Game Development

KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 16 (Bernama) -- Global video game commerce company, Xsolla has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with IT Park Uzbekistan to advance the gaming industry in Uzbekistan.

This MoU formalises the collaboration between the two organisations and establishes a path toward launching the Xsolla IT Park Academy in 2025, with the aim to train local talent and create new opportunities for game production and development within Uzbekistan’s growing industry.

“We believe this collaboration is a pivotal step in developing the gaming industry in Uzbekistan. The Game Development Academy will serve as a cornerstone for cultivating the next generation of developers and innovators, and we look forward to seeing how this initiative will contribute to the region’s growth,” said Xsolla Chief Strategy Officer, Chris Hewish.

Meanwhile, IT Park Uzbekistan Executive Director, Abdulakhad Kuchkarov said: “With Xsolla's expertise and our commitment to nurturing talent, we are confident this partnership will unlock new opportunities for local and global gaming communities.”

According to Xsolla in a statement, this MoU outlines several vital objectives and plans for supporting game development in Uzbekistan, including an Incubator and Accelerator to foster innovation.

The collaboration aims to create jobs within the gaming sector, positioning Uzbekistan as a hub for game development by 2030, in addition to exploring opportunities to support local and global studios via Xsolla's platform, focusing on regional growth and international collaboration.

This partnership builds upon Xsolla’s strategy to bring game development education to Central Asia and the Middle East following the opening of the Xsolla Curine Academy in Kuala Lumpur, in April of this year.

The collaboration marks an exciting chapter in the development of the gaming industry in the region, as IT Park and Xsolla will drive innovation, create sustainable growth, and establish Uzbekistan as a player in the global gaming market.

-- BERNAMA

WORLDLINE AND FINBOTSAI TEAM UP TO PUT AI CREDIT MODELLING IN THE HANDS OF FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS

SINGAPORE, Oct 15 (Bernama-BUSINESS WIRE) -- The collaboration will bring an AI-powered solution to help financial institutions level up their lending business through a no-code SaaS model that puts the ownership of credit modelling in the hands of Worldline’s clients of all sizes globally. The FinbotsAI solution will enable financial institutions to develop & deploy credit scorecards with powerful artificial intelligence and machine learning algorithms that are embedded across the value chain; from data to decisioning, for both individual and business lending.

CreditX blends the best of traditional and AI/ML modelling enabling credit risk modelers to quantum-build scorecards that are based on the modeler’s choice of data and parameters. The human-centered AI design enables credit modelers to develop scorecards rapidly, leveraging AI to enhance the accuracy of each scorecard, all at a fraction of today’s costs.

Sanjay Uppal, CEO & Founder of FinbotsAI - “We are delighted to partner with Worldline, a global payments leader, to take our AI innovation to the world. Backed by over six years of research and accreditation from Singapore regulators Monetary Authority of Singapore and Infocomm Media Development Authority towards building trustworthy Artificial Intelligence, CreditX’s human-centered design enables lenders to confidently harness the power of AI in their transformation journey.”

Noel Chow, CEO & COO of Worldline Financial Services, APAC - "We are excited about our partnership with FinbotsAI. We believe that our collaboration will help our clients to enhance their credit assessment processes and capitalize on new opportunities.” 

http://mrem.bernama.com/viewsm.php?idm=49516

NX GROUP BRAND NEW MOVIES HIGHLIGHT SUCCESSFUL LOGISTIC SOLUTIONS

KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 15 (Bernama) -- Nippon Express Holdings Inc (NXHD) has released two new brand movies, namely "NX welcomes cargo-partner" and "Meet NX Group: Connecting the World", on Oct 4.

These brand movies are available in English, Japanese and Chinese on the NX Group’s website and its official YouTube and LinkedIn accounts and will be aired worldwide through CNN programmes and commercials, according to a statement.

"NX welcomes cargo-partner" introduces the warehouses and offices of cargo-partner GmbH, an Austrian logistics company that became part of the NX Group in January this year, alongside beautiful images of the country’s scenery.

The movie highlights the enhanced ability of the NX Group, which has been expanding globally since its founding in 1937, to provide high-quality, sustainable end-to-end logistics solutions to an even greater number of customers with the addition of cargo-partner to the group.

