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Best Mart 360 Interim Results, Revenue recorded double-digit growth

Proposed an interim dividend of HK11.0 cents per share


Highlights:

  • Revenue increased by approximately 10.6% to approximately HK$1,393.7 million as compared with the Corresponding Period Last Year.
  • Gross profit increased by approximately 11.6% to approximately HK$507.9 million as compared with the Corresponding Period Last Year, gross profit margin increased to approximately 36.4%.
  • Profit attributable to owners of the Company increased by approximately 6.2% to approximately HK$122.6 million as compared with the Corresponding Period Last Year.
  • As at 30 June 2024, the Group operated a total of 175 chain retail stores, representing a net increase of 8 stores during the Period under Review
  • Basic earnings per share was approximately HK12.3 cents. The Board recommended the payment of interim dividend of HK11.0 cents per share.


Financial Highlights:

For the 6 months ended 30 Jun
HK$’000 2024 2023 Change
Revenue 1,393,691 1,260,244 +10.6%
Gross profit 507,938 455,147 +11.6%
Gross profit margin 36.4% 36.1% +0.3 p.p.
Profit attributable to owners of the Company 122,567 115,445 +6.2%
Interim dividend per share
(HK cents)
11.0 8.0 +37.5%

HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach Newswire – 27 August 2024 – Best Mart 360 Holdings Limited (“Best Mart 360” or the “Company”, together with its subsidiaries, the “Group”; stock code: 2360.HK), a leading leisure food retailer in Hong Kong, announced its interim results for the six months ended 30 June 2024 (“the Period under Review”). As the Company changes the financial year end date from 31 March to 31 December, the interim results of the Company covered a six-month period from 1 January 2024 to 30 June 2024 and the corresponding comparative figures covered a six-month period from 1 April 2023 to 30 September 2023. Thus, the comparative figures may not be fully comparable.

During the Period under Review, the revenue recorded by the Group amounted to approximately HK$1,393,691,000, representing an increase of approximately 10.6% as compared to approximately HK$1,260,244,000 for the six months ended 30 June 2023 (the “Corresponding Period Last Year”). Profit attributable to owners of the Company amounted to approximately HK$122,567,000 during the Period under Review (for the six-month period ended 30 June 2023: approximately HK$115,445,000), representing the period-on-period increase of approximately 6.2%.

During the Period under Review, gross profit and gross profit margin of the Group were approximately HK$507,938,000 and 36.4%, representing an increase of approximately 11.6% and 0.3 percentage points, as compared to gross profits of approximately HK$455,147,000 and gross profit margin of approximately 36.1% for the Corresponding Period Last Year, respectively. The increase in gross profit and gross profit margin for sales was mainly due to the Group’s continuous review and adjustment of sales tactics as well as product mix and cost optimization.

During the Period under Review, basic earnings per share of the Group was approximately HK12.3 cents. The Board recommended the payment of interim dividend of HK11.0 cents per share.

BUSINESS REVIEW
CHAIN RETAIL STORES
As at 30 June 2024, the Group operated a total of 175 chain retail stores, including 168 chain retail stores in Hong Kong and 7 chain retail stores in Macau, respectively. During the Period under Review, the Group follows its store optimisation strategies, which include improving the stocking arrangement, product display and shop appearance, etc., to provide a better shopping experience and enhance the brand image. The Group is persevering its search for stores in various districts to extend its retail coverage.

The Group launched a new global wine and food shop “FoodVille” in 2021, which focuses on medium-to-high-end global quality food products, including fine wines from around the world, premium chocolates, health food, frozen food, western sauces and ingredients, etc., in order to cater to the market’s pursuit of a high quality of life and broaden the Company’s customer bases. As at 30 June 2024, the Group operated 7 shops under the relevant retail brands.

For the six months ended 30 June 2024, the ratio of rental expense (on cash basis) to sales revenue of the Group’s retail stores was approximately 9.5%.

THE PRODUCTS
During the Period under Review, the Group adhered to its global procurement policy by sourcing a broad spectrum of products worldwide to provide a diversified range of choices for customers. For the six months ended 30 June 2024, the Group has sold more than 1,150 brands and over 3,237 stock keeping units (“SKUs”) of products in total, offering customers a diversified range of choices. The Group continues to optimise its product portfolio, phasing out older items to make room for the latest products and flavours, to stay abreast of changes in customer demands.

