Vietnam Electricity (EVN) has received proposals from seven wind farm investors in Laos aiming to sell electricity to Vietnam, totaling nearly 4,150 megawatts (MW).
Laos Makes Strides in Gender Parity, Ranks Fifth in Economic Participation, Opportunity in Global Gap Index 2023

Laos has achieved a new milestone in gender equality, securing the fifth position in the Global Gender Gap Index 2023 for “economic participation and opportunity,” but improvement is still required in other areas, according to the latest report.
Ambassador of United States Delivers Textbooks to Lao Schools, Bolstering Education Efforts
Children across the country are set to further improve their learning abilities through the continuous support of the “Learn to Read” project. Spearheaded by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), this project marks a crucial step in fortifying educational resources for young learners in Laos.
Wildflour Hospitality Group Secures KV Asia Capital Investment

Encouraged by the strong customer feedback and success of recent major restaurant openings in new prominent locations such as Alabang, Quezon City, and NAIA Terminal 1, as well as the re-opening and expansion of Pink’s in BGC, the company is targeting to open in at least 10 additional locations over the next 18 months with a number of exciting new brand concepts to be launched.
Wildflour is well-positioned to benefit from KV Asia’s regional footprint, with its growth story further bolstered by the breadth of KV Asia’s network within Southeast Asia. KV Asia’s partnership with Wildflour also signals strengthening investor confidence in the Philippines. With private consumption largely expected to drive economic growth, Wildflour is primed to continue building and gaining momentum in both the local and international dining scenes. A partnership with a leading regional private equity firm strengthens and boosts Wildflour’s regional recognition, opening its doors to other potential capital-raising opportunities.
Hashtag: #Business #Investment #Restaurant #FoodandBeverage #Wildflour #WildflourManila #KVAsiaCapital
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
About Wildflour Hospitality Group
Founded in 2012, Wildflour Hospitality Group is an award-winning premium casual restaurant operator in Manila, Philippines established to offer delicious and premium food with hospitality married with the perfect ambience at prime and highly accessible locations.
With more than 10 years of experience behind them, Wildflour currently has 18 branch locations across over 50 spaces with 8 brands such as Wildflour Restaurant, George & Onnie’s Filipino Restaurant, Wildflour Italian, Pink’s Burgers, Hotdogs and Shakes, and Farmacy Ice Cream and Soda Fountain, as well as newly launched brands such as Little Flour Café and Pizza Sisters, and soon-to-launch Kei Maki and Antica Osteria.
Wildflour continues to be the go-to destination restaurant group in the Philippines, frequented by both Filipinos and foreign visitors alike for its one-of-a-kind experience, diverse and creative menu selection, and steadfast dedication to being at the cutting edge of the local culinary scene.
Wildflour is also focused on creating value not only for its customers but its stakeholders and the advocacies it champions. The company partners and works with women farmers in Benguet and community farms in different parts of the Philippines for their fresh produce sourced on a daily basis. Environmental sustainability is also a focus for the company and it is proud to announce that it has shifted to using biodegradable materials in its packaging, minimization of food waste, and other eco-conscious practices incorporated into its operations.
For more information, please visit: https://wildflour.com.ph/
About KV Asia Capital
KV Asia Capital is a private equity fund focused on mid-market investments across Southeast Asia. Headquartered in Singapore with offices in Malaysia, Indonesia and Vietnam, the firm has a multi-year track record of successfully investing behind proven entrepreneurs and management teams and compelling business opportunities across a range of industries including consumer, education, healthcare, manufacturing and services.
With a strategy of driving improvements via operational value-add and ESG initiatives as well as dedicated strategy and execution support, KV Asia Capital works towards developing market leaders and driving profitable growth. Notable investments in the region include Asia Pacific Education, DXN Holdings, TF Value-Mart and GB Industries in Malaysia, Victoria Care in Indonesia and Bee Logistics in Vietnam.
For more information, please visit: https://www.kvasiacapital.com/
Laos Inflation Hits 25.35 Percent in February
Laos continues to face economic challenges as inflation rates reached 25.35 percent in February, up from 24.44 percent the previous month, according to a report released by the Lao Statistics Bureau on 29 February.
‘LV The Place Bangkok’ Opens as a New 360 Concept Including Store, Café, Restaurant and Exhibition at Gaysorn Amarin, Thailand

BANGKOK, THAILAND – Media OutReach Newswire – 1 March 2024 – Louis Vuitton unveils ‘LV The Place Bangkok’ at Gaysorn Amarin, a new destination concept that includes an immersive exhibition, café, store, and a restaurant from celebrated chef, Gaggan Anand. From the inspiring architecture to the dynamic scenography and original menu items, this experiential space invites visitors to discover the breadth of imagination and creation within the Louis Vuitton universe today.

