BEIJING (AP) — Chinese President Xi Jinping promised foreign companies greater access to China’s huge market and more than USD 100 billion in new financing for other developing economies as he opened a forum Wednesday on his signature Belt and Road infrastructure initiative.
China’s Xi Promises Open Markets and Billions in New Investments for ‘Belt and Road’ Projects

Lights, Camera, Cannes: The 39th vOilah! French Film Festival Invites Singapore to Dive into the Magic of French Cinema
Organised by the Embassy of France in Singapore, and co-presented by Alliance Française de Singapour, Shaw Organisation and The Projector.
SINGAPORE – Media OutReach – 18 October 2023 – Mark your calendars from 9th to 21st November 2023 as the vOilah! French Film Festival returns in Singapore, boasting its biggest lineup yet. With a curation of 38 films that capture the essence of French cinema, the 39th edition promises an unforgettable journey through the realms of cinematic storytelling. Film enthusiasts can immerse in a diverse array of genres catering to every cinematic palate, from thought-provoking documentaries to thrilling blockbusters, including 16 family-friendly titles presented with a younger audience in mind.
“The vOilah! French Film Festival, deeply embedded in Singapore’s cultural landscape as the longest running foreign film festival here, continues to celebrate the enduring success of the bilateral relations between both nations”, said the Ambassador of France to Singapore, Ms Minh-Di Tang. “This year, we are also enthusiastic about showcasing a thoughtfully curated selection of truly captivating stories that spotlight pressing environmental issues. Through these films, we aim to foster essential dialogues about our environment, inspiring positive change.”
Shining a Light on Environmental Issues
In a significant stride towards global awareness, the 39th edition of the vOilah! French Film Festival is taking a bold initiative to promote environmental consciousness — a cause that resonates deeply with audiences in both France and Singapore. A dedicated segment will spotlight this critical issue, aiming to raise awareness and spark important conversations about climate change.
The festival kicks off with the highly anticipated The Animal Kingdom (Le Règne Animal), directed by Thomas Cailley. Premiering as the opening film of the esteemed Un Certain Regard section at the 76th Cannes Film Festival, this compelling tale stars Roman Duris, Paul Kircher, and Adele Exarchopoulos. Following the journey of protagonist François and his son Emile, the film unfolds in a world besieged by a mysterious plague that mutates humans into animals. This dystopian tale serves as a powerful metaphor, depicting a world ravaged by humanity’s actions.
“We are deeply honoured to renew our partnership with the Embassy of France for the 39th edition of the vOilah! French Film Festival, enabling us to once again bring the latest French films to the wider audience through our theatres,” shared Christopher Shaw, Senior Vice-president at Shaw Organisation. “This year, our added focus on environmental issues demonstrates that cinema serves as a powerful medium for sparking vital conversations and driving meaningful change.”
Other key screenings in the segment include Vibrant (Vivant) by Yann Arthus-Bertrand, a documentary exploring France’s biodiversity, and Acid by Just Philippot, a thrilling tale of survival amidst a deadly acid storm.
Celebrating French Film Excellence
Highlighting the pinnacle of French cinema, the festival will present The Three Musketeers: D’Artagnan (Les Trois Mousquetaires: D’Artagnan), a box-office sensation directed by Martin Bourboulon. Adapted from Alexandre Dumas’ classic novel, this film marks the first chapter of a two-part epic saga. Boasting a stellar ensemble including Eva Green, Vincent Cassel, and François Civil, Pïo Marmai and Romain Duris, the movie promises a riveting experience for thrill-seeking movie fans.
A series of acclaimed motion pictures ensues with Anatomy of a Fall, the recipient of the Cannes Film Festival Palme d’Or, which delves into the aftermath of a mysterious death, weaving a captivating crime mystery around Sandra and her visually impaired son. Directed by Justine Triet, the film unravels a web of uncertainties, where a turbulent marriage takes centre stage in a court trial. Another title to look out for is The Taste of Things (La Passion de Dodin-Bouffant), chosen to represent France in the Best International Feature Film category at the 96th Academy Awards, which captures the enchanting romance between Dodin, a renowned gourmet, and her devoted cook, Eugenie. The film is directed by Tran Ang Hung, who won Best Director at the 2023 Cannes Film Festival.
Bringing French Cinema to Everyone
To make French cinema accessible to all, the festival will renew its long partnership with People’s Association to host ten free screenings of family-friendly titles across 7 community clubs and integrated hubs island-wide. Audiences can look forward to catching titles such as Samuel Tourneux’s 2021 animated film Around the World in 80 Days and Calamity, a Childhood of Martha Jane Cannary, which won the Cristal for a Feature Film at the 2020 Annecy International Animated Film Festival. With a focus on inclusivity, most of the screenings have been dubbed in English to ensure an enjoyable experience for audiences of all ages.