In order to enrich our product mix, enhance the effectiveness of control over product qualities and supplies and increase profitability, the Group continued to actively develop its private label products during the period. For the six months ended 30 June 2024, sales derived from private label products amounted to approximately HK$234,630,000 (for the six months ended 30 September 2023: approximately HK$192,986,000), accounted for approximately 16.8% of the Group’s overall revenue for the Period under Review.

The Group had a total of 11 private labels and 228 SKUs of products during the Period under Review, including masks, canned Chinese delicacies, cereals, milk, honey, nuts and dried fruits as well as a wide range of leisure food products.

MEMBERSHIP SCHEME AND MARKETING & PROMOTIONAL ACTIVITIES
As at 30 June 2024, the number of the Group’s registered fans and members was approximately 2,214,680 (30 September 2023: approximately 2,087,700). The number of mobile app members has reached approximately 1,112,031 (30 September 2023: approximately 980,000) as of 30 June 2024.

The Group conducted various marketing and promotional activities during the period which provided customers with a series of special offers for selected quality products from time to time to express our gratitude for our customers’ support and to enhance customer loyalty. Meanwhile, the Group continued to advertise in an all-round manner through television, newspapers, social media platforms and other media, which successfully obtained repeat customers, attracted new customers and greatly promoted the discussions about the Group in the market.

EMPLOYEES
As at 30 June 2024, the number of full-time and part-time employees of the Group was 1,313 (30 September 2023: 1,226). In order to retain staff and to suitably incentivise employees of the Group so as to increase staff cohesion and loyalty, the Group regularly reviews and updates its employee benefit plans and remuneration packages with reference to labour market supply and labour cost trend, as well as individual performance. Staff costs (excluding Directors’ emoluments) of the Group for the six months ended 30 June 2024 accounted for approximately 10.0% of revenue (for the six months ended 30 September 2023: approximately 9.1%).

OUTLOOK
Since last year, to boost the economy, the Hong Kong Government has been promoting the mega-event economy with a view to attracting tourists to Hong Kong by organizing a number of mega-events. However, the Group expects that the retail market will remain sluggish in the short term, and that the market environment will continue to be challenging due to factors such as the high interest rate environment and geopolitical tensions, the local and global economies being in a counter-cyclical state, coupled with the continuous increase in the number of outbound travel of Hong Kong people and the rise of the northbound consumption trend. The Group will closely monitor market changes and make prompt adjustments to its business strategies. We will strictly control costs and expenses, enhance operational efficiency and explore different development opportunities, so as to maximise returns for shareholders and investors.

With the further opening up of cities under the Individual Visit Scheme by the Mainland China from May 2024, visitor arrivals to Hong Kong is expected to increase, hopefully driving a gradual improvement in the local economy. The Group will continue to look for suitable opportunities to expand the shop network of its major retail brand “Best Mart 360˚ (優品360˚ )” and its global wine and food shop “FoodVille” to cater the diversifies demands of different customer segments for quality food products under our “dual-brand” model , while stay on monitoring the operation of the existing stores and make timely adjustments to its operation strategies when necessary.

The Group remains committed to uphold its business mission in offering products with the “Best Quality” and “Best Price” to its customers. We will continue to broaden our supply channels, optimise our sales categories and strive for price competitiveness to attract repeat customers. We will deepen the extension of our business-to-business (B2B) food wholesale business, further enriching the Group’s revenue streams. Furthermore, the Group will endeavor to develop its private label products, aiming not only to satisfy market demand for daily necessities but also to provide customers with a broader range of choices.

Looking ahead, the Group will adhere to a prudent approach to steadily expand our business footprint, maintaining our leading position in the Hong Kong leisure food retail market. Meanwhile, we will proactively explore opportunities for business expansion both in the Mainland China and overseas, thereby delivering stable and sustainable returns for our shareholders.

