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Taskforce Launches Fundraising Campaign to Combat COVID-19

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The Lao Government has opened a donation channel for all those looking to contribute financially to the fight against the outbreak of COVID-19.

UPCX Becomes the Main Sponsor for Coinfest Asia 2024

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SINGAPORE – Media OutReach Newswire – 3 May 2024 – UPCX (UPC), a developer of open-source blockchain payment systems, has announced that it will be the main sponsor of Coinfest Asia, which will be held in Indonesia on August 22-23, 2024. The event is expected to attract a wide range of participants including entrepreneurs, investors, government officials, and media from around the world, providing attendees with a direct interaction opportunity with top experts and enterprises in the cryptocurrency and blockchain sector.

UPCX Becomes the Main Sponsor for Coinfest Asia 2024
UPCX Becomes the Main Sponsor for Coinfest Asia 2024

UPCX’s Super App is a payment and financial services platform optimized with blockchain technology, offering high-speed payment solutions on par with existing financial institutions. As the main sponsor of Coinfest Asia, UPCX will showcase its revolutionary payment system that supports high-speed transaction settlements, financial smart contracts, multi-asset trading, and stablecoin issuance, among other features.

At that time, UPCX will showcase its unique payment system capabilities and products to attendees during the two-day conference. These features include User Issued Assets (UIA), Non-Fungible Assets (NFA), Decentralized Exchange (DEX), and the UPCX digital wallet, among other advanced payment solutions.

Koki Sato, Chief Marketing Officer of UPCX, stated, “We are extremely honored to be the main sponsor of Coinfest Asia. This event will gather over 6,000 practitioners from more than 60 countries, providing us with an excellent platform to showcase UPCX technology. We believe that our innovative payment solutions will significantly promote the application of blockchain technology in everyday business activities.”

As blockchain technology continues to mature and become more widespread, UPCX is committed to advancing this technological innovation for broader application in global payment and financial services. By being the main sponsor of Coinfest Asia, UPCX hopes to strengthen its connections with the global blockchain community and collectively push the future development of cryptocurrency and blockchain technology.
Hashtag: #UPCX

The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.

More about UPCX:

UPCX is a blockchain-based open-source payment platform designed to provide regulatory-compliant financial services to users worldwide. It supports quick payments, smart contracts, cross-asset trading, User Issued Assets (UIA), Non-Fungible Tokens (NFA), and stablecoins. Additionally, it offers a Decentralized Exchange (DEX), APIs, SDKs, customizable payment solutions, and integrates POS applications and enhanced security with hardware wallets, creating a comprehensive financial ecosystem.

Official website:
X:
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MasterBuilde Launches Upgraded Renovation and Maintenance Service Matching Platform for Chinese in the UK

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AI Technology Plays Big in Enhancing Communication Efficiency, Pair with Full-range Services and Handy Planning


MANCHESTER, UNITED KINGDOM – Media OutReach Newswire – 3 May 2024 – MasterBuilde (“the Company” or “the Platform”), the UK’s first-ever intelligent matching system for comprehensive household services specifically targeting the Chinese community, is pleased to launch its fully upgraded intelligent matching platform. The Platform aims to provide top-quality renovation, maintenance, and other household services for the Chinese community living in the UK, featuring cutting-edge AI technology and an integrated service mechanism that creates a safe and intuitive site for users and skilled handymen to communicate pricing, timeline, requirement, material selection, and essential awareness of municipal infrastructure regulations. This ensures that miscommunication or chaos in typical renovation and maintenance cases can be adequately resolved, preventing disputes and protecting the common interests of users.

MasterBuilde is designed specifically for Chinese who have moved to the UK. Through rigorous screening, the platform provides users access to contact experienced and reputable professionals in household construction. The various services offered by the Platform include regular annual inspections of gas-fired and electric boilers inside the home, as well as maintenance, installation, design and decoration, heating system repair, electrical system, plumbing and faucet maintenance, roof cleaning, painting projects, lock replacement, aluminium windows and doors, moving and relocation support, home cleaning, and all other types of household miscellaneous services. The platform has a rating system allowing users to browse and acknowledge all the registered handypersons’ resumes, previous works, mastered languages, and expertise. Furthermore, its built-in blocklist can prohibit poorly rated contractors from accepting orders and tendering quotes, promising to provide users with quality and trustworthy services. The matching process is straightforward: users access the website, select their desired service items, and enter basic information for registration. The system will then automatically match them with a suitable handyperson or contractor in a flexible and intuitive manner.