Occupying two floors of the downtown retail complex, LV The Place Bangkok establishes a dream-like aura from its corner location where the façade is enhanced with giant diamond shapes that glow at night. From the inside, the space plays out as a multi-faceted integration of retail, dining and culture.
VISIONARY JOURNEYS
On the ground level is Visionary Journeys, a new exhibition that explores the Maison’s heritage like never before. The scenographic experience developed by globally renowned architectural firm OMA and Partner Shohei Shigematsu, marks the first instalment of OMA and Louis Vuitton’s collaborative partnership, imagining an architectural identity for the Visionary Journey’s exhibition concept. Thematic rooms are constructed into distinct environments recontextualizing historic and contemporary pieces and immersing visitors in the foundational pillars of savoir-faire, innovation, travel, and creation.
Starting with a Trunkscape, where 96 trunk modules have been assembled as a tunnel, the exhibition transports visitors directly into a story of craft and ingenuity. This is followed by Origins, which highlights the specific and notable contributions that the Vuitton family made to the Maison as a 360-degree staging of archival documents and items detailing early inspirations and designs. Trunks from the late 19th century illustrate how Louis Vuitton began as a packer and trunk-maker, while examples of the Monogram canvas through the decades reflect the continuity and innovation of a living brand. Dedicated to Iconic Bags, the next room celebrate 25 years of fashion history at Louis Vuitton through the lens of five iconic bag models (Alma, Keepall, Speedy, Noé and the Petite Malle) and how they have been reinterpreted by the Maison’s artistic directors, Marc Jacobs, Kim Jones, Nicolas Ghesquière, Virgil Abloh and Pharrell Williams, advancing both craftsmanship and style. To emphasise the unique shape, form and importance of these icons, 21 bags and 2 ready-to-wear looks are captured in 19 clear acrylic bubbles that convey the collective contribution of these visionary designers. The penultimate space, Collaboration, dives into the artistic relationships that have yielded some of the most popular and memorable bags in fashion history. Reimagined by Stephen Sprouse, Richard Prince, Takashi Murakami or Yayoi Kusama, seven original creations speak to the boundless potential of collaboration, while a semi-circle of animated screens transforms a backdrop of 184 chrome-dipped bags into a cinematic showcase of each artist’s distinct pattern. Finally, a surprise awaits visitors as they part in the form of a Giveaway Room where souvenirs can be won and collected.
LE CAFÉ LOUIS VUITTON
Also located on the ground floor, Le Café Louis Vuitton exudes a lush ambiance blending botanical design elements with chic details of the Maison, from the Monogram parquet floor to furniture referencing the iconic Objets Nomades. Here, the patisserie selection tempts with cakes, tarts, parfaits and ice cream sandwiches in an array of flavours, each decorated with a signature Louis Vuitton flourish. These tantalising treats include the Star Blossom Cake, a chocolate and caramel cake; the Monogram Cake, a pistachio with orange blossom cake; and a locally inspired iced refreshment called Mango Sticky Rice Fizz, made with mango and sticky rice-infused syrup with a splash of tonic water. Mirroring the climate of the Southeast Asian city, the interior boasts the use of natural materials like wood, raffia and plants. The pièce de resistance is a large, curved counter where the dessert selection is displayed, and clients can explore the confections at their leisure.
THE STORE
Elegant yet infused with vibrant touches, the store at LV The Place Bangkok extends across the upper level in an immersive and contemporary shopping experience. Amidst vintage furniture arrangements and colourful artworks, the layout proposes the men’s and women’s product universes in greater fluidity, curated to capture and captivate the most discerning of clients seeking exceptional design above all else. Those seeking exclusivity can look forward to the launch of the Alma Nano Rainbow available in five colours, a women’s Cruise 2024 T-shirt available in four colours, and a men’s LV Trainer Upcycling sneaker in a unique colourway. These products are worldwide exclusives and only available at this store. Personalisation is available through hot stamping with a special “Nong (meaning younger sibling in Thai) Vivienne” design created especially for the opening.
GAGGAN AT LOUIS VUITTON
Also on the upper level, celebrated Indian chef Gaggan Anand has curated a ‘food journey’ offered across both lunch and dinner for the Maison’s first restaurant in South Asia, “Gaggan at Louis Vuitton.” This culinary adventure is signalled by a pyramid of trunks which lead into a room of undulating walls punctuated with resin structures by Draga & Aurel, Monogram flower lamps, and fringed curtains. The fine dining restaurant accommodates ten Italian marble tables where diners will experience a seasonal menu exclusive to Louis Vuitton and based on the 5 “S” – Sweet, Sour, Salty, Spicy and Surprise. From Thai-inspired dressed lobster to a mushroom recipe in a Damier pattern, each composition is presented on a distinctive dish. Moreover, for clients seeking the ultimate culinary experience, a private dining room provides a view to the kitchen with the simple press of a button.