Hashtag: #BestMart360 #優品360 #InterimResults #中期業績

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

Best Mart 360 Holdings Limited

Best Mart 360 Holdings Limited, mainly operates chain retail stores under the brand “Best Mart 360˚”. It offers wide collection of imported prepackaged leisure foods and other grocery products, principally from overseas. The Group’s business objective is to offer “Best Quality” and “Best Price” products to customers through continuous efforts on global procurement with a mission to provide comfortable shopping environment and pleasurable shopping experience to customers. As at 30 June 2024, the Group operates 175 retail stores that are strategically located at 18 districts in Hong Kong and Macau. In addition, the Group’s new global gourmet store, “FoodVille”, was officially opened in September 2021, which mainly provides globally sourced medium-to-high-end quality food products.

China’s Unmanned Retailing Leader Ubox Signs Partnership MoU with Siwar Foods


RIYADH, SAUDI ARABIA – Media OutReach Newswire – 27 August 2024 -Beijing Ubox Online Technology Co., LTD. (“Ubox“) (SEHK stock code: 02429.HK) is pleased to announce the signing of a strategic partnership Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Siwar Foods Co., LTD. (“Siwar”) in Saudi Arabia. This collaboration will introduce advanced unmanned retailing technology for ready-to-eat (RTE) food to major cities in Saudi Arabia, including Riyadh, Jeddah, Mecca, and Medina, significantly enhancing the shopping experience for consumers.

China's Unmanned Retailing Leader Ubox Signs Partnership MoU with Siwar Foods

Navigator Consulting, as the strategic advisor for UBOX in the Middle Eastern market, facilitated this signing and collaboration.

Introducing Advanced Unmanned Retailing to Saudi Arabia

The partnership between Ubox and Siwar aims to deploy state-of-the-art unmanned vending machines across Saudi Arabia, bringing innovation and convenience to the retail sector. Ubox’s extensive experience in unmanned retail operations and supply chain management in Mainland China will contribute to Saudi Arabia’s technological progress, economic development, and the growth of local employment opportunities.

Expertise and Market Insights Driving Growth

Operating within one of the world’s most developed food industries, Ubox has built a wealth of business data and operational expertise, particularly in product selection, pricing, distribution, and replenishment. These insights will ensure a seamless and efficient shopping experience for Saudi consumers, tailored to local preferences, and will actively support the growth of the local market.

Delivering Affordable and Diverse Food Choices

In collaboration with Siwar, Ubox will leverage China’s extensive and cost-effective food industry, combined with its own supply chain management expertise, to introduce a variety of affordable, exotic, and diverse RTE food options. This initiative will expand culinary choices for Saudi consumers, offering new and exciting flavors to the region.

Ubox: Innovating Unmanned Retail

Ubox’s unmanned vending machines offer a wide range of fast-moving consumer goods (FMCGs), including bottled drinks, snacks, and freshly brewed coffee. The machines are equipped with advanced AI technology that enables intelligent identification of goods and provides convenient payment options such as face recognition, QR code scanning, and NFC. By the end of 2023, Ubox had nearly 60,000 machines deployed across 28 provinces in Mainland China, serving various locations including offices, tourist attractions, schools, hospitals, sports venues, and transportation hubs.

In 2023, Ubox generated revenue of 2.034 billion yuan (approximately SAR 1.072 billion) from its unmanned retail operations, demonstrating the effectiveness of its business model and the increasing demand for automated retail solutions.
Hashtag: #Ubox

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

About Ubox

Beijing UBOX Online Technology Corp is a China-based company specializing in smart retail, with a primary focus on its Unmanned Retail Business Segment. This segment facilitates the distribution of products, including bottled beverages, snacks, and freshly brewed coffee, through advanced vending machines. The Company also offers a comprehensive suite of services, including advertising and system support, merchandise wholesale, vending machine sales and leases, as well as additional services such as mobile device distribution and karaoke booth operations.

About Siwar

, based in Riyadh, is a prominent RTE frozen food producer supplying over 480 outlets across Saudi Arabia, including wholesalers, hotels, restaurants, and catering companies. Expanding into digital retailing, Siwar now operates more than 120 vending machines throughout the region.

Labdork Badminton Academy Triumphs at 23rd Beerlao Championship

Labdork Badminton Academy Triumphs at 23rd Beerlao Championship
Medalists Celebrate Success at 23rd Badminton Championship (Photo Credit: Vientiane Times)

The 23rd Beerlao Badminton Championship concluded in Vientiane on 25 August, with the Labdok Badminton Academy emerging victorious once again. The Academy clinched five gold medals across various events, maintaining their title from last year.