It is worth mentioning that the platform has recently introduced innovative AI technology, allowing users to ask intelligent chatbots detailed questions and inquire about basic information, such as UK renovation regulations and standards, and how to coordinate different stages seamlessly to facilitate the overall project planning. Afterwards, homeowners can match contractors according to their demands and liberty and directly obtain quotes.

Ray, the founder of MasterBuilde, said, “After moving to the UK. Some relatives and friends often lament that the biggest inconvenience of their overseas life is finding a dependable handyman. Home renovation is a very complex and cumbersome work for ordinary homeowners as laymen; clearly describing their trouble can be challenging enough, let alone considering the expertise and preferences of multiple handypersons or contractors. The typical scenario is that after a phone call, they may feel the site is too far away, the case is too complicated, or there may be communication difficulties, all of which can lead to unresolved housing problems. As a result, much time and effort are spent searching for the right service provider and obtaining quotations instead of solving the housing issues. The application of technology, especially AI, has been vigorously developed during the pandemic. Therefore, I have decided to integrate this advanced technology into our matching platform to help solve the obstacles faced by overseas Chinese in decoration, maintenance, and other relevant household aspects. That’s how MasterBuilde finally came to light.”

Alex Chiu, Chief Technical Officer of MasterBuilde, added, “The Platform’s core function is to provide users with superior household services while leveraging the advanced technology to make the entire communication process smoother, more efficient and convenient. Our platform not only presents comprehensive services that cover all aspects of daily life but also introduces the latest AI technology to facilitate end-to-end communication between users and contractors. We are committed to forging MasterBuilde, the most preferred household service platform for the Chinese community in the UK.”

Hashtag: #masterbuilde

The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.

About MasterBuilde

MasterBuilde is an innovative AI-powered household service matching company based in the UK, specialising in first-rate services for the Chinese community. Our matching platform strictly screens, headhunts, and connects experienced and reputable renovation professionals with homeowners, ensuring smooth communication and reliable service. The Platform recently introduced innovative AI tools to facilitate end-to-end communication between users and contractors, enhancing overall efficiency.

MasterBuilde is committed to being the most acclaimed household service platform for the Chinese community in the UK.

For more information, please visit the official website:

Promoting Hong Kong as a Regional Philanthropic Hub through Co-Creation

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Emerging Trends in Asian Philanthropy and Impact Investment: Opportunities and Challenges


HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach Newswire – 3 May 2024 – Hong Kong is renowned for its rich history of philanthropy and caring culture. It is widely recognized as one of the most vibrant and promising cities in the field of philanthropy and charity services. The HKSAR government actively leverages Hong Kong’s unique advantages in philanthropy, asset management, and its role as a bridge between China and the world to promote Hong Kong as a regional philanthropic hub. The goal is to cultivate talent, attract philanthropic capital, and facilitate cross-sector collaboration through a collective platform.

Promoting Hong Kong as a Regional Philanthropic Hub through Co-Creation

The Hong Kong Council of Social Service (HKCSS) and the Hong Kong Financial Services Development Council (FSDC) jointly organized the policy dialogue and panel discussion on “Emerging Trends in Asian Philanthropy and Impact Investment: Opportunities and Challenges” at the “S+ Summit and Expo”. Stakeholders engaged in discussions on the vision in positioning Hong Kong as a regional philanthropic hub, cultivating thought leadership, integrating innovation and technology in building a collaborative ecosystem for sustained impact.

Speakers at the event included Prof. Roger King, Board Member, The Hong Kong Academy for Wealth Legacy; Mr. Hong-bo Tan, Deputy CEO, China Foundation Forum; Ms. Donna Tang, Executive Manager, Charities (Sports & Institute of Philanthropy), The Hong Kong Jockey Club; Ir. Prof. Alan Lam, CEO, Gravity Capital Partners Company Limited; and Mr. Patrick Brothers, CEO, HolonIQ. Their insightful perspectives provided valuable experiences and insights for the future development and positioning of Hong Kong in the philanthropy and public welfare sector.