With works from local and international artists on display throughout the space, the overall concept embraces the vibrancy of Bangkok with cross-cultural flare, just as LV The Place Bangkok extends the ambitious global lifestyle vision of Louis Vuitton. Bringing a wider cultural experience into a single store, this 360 concept for Gaysorn Amarin establishes a new blueprint for Louis Vuitton spaces to come.
Store Information:
LV The Place Bangkok
Gaysorn Amarin at Gaysorn Village
Level G-2, No. 496-502 Ploenchit Road, Lumpini, Pathumwan, Bangkok
Tel 1800-01-1112
Opening Hours:
Le Café: 10am – 8pm
Exhibition: 10am – 8pm
Retail: 10am – 8pm
Restaurant: 12pm – 11pm (Closed on Tuesday and Wednesday)
Website:
LV The Place Bangkok | LOUIS VUITTON
Hashtag: #LouisVuitton
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
About Louis Vuitton
Since 1854, Louis Vuitton has brought unique designs to the world, combining innovation with style, always aiming the finest quality. Today, the House remains faithful to the spirit of its founder, Louis Vuitton, who invented a genuine “Art of Travel” through luggage, bags and accessories which were as creative as they were elegant and practical. Since then, audacity has shaped the story of Louis Vuitton.
Faithful to its heritage, Louis Vuitton has opened its doors to architects, artists and designers across the years, all the while developing disciplines such as ready-to-wear, shoes, accessories, watches, jewellery, and fragrance. These carefully created products are testament to Louis Vuitton’s commitment to fine craftsmanship.
For further information: www.louisvuitton.com
About OMA
OMA is an international practice operating within the traditional boundaries of architecture and urbanism. OMA is led by eight partners—Rem Koolhaas, Ellen van Loon, Reinier de Graaf, Shohei Shigematsu, and David Gianotten, Iyad Alsaka, Chris van Duijn, and Jason Long. Established in 2001, OMA New York is responsible for OMA’s operations in the Americas and Japan and has since overseen the successful completion of several buildings across the United States, including Milstein Hall at Cornell University; the Faena Forum, a multi-purpose cultural venue in Miami Beach; the Pierre Lassonde Pavilion, an extension to the Musée national des beaux-arts du Québec; and the Audrey Irmas Pavilion for Wilshire Boulevard Temple in Los Angeles.
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About Shohei Shigematsu
Shohei Shigematsu is a Partner at OMA and leads the firm’s portfolio spanning diverse typologies and scales. His fashion engagements span multiple typologies and scales, from retail spaces to new modes of fashion exhibitions and scenography. Sho led the renovation of and addition to the new Tiffany Landmark in New York and is currently overseeing the construction of Harajuku Quest, a new cultural and retail hub connecting Omotesando and Harajuku. He has worked with fashion brands and museums on major exhibition designs—Dior retrospectives in Denver, Dallas, and Tokyo; Prada “Waist Down” in Tokyo, Seoul, New York, and Los Angeles; and Manus x Machina at the Met Costume Institute.
Sho’s works in the arts include the recently completed AKG Art Museum in Buffalo, New York, and a new building for the New Museum in New York City currently under construction. He has designed several cultural venues such as the recently completed Audrey Irmas Pavilion in Los Angeles and Sotheby’s Headquarters in New York, and has also collaborated with various artists including Marina Abramovic, Cai Guo-Qiang, and Taryn Simon.
The Wealth Management Institute Unveils First-of-its-kind Investment Education Program Based On The Market Principles Of Investment Legend Ray Dalio

SINGAPORE – Media OutReach Newswire – 29 February 2024 – In a groundbreaking move to democratize access to premier, practice-based investment management education worldwide, the Wealth Management Institute (WMI) announced the global launch of the Dalio Market Principles (DMP) Online Program. The launch event was attended by over 80 distinguished leaders in wealth and asset management, as well as family offices, across Singapore and the region.

Based on the research and insights developed by the renowned investor Mr. Ray Dalio over five decades, this Program is designed to help learners understand the universal linkages driving markets and economies. The Program also offers a world-class pathway for participants to advance their skills and capabilities in investing. It benefits not only investors seeking to sharpen their insights, but also finance professionals across various sectors, including asset management, wealth management, family offices, reserves management, and policy. To ensure greater accessibility for learners worldwide, the Program leverages cutting-edge technology, such as generative AI, to provide an immersive digital learning experience that is accessible anytime and from any location.
