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Avnet Appointed Master Distributor of Kerlink, Advancing IoT Strategy Across Asia Pacific

SINGAPORE – Media OutReach – 5 October 2023 – Global technology distributor and solutions provider Avnet recently signed a contract with Kerlink, a fast-growing provider of IoT solutions based in France, formalizing its role as Master Distributor of Kerlink’s LoRaWAN gateway products and associated software services in Asia Pacific.

LoRaWAN technology is a specialized type of LPWAN technology – or Low Power Wide-area Network. It is a viable alternative to traditional wireless connectivity technologies like Wifi, Bluetooth and Cellular, in challenging environments and remote rural locations where the end-points are battery-powered and require a long battery life.

The partnership enables Avnet to facilitate the integration of LoRaWAN capabilities into its enterprise-grade IoT solution accelerator software platform – IoTConnect. Subsequently, the enhanced IoTConnect will be available globally for deployment in both public and private LoRaWAN networks.

Concurrently, Kerlink will broaden its market reach in Asia through access to Avnet’s established customer base. In turn, Avnet’s system integrator customers will be empowered to incorporate gateways into fully-fledged LPWAN solutions, or in the case of enterprises, build and manage their own LoRaWAN networks, with significant time- and cost-savings.

“Avnet’s IoTConnect platform is unique in the market, providing a proven, reliable, secure and seamless interface between the IoT end points and preferred cloud-service providers like AWS and Azure,” said Yann Bauduin, Kerlink sales director. “This partnership will support the work of Kerlink’s subsidiaries in Singapore, India and Japan as they expand their deployment of LoRaWAN® technology among Avnet’s established APAC customer base.”

Andy Wong, SVP, Avnet Design Services, APAC, said, “The freshly inked partnership between Avnet and Kerlink is tremendously exciting. With Kerlink’s LoRaWAN gateways, our customers will now have access to a reliable, secure and cost-effective way to connect far-flung IoT end points with extremely low power consumption, thus overcoming the tyranny of distance that has stood in the way of traditional IoT technologies. The potential applications in telecommunications, smart buildings, smart farming and geolocation, to name a few of the areas that stand to benefit, are countless.”

The newly formed partnership between Avnet and Kerlink advances Avnet’s IoT strategy in the region, and will help meet the fast-growing demand for LoRaWAN technology worldwide.

Hashtag: #Avnet #LoRaWAN #IoT

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

About Avnet

As a leading global technology distributor and solutions provider, Avnet has served customers’ evolving needs for an entire century. We support customers at each stage of a product’s lifecycle, from idea to design and from prototype to production. Our unique position at the center of the technology value chain enables us to accelerate the design and supply stages of product development so customers can realize revenue faster. Decade after decade, Avnet helps its customers and suppliers around the world realize the transformative possibilities of technology. Learn more about Avnet at .

About Kerlink

Kerlink® Group is a leading global provider of end-to-end connectivity solutions for designing, deploying, and operating public & private low power/wide area (LPWA) Internet of Things (IoT) networks. Its comprehensive product portfolio includes industrial-grade network equipment, best-of-breed network core, operations and management software, value-added applications and expert professional services, backed by strong R&D capabilities. More than 200,000 Kerlink® installations have been rolled out with over 350 clients in 70 countries, in all the key verticals. Kerlink® is a co-founder and board member of the LoRa Alliance® and the uCIFI Alliance. It is listed on Euronext Growth Paris under the symbol ALKLK.

For more information, visit

Kerlink®, Wirnet® and Wanesy® are registered trademarks of Kerlink® SA and its affiliates worldwide and must not be used without permission. All rights reserved.

Lao Competitiveness and Trade Project: Empowering Change through Grievance Redress Mechanism

The Lao PDR Competitiveness and Trade Project: Empowering Change through the Grievance Redress Mechanism
The Lao Competitiveness and Trade (LCT) Project

The Lao Competitiveness and Trade (LCT) Project under the Ministry of Industry and Commerce has introduced its Grievance Redress Mechanism (GRM) to government agencies, the business community, and the general public through outreach activities and media channels starting on 3 October.