The festival expands its horizons with 5 outdoor screenings at Sentosa from 10th to 12th November. These complimentary screenings, a part of Sentosa’s Movies by the Beach outdoor cinema series, will be complemented by a French-themed Sentosa Festive Market by Sunday Social Market. Beach goers can catch titles such as Aline, the Voice of Love, The Jungle Bunch and Belle and Sebastien: Next Generation against the picturesque backdrop of Sentosa’s Palawan Beach.
Anthony Chen, Singaporean filmmaker and Patron of this year’s vOilah! French Film Festival says, “Films are windows to diverse worlds, and it is crucial that good films are accessible to everyone. The French Embassy’s mission to bring the magic of French cinema to the masses is not just a matter of entertainment, it’s a celebration of shared stories and collective experiences.”
The festival also renews its partnership with iconic local independent cinema, The Projector. In conjunction with the 39th vOilah! French Film Festival, The Projector will hold a Cannes 2023 Festival focus showcasing films such as the Palme d’or winner Anatomy of a Fall by Justine Triet, Kaouther Ben Hania’s riveting docu-drama Four Daughters, the highly anticipated The Book of Solutions by Michel Gondry and animated sci-fi feature Mars Express directed by Jérémie Périn.
The Projector will also present “Je t’aime, Jane”, a retrospective in memory of the late French actress, singer and fashion icon, Jane Birkin. The feature will include screenings of Jacques Deray’s 1969 The Swimming Pool (La Piscine) and Jane B. for Agnès V, a 1988 experimental documentary directed by Agnes Varda.
Welcoming the Stars of French Cinema
The vOilah! French Film Festival is delighted to announce the esteemed presence of director Thomas Cailley and rising star Paul Kircher, who will grace an exclusive Q&A session after the debut screening of their film, The Animal Kingdom (Le Règne Animal), at Shaw Theaters Lido on 10th November and at Alliance Française de Singapour on 11th November.
Vincent Perez, the director of The Edge of the Blade (Une Affaire d’Honneur), a captivating period piece exploring duelling and honour, will be accompanied by his partner and screenwriter, Karine Silla to present their film ahead of its French release, on 19th November at Shaw Theatres Lido and on 20th November at Alliance Française de Singapour. Audiences can look forward to an insightful discussion with the pair after the film.
On the heels of their multiple wins at the recent Margritte Awards, directors Emmanuel Marre and Julie Lecoustre will also be in town to present Zero F*cks Given (Rien à Foutre), a comedy-drama about a blasé flight attendant forced to confront her past. Audiences can look forward to a Q&A session with the pair at Alliance Française de Singapour on 21st November.
Join Us at the 39th French Film Festival
Prepare for an unforgettable cinematic experience as the 39th French Film Festival takes Singapore by storm. Embrace the magic of French cinema, indulge in compelling narratives, and join us in celebrating the art of storytelling on the silver screen.
Details of all the films for vOilah! French Film Festival 2023 can be found in the Annex attached.
For more information on the vOilah! French Film Festival 2023, please refer to voilah.sg.
To access and download vOilah! French Film Festival 2023 pictures, please visit https://bit.ly/VFFF2023
Hashtag: #EmbassyofFranceinSingapore
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
39th vOilah! French Film Festival
Mark your calendars from 9th to 21st November 2023 as the much-awaited French Film Festival returns, proudly brought to you by the Embassy of France in Singapore in collaboration with local distributors and partners. Celebrating its 39th edition, this year’s festival boasts its most extensive lineup yet, featuring a curated selection of 38 films that encapsulate the best of French cinema.
As the longest-running foreign film festival deeply anchored in Singapore’s cultural fabric, the French Film Festival not only offers an unparalleled cinematic experience but also symbolises the enduring success and strength of the bilateral relations between France and Singapore. Through the art of storytelling and cinema, the festival continues to enrich our cultural landscape, fostering connections and understanding between nations.
The EU, ASEAN Marks the Start of Green Diplomacy Weeks 2023 Through Fun Run, Walk, Cycling Event in Jakarta
Ambassador of the European Union (EU) to ASEAN, Sujiro Seam; the Deputy Secretary-General of ASEAN for ASEAN Socio-Cultural Community, Ekkaphab Phanthavong; and the Ambassador/Permanent Representative of the Republic of the Philippines to ASEAN, Hjayceelyn Mancenido Quintana, officially launched the start of the EU-ASEAN Green Diplomacy Weeks 2023 today in Jakarta, Indonesia.