Meanwhile, "Meet NX Group: Connecting the World" illustrates the nature and strengths of the group as a logistics enterprise. Its track record and techniques in handling such invaluable treasures as the Venus de Milo, the Mona Lisa, and frozen mammoths are depicted together with NX Group employees active worldwide.

The video embodies the group's corporate message of "We Find the Way" on delivering new value worldwide through logistics.

The NX Group will continue helping develop societies on a global scale by connecting people, companies, and communities through logistics to realise its customers' aspirations in creating a new future.

Established in Japan, the NX Group is a world-leading logistics provider with over 73,000 professionals in more than 50 countries and regions. Its holding company, NXHD is listed on the Prime Market, the highest tier of the Tokyo Stock Exchange.

-- BERNAMA

SambaNova Collaborates With Canvass To Provide Complete AI Platform In South Asia, EMEA

 

KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 11 (Bernama) -- SambaNova Systems has teamed up with Canvass AI (Canvass), a leader in generative artificial intelligence (GenAI) enterprise solutions, to drive fast adoption of vertically-integrated AI Solutions, inference and training to South Asia and Europe, Middle East, and Africa (EMEA).

In a statement, SambaNova Chief Growth Officer, Su Le said enterprises face mounting pressure to fast-track AI initiatives as the AI market evolves.

“Our goal is to deliver the fastest, most advanced vertically-integrated AI inference and training solutions to customers. Teaming up with Canvass AI in South Asia and EMEA will help us achieve that goal,” he said.

Meanwhile, Canvass Chief Executive Officer, Humera Malik said: “Our disruptive integrated solutions provide quick access to new revenue opportunities, operational efficiencies, and measurable sustainability outcomes through AI.”

SambaNova and Canvass will deliver a complete AI platform, combining SambaNova's AI hardware and software capabilities with Canvass’ AI solution to verticalise AI deployments, including AI agents, vertically-integrated AI Solutions, pre-built AI workflows, and tools for clients.

Headquartered in Palo Alto, California, SambaNova is a GenAI company with the fastest models and most advanced chips, founded in 2017 by industry luminaries, and hardware and software design experts from Sun/Oracle and Stanford University.

-- BERNAMA

GLOBAL GREEN INDUSTRY LEADERS UNITE AT ECO EXPO ASIA 2024

^{Global Green Industry Leaders Unite at Eco Expo Asia 2024 (Photo: Business Wire)}


HONG KONG, Oct 10 (Bernama-BUSINESS WIRE) -- Eco Expo Asia 2024, jointly organised by the Hong Kong Trade Development Council and Messe Frankfurt (HK) Ltd and co-organised by the Environment and Ecology Bureau of the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, will launch from 30 October to 2 November at the AsiaWorld-Expo in Hong Kong, with the online matching services “Click2Match” available from 23 October – 9 November.

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20241008755831/en/
 

Eco Expo Asia promises to be an unparalleled opportunity for industry players, government officials, academics and the public to engage with the latest advancements in sustainability and green technology. Running under the theme of “Fostering Green Innovations for Carbon Neutrality”, Eco Expo Asia will once again gather the leading players from across a wide variety of green industries to help create a more sustainable future.

This year's event will feature a diverse array of exhibitors from Mainland China, Hong Kong, Southeast Asia, Europe and America, showcasing cutting-edge technologies and solutions in new energy, green transportation, green finance and ESG-related services, waste management and circular economy, water treatment, and more. These solutions mark a significant milestone in promoting the proliferation of innovative energy technologies and energy-efficient solutions that shape the energy landscape towards a more sustainable and low-carbon future.

Several provinces and cities, including Guangdong, Guangzhou, Shenzhen, Guangxi, Hunan, Shanghai, Inner Mongolia and the newly participating Anhui, will be represented with pavilions at this year’s edition. These regions will present innovative technologies aimed at addressing critical environmental challenges. International group participation is equally robust. In addition to the return of Canada, Finland and the Netherlands, the newly joined Norway further enriched the global dialogue on sustainability.