Mr. Bernard Chan, Chairperson of HKCSS, stated, “The HKSAR government has proposed specific policy recommendations to promote Hong Kong as a regional philanthropic hub, such as providing tax reduction, transparent and effective donor-beneficiary matching, as well as increasing exchanges in the philanthropic sector. It is expected that there will be more and closer collaboration opportunities between the financial services industry and the social welfare sector. The ‘S+ Summit and Expo’ serves as a cross-sector collaborative platform, showcasing successful cases for reference and promoting knowledge and information sharing. With over 510 agency members, more than 4,000 caring companies from the business sector, 700 social enterprises, as well as close collaborations with the government, foundations, and professional sectors, HKCSS is actively driving the development of philanthropy in Hong Kong and the region.”

Ms. Angel Chia, Executive Director, Hong Kong Academy for Wealth Legacy (HKAWL), stated, “Hong Kong, as an international financial centre and one of Asia’s main asset and wealth management hubs, has a well-established financial system and a sound regulatory framework. Coupled with the government’s active promotion of Hong Kong as a global family office hub and the implementation of measures such as tax concessions for family offices, Hong Kong has unique advantages to become a global philanthropic hub. We hope to fully leverage the synergistic effect through cooperation between financial services and the social welfare sector and contribute to social welfare through projects in impact investing and social responsibility.”
Hashtag: #Philanthropy #HKCSS #FSDC #CoCreation #charity





The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.

The Hong Kong Council of Social Service

The Hong Kong Council of Social Service (HKCSS) is a statutory body established in 1947. Together with our Agency Members, we uphold social justice and equality in our mission to advance the well-being of the Hong Kong community. The HKCSS is committed to building an impact-oriented, collaborative and innovative social service sector, and co-creating a better society with stakeholders across different sectors. The HKCSS has over 510 Agency Members, with service units throughout Hong Kong, providing high-quality social services to those in need.

Spiritual Journeys on Cloth by Hmong Artist Tcheu Siong

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Spiritual Journeys on Cloth by Hmong Artist Tcheu Siong
A 56 year-old Tcheu Siong sewing her textile (photo: APT9)

The German Embassy, on 2 May, became a canvas for the artistry of Tcheu Siong, a 56-year-old Hmong textile artist from Luang Prabang Province. Her unique textiles, adorned with spirits and dreams, captured the imagination of guests from all walks of life, reflecting the journey from a young dreamer to a globally recognized talent.

Aspects traders need to know about the Japanese yen to trade better – Octa

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KUALA LUMPUR, MALAYSIA – Media OutReach Newswire – 3 May 2024 – Understanding the intricacies of the Japanese yen (JPY) is essential to excel in trading. It is recognisable by its symbol ¥ and holds immense importance in the Forex market as a major reserve currency due to its popularity in carry trades.

Octa

Impressively, it ranks as the third most traded currency, following only the U.S. dollar and euro. This popularity is thanks to favourable trading conditions, such as high liquidity and faster execution times. Moreover, market analyses and trading forecasts extensively cover the JPY, so traders have plenty of information to make informed decisions and seize trading opportunities.

JPY is a compelling asset to keep in mind, no doubt. And if you are planning a JPY trade at Octa, here’s what you should know.

Safe-haven status and risk sentiment

The yen is often considered a safe-haven currency, meaning it tends to increase in value during periods of global economic uncertainty or market turmoil. This status is due to Japan’s stable political environment, low inflation history, and current account surplus.

For instance, during the 2020 pandemic, financial markets experienced extreme volatility, and investors sought safety in the JPY, among other assets. This demand caused the JPY’s value to rise against other major currencies.

What’s important to note, though, is that the same safe-haven status can also lead to an overvaluation that negatively impacts Japan’s export-driven economy. The Japanese government and central bank may intervene to stabilise the JPY’s value. Therefore, it is better to diversify and not rely on the yen too much.

Economic indicators and events
Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth, employment rates, and inflation levels are key to assessing a country’s economic health.

This is how a trader would roughly analyse these factors: Japan’s GDP has been gradually growing when measured in yen but suffered if assessed in U.S. dollars due to the yen’s depreciation. Despite a shrinking population, per capita incomes are still rising even with a stagnant GDP. If inflation stays positive and interest rates keep going up, the yen is likely to get stronger.

The unique aspect of Japan’s economic data is the Takan Survey. It focuses on Japanese companies with a minimum capital requirement or those considered highly influential. They are asked about trends and economic conditions affecting their industry in the next quarter and year. Being released before Japan’s GDP data, the Takan Survey is seen as an early indicator.