Graphisoft announces latest product lineup at Building Together event

Archicad users will accelerate their design processes by modeling, documenting, and visualizing design options and combinations faster and easier than ever

SINGAPORE – Media OutReach – 5 October 2023 – Graphisoft, the leading Building Information Modeling (BIM) software solution developer for architecture and multidisciplinary design, announced its latest product lineup today, including significant feature updates to Archicad, BIMcloud, BIMx, and DDScad. The announcement follows a robust Technology Preview Program where users were invited to weigh in on the evolution of Archicad, Graphisoft’s flagship product. The latest version boasts a brand-new design option solution, professional visualization tools, improved management of complex projects, and advances in open, multidisciplinary design collaboration.

YBDO_Ecosystem-Visualize-16x9-1920x1080.jpg

Last year, we outlined a bold new vision when we unveiled our Product Roadmap — and we delivered,” said Márton Kiss, VP of Product Success at Graphisoft. “The 2023 release includes significant advances across the Graphisoft ecosystem with major enhancements and feature updates offering the greatest value in recent times for both new and existing users.

Archicad

Archicad’s powerful built-in tools and user-friendly interface make it the most efficient and intuitive BIM software on the market. Featuring out-of-the-box design documentation, one-click publishing, photo-realistic rendering, and best-in-class analysis, Archicad lets architects focus on what they do best: design great buildings.

Archicad’s new integrated design option management capability, built on a smooth end-to-end design workflow, empowers architects and multidisciplinary teams to evaluate and communicate design options to clients more efficiently, allowing them to find the best design alternatives in a significantly shorter time. “The introduction of the new Design Options tool is a valuable feature, aiding architects in realizing infinite possibilities and ultimately enhancing their creative expression,” said Kevin Lee, Director of Technology | BIM, at TZG Architects in Australia. “This tool is a much-awaited gift to the architectural community.”

With a continuous focus on project manageability, Archicad now delivers highly requested additions to the attribute management workflow. This upgrade increases design team efficiency, allowing users to organize more attributes by folders.

Improved consistency and new productivity tools, such as distance guides for placing elements, make designing with Archicad more enjoyable and intuitive for architects switching from other design platforms.

BIMcloud

With BIMcloud, users get secure, real-time collaboration between project team members, regardless of the size of the design project, the location of the offices, or the internet connection speed. Private and public cloud configurations on standard hardware and Software as a Service (SaaS) allow even smaller offices to take advantage of fast, efficient, and secure access to shared projects in real-time.

A solid platform for multidisciplinary design collaboration makes BIMcloud the tool architects and engineers can count on. The latest innovations focus on security — a key concern of all design firms — thanks to the recently introduced multi-factor authentication.

BIMx

With BIMx, the most popular presentation and coordination app for desktop, iPad, iPhone, and Android phones and tablets, users can bridge the gap between the design studio, the client’s office, and the construction site.

BIMx is far more than a great 3D viewer — it’s a productive workplace and mobile collaboration solution. New, built-in issue-reporting capabilities shorten the time required to resolve problems found on the construction site or during project coordination meetings.

Archicad Collaborate

This subscription-based offer combines Archicad, BIMx, and BIMcloud SaaS at an affordable price point. Unlike other BIM software providers that charge additional fees for cloud services, Archicad Collaborate lowers the barrier to entry by offering award-winning BIMcloud SaaS as part of the Archicad subscription price in the user-friendly online Graphisoft Store. “Customers demand powerful solutions that are easy to buy, learn, and use,” said Márton Kiss. “Archicad Collaborate allows practices to acquire Archicad, BIMx, and BIMcloud SaaS at a price even smaller firms can afford.”

DDScad

DDScad combines great architecture with peak building performance thanks to intelligent Mechanical, Electrical, and Plumbing (MEP) design tools, integrated calculations, and comprehensive documentation solutions for all building systems. Users can design and deliver high-quality MEP projects on time and within budget while collaborating seamlessly with BIM project stakeholders.

