Laos recorded an inflation rate of 25.69 percent in September, a slight decrease from August which was capped at 25.88 percent, according to the official Bank of Lao PDR website
Prudence Foundation, IFRC and Cartoon Network collaborate on launch of animated series on climate change
‘SAFE STEPS Kids Climate Change’ promotes climate change awareness to children via Cartoon Network’s beloved characters
HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach – 3 October 2023 – Prudence Foundation, the community investment arm of Prudential plc, has launched SAFE STEPS Kids Climate Change, the latest thematic series of the SAFE STEPS Kids programme. Using well-loved cartoon characters such as We Bare Bears and Gumball, the new series aims to teach children about climate change issues and simple actions they can take to make the planet healthier and safer. The programme was developed in collaboration with the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) and Warner Bros. Discovery’s Cartoon Network.

The series was officially launched in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia on 30 September 2023 by Nik Nazmi bin Nik Ahmad (Nik Nazmi), Malaysia’s Minister of Natural Resources, Environment and Climate Change, and Marc Fancy, Executive Director of Prudence Foundation.
Speaking at the launch event, Nik Nazmi said, “Climate change is an existential issue for both present and future generations. The energy and passion of the young will be crucial in helping the world address its impact. We are pleased to introduce this collaborative effort, which will educate and empower our youth to address and respond to this global challenge by incorporating simple yet impactful actions into their daily lives.”
Marc Fancy shared, “Our foundation approach is very much aligned to our core business, life insurance, which is about protection and taking action before events happen. Climate change affects all, especially the vulnerable populations and children. We believe in grassroot education to children about our climate and protecting our environment as well as create a sense of responsibility of how climate change will affect them throughout their lives.”
Prudence Foundation’s mission is to create a better future for vulnerable communities across Prudential’s markets in Asia and Africa by making them safer and more resilient to life’s risks. Climate adaptation is a key focus area for the Foundation where programmes are developed to protect families, communities and economies from the impacts of climate change.
“By investing in resilience and preparedness we can minimise the risks to communities in the event of a disaster. Through the SAFE STEPS Kids programme, we hope to be able to educate and empower the younger generation to become valuable contributors to combat climate change,” added Fancy.
Alexander Matheou, Regional Director, IFRC Asia Pacific said, “Community-led solutions to climate related risks are at the centre of the work at Red Cross, Red Crescent. And at the core of this are our young people. They are not only valuable stakeholders, but are contributors, agents of change, and innovators in every community and area of work. The SAFE STEPS Kids series is a unique cross-sector collaboration to engage these young people and scale up all our efforts to accelerate climate action.”
Vikram Sharma, Head of Consumer Products – India, Southeast Asia & Korea and Head of Advertising & Partnerships – Southeast Asia at Warner Bros. Discovery, added, “Characters from several of our most popular Cartoon Network originals including The Amazing World of Gumball, Teen Titans Go!, Craig of the Creek and We Bare Bears are instantly recognisable and help make the messages shared through the SAFE STEPS Kids initiative relatable and engaging. Warner Bros. Discovery is proud to partner with Prudence Foundation and IFRC on this important project, reaching millions of kids in the region through Cartoon Network and its social media channels.”
SAFE STEPS Kids reaches more than 20 million households everyday via Cartoon Network in Asia. Launched in 2019, previous themes have covered natural disasters, road safety, first aid, and health.
For more information, please visit https://www.safestepskids.com/
Hashtag: #PrudenceFoundation
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
About SAFE STEPS Kids
SAFE STEPS Kids is a multi-platform public-service programme created by Prudence Foundation, in partnership with International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) and Cartoon Network.
The programme focuses on providing life-saving information to children via a series of entertaining videos and education materials featuring beloved Cartoon Network characters. SAFE STEPS Kids aims to save millions of lives by educating children from a young age, helping to create a future generation that is well-prepared and resilient to life-threatening situations.
For more information please visit: https://www.safestepskids.com/
About Prudence Foundation
Prudence Foundation is the community investment arm of Prudential plc in Asia and Africa. Its mission is to create a better future for communities by making them safer and more resilient to life’s risks. The Foundation runs regional programmes as well as local programmes in partnership with NGOs, governments and the private sector in order to maximise the impact of its efforts. Prudence Foundation leverages Prudential’s long-term mindset and geographical scale to make communities safer, more secure and more resilient. The Foundation is a Hong Kong registered charitable entity.
For more information please visit: www.prudencefoundation.com
Vietnam Begins Construction on Power Line from Laos
The National Utility Vietnam Electricity (EVN) has broken ground on the construction of a power line to import electricity from Laos on 30 September, to combat the country’s chronic power shortage.
NTT and Qualcomm Team up to Drive AI at the Edge
- Move aims to drive ecosystem and accelerate Private 5G adoption across digital devices
- NTT unveils Device as a Service practice to help enterprises boost IT maintenance productivity and reduce costs
HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach – 3 October 2023 – NTT Ltd., a leading IT infrastructure and services company, today announced a strategic engagement with Qualcomm Technologies, Inc., a global leader in semiconductor technologies, to invest in and accelerate the development of the 5G device ecosystem to facilitate private 5G adoption, which is critical to powering AI at the edge.