OCBC Announces Key Leadership Changes as its Asean-Greater China Strategic Thrust Intensifies
Seasoned OCBC bankers take on expanded roles, reflecting the Group’s deep bench strength
SINGAPORE, HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach – 18 October 2023 – OCBC today announced leadership changes that will continue enhancing its Greater China coverage as the Group’s ASEAN-Greater China strategic thrust gathers momentum.

Wang Ke
Mr Wang Ke, currently CEO of OCBC Wing Hang China, will assume the role of Head of Greater China, succeeding Mr Tan Wing Ming. With Mr Wang’s appointment, Mr Ang Eng Siong, currently Deputy President and Head of Corporate Banking at OCBC Wing Hang China, will step up as the Acting CEO of OCBC Wing Hang China. Mr Ang’s appointment will be formalised once the regulatory approval is obtained. Both appointments will take effect on 1 November 2023. Mr Tan will return to Singapore as an adviser to the Group CEO.
Mr Wang joined the OCBC Group in 2012 as the Head of IT in China and expanded his responsibilities to include operations in 2014. He was appointed the Head of Pearl River Delta region in 2017, then assumed the position of CEO of OCBC Wing Hang China in 2019. Under his leadership, critical technology infrastructure and capabilities were built up, and the business deftly steered through the COVID-19 pandemic. OCBC Wing Hang China’s profit has more than doubled since 2019. A well-respected leader, Mr Wang has built a strong team and kept the employee morale high as the nation navigated the tough COVID-19 situation. Despite the challenging market conditions, in the fourth quarter of last year, OCBC Wing Hang China expanded its geographical coverage by opening a branch in Wuhan, the largest city in Central China.

Ang Eng Siong
Mr Ang has been with OCBC since 2009. He spent 6 years in Singapore in various roles across risk management, finance and business development. As part of OCBC’s talent development programme, Mr Ang moved from Singapore to China in 2015. He was appointed China’s Chief Risk Officer in 2018 and Head of Corporate Banking in 2022. Mr Ang built a resilient risk management architecture to support the growing franchise. A strong advocate of teamwork and people development, he has deepened the capabilities of the team. On top of driving rapid growth in cross border business, he led the China Corporate Banking Division into new business frontiers in sustainable finance and renewable energy as well as the technology, media, and telecom (TMT) sector which focuses on new technology.
Mr Tan Wing Ming spent 18 years in OCBC, his first role being the Country Head of the OCBC China branch. With his successful track record in China, Mr Tan was appointed Regional General Manager of North East Asia in 2009, and was later tasked to set up and lead the Greater China Division in 2021. Since then, Mr Tan has enlarged OCBC’s share of the ASEAN-Greater China trade and investment flows by building up its transaction banking capabilities and developing new collaboration channels.
Ms Helen Wong, Group CEO of OCBC, said: “I am pleased that our deep internal talent pool has provided the best candidates for these senior Greater China appointments. It affirms our commitment to nurturing homegrown talent and providing avenues for career progression and mobility. Wang Ke and Eng Siong are valuable contributors to the OCBC franchise. I am confident that, in their expanded roles, they will further advance OCBC’s strategic priorities in Greater China.”
Ms Wong also thanked Mr Tan for his contributions, saying: “Wing has created synergistic values by harnessing the OCBC One Group strengths and capabilities. He has built an effective Greater China platform that will propel OCBC to the next phase of growth. I am glad that Wing is staying on as an adviser.”
Hashtag: #OCBC
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About OCBC
OCBC is the longest established Singapore bank, formed in 1932 from the merger of three local banks, the oldest of which was founded in 1912. It is one of the world’s most highly-rated banks, with Aa1 by Moody’s and AA- by both Fitch and S&P. Recognised for its financial strength and stability, OCBC is consistently ranked among the World’s Top 50 Safest Banks by Global Finance and has been named Best Managed Bank in Singapore by The Asian Banker.
OCBC is the second largest financial services group in Southeast Asia by assets. The Group offers a broad array of commercial banking, specialist financial and wealth management services, ranging from consumer, corporate, investment, private and transaction banking to treasury, insurance, asset management and stockbroking services.
OCBC’s private banking services are provided by its wholly-owned subsidiary Bank of Singapore, which operates on a unique open-architecture product platform to source for the best-in-class products to meet its clients’ goals. Its insurance subsidiary, Great Eastern Holdings, is the oldest and most established life insurance group in Singapore and Malaysia. Its asset management subsidiary, Lion Global Investors, is one of the leading asset management companies in Southeast Asia.