Engineers now save more time by modeling building systems smoothly and quickly thanks to streamlined solutions in DDScad. Accessing manufacturer data, a crucial part of MEP design, is now available out-of-the-box. In addition, new product data technology with enhanced OPEN BIM capabilities allows engineers to design MEP projects with greater freedom and flexibility.

“DDScad supports us greatly in our electrical design,” said Uwe Bullwinkel, Ingenieurgesellschaft Schnittger Wilde, Germany. “With version 19, we are now even more flexible. For instance, the parallel power feed of distribution boards comes at the right time, as we need it for planning photovoltaic systems, among other things. And with the new overview diagram, we can quickly review the respective power supply system. These and the other innovations make DDScad the best option for efficient MEP design.”

DDScad is now available in select countries in the Graphisoft Store as a monthly and annual subscription and will be introduced in additional countries soon. DDScad is also available as a perpetual license. Learn more about what’s new in DDScad.

Multidisciplinary workflow improvements

Archicad further enhances the collaboration between architects and engineers working in multidisciplinary teams. The latest version of MEP Modeler delivers a significant boost in the built-in MEP modeling workflow, while the latest updates in Structural Analytical Model creation shorten the structural design delivery time on even large and complex projects.

For more information, please visit:
AC27 Launch events
Where to buy

Hashtag: #Graphisoft #Archicad #BIMcloud #BIMx #DDScad #buildingtogether


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

About Graphisoft

empowers teams to design great buildings through award-winning software solutions, learning programs, and professional services for the AEC industry. Our award-winning products and solutions support OPEN BIM for workflow transparency, longevity, and data accessibility for built assets. Archicad®, the architects’ BIM software of choice, offers a complete end-to-end design and documentation workflow for architectural and integrated architectural and engineering practices of any size. Graphisoft is part of the Nemetschek Group.

Aon to Acquire Global Insurance Brokers to Enhance Risk Capital Offering for Clients in India

MUMBAI, INDIA – Media OutReach – 4 October 2023 – Aon plc (NYSE: AON), a leading global professional services firm, today announced it has signed a definitive agreement, subject to regulatory approval, to acquire Global Insurance Brokers enhancing its risk capital capability offering in India.

Founded in 1973, Global Insurance Brokers is a well-respected composite broking firm in India delivering risk management, insurance and reinsurance broking services across 17 offices.

The transaction will expand Aon’s existing capabilities across the commercial risk, health and reinsurance markets and will further position Aon as a leading risk advisor in India.

Upon completion, Global Insurance Brokers will transition to Aon’s brand and operating model, under the leadership of Jon Pipe, chief executive officer of Aon India Insurance Brokers Pvt Ltd., bringing together a combined team of more than 850 colleagues.

Sandeep Malik, executive chairman for Aon’s Asia-Pacific region, commented: “The Indian insurance market is developing rapidly, and this acquisition reflects our commitment to the Indian market as well as to helping our clients navigate volatility and make better decisions in a fast-changing environment.”

Jon Pipe added: “Our clients are facing increasingly complex risks and evolving regulatory requirements. The combined capabilities of Global Insurance Brokers and Aon will allow us to better serve our clients across India in new geographies and industries.”

Prabodh Thakker, founder and chairman of Global Insurance Brokers said: “We are excited about the opportunity to bring together the talent and capability of our two firms. Global Insurance Brokers shares common values with Aon and by joining together we will be better placed to drive innovation, develop talent and deliver enhanced solutions to help companies in India grow and protect their businesses.”

Aon and Global Insurance Brokers will continue to operate independently until the transaction is completed, which is expected in the coming months.

Read more about Aon’s capabilities in India here.

Hashtag: #Aon

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

About Aon

(NYSE: AON) exists to shape decisions for the better — to protect and enrich the lives of people around the world. Our colleagues provide our clients in over 120 countries and sovereignties with advice and solutions that give them the clarity and confidence to make better decisions to protect and grow their business.