As the world confronts what Mr. Dalio identifies as ‘a changing world order,’ the launch of the program is timely in providing investors with a practical, market-tested framework to understand market cycles and how to navigate them effectively.
“The world is changing in ways that we’ve not experienced in our lifetimes but have happened many times in the past,” says Mr Ray Dalio, Founder, CIO Mentor and Member of the Board, Bridgewater Associates. “To deal with these changes well, investors need to recognize the deeper patterns of history and the underlying timeless and universal principles driving markets and economies. My hope for this course is that it provides this knowledge as well as an opportunity for investors to further refine their own investment principles.”
Commenting on the launch, Ms. Foo Mee Har, CEO of WMI, says, “With Singapore being a leading global wealth management hub, we are thrilled to introduce this first-of-its-kind investment education initiative. The Dalio Market Principles Online Program is designed to empower finance professionals and investors with a strong foundation for understanding the forces driving markets, enabling participants to build investment portfolios tapping drivers of differential asset returns, economic and currency cycles, and paradigm shifts. Most importantly, this program is designed to fully equip those aspiring to establish successful careers in various sectors of the finance industry.”
To support local residents with capability development, the DMP Program is accredited by the Institute of Banking and Finance (IBF), and eligible participants may receive up to 70% course fee subsidies. The Program is also SkillsFuture Credit claimable.
The DMP Online Program is designed to provide a flexible and highly interactive online learning experience. Participants will be able to ‘live through’ major market events as an investor or policymaker, assess how their expectations for the future and investment decisions measure up, and learn from mistakes. The Program’s purpose-built Portfolio Simulator will enable them to create and stress test portfolios, evaluating their investment performance across different macro scenarios with data from up to 40 major economies over the last 120 years.
Providing participants with a personalized learning experience, the Program’s innovative Generative AI Tutor will guide learners through the curriculum. Fully integrated into the course, the Tutor will be able to answer questions, generate quizzes, get feedback, and search through a vast repository of Mr Dalio’s writings over the past decades, for participants to learn at their own pace.
In addition, participants will also gain opportunities to learn, network and thrive with peers and leaders from the industry. Through cohort-based activities such as discussion forums and live online workshops, participants will be able to glean multiple perspectives on investments and the financial markets from industry players from diverse backgrounds. The Program also lays a foundational pathway for those seeking excellence as a great investor, which will later include opportunities to apply for a Dalio Fellowship to be launched in the future.
For more information about the Dalio Market Principles Online Program, please visit www.wmi.edu.sg/dmp-online.
Hashtag: #wealthmanagementinstitute
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The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
Wealth Management Institute
Established in 2003, the Wealth Management Institute (WMI) is committed to building capabilities for investing in a better tomorrow. Founded by GIC and Temasek, our vision is to be Asia’s Centre of Excellence for wealth and asset management education and research. WMI is appointed as Singapore’s Lead Training Provider for Private Banking by the Institute of Banking and Finance Singapore (IBF) and supported by the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS).
WMI also helms the Global-Asia Family Office Circle, a network platform that fosters a trusted environment to build capabilities and community in the family office sector. The GFO Circle is supported by the Singapore Economic Development Board (EDB) and the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS).
WMI provides a comprehensive suite of practice-based certification and diploma programmes and collaborates with leading universities for master’s qualifications. With over 20,000 annual enrolments, WMI provides training in asset management, wealth management, compliance, risk management, family office, as well as the development of the next generation across more than 100 programmes.
About Raymond T. Dalio, Founder, CIO Mentor, and Member of the Bridgewater Board, Bridgewater Associates, LP
A global macro investor for more than 50 years, Ray Dalio founded Bridgewater Associates out of his two-bedroom apartment in NYC and ran it for most of its 47 years, building it into the largest hedge fund in the world. Ray remains an investor and mentor at Bridgewater and serves on its board. He is also the #1 New York Times bestselling author of Principles: Life and Work, Principles for Dealing with the Changing World Order, and Principles for Navigating Big Debt Crises. He graduated with a B.S. in Finance from C.W. Post College in 1971 and received an MBA degree from Harvard Business School in 1973. He has been married to his wife, Barbara, for more than 40 years and has three grown sons and five grandchildren. He is an active philanthropist with special interests in ocean exploration and helping to rectify the absence of equal opportunity in education, healthcare, and finance.