Qualcomm Technologies and NTT will work together to deliver 5G-ready devices with Qualcomm Technologies’ 5G chipsets with AI models built in to enhance AI at the edge through various applications, such as image recognition, with capabilities ranging from counting items and identifying object characteristics to verifying workers wearing safety masks or hardhats (PPE). Deploying AI applications through NTT’s Edge as a Service will assist enterprises with workplace safety, optimization, and security.
Hashtag: #NTT #Semiconductor #5G
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About NTT Ltd.
As part of NTT DATA, a USD 30 billion IT services provider, NTT Ltd. is a leading IT infrastructure and services company serving 65% of the Fortune Global 500 and more than 75% of the Fortune Global 100. We lay the foundation for organizations’ edge-to-cloud networking ecosystem, simplify the complexity of their workloads across multicloud environments, and innovate at the edge of their IT environments where networks, cloud and applications converge. We offer tailored infrastructure and ensure consistent best practices in design and operations across all of our secure, scalable and customizable data centers. On the journey towards a software-defined future, we support organizations with our platform-delivered infrastructure services. We enable a connected future.

Rosette Celebrates their 10th Anniversary with Past & New Clients and Unveils Exciting New Offerings: Weddings & Beyond
Another highlight is Rosette Designs & Co’s collaboration with Esther Ku, a renowned Relationship Coach from Malaysia. She will be delivering a virtual speech from LA during the celebratory 10th-anniversary dinner. They will be rolling out relationship and wedding content in collaboration with Esther through weekly updates.
Hashtag: #RosetteCreativeEvents
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About Rosette Designs & Co
Established in 2013, Rosette Designs & Co. is Singapore’s premier event styling and wedding planning company. Embracing the philosophy that “A wedding lasts for a day, but a marriage lasts a lifetime,” they offer a unique 2-in-1 service model, blending in-house design and decor with comprehensive planning, ensuring couples a holistic, memorable wedding experience.
Lever Style Keeps Up the Momentum with Sixth Acquisition Since IPO and Continued Outperformance in the Apparel Supply Chain Sector
Elegant Team Development Augments Group’s Outdoor Apparel Technical Capabilities, and Adds Bangladesh Production Base
HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach – 3 October 2023 – Lever Style Corporation (HKEX: 1346, “Lever Style”), has acquired the Elegant Team Development (“Elegant”) apparel business through an asset purchase. Lever Style is one of the world’s fastest growing apparel production platforms with industry-leading 51% growth in 2022 and 64% growth in 2021.
“Our strategy is to grow organically during strong economic times, and acquire fellow manufacturers and transforming them into our asset-light platform business model during challenging times,” said Stanley Szeto, Executive Chairman of Lever Style.
After a two-year hiatus during the post-covid rebound, Elegant is Lever Style’s first acquisition since 2021, and the sixth acquisition since the company’s IPO in 2019.
Lever Style aggregates smaller apparel supply chain companies that will benefit from Lever Style’s scale, progressive management, platform business model, and financial strength. Increasing scale gives Lever Style more options and resources to better service existing and newly acquired customers.
Lever Style is already a key apparel production partner for outdoor apparel brands such as Arcteryx, Haglofs, and Helly Hansen. Other clients include designer brands such as Paul Smith and Armani; premium contemporary brands such as Hugo Boss and Theory; streetwear brands such as Aime Leon Dore and Todd Snyder; active/athleisure brands such as Spanx and Vuori; and digitally-native brands and platforms such as Bonobos and Stitch Fix.
Elegant is a supply chain solutions provider with special expertise in outdoor and activewear, and also brings Lever Style customers the option to produce in Bangladesh.
Elegant produces for such trusted brands as Mammut, Jack Wolfskin, Red Bull, and Beretta among many others. With this acquisition, Lever Style strengthens its business scale and skillsets in outdoor and active apparel.
Refer to HKEX Announcement: click here
Hashtag: #LeverStyle
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The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
About Lever Style
Listed on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange, Lever Style (HKEX 1346) is the world’s premier apparel production platform for designer brands such as Paul Smith and Armani; premium contemporary brands such as Hugo Boss and Theory; streetwear brands such as Aime Leon Dore and Todd Snyder; active/athleisure brands such as Spanx and Vuori; outdoor apparel brands such as Arcteryx and Helly Hansen; and digitally native brands and platforms such as Bonobos and Stitch Fix.
Our supply chain solutions encompass fashion design, prototype development, raw material procurement, production, quality control, and logistics. Our innovative, modularized multi-country platform delivers high mix-low volume orders and reduces excess inventory and stockouts. Our versatile approach is rooted in decades of technical expertise gained from working with many of the world’s highest quality and demanding brands. We produce garments for over 100 customers in around 60 factories in Vietnam, China, Cambodia, Indonesia, Bangladesh and India. A certified B Corp, Lever Style is a committed ESG leader in the apparel production sector.