The renowned Eco Asia Conference and the fifth Hydrogen Economy Forum will feature government officials, industry leaders and experts from various countries, to share their insights on key topics including sustainability and green technology. Government officials from ASEAN and Belt and Road countries, such as Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Sri Lanka and Vietnam are participating and showing their support to the conference.

The expo will open its doors to the public on the last day to promote green living, visitors can participate in environmental workshops, seminars, green mart and ESG Job Hub.

Register Now for Your FREE e-Badge- ：https://tinyurl.com/dxdynbn7

Website: https://tinyurl.com/yc3f3cmh

View source version on businesswire.com: 
https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20241008755831/en/

Contact

Media enquiries:
Please contact HKTDC's Exhibitions Department:
Ken Tsang / Kitty Wang
Tel: (852) 22404136 / 22404874
Email: ken.mc.tsang@hktdc.org / kitty.yc.wang@hktdc.org

Source : Hong Kong Trade Development Council

GLOBAL MAYORS EXCHANGE IDEAS IN HANGZHOU ON SUSTAINABLE URBAN DEVELOPMENT

AsiaNet 0200430

HANGZHOU, China, Oct. 1, 2024 /Xinhua-AsiaNet/--

No matter the distance, true friendship knows no boundaries. In the golden autumn of September, when the sweet fragrance of osmanthus fills the air, the Global Mayors Dialogue · Hangzhou and the 9th Hangzhou International Sister City Mayors Conference kicked off in Hangzhou.
 
Mayors and representatives from 24 cities in 15 countries and regions, along with diplomats from their respective embassies and representatives from domestic relevant departments and cities, attended the forum, according to the people's government of Hangzhou.
 
With a focus on urban governance and sustainable development, mayors from both domestic and international cities engaged in in-depth dialogues, sharing advanced experiences in urban governance and contributing their wisdom to promote global urban sustainable development.
 
In the 13th century, Italian explorer Marco Polo traveled a long distance to reach the distant East and was deeply captivated by Hangzhou, a renowned city on the southeast coast of China. In his travelogue, Hangzhou was hailed as "the finest and the noblest in the world."
 
As time passes, Hangzhou has become a city featuring both ancient streets and alleys adorned with blue bricks and black tiles and a modern metropolis landscape with towering skyscrapers.
 
Leveraging its rich historical and cultural heritage and thriving digital economy, Hangzhou showcases how an ancient yet modern city can coexist harmoniously, leading the way in global urban sustainable development trends.
 
"West Lake may be compared to Beauty Xi Zi, whether she is richly adorned or plainly dressed." Yao Gaoyuan, mayor of Hangzhou, vividly depicts the city's characteristics as being suitable for living, suitable for business, and suitable for tourism.
 
"Hangzhou is a city where once you arrive, you won't want to leave, and even after leaving, you will yearn to return," Yao said.
 
Yao shared the exploration and practices of Hangzhou in areas such as digital innovation and urban governance, ecological civilization and urban sustainable development, as well as cultural heritage and humanistic exchanges.
 
Digital empowerment has boosted urban governance in Hangzhou, making the city smarter and its governance more efficient.
 
By constructing a digital city brain and utilizing technologies such as cloud computing, big data, and advanced modeling, Hangzhou has achieved real-time monitoring and efficient scheduling of urban traffic. It can now instantly perceive the traffic volume, vehicle speed, and congested areas, allowing for precise traffic guidance and effectively improving the intelligence and precision of urban governance.
 
Yao also cited the case of the governance and conservation practices of Thousand Island Lake in Chun'an County in southwest Hangzhou, to illustrate the city's experience in balancing economic development and environmental protection.
 
Leveraging its abundant natural water resources, Chun'an County has cultivated a water beverage industry cluster, led by Nongfu Spring, which has significantly contributed to annual output value and tax revenue. At the same time, Thousand Island Lake has become a popular tourist destination, attracting millions of visitors. This remarkable transformation truly embodies the concept that lush mountains and lucid waters are invaluable assets.
 
Hangzhou is equally dedicated and sparing no effort when it comes to the preservation and inheritance of cultural heritage.
 