Follow Aon on , , and . Stay up-to-date by visiting the and sign up for News Alerts .

Disclaimer
The information contained in this document is solely for information purposes, for general guidance only and is not intended to address the circumstances of any particular individual or entity. Although Aon endeavours to provide accurate and timely information and uses sources that it considers reliable, the firm does not warrant, represent or guarantee the accuracy, adequacy, completeness or fitness for any purpose of any content of this document and can accept no liability for any loss incurred in any way by any person who may rely on it. There can be no guarantee that the information contained in this document will remain accurate as on the date it is received or that it will continue to be accurate in the future. No individual or entity should make decisions or act based solely on the information contained herein without appropriate professional advice and targeted research.

Oi Wah Launches Innovative Premium Service Center at Tsim Sha Tsui East MTR Station

Breathing new life into traditional pawnshop business Launching New App for Digital Loan Applications

HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach – 4 October 2023 – Oi Wah Pawnshop Credit Holdings Limited (HKEx stock code: 1319.HK, the “Group” or “Oi Wah”) is delighted to announce the grand opening of its premier service center located at the MTR East Tsim Sha Tsui Station today, which makes it the Group’s first location in MTR station. The Board of Directors of the Group, along with our brand ambassador, Ms. Toby Chan, attended the ribbon-cutting ceremony. The newly unveiled service center, characterized by its fresh design, marries modern aesthetics with the essence of traditional pawnshops. Complemented by the Group’s new mobile APP, we are poised to provide customers with a streamlined one-stop loan solution, signifying a groundbreaking shift in the conventional pawnbroking landscape.

The service center has adopted a contemporary interior design to breathe new life into the traditional business. The typical screen at the main entrance commonly known as the “Ze Cau Baan (遮羞板)”, has been replaced with a long corridor that guides customers to the back of the shop for pawn services. The thoughtful touch has abolished the old design while still ensuring the privacy of customers and avoiding gazes from onlookers. Instead of high counters, the pawn area now features elegant seating areas and offers a private one-on-one consultation room, enhancing the overall customer experience. In terms of security, the shop retains the “double-lock doors” design from traditional pawnshops -the first door it must be fully closed before the second door can be opened, preventing outsiders from viewing the interior and ensuring security.

Having a strong foothold in the pawnbroking industry for nearly half a century, Oi Wah Pawnshop is proud to be the first local pawnshop to be publicly listed. The Group has consistently been at the forefront of innovation in order to maintain its leadership position in the industry. A testament to this commitment is the Group’s upcoming mobile APP. Within the APP, customers can obtain preliminary collateral evaluation, loan valuation and application of loan, etc. By digitizing the entire pawn loan application process, we offer an efficient and streamlined one-stop loan solution, catering to the evolving needs of our clients.

Mr. Edward Chan, Chairman, CEO and Executive Director of Oi Wah, said, “I am optimistic about the long-term growth of loan demand in Hong Kong. I believe that establishing a modernly designed premium service center in bustling MTR stations will help expand our customer base and revenue streams. In addition, the digitization of loan applications and approvals not only accelerates the entire loan process for customers but also enhances their experience. This aligns with the expectations of the new generation for innovative fintech services, ushering in a transformative era for the industry.”

Hashtag: #OiWah

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

About Oi Wah Pawnshop Credit Holdings Limited

Oi Wah is a financing service provider in Hong Kong, mainly providing short-term secured financing, including pawn loans and mortgage loans. The Group established its first pawnshop in 1975 and currently owns 10 Pawnshops, a property mortgage center, and a MTR premium service centre in various locations in Hong Kong. Oi Wah diversified into mortgage loan business in 2009. The Group is the first local pawn shop which successfully listed on the Main Board of The Stock Exchange of Hong Kong Limited on 12 March 2013.