Learn more at www.leverstyle.com
The Year’s Premier Financial Event Grand Unveiling of the World Investor Week in Taiwan
Resilience x Digital x Sustainability: Paving the way for the Future of Investment and Wealth Management
TAIPEI, TAIWAN – Media OutReach – 3 October 2023 – The highly anticipated “World Investor Week (WIW)” event, a hallmark in the global finance domain, commenced yesterday across several international venues. Taiwan has curated an elite assembly of both local and international experts to deeply explore the evolving landscape of investment and wealth management. In light of the International Organization of Securities Commissions (IOSCO) advocating enhanced resilience among investors, this forum is strategically designed to bolster investor resilience, enhance digital financial expertise, and champion sustainable innovation. The initiative is set to elevate the broader public’s grasp on judicious investment and astute financial planning.
“Since its inception in 2019, the WIW forum has grown in stature each year,” said Hank C.C. Huang, President of the Taiwan Academy of Banking and Finance and Chairman of the Financial Planning Association of Taiwan. “This year marks a significant expansion, as we collaborate for the first time with ten of Taiwan’s preeminent financial institutions. From October 2nd through 6th, we present the ‘2023 World Investor Week in Taiwan’, revolving around the theme ‘Resilience x Digital x Sustainability: paving the way for the Future of Investment and Wealth Management’. Featuring contributions from over 40 distinguished financial experts from home and abroad, the forum is poised to present avant-garde investment perspectives, affording participants an insightful understanding of global investment dynamics. As we roll out a jam-packed five-day program, we anticipate a turnout of more than ten thousand enthusiasts, an assembly set to fortify investor resilience and enhance Taiwan’s financial stature.”
The “World Investor Week 2023 in Taiwan” is a collaborative effort, co-hosted by the Financial Planning Association of Taiwan, Taiwan Academy of Banking and Finance, Pension Fund Association, R.O.C., Securities Investment Trust & Consulting Association of the R.O.C., CPA Society Taiwan, Commercial Real Estate’s Global Standard for Professional Achievement, Taiwan Stock Exchange Corporation, Taipei Exchange, Taiwan Futures Exchange and Taiwan Depository & Clearing Corporation.
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
Food Japan 2023 Showcases the Best of Japan’s Food and Beverage Industry
ASEAN’s leading Japanese Food and Beverage (F&B) exhibition is happening on 11-13 October at Suntec Singapore
SINGAPORE – Media OutReach – 3 October 2023 – ASEAN’s leading Japanese Food and Beverage (F&B) exhibition, Food Japan 2023, opens its doors today to welcome visitors from across the region. This year marks the 11th edition of Food Japan, and it promises to be an exceptional showcase of Japan’s vibrant food and beverage industry, technology, and services.

With over 180 exhibitors from 30 prefectures, Food Japan 2023 offers a unique opportunity to experience the diverse flavours of Japan. What makes this year even more exciting is that 50% of the exhibitors are participating in Food Japan for the first time, ensuring visitors can expect a plethora of new and innovative products.
Each exhibitor brings their local delicacies, regional specialties, and rich cultural heritage to the forefront, providing visitors with an immersive culinary journey. It also features a wide range of innovative Japanese food and beverage products. Visitors can explore various displays and sample tastings scattered throughout the exhibition floor, showcasing the latest trends in technology and culinary innovation.
The success of Food Japan would not be possible without the support of our esteemed stakeholders. We extend our heartfelt thanks to the Japan Council of Local Authorities for International Relations (CLAIR), the Embassy of Japan (Singapore), the Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO), the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (MAFF), the Singapore Food Manufacturers Association (SFMA), and Yamaguchi Prefecture for their unwavering support.
Food Japan 2023 promises to be an unforgettable event, where visitors can immerse themselves in the rich culinary traditions of Japan and explore the cutting-edge advancements in the industry. Join us and embark on a gastronomic adventure like no other.
Food Japan 2023 Information
Trade: 11-13 October, 10.00am–5.30pm
General Public: 13 October, 2pm – 5.30pm
Address: Suntec Convention and Exhibition Centre, Level 4, Hall 401-402, Singapore
For more information, please visit: www.oishii-world.com
Hashtag: #foodjapan2023
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About Food Japan
Food Japan is the annual event that serves as a bridge between Japan and ASEAN, providing valuable opportunities for business collaboration and knowledge exchange of classic Japanese ingredients, quality seasonal produces, unique prefecture specialities, as well as innovative technology, and machinery.
OJ Events Pte Ltd
Food Japan Executive Committee (of OJ Events Pte Ltd) is helmed by professionals with a strong track record in organising leading trade shows in various sectors, including food and beverage (F&B) The company was founded with the aim of supporting Japanese enterprises keen on tapping international markets by providing effective sales and marketing platforms for their products and services. Food Japan is one such platform for the F&B industry.