About the Dalio Market Principles (DMP) Online Program
The Dalio Market Principles (DMP) Online Program is a global initiative by the Wealth Management Institute and supported by Dalio Philanthropies, to help investors understand the underlying linkages driving markets and economies, and give them the investment skills to navigate the changes.
This first-of-its-kind programme is developed with Ray Dalio, Founder and CIO Mentor of Bridgewater Associates. Ray has been a global macro investor for over 50 years, and his investment innovations and thought leadership have made a lasting mark on the industry.
The Program provides a practical, market-tested framework to understand market cycles and the applied skills to navigate them effectively. It also covers Ray’s key investment principles underlying his passive and active investment strategies.
The Program is designed to provide a flexible and highly interactive online learning experience, with cutting-edge tools including a Generative AI Virtual Tutor and a Portfolio Builder to create and stress-test portfolios. As the body of knowledge is captured online, it allows learners to access it anytime, anywhere at their own pace.
Entries for the 2024 OnePlus Photography Awards are now open, calling on photography enthusiasts worldwide to ‘Make the Moment’ with smartphone cameras
This is the fourth consecutive year that OnePlus and IPA have collaborated to host the OPA
SHENZHEN, CHINA – Media OutReach Newswire – 29 February 2024 – Global tech brand OnePlus today launched the 2024 OnePlus Photography Awards (OPA) in partnership with the International Photography Awards (IPA) — the global platform that encourages photographers to discover and share artistic creations — together bringing premium smartphone imaging experiences to more photography enthusiasts worldwide.
To provide an even more open platform for all mobile photography enthusiasts, Hasselblad ambassadors and Hasselblad masters will join the professional judges of OPA 2024 alongside OnePlus imaging product experts and the professional IPA jury team. This year, OnePlus is introducing even more exciting rewards including prize money of up to US$10,000 plus a complimentary OnePlus device for the winner of the Photo of the Year award to encourage photography enthusiasts around the globe to participate in OPA 2024.

“OnePlus believes that photography is more than simply passively documenting what exists in front of the lens; it must actively seek to create and capture moments that leave a lasting impact. Our goal is to empower users to transform ordinary scenes into extraordinary experiences through the art of photography,” said Emily Dai, Head of Global Brand and Marketing at OnePlus. “Building on our long-term collaboration with IPA, we are looking forward to working even more closely together to explore the future of professional photography on mobile phones. By co-hosting photography contests, we aim to enable more photography enthusiasts around the world to amplify their distinctive tone and unique emotion and elevate moments into unforgettable masterpieces on their mobile phones.”
“We are delighted to once again be partnering with OnePlus in 2024. Our collaboration has helped drive huge leaps in mobile photography over the past three years, and we are thrilled to continue working alongside an organization that puts creativity and quality so clearly at the forefront. OnePlus’ continued role as the Official Smartphone of IPA reinforces our shared passion for advancing the craft of photography through innovation,” said Hossein Farmani, President and Founder of the International Photography Awards. “OnePlus consistently pushes boundaries to reach for the impossible in mobile photography. Through its cutting-edge technology and commitment to providing its global community with the best possible products, OnePlus provides users with a platform for unlimited creative expression, and we look forward to taking this collaboration to new heights in 2024!”
As the Official Smartphone of IPA 2024, the OnePlus 12 is a photography master with a professional-grade camera system built on flagship hardware and advanced image processing algorithms developed in collaboration with Hasselblad. Featuring the 4th Gen Hasselblad Camera for Mobile, the OnePlus 12 is equipped with an industry-first Sony LYT-808 wide angle sensor, 64MP 3x periscope telephoto camera, 114° field of view 48MP ultra-wide camera, the latest RAW HDR algorithm, and the newly upgraded Hasselblad portrait mode. Together, these features deliver an effortless pro-level camera that forms the foundation for the best ever mobile photography experience.
For further details about OnePlus’s partnership with IPA in 2024 and OPA 2024, please visit the official OnePlus website.
Hashtag: #oneplus
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
About IPA
The International Photography Awards™ conducts an annual competition for professional, amateur, and student photographers on a global scale, creating one of the most ambitious and comprehensive competitions in the photography world today.
For more information, please visit www.photoawards.com.
About OnePlus
OnePlus is a global mobile technology brand that challenges conventional concepts of technology. Founded on the “Never Settle” mantra, OnePlus creates exquisitely designed devices with premium build quality and high-performance hardware. OnePlus thrives on cultivating strong bonds and growing alongside its community of users and fans.
For more information, please visit OnePlus.com or follow us on:
Instagram – https://instagram.com/oneplus
Facebook – https://facebook.com/oneplus
Twitter – https://twitter.com/oneplus
LinkedIn – https://linkedin.com/company/oneplus
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