Hangzhou's economic development goes hand in hand with the preservation and prosperity of its culture, never losing sight of the city's cultural essence.
 
As a city with a rich historical and cultural heritage, Hangzhou boasts three world cultural heritage sites. In 2011, the West Lake cultural landscape was inscribed on the list. In 2014 and 2019, the Grand Canal of China and the Liangzhu Archaeological Site also earned the prestigious honor.
 
Behind the successful inscriptions lies the city's decades-long persistence and efforts.
 
Hangzhou has consistently highlighted holistic preservation, systematic inheritance, and innovative development. It has fostered a consensus and awareness throughout society about the importance of protecting historical and cultural heritage. By integrating ancient cultural heritage with urban development, Hangzhou breathes new life into its heritage, sparking vitality and rejuvenation.
 
This year marks the 45th anniversary of Hangzhou's establishment of its first international sister city relationship. Over the past 45 years, the city has upheld openness, inclusiveness, mutual benefit, and win-win cooperation, engaging in friendly exchanges and cooperation with sister cities with fruitful outcomes in international cooperation.
 
Particularly in the past 16 years, Hangzhou has hosted nine editions of the Hangzhou International Sister City Mayors Conference, resulting in a series of practical cooperation achievements. The conference has become an essential platform for Hangzhou to share governance experiences and discuss urban development with sister cities, bridging the gap between the city and the rest of the world.
 
So far, Hangzhou has established friendly relations with 31 international sister cities and maintained friendly exchanges with 42 cities around the world.
 
From hosting the G20 Hangzhou Summit, the Hangzhou Asian Games and Asian Para Games, to events like the Global Digital Trade Expo and the Liangzhu Forum, and now the Global Mayors Dialogue · Hangzhou and the 9th Hangzhou International Sister City Mayors Conference, Hangzhou is embracing the global stage with an open and inclusive attitude.
 
The eastern Chinese city looks forward to contributing more of its wisdom and solutions for the sustainable development of global cities, and continuing to write a new chapter of brilliance in the future.
 
Source: The People's Government of Hangzhou

BUSINESSNEXT Snags 2024 Best Perks & Benefits Award From Comparably

KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 25 (Bernama) -- BUSINESSNEXT, a universe of composable enterprise solutions for banks and financial services, announced it has won the “2024 Best Perks & Benefits Award” from Comparably.

With this win, BUSINESSNEXT becomes the only Indian-origin company that has secured a spot among the top 150 global firms celebrated for employee satisfaction, according to a statement.

“This recognition, based on employee surveys, reflects our continued dedication to ensuring our employees thrive both personally and professionally, and it reinforces the culture of care we strive to maintain every day.

“The 2024 Best Perks & Benefits Award from Comparably further emphasises BUSINESSNEXT’s position as a leading employer, and showcases our value of “We Care” as well as our continued commitment to employee well-being,” said its Director of People and Development, Lipika Mohanty.

This award is based on anonymous feedback from employees on Comparably.com, which evaluates the company’s efforts on various employee workplace, benefit, and wellness parameters.

The recognition and award highlight BUSINESSNEXT’s commitment to fostering a supportive and enriching work environment and celebrates its comprehensive offerings that contribute to employee satisfaction, well-being, and an unparalleled workplace culture.

From competitive benefits to unique perks, the company’s focus on employee-centric policies has helped it stand out in the industry.

Operating in 14 countries across five continents, BUSINESSNEXT serves over one million users across 65,000 branches and call centres, as well as manages one billion customers worldwide.

-- BERNAMA

TAINAN MASCOT "HĀNG-Á NIAU" DEBUTS IN SHINJUKU, TOKYO

 