Currency interventions and government policies

The Japanese government has specific policies regarding currency interventions and interest rates. For instance, the Ministry of Finance intervened in currency markets in the past by selling dollars from their foreign reserves to support the yen’s value. This intervention process, initiated by the finance minister and executed by the Bank of Japan (BOJ), tends to increase volatility in the yen’s value.

Japanese officials are very subtle. They closely monitor and occasionally hint at extraordinary actions to prevent excessive movements in the Forex market. They use statements like ‘We will not tolerate speculative movements’ or ‘We’re ready to take decisive action’ to guide market expectations.

Recently, the BOJ made an important policy shift by ending eight years of negative interest rates and raising the short-term policy rate from –0.1% to between zero and 0.1%. BOJ’s governor, Kazuo Ueda, said they will be careful, keeping an eye on the economy, and continue with policies that support growth without causing problems. If they raise interest rates in the future, it will be done slowly to avoid sudden changes.

Risk management and trade execution
Here are some other key aspects to consider when trading the yen:

  • JPY pairs have two digits less in their quotes compared to standard quotes.
  • Common JPY pairs include USDJPY, EURJPY, GBPJPY, and AUDJPY, known for their high volatility.
  • GBPJPY can move up to 200 points in a trading session.
  • The yen sees its major movements during the Asian trading session and is less affected by European news.
  • The European session is preferable for trading JPY pairs. The BOJ doesn’t intervene during this time, which reduces sudden price changes.
  • In addition to economic and political events, key factors to monitor are export and import volumes and energy prices.
  • The Japanese yen often correlates with global equity markets, especially the Nikkei 225 stock index. During times of market turbulence, the yen can strengthen as investors bring funds back into Japan.

Market dynamics of JPY pairs
USDJPY, known as The Gopher, is the second most traded currency pair globally. The best time to trade USDJPY is during the overlap of the London and New York sessions (12 p.m. and 4 p.m. UTC) for tighter spreads and increased volatility.

GBPJPY is also volatile and offers trading opportunities for short-term speculators. The most volatile times for GBPJPY are during the Asian and European sessions, particularly between 6:30 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. UTC. However, during the Euro-Asian overlap, trading activity may not always increase as expected, and it can be one of the slower parts of the trading day.

In 2024, the Japanese yen continues to be a vital currency in Forex trading and the global economy. While it can be tricky, traders must understand its dynamics to seize opportunities effectively. Also, they should be mindful of risks, such as how the Bank of Japan’s policies can influence the yen’s value and increase its volatility at specific times during the trading day, among other factors.
Hashtag: #Octa

The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.

Octa

is an international broker that has been providing online trading services worldwide since 2011. It offers commission-free access to financial markets and various services already utilised by clients from 180 countries with more than 42 million trading accounts. They provide free educational webinars, articles, and analytical tools to help clients reach their investment goals.

The company is involved in a comprehensive network of charitable and humanitarian initiatives, including the improvement of educational infrastructure and short-notice relief projects supporting local communities.

Octa has also won more than 70 awards since its foundation, including the ‘Best Educational Broker 2023’ award from Global Forex Awards and the ‘Best Global Broker Asia 2022’ award from International Business Magazine.

Laos Faces Economic Struggles Amidst Rising Inflation, Trade Deficit

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Patuxay Monument (Photo: Laotian Times)

Laos is grappling with ongoing economic challenges, marked by a dual struggle against rising inflation rates and a widening trade deficit.

Prince Holding Group Triumphs with Platinum at the 2024 Global CSR & ESG Awards

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Fourth Consecutive Win for Philanthropist Chen Zhi’s Prince Group as “Best in Cambodia” Award Highlights Ongoing CSR Excellence


PHNOM PENH, CAMBODIA – Media OutReach Newswire – 3 May 2024 – Prince Holding Group, one of Cambodia’s leading business groups, has been honored with the Platinum Award at the 16th Annual Global CSR & ESG Summit and Awards. This accolade, recognizing Prince Holding Group as “Best in Cambodia” for Country Excellence, underscores its steadfast commitment to corporate social responsibility (CSR).

The 2024 Global CSR & ESG Awards has presented the Platinum Award to Prince Holding Group in recognition of its comprehensive approach to CSR, highlighted by initiatives such as the Chen Zhi Scholarship Program. This program commits $2 million over seven years to support 400 university students in Cambodia.
The 2024 Global CSR & ESG Awards has presented the Platinum Award to Prince Holding Group in recognition of its comprehensive approach to CSR, highlighted by initiatives such as the Chen Zhi Scholarship Program. This program commits $2 million over seven years to support 400 university students in Cambodia.