The Group’s key markets are Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia and Greater China. It has more than 420 branches and representative offices in 19 countries and regions.
For more information, please visit www.ocbc.com.
Molex Announces KickStart Connector System, First OCP-Compliant, All-in-One Boot-Drive Connectivity Solution with Integrated Power and Signal Circuits
- Single, standardized cable assembly provides common hardware solution that combines power, plus low- and high-speed signals, to simplify server designs
- Flexible, easy-to-implement interconnectivity solution replaces multiple components and reduces need to manage multiple cables
- Low-profile design and mechanical structure aligned with Molex’s OCP-recommended, NearStack PCIe to optimize space, reduce risk and speed time to market
LISLE, IL – Media OutReach – 18 October 2023 – Molex, a global electronics leader and connectivity innovator, has expanded its array of solutions recommended by the Open Compute Project (OCP) with the introduction of the KickStart Connector System. An innovative, all-in-one system, KickStart is the first OCP-compliant solution that combines low-speed and high-speed signals, as well as power circuits, into a single cable assembly. This complete system eliminates the need for multiple components, optimizes space and accelerates upgrades by offering server and device manufacturers a flexible, standardized and easy-to-implement approach for boot-drive peripheral connections.

“The KickStart Connector System reinforces our goal to remove complexity and drive increased standardization in modern data centers,” said Bill Wilson, new product development manager for Datacom & Specialty Solutions, Molex. “The availability of this OCP-compliant solution reduces risk for customers, alleviates their burden of validating separate solutions and provides a faster, simpler path to critical data center server upgrades.”
Modular Building Blocks for Next-Gen Data Centers
The integrated signal and power system is a standardized Small Form Factor (SFF) TA-1036 cable assembly that complies with OCP’s Data Center Modular Hardware System (DC-MHS) specification. Developed in collaboration with members of OCP, KickStart is recommended in OCP’s M-PIC specification for cable-optimized, boot-peripheral connectors.
As the only OCP-recommended internal I/O connectivity solution for boot-drive applications, KickStart empowers customers to address evolving storage-signal speeds. The system accommodates PCIe Gen 5 signal speeds, with data transfer rates up to 32 Gbps NRZ. Planned support for PCIe Gen 6 will meet demands for ever-increasing bandwidth requirements.
Moreover, KickStart is aligned with the form factor and robust mechanical structure of Molex’s award-winning, OCP-recommended NearStack PCIe Connector System, which offers the lowest mated profile height of 11.10mm for improved space optimization, increased airflow management and reduced interference with other components. The new connector system also allows for simple, hybrid cable assembly pinout from KickStart connectors to Sliver 1C for Enterprise and Data Center Standard Form Factor (EDSFF) hard-drive docking. Support for hybrid cables further simplifies integration with servers, storage and other peripheral devices while easing hardware upgrades and modularization strategies.
Unified Standards Bolster Product Performance, Reduce Supply Chain Constraints
Ideally suited for OCP servers, data centers, white box servers and storage systems, KickStart reduces the need for multiple interconnect solutions while expediting product development. Designed to support both current and evolving signal speeds and power requirements, Molex’s data-center product development team collaborated with the company’s power engineering group to optimize power-contact design, thermal simulation and power dissipation. As with all Molex interconnectivity solutions, KickStart is backed by world-class engineering, volume manufacturing and global supply chain capabilities.
Product Availability
Samples of the KickStart Connector System are available for evaluation.
Open Compute Project Global Summit 2023
- Visit Molex at Booth B1 for a complete product showcase of the latest OCP-recommended and OCP-compliant connectivity solutions, including KickStart.
- See how Molex is paving the way for the next-gen OCP rack standard with a demo featuring Molex IT gear, power-shelf harnesses and Busbar along with 224G solutions with cabled backplane, CX2 Dual Speed, Inception, Mirror Mezz Enhanced and more.
- Attend informative sessions on industry collaborations and developments driving technology advancements, including:
- Partnership to Enable Copper for the Next Generation Artificial Intelligence Computing—Joint presentation with Nvidia, October 19, 3:20pm
CXL Forum, SJCC – Lower Level – LL20BC - Thermal Characterization of High-Power Pluggable IO Transceivers—Joint presentation with Cisco, October 18, 9:40 AM, SJC Concourse Level, 210AE
- Reliability and Material Compatibility: Evaluation of High-Power Interconnects for Single-Phase Immersion Cooling—October 19, 10:30 AM, SJCC Concourse Level, 220C
- Partnership to Enable Copper for the Next Generation Artificial Intelligence Computing—Joint presentation with Nvidia, October 19, 3:20pm
Hashtag: #Molex
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
About Molex
Molex is a global electronics leader committed to making the world a better, more-connected place. With a presence in more than 40 countries, Molex enables transformative technology innovation in the automotive, data center, industrial automation, healthcare, 5G, cloud and consumer device industries. Through trusted customer and industry relationships, unrivaled engineering expertise, and product quality and reliability, Molex realizes the infinite potential of Creating Connections for Life. For more information, visit www.molex.com.