Chinachem Group Officially Launches “CCG Hearts”, an All New Membership Rewards Programme

Big Heart. Big Rewards. Earn Points through Spending and Acts of Kindness

HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach – 4 October 2023 – Chinachem Group (the Group) held a kick-off ceremony today for its new membership rewards programme, “CCG Hearts” at Central Market. The event was attended by Dr. Bernard Chan Pak-li, Under Secretary for Commerce & Economic Development, Commerce and Economic Development Bureau, Mr. Chua Hoi Wai, Chief Executive of The HK Council of Social Service, together with Mr. Donald Choi, Executive Director and CEO of Chinachem Group. The “CCG Hearts” membership rewards programme covers Chinachem Group’s six participating hotels and serviced apartments, nine major shopping malls, the Central Market, and cinema. In addition to earning points through spending, members can also earn more points by participating in diverse acts of kindness, “Quests” which fosters community service and volunteerism. Members can redeem a wide range of rewards and interesting activities for meaningful life experiences, and encourage others to join in good deeds and share joyful moments as a ripple effect.

The kick-off ceremony of the CCG Hearts All New Membership Rewards Programme was hosted by Dr. Bernard Chan Pak-li, Under Secretary for Commerce & Economic Development, Commerce and Economic Development Bureau, Mr. Chua Hoi Wai, Chief Executive of The HK Council of Social Service, together with Mr. Donald Choi, Executive Director and CEO of Chinachem Group, to promote the 'CCG Hearts' programme and advocate for the practice of “Big Heart. Big Rewards” among the public.
The kick-off ceremony of the CCG Hearts All New Membership Rewards Programme was hosted by Dr. Bernard Chan Pak-li, Under Secretary for Commerce & Economic Development, Commerce and Economic Development Bureau, Mr. Chua Hoi Wai, Chief Executive of The HK Council of Social Service, together with Mr. Donald Choi, Executive Director and CEO of Chinachem Group, to promote the ‘CCG Hearts’ programme and advocate for the practice of “Big Heart. Big Rewards” among the public.

Mr. Donald Choi, Executive Director and CEO of Chinachem Group, stated during the kick-off ceremony, “Since the rebranding of our group in 2020, we have been committed to maintaining a balance among ‘People, Prosperity, and Planet’ in all our business endeavors, with a strong dedication to creating positive impacts on society. With the pioneering ‘CCG Hearts’ membership rewards programme in Hong Kong, our members not only earn points through their spending but also have the opportunity to participate in various community services, experiencing the joy that comes with it, while benefiting others. Furthermore, this programme stimulates consumption, helps generating more business for our retail tenants, and contributes Hong Kong economy. Our team has also collaborated with social welfare organizations to organize member activities such as kayaking to clean beaches and hiking to clear trail litter, making contributions to the environment. This fully embodies the balanced development of ‘People, Prosperity, and Planet’.”

The Most Unique Membership Rewards Programme

During the launch ceremony, the management team of Chinachem Group urged citizens to join the
During the launch ceremony, the management team of Chinachem Group urged citizens to join the “CCG Hearts” membership rewards programme and promote the concept of “Big Heart. Big Rewards”. Participants can earn points by performing acts of kindness and making purchases, which can be redeemed for rewards.

Unlike other conventional membership rewards programmes, “CCG Hearts” takes “Big Heart. Big Rewards” as its core concept, providing an innovative volunteer service platform that encourages members to actively participate in community activities and spread positivity. The programme will collaborate with various charitable organizations and social service institutions under The Hong Kong Council of Social Service, to launch a wide range of “Quests”, including spending time with the elderly, nurturing positive development in the younger generation, connecting with nature, and appreciating art and culture. Through these initiatives, the programme aims to establish a more supportive and interactive community, contributing to a better living environment in Hong Kong. It is worth noting that since the introduction of several volunteer service activities under “CCG Hearts”, the response has been overwhelmingly enthusiastic, with many Quests quickly reaching full capacity.