Led by Chairman Neak Oknha Chen Zhi, Prince Holding Group has significantly advanced Cambodia’s economic and societal progress. Under his leadership, the Group’s commitment to CSR has profoundly impacted the local community.

Gabriel Tan, Chief Communications Officer at Prince Holding Group, expressed his gratitude for the award, stating, “We are truly grateful for this recognition, which reflects the collective efforts of our team and our robust partnerships throughout Cambodia. This accolade motivates us to deepen our engagement and continue fostering positive changes in the communities we serve.”

Tan also highlighted the Group’s key initiatives: “Our focus on education, community engagement, and fostering an inclusive culture is essential for realizing our vision of a prosperous, equitable future for all Cambodians.”

The Platinum Award acknowledges Prince Group’s holistic approach to CSR, especially notable in initiatives like the Chen Zhi Scholarship Program, which commits $2 million over seven years to support 400 university students in Cambodia. These students receive scholarships, internships, and professional development opportunities in diverse fields such as civil engineering, media and communications, and hospitality.

Additionally, Prince Foundation, the philanthropic arm of Prince Holding Group, has demonstrated a strong commitment to sports and cultural development in Cambodia.

In sports, the Foundation has supported several national teams, enhancing their training and competitive opportunities. Notably, the Cambodia Men’s National Volleyball Team received support that contributed to their historic silver medal win at the 32nd SEA Games hosted in Cambodia.

On the cultural front, the Foundation has sponsored events to preserve Cambodia’s heritage, such as the American Chamber of Commerce in Cambodia’s Charity Gala Dinner, which raised funds for the repatriation of Cambodian antiquities.

Another notable initiative is the Prince Horology Vocational Training Center, a world-class facility which trains Cambodian watchmakers in the art of Swiss-style watchmaking school.

With these initiatives, Prince Group continues to set standards for corporate responsibility in Cambodia and beyond. The Platinum Award at the 2024 Global CSR & ESG Awards not only acknowledges the Group’s contributions but also reaffirms its ongoing commitment as a responsible corporate citizen.

Prince Holding Group has been awarded the Best in Cambodia for Country Excellence Award for four consecutive years, starting in 2021.

Hashtag: #PrinceHoldingGroup #ChenZhi #ChenZhiScholarshipProgram

The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.

About Prince Holding Group

Prince Holding Group is one of Cambodia’s largest business groups, spanning across real estate development, financial services, and consumer services.

Prince Holding Group’s key business units in Cambodia include Prince Real Estate Group, Prince Huan Yu Real Estate Group, Prince Bank, and Awesome Global Investment Group. Via its subsidiaries, Prince Holding Group has over 100 businesses in Cambodia operating in real estate development, banking, finance, tourism, logistics, technology, food and beverages, lifestyle sectors, etc.

Leveraging a network of industrial, business, and financial professionals across Asia, Prince Holding Group is firmly committed to the long-term development of Cambodia.

Moving forward, Prince Holding Group will continue to seek out opportunities to play an important role in Cambodia through partnerships or direct investments into key industries for the betterment of Cambodians and the local economy.

About Prince Foundation

Prince Foundation, founded in 2015, is one of Cambodia’s leading philanthropic foundations. A member of Prince Holding Group, which is one of the largest business groups in Cambodia, the Foundation aims to work with local communities to build thriving living and working environments that elevate people’s well-being and livelihoods, following the vision: “Together, Building a Better Future for Cambodia.”

Focusing on education and youth development, healthcare, and community engagement and sports, and healthcare initiatives, Prince Foundation works with partners to deliver sustainable programs that enhance opportunities for Cambodia’s youths, build resilience in communities, and contribute to sustainable infrastructure.

The Foundation’s flagship projects are the Chen Zhi Scholarship, offering full scholarships, stipends, internships, and work opportunities to 400 Cambodian university students over a period of seven years, and Prince Horology, where aspiring Cambodian watchmakers learn the art of Swiss-style watchmaking in a state-of-the-art facility. Prince Foundation has launched more than 250 philanthropic initiatives, benefiting over 1.2 million people, with donations exceeding US$16 million.

Sumatran Orangutan Becomes First Wild Animal Seen Using Medicinal Plant to Treat Wound

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(Photo: ABC)

A Sumatran orangutan has become the first wild animal seen self-medicating with a plant to heal a wound.