Starting from September 21st, “Hāng-á Niau” can be seen at YUNIKA VISION in front of Seibu-Shinjuku Station in Tokyo as the finale of the Tainan 400 promo campaign. (Photo: Business Wire) TAINAN,Taiwan, Sept 26 (Bernama-BUSINESS WIRE) -- With the Tainan 400 promotion campaign coming to an end, a commercial featuring Tainan’s adorable mascot “Hāng-á Niau” (Taiwanese for “Alley Cat”) is played on the lively streets of Shinjuku in Tokyo, Japan. From September 21st (Sat.) to 27th (Fri.), the cute mascot can be seen in the promotional video “Hāng-á Niau Invites You to Tainan” at YUNIKA VISION in front of Seibu-Shinjuku Station in Tokyo, one of the busiest station in Japan with a daily traffic of 770,000 passengers on average. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240923425430/en/   The mascot “Hāng-á Niau” takes after the legendary creature qilin, with a lightning pattern on its tail to symbolize good luck. The design is inspired by the rat-catching cats kept on trading ships during the Age of Discovery. The origin not only echoes the historical significance of Tainan 400, but also highlights the cultural inclusiveness of that time. In addition, the patterns on “Hāng-á Niau” also incorporate Tainan’s unique architectural characteristics and historical contexts. Earlier from August 13th to 18th, the Cultural Affairs Bureau of Tainan City Government had the “Tainan 400” promo video broadcast in the center of Paris (France), Times Square in New York City (USA), and New Balance Gangnam in Seoul (South Korea). This time, the mascot “Hāng-á Niau” takes center stage in Japan and will surely attract more international tourists to Tainan and experience its profound culture. View source version on businesswire.com:  https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240923425430/en/ Contact Ms. Ivory Cheng Email: ivory0923@gmail.com Source : Tainan City Government

CHINA’S GUIZHOU GAINS FROM UNESCO-LISTED RICE-FISH-DUCK ECOSYSTEM

KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 23 (Bernama) – Congjiang County, southwest China's Guizhou Province, home to many ethnic groups, inherits an ancient and charming traditional Chinese agriculture, vast expanses of mountain slopes carved into rice paddies where rice, fish and ducks flourish in co-existence.

The agricultural feat of growing one season of rice, keeping a batch of fish and raising a batch of ducks in the same rice paddy has been inherited for thousands of years in Congjiang, according to a statement.

The rice-fish-duck ecosystem in the county was listed as a pilot project for the protection of the Globally Important Agricultural Heritage Systems (GIAHS) in 2011 and became the first batch of important agricultural cultural heritages in China in 2013.

The rice fields provide natural food for fish and ducks, who in turn, remove pests and weeds from the fields, greatly reducing the use of pesticides and herbicides. Also, fish and duck dung provides natural organic fertiliser for rice, where rice, fish and ducks are harvested from one rice field at the same time.

The county has made full use of the rice-fish-duck ecosystem, protecting the agricultural cultural heritage and helping local people get rid of poverty and achieve rural revitalisation at the same time.

During the 15th conference of the Parties to the United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity held in Canada in December 2022, the rice-fish-duck ecosystem in Congjiang County demonstrated to the world the ancestral wisdom of farming and biodiversity conservation experiences of local people for thousands of years.

In 2023, the ecosystem in Congjiang was collected and recognised for its excellence during the fourth call of the Global Solicitation on Best Poverty Reduction Practices.

Congjiang County boasts Kam Rice of China, a special kind of rice that has been domesticated for thousands of years by the local Dong people in Guizhou. With ethnic groups accounting for 90 per cent of its population, the county is home to rich and colourful ethnic cultures and reputed as the national ecological cultural gene park.

During the harvest season in autumn, rows of golden rice hang in the villages, reshaping a beautiful landscape.

-- BERNAMA

ZYCUS NAMED A LEADER IN SUPPLIER VALUE MANAGEMENT PLATFORMS BY INDEPENDENT RESEARCH FIRM

Report states: “Zycus excels with its Merlin GenAI capabilities for its SVM suite.”

MELBOURNE, Australia, Sept 18 (Bernama-BUSINESS WIRE) -- Zycus, a leading provider of GenAI-powered Source-to-Pay solutions, today announced that it has been recognized as a Leader in The Forrester Wave™: Supplier Value Management (SVM) Platforms, Q3 2024. We believe Zycus’ position as a leader in this prestigious report highlights its commitment to innovation and customer success.

The 9 vendors evaluated were rated on 33 criteria covering current offering, strategy, and market presence with Zycus receiving the top score in the strategy category. Zycus also received the highest possible score in 10 criteria including Vision and Innovation. 