Porsche Design and Ananda Development Debut Asia’s First Porsche Design Tower in Bangkok


BANGKOK, THAILAND/STUTTGART, GERMANY – Media OutReach Newswire – 27 August 2024 – Porsche Design has announced a collaboration with Thai real estate developer Ananda Development to create the Porsche Design Tower Bangkok. The ultra-luxury residence, located on Sukhumvit 38, is aimed at ultra-high net-worth individuals and will be the first of its kind in Asia and the third globally. The project features 22 exclusive duplex and quadplex ‘Sky Villas’ ranging from 525 to 1,135 square meters, with an average price of USD 15 million and up to USD 40 million. Construction is set to begin next year and complete by the end of 2028.

Porsche Design and Ananda Development Debut Asia's First Porsche Design Tower in Bangkok

The partnership between Porsche Design and Ananda Development combines design excellence with engineering prowess to create a future landmark. Lutz Meschke, Deputy Chairman of the Executive Board at Porsche AG, stated that the project fits into Porsche’s approach to offer exclusive experiences to discerning customers and marks a significant step for Porsche in South Asia.

Stefan Buescher, Chairman of the Executive Board of Porsche Lifestyle Group, emphasized the design philosophy of optimizing function while uncompromisingly reducing the form to the essentials. Chanond Ruangkritya, President and CEO of Ananda Development, expressed his enthusiasm for the collaboration, highlighting the shared passion for excellence.

Unique features of the Porsche Design Tower Bangkok include “Passion Spaces” – luxury garages for residents’ car collections, and “The Loop” – a spiral access ramp for cars leading directly to the “Passion Spaces”. The façade features a fully automated terrace door system, allowing a seamless blend of outdoor and indoor living. Another architectural highlight is the exposed pedestal structure called “X-Frame”. The top of the tower is embellished by “The Crown” – a light signature inspired by Porsche sports cars creating a landmark in Bangkok’s skyline. The tower also offers a 25-meter swimming pool, a fitness center, a spa, a social lounge, and a business lounge.

For more information, visit pdtowerbangkok.com.

Hashtag: #PorscheDesign #AnandaDevelopment

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

About Porsche Design:

In 1963, Professor Ferdinand Alexander Porsche created one of the most iconic design objects in contemporary history: the Porsche 911. Following his vision to take the principles and myth of Porsche beyond the automotive world, he created the exclusive lifestyle brand Porsche Design in 1972. His philosophy and design language can still be seen in all Porsche Design products today. Every Porsche Design product stands for extraordinary precision and perfection, boasts a high level of technological innovation and seamlessly combines intelligent functionality and puristic design. Created by Studio F. A. Porsche in Austria, our products are sold worldwide in Porsche Design stores, high-end department stores, exclusive specialist retailers and the official online store ().

For regular updates on Porsche Lifestyle, please follow:
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About Ananda Development:

Ananda Development Public Company Limited is a leader in condominium development in prime locations along Bangkok Skytrain routes. Ananda’s projects are distinguished by their style, modernity, and outstanding quality at reasonable prices. The company offers well-known brands such as IDEO, IDEO MOBI, and Ashton. Ananda is committed to developing its corporate image while continually presenting solutions for new urban lifestyles. For more information, please visit .

ISCA Forms New Partnerships with Singapore Institute of Management and PSB Academy to Develop Accountancy Talent

SINGAPORE – Media OutReach Newswire – 27 August 2024 – To further enhance the accountancy talent pipeline in Singapore and abroad, the Institute of Singapore Chartered Accountants (ISCA) has signed Memorandums of Understanding (MOUs) with SIM Global Education, one of the core entities of the Singapore Institute of Management (SIM), and PSB Academy.