In addition, members can also earn rewards through their purchases. “CCG Hearts” members can earn points by making electronic payments for their spending at Chinachem Group’s nine major shopping malls*, Central Market, six participating hotels and serviced apartments, and cinema. For every HK$1 spent with a single receipt totaling HK$100 or above, members can earn 1 point. This programme not only benefits the members but also contributes to the business development of merchants, revitalizing the retail industry in Hong Kong.

*Nina Mall 1 & 2 (Tsuen Wan), Papillons Square (Tseung Kwan O), Lucky Plaza (Sha Tin), Hilton Plaza (Sha Tin), Shun Fook Barn (Yuen Long), Sheung Shui Town Centre, Fanling Town Centre, Paris London New York Cinema Shopping Centre (Tuen Mun)

Exciting Mall Tour – Prize for Everyone

From now until October 31, the “CCG Hearts” Promotion will be held at Central Market (Central), Nina Mall (Tsuen Wan), Lucky Plaza (Shatin) and Papillons Square (Tsuen Kwan O). Members can participate in the “Big Heart. Big Rewards” Lucky Draw**, with up to 18,000 prizes available, ensuring that everyone is a winner and no one leaves empty-handed. Members can also try their hand at the “Big Heart. Big Rewards” Boom, Boom, Boom! drumming game and experience the joy of hitting the drums on a large screen. Please refer to Appendix attached for detailed promotion venue locations and opening hours.

** Please refer to the terms and conditions of the event for the method of prize distribution.

Participating in the “CCG Hearts” is completely free. Simply download the “CCG Hearts” APP and register as a member to enjoy various exclusive benefits and privileges. These include welcome points, birthday treats, shopping discounts, dining offers, and free participation in various “Quests” volunteer services. Once members earn points, they can redeem them for over a hundred rewards and exclusive member experiences such as guided nature tours, historical and cultural conservation activities, and cooking parties, allowing members to enrich their life experiences. Other rewards include shopping and dining vouchers, accommodation and dining vouchers at Nina Hotel, Nina Patisserie cakes and Nina Palmier, home appliances, personal care products, lifestyle goods, and parking discounts. From now until October 31, all members can also earn double points on eligible spending.

Charity Sale: Chinachem Group Makes One-to-One Matching Donations

The promotion also collaborates with dayday 330 of The New Life Psychiatric Rehabilitation Association. During the “CCG Hearts” Promotion, a dayday 330 charity sale booth will be set up at the four “CCG Hearts Promotion” venues in the following sequence: Central Market (Central), Nina Mall (Tsuen Wan), Lucky Plaza (Shatin) and Papillons Square (Tseung Kwan O). “CCG Hearts” members can enjoy shopping discounts, and Chinachem Group will make one-to-one matching donations from all proceeds of this charity sale to support the promotion of mental health education and encourage more citizens to pay attention to their holistic well-being.

Appendix:

“CCG Hearts Promotion” Event Details

Date* Location Address
October 4 to 10 Central Market 93 Queen’s Road Central, Central
October 12 to 17 Nina Mall 8 Yeung Uk Road, Tsuen Wan
October 19 to 24 Lucky Plaza 1 – 15 Wang Pok Street, Sha Tin
October 26 to 31 Papillons Square 21 Tong Chun Street, Tseung Kwan O

*Except for October 4, where the event starts at 3:30PM, the activities on other days will begin at 12:00PM and end at 8:00PM.

“Big Heart. Big Rewards Lucky Draw” – Prize List

Prize Quantity
iPhone 15 Pro Max 256GB 1
iPhone 15 Pro 256GB 1
Dyson Supersonic™ HD15 5
iPad 10th Gen (Wifi), 64GB 2
FWD Wellness Pass 3-month (Trial Pass) 5,000
1-night of Nina Hotel Tsuen Wan West 10
A bottle of White Chrysanthemum Peony at ZeroToOne 50
A bottle of Vistana Cabernet Sauvignon-Merlot (750ml) 96
$500 Nina Hospitality Group dining or shopping voucher 10
$100 Nina Hospitality Group dining or shopping voucher 20
CCG Hearts 2,000 Points 4,000
CCG Hearts 1,000 Points 3,805
Nina palmier 5,000
Total 18,000