The report specifically notes:

· “Zycus uses its exceptional understanding of customer demand to offer a comprehensive SVM suite with a strong go-to-market approach and vision.”
· “Zycus has a compelling vision for the SVM space, and its innovation and strategy tie into this, allowing it to win new clients.”

“Zycus is an ideal partner for organizations seeking an SVM platform that emphasizes product innovation and demonstrates strong customer centricity,” states the report authored by Forrester Senior Analyst, Jeffrey Rajamani.

Forrester’s recognition comes on the heels of Zycus’ success in creating the world’s first GenAI-powered SVM Solution Suite.

“Being named a Leader in the Forrester Wave™ for SVM Platforms is, for us, a testament to our innovation and dedication to meeting customer needs over 2 decades,” said Aatish Dedhia, Founder & CEO of Zycus. “Our vision for the future of procurement is to continuously evolve and enhance our solutions through cutting-edge GenAI capabilities.”

For more information on Zycus’ Supplier Value Management Suite and its position in the Forrester Wave™, click here.

About Zycus:
Zycus is the leader in Source-to-Pay (S2P) solutions, pioneering the world’s first Generative AI (GenAI) powered platform that helps procurement achieve 10X speed and efficiency. It has been a trusted partner of choice for large global enterprises for over two decades and is consistently recognized by leading industry analysts for its organically built, composable and extensible source-to-pay suite.

Its Merlin GenAI Suite automates tactical tasks, empowering procurement teams to focus on strategic initiatives. Additionally, it offers one-of-its-kind conversational AI, Merlin Assist, for business users, integrated with Microsoft Teams to streamline intake management with a user-friendly experience.


View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240917561642/en/

Contact

Arnish Shah
Associate Director – Marketing
arnish.shah@zycus.com 

Source : Zycus 

--BERNAMA

Unmasking Future Beauty Trends - NIQ

KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 13 (Bernama) -- NielsenIQ (NIQ) in its recent Global Beauty Innovation Report revealed that Personal Care Brands embracing innovation in 2023 are 2.5 times more likely to see overall sales growth, compared to those with stagnant or declining innovation sales.

According to the report, strong innovations attract new buyers, create new usage occasions, justify price premiums, and keep brands top of mind, where 20 per cent of 2023 innovation launches in Europe were in skin and hair care categories.

Its Vice President, Global Client Development, Claire Marty said the beauty industry's global popularity continues to rise, with industry sales maintaining a double-digit growth rate across all regions and is expected to bring an increase in scale of US$300 billion over the next decade. (US$1=RM4.33)

“Despite increasing caution in consumer spending, consumers are less willing to cut back on their beauty expenditures compared to other FMCG products, with 80 per cent indicating they intend to maintain or increase their spending in this area,” she said in a statement.

The study found that brands delivering strong products can see a significant upside, with an average first- year volume increase of 30 per cent compared to their less successful counterparts, whereas effective activation leads to a 20 per cent lift in ad-driven sales, especially when creative elements are optimised.

This underscores the importance of having both a great product and ensuring that the marketing and promotional efforts are well-executed and resonate with the target audience.

Breakthrough trends accelerating innovation in the beauty industry from the findings include clean and sustainable focusing on ethical sourcing, eco-friendly packaging, and reducing carbon footprints, where in South Korea, clean beauty has become a lifestyle choice.

Moreover, global consumers are shopping with an ‘ingredients first’ mindset, prioritising products based on their ingredient lists. For instance, the United Kingdom’s consumers prioritise results and efficacy over brand names.

Meanwhile, celebrities, dermatologists, and influencers are also shaping beauty decisions via social media, to which the number of Key Opinion Leaders (KOLs) exceeds 20 million and is growing, while 80 per cent of actual sales come from merely seven per cent of KOLs in China.

Other advanced trends include personalisation and inclusivity; wellness focused; as well as direct-to-consumer products and at-home beauty treatments that surged in popularity during COVID-19.

Trends such as luxury for all reflects the growing availability of high-quality products at affordable prices. Democratisation of luxury is driven by innovative brands offering exceptional products rivalling high-end counterparts.

-- BERNAMA