Under these agreements, undergraduates pursuing accountancy at SIM Global Education and PSB Academy will be empowered to kickstart their professional journey to becoming a Chartered Accountant of Singapore [(CA) Singapore] and connect with the wider accountancy community through ISCA. The benefits accorded to students of both institutions cover a wide range of areas:

  • Undergraduates from selected accounting degrees from both institutions will be eligible to pursue the SCAQ foundation level exams during their final year of studies. This will allow them to focus better on kickstarting their careers upon graduation.
  • Students can be awarded up to five exemptions for examination papers, out of the six in total required to progress through the programme. This will accelerate their journey to be a Chartered Accountant, reducing the time previously required by up to half.
  • Upon completing the foundation level of SCAQ, they will be awarded the ISCA Professional Business Accountant (PBA) title.
  • For students living in Singapore, ISCA will support them through career placements with ISCA’s wide network of Accredited Training Organisations (ATOs), comprising more than 500 corporates in Singapore. This will also benefit ATOs, in addressing the manpower crunch faced in recruiting talent.
  • For overseas students returning home, ISCA will continue to nurture their interest to continue pursuing the SCAQ Professional Programme back in their home countries, to guide them towards attaining the CA (Singapore) designation. The students will be supported by ISCA wide network in 12 cities in 9 countries.


The two MOUs were signed earlier today
by ISCA CEO Ms Fann Kor and representatives from the respective universities, SIM’s Interim President and CEO Professor Wei Kwok Kee, and PSB Academy CEO Mr Derrick Chang.

SIM Chairman and Distinguished Lifetime Member of ISCA Ms Euleen Goh said, “SIM is committed to equipping our students with the knowledge and skills necessary to thrive in their future careers. We hope students will seize this opportunity to grow and take on challenges as future talents of the industry.”

“At PSB Academy, we recognise that in today’s interconnected global landscape, accountancy plays a critical role in driving transparency, trust, and growth across industries,” said Mr Viva Sinnah, Executive Chairman of PSB Academy. “This prestigious affiliation with ISCA empowers our local and international students to excel in this vital field, positioning them to become key contributors to the global accountancy landscape. Through this partnership, we are cultivating a new generation of professionals who will uphold and advance the standards of excellence for which Singapore’s accountancy sector is renowned.”

Commenting on the partnerships, ISCA President Mr Teo Ser Luck said: “ISCA continues to enhance our partnerships with the Institutes of Higher Learning in Singapore and develop a sustainable pipeline of qualified chartered accountants. This year, there is renewed interest in the profession, resulting in nearly double the enrolment for SCAQ. Our new partnerships with SIM and PSB Academy will further strengthen the accountancy pipeline not just in Singapore but globally.”

Hashtag: #ISCA #SIM #PSBAcademy #Accountancy #SCAQ #CASingapore

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

Institute of Singapore Chartered Accountants

The Institute of Singapore Chartered Accountants (ISCA) is the national accountancy body of Singapore with over 36,000 ISCA members making their stride in businesses across industries in Singapore and around the world. ISCA members can be found in over 40 countries and members based out of Singapore are supported through 12 overseas chapters in 10 countries.
Established in 1963, ISCA is an advocate of the interests of the profession. Complementing its global mindset with Asian insights, ISCA leverages its regional expertise, knowledge, and networks with diverse stakeholders to contribute towards the advancement of the accountancy profession. Its Academy designs and develops professional development courses and programmes that equip accountancy and finance professionals on developing themes in business and specialisation areas such as sustainability reporting, financial forensics and corporate governance topics for directors.
ISCA administers the Singapore Chartered Accountant Qualification programme and is the Designated Entity to confer the Chartered Accountant of Singapore – CA (Singapore) – designation.
ISCA is a member of Chartered Accountants Worldwide, a global family that brings together the members of leading institutes to create a community of over 1.8 million Chartered Accountants and students in more than 190 countries.
For more information, visit .

First Cold-Chain Train Connects Yunnan with Vientiane

First Cold-Chain Train Connects Yunnan with Vientiane
A "China-Laos-Thailand" transportation train departs from Kunming City, southwest China's Yunnan Province (photo credit: CFP)

China has introduced its first refrigerated freight train service from Yunnan Province to Laos via the Lao-China Railway, marking a significant step in enhancing the efficiency of transporting perishable goods across the region.

Alarming Surge in AI-Driven Cybercrime in H1 2024

Trend Micro’s mid-year roundup report highlights resilience of threat actors


HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach Newswire – 27 August 2024 – Trend Micro Incorporated (TYO: 4704; TSE: 4704) a global cybersecurity leader, today warned that threat actors have bounced back from recent law enforcement efforts to unleash a new wave of attacks leveraging AI and other techniques.