Hashtag: #Chinachem

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

About Chinachem Group

Since 1960, Chinachem Group has been a leading property developer in Hong Kong, with a portfolio covering residential, commercial, retail and industrial buildings for sales and investment, in addition to operating hotels, property management as well as healthcare and elderly services. The Group actively seeks to make a positive contribution to society through its adherence to the ‘Triple Bottom Line’, a commitment that its activities will benefit People, bring Prosperity to the community and preserve the Planet. Please visit .

“ESG and Green Finance Opportunities Forum 2023” unveils today

Themed Combating Climate-risks and Achieving a Sustainable Future
Assemble international experts to navigate transition finance, social impact investments and decarbonization technologies
Deputy Financial Secretary Michael Wong gives keynote speech

HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach – 4 October 2023 – More than 200 business leaders and ESG experts from different industries came together today at the ‘2023 ESG and Green Finance Opportunities Forum’ to discuss the theme of “Combating Climate-risks and Achieving a Sustainable Future: Transition Finance and Innovative Technology”. Organised by The Chamber of Hong Kong Listed Companies (‘CHKLC’) and title sponsored by Hang Seng Bank for three consecutive years, the Forum was officiated by Deputy Financial Secretary Mr Michael Wong, who delivered the opening address. CHKLC’s Chairperson Ms Catherine Leung and Hang Seng’s Executive Director and Chief Executive Ms Diana Cesar also spoke at the opening session.

‘2023 ESG and Green Finance Opportunities Forum’ discussed combating climate-risks and achieving a sustainable future. Guests including HKSAR’s Deputy Financial Secretary Mr Michael Wong (front row, middle); Chairperson of The Chamber of Hong Kong Listed Companies Ms Catherine Leung (front row, left 4), and Ms Diana Cesar, Executive Director and Chief Executive of Hang Seng Bank (front row, right 4).
‘2023 ESG and Green Finance Opportunities Forum’ discussed combating climate-risks and achieving a sustainable future. Guests including HKSAR’s Deputy Financial Secretary Mr Michael Wong (front row, middle); Chairperson of The Chamber of Hong Kong Listed Companies Ms Catherine Leung (front row, left 4), and Ms Diana Cesar, Executive Director and Chief Executive of Hang Seng Bank (front row, right 4).

Four themed discussion panels are scheduled to address regulatory update in response to more stringent climate-related disclosure requirements as well as exploring emerging issues of transition finance, social impact investments and decarbonization technologies to assist the attendees stay ahead of the game with their ESG plans in the abovementioned areas of discussion. Near 30 senior business executives and ESG experts spoke and shared experiences at the four discussion panels.

CHKLC encourages listed companies to transition to low-carbon business mode utilizing technology

CHKLC Chairperson Catherine Leung remarked, “The theme of today’s Forum is the use of green finance and technology to overcome Climate Risks and strive for sustainable development. Technology is an important catalyst in many aspects of our modern world, and a great number of mainland and Hong Kong enterprises have built a solid technology foundation, enabling them to produce products and services that meet international standards and are in demand. This not only generates revenue, and when applied to environmental industry sectors, will also make great contribution to the decarbonisaton efforts globally. I encourage listed companies to study the utilisation of technology in transitioning their business to low-carbon mode, or in venturing into new business areas, to further protect our climate and environment and explore new opportunities for shareholders and create more value.”

Hang Seng Champions Businesses in Transition Toward a Low-Carbon and Sustainable Development Model

In her opening remarks, Hang Seng Bank’s Executive Director and Chief Executive, Ms Diana Cesar, affirmed: “Hong Kong has a unique opportunity to play a major role in green finance. At Hang Seng, we’re leveraging our financial expertise to support sustainable growth. Through green loans and low-carbon investments, we’re partnering with our clients to usher in a new era of sustainable business practices.”