Read the report “Pushing the Outer Limits: Trend Micro 2024 Midyear Cybersecurity Threat Report”: https://www.trendmicro.com/vinfo/hk/security/research-and-analysis/threat-reports/roundup/pushing-the-outer-limits-trend-micro-2024-midyear-cybersecurity-threat-report

Tony Lee, Head of Consulting at Trend Micro Hong Kong and Macau: “Trend Micro blocked over 75.9 billion threats for customers in the first half of the year, but there’s no time for complacency. As malicious actors begin to embrace AI as a tool, industry must respond in kind, by designing security strategies to take account of evolving threats. This is an arms race we can’t afford to lose.”

As detailed in the mid-year roundup report, the threat from malicious actors remains acute despite successful law enforcement actions against LockBit (Operation Cronos), dropper malware networks (Operation Endgame), and unsanctioned use of Cobalt Strike (Operation Morpheus).

A big cause of concern is criminal use and abuse of AI. Trend Micro has observed threat actors hiding malware in legitimate AI software, operating criminal LLMs, and even selling jailbreak-as-a-service offerings. The latter enable cybercriminals to trick generative AI bots into answering questions that go against their own policies—primarily for developing malware and social engineering lures.

Also in H1 2024, cybercriminals have been ramping up deepfake offerings to carry out virtual kidnapping scams, conduct targeted BEC-type impersonation fraud, and bypass KYC checks. Trojan malware has been developed to harvest biometric data to help with the latter.

Other highlights from the first half of 2024 include:

  • LockBit remains the most prevalent ransomware family despite law enforcement disruption, and has even developed a new variant, LockBit-NG-Dev
  • Cybercriminals have leveraged major events such as the Olympics and national elections to launch targeted attacks
  • Notable APT campaigns have exploited geopolitical tensions, such as Earth Lusca’s campaign around the China-Taiwan relations
  • State-aligned actors used sophisticated techniques to compromise internet-facing routers for anonymization of targeted attacks
  • Various groups have targeted cloud environments, apps and services by abusing exposed credentials, dangling resources, vulnerabilities, and even legitimate (but misconfigured) tools

Hashtag: #trendmicro #securityreport #threatreport #cybersecurity




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

Trend Micro

Trend Micro, a global cybersecurity leader, helps make the world safe for exchanging digital information. Fueled by decades of security expertise, global threat research, and continuous innovation, Trend Micro’s AI-powered cybersecurity platform protects hundreds of thousands of organizations and millions of individuals across clouds, networks, devices, and endpoints. As a leader in cloud and enterprise cybersecurity, Trend’s platform delivers a powerful range of advanced threat defense techniques optimized for environments like AWS, Microsoft, and Google, and central visibility for better, faster detection and response. With 7,000 employees across 70 countries, Trend Micro enables organizations to simplify and secure their connected world.

Government Considers Increasing Employee Allowances to Counter Rising Costs

Lao Minister Proposes New Employment Law to Safeguard Workers' Rights and Boost Job Market
the Minister of Labor and Social Welfare Ms. Baykham Khattiya meet up with workers at a garment factory in Laos (photo: KPL)

To address the growing cost of living, the Lao government is considering a proposal to raise allowances for employees in enterprises. This topic is on the agenda at the cabinet’s August meeting, which commenced on 26 August.

In Laos, where labor costs are generally low, employees are struggling with high inflation rates that have diminished their purchasing power. In July, inflation was reported at 26.10 percent, a slight decrease from June’s 26.15 percent, according to the Bank of Laos. Since May 2022, inflation has remained in the double digits and hit a peak of 41.26 percent in February 2023.

Prime Minister Sonexay Siphandone emphasized the urgency of tackling critical issues, including economic and financial challenges, education, labor shortages, and the impact of natural disasters. The government is targeting a reduction in inflation to single digits by year-end, though recent statements suggest this goal might be unattainable.

Economic strain has contributed to an increase in school dropouts and a shortage of domestic workers, with many seeking employment abroad. Additionally, high inflation and currency depreciation have eroded real wages.

The cabinet will also review the electricity pricing structure for 2024-2028 and consider several draft laws, including those related to residential buildings, the Bank of Laos, and independent auditing. The meeting will assess the cabinet’s August performance and outline plans for September.