Transition Finance and Innovation Technology to support low-carbon transition

Managing climate risks is one of the most important challenges to businesses in recent years due to mitigation costs and tightening disclosures requirements. By January 2024, climate-related disclosures are proposed to be mandatory in listed firms’ ESG reports. Many traditional businesses with higher GHG emissions are getting eager to transition to low carbon, low emission operation through business transformation. Transition Finance is pivotal in the shift towards a low-carbon economy.

Social Impact Investments to connect with communities

As good corporate citizens, engaging with social needs and connecting with the community are also considered as alignments to ESG requirements. There has been growing advocacy among corporates to address social concerns on top of environmental needs, some even taking the lead in social impact investments. Decarbonization technologies have also been developed in response to climate risks and can be of great help to corporates in achieving low-carbon operations.

4 discussion panels to address hot ESG topics

All these compelling issues are thus the focus of discussions in todays’ ESG and Green Finance Opportunities Forum 2023 to be addressed in the following 4 panel discussions.

(1) Panel 1: Transition Finance – Trends, Opportunities and Challenges

Transition finance is to offer financial support which helps high-carbon companies to start implementing long-term changes to become greener. The characteristics and practices of transition finance, as well as how corporates in Hong Kong and GBA can best utilize it in their climate change endeavours were discussed.

(2) Panel 2: Social Impact Investments for Sustainable Growth

Going beyond decarbonization, financing should also be channeled to projects with positive social impact. This session introduced social impact investments as means to advance sustainable development goals and evaluate current endeavours in Hong Kong and GBA.

(3) Panel 3: Regulatory Updates on ESG Reporting and Climate Risks Disclosures

Representatives from regulators HKEX and SFC are invited to share updates on the latest climate-related rules and regulations to prepare local businesses for better compliance and reporting.

(4) Panel 4: Decarbonization Strategy and Technology Application

Experts shared innovative technologies and forward-looking strategies to help listed companies to attain low carbon low emission operations and meet their carbon neutrality targets.

Financial and ESG experts as panel speakers

Financial heavyweights, regulators and ESG veterans have been invited to speak at the 4 panels and share their valuable experiences. The list includes but is not limited to: Mr Paul MALAM, Head of Policy and Secretariat Services, Listing of HKEX; Ms Jennifer LEE, Director, Corporate Finance Division, SFC; Professor Simon HO, President of the Hang Seng University of Hong Kong; Mr Frank HEUNG, Head of Structured Finance, Commercial Real Estate & Corporate Advisory of Hang Seng Bank; Mr Anthony CHEUNG, Supervisory Board Member, World Benchmarking Alliance; Mr Ricco ZHANG, Senior Director, Asia Pacific of International Capital Market Association; Ms Katherine KOH, Global Climate Lead for IFC Infrastructure; Mr Peter YAN, CEO, Cyberport, as well as senior ESG executives from listed companies.

(Conference speaker list and programme can be referred to
https://www.chklc-esgforum.com/website/index.html)

Hashtag: #CHKLC

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

About the Chamber of Hong Kong Listed Companies (CHKLC)

Incorporated in September 2002, CHKLC is a non-profit organisation serving listed companies and other industry bodies in Hong Kong. The Chamber strives to promote sound corporate governance; function as an effective communication channel between listed companies and regulatory authorities; strengthen the linkage and foster cooperation among listed companies from Hong Kong and China and uphold Hong Kong’s position as an international financial and capital formation centre. Since 2007, the Chamber organises the annual “Hong Kong Corporate Governance and ESG Excellence Awards” jointly with the Hong Kong Baptist University to advocate best practices of corporate governance, ESG and recognize excellence.
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Elderly Woman Raped and Murdered in Houaphanh Province

Elderly Woman Raped and Murdered in Houaphanh Province
FILE: this image is used only for representational purpose (photo: freepik)

On Tuesday evening, a 44-year-old man brutally raped a woman in her mid-70s before killing her in Viengxay district of Houaphanh Province.