Lao Ministry of Industry and Commerce Works to Address Land Port Issues
The Lao Ministry of Industry and Commerce (MOIC) is taking steps to improve the import-export process at land ports across the country.
Senoko Energy Launches SolarShare 2.0, Accelerating Singapore’s Green Energy Journey to Net Zero

Mr. Eric Maka, President & CEO of Senoko Energy (首席执行官, 圣诺哥能源), said: “SolarShare 2.0 is one of our key decarbonisation initiatives, along with our recent partnership with City Energy to jointly study the technical and commercial feasibility of the import and supply of hydrogen. These initiatives demonstrate Senoko’s strong commitment to playing our part to help Singapore achieve its net zero vision.
Mr. James Chong, Senior Vice President, Commercial of Senoko Energy (商务高级副总 裁, 圣诺哥能), said: “SolarShare 2.0 has been designed to empower businesses and households on their green energy journey by enabling them to use clean solar energy from fellow Senoko Energy customers. By enabling consumers to measure and trace their carbon footprint, they will not only be able to better understand how they can be more efficient but importantly, be able to take charge of their energy consumption.”
Mr. Chong further added, “With this initiative, we are also looking to encourage property owners with rooftop space to install solar panels. By contributing excess energy to the grid that can be shared with the community, Singaporeans can do their part to help strengthen Singapore’s energy security.”
Mr. Steve Hoy, CEO of Enosi, an Australian energy traceability company, said: “SolarShare 2.0 allows everyone to become an active participant in the green energy revolution. The platform’s intuitiveness paves the way for businesses and households to take intelligent decisions, enhance their energy efficiency, reduce carbon footprint as well as overall costs. Our customers in Australia are already benefiting from access to solar energy for households, and better returns from rooftop solar investment for businesses. Enosi looks forward to collaborating with Senoko and leveraging our combined knowledge of energy distribution and traceability on the path to a zero-carbon energy future.
SolarShare 2.0 will now be available exclusively to all Senoko Energy’s business and household customers from November 1, 2023. Businesses and households utilising the trading platform will be charged a platform subscription fee of as low as S$5.40 (including GST) per month. For more information about SolarShare 2.0 and how to participate, please visit www.senokoenergy.com/solarshare
Hashtag: #SenokoEnergy
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
About Senoko Energy
Senoko Energy Pte Ltd provides energy for life to generations of Singaporeans, delivering safe, innovative, and efficient energy supply to customers since 1977. Integral to Singapore’s development, it is a pioneer in power generation and energy solutions, serving Singapore’s energy needs with proven reliable performance. As one of the largest power generation companies by installed capacity in Singapore, Senoko Energy has a registered capacity of 2,644 megawatts (MW), providing about one-fifth of the nation’s electricity needs. It is owned by a consortium comprising Marubeni Corporation, ENGIE, The Kansai Electric Power Co. Inc., Kyushu Electric Power Co. Inc. and Japan Bank for International Cooperation. Visit www.senokoenergy.com for more information
About Enosi Energy
Enosi is an energy software leader backed by cleantech investors including ReNu Energy (ASX: RNE). Its Powertracer product is a world-first mass-market scalable, clean energy traceability solution. Tracing carbon free energy is quickly becoming the next global sustainability benchmark and Enosi has built the platform to address this need and enable traceability from source to socket 24/7. Powertracer achieves this by providing full traceability so that consumers can see exactly where their energy is generated. The platform matches units of energy produced by generators with units consumed by customers in the same 30- minute period. Enosi’s software uses scalable cloud-based technology to trace the energy from renewable sources, apply differentiated pricing, and reveal the true renewable content of the energy purchased. Powertracer is raising the bar as a pioneer of true zero, a new standard for sustainable renewable energy use. Learn more at www.enosi.energy.
VeecoTech and Digital Penang To Host Webinar on the RM5000 MSME Digital Grant MADANI
Webinar Details:
Title: RM5000 MSME DIGITAL GRANT MADANI
Date: 25 October 2023, Wednesday
Time: 10 am to 11 am
Platform: Microsoft Teams
Our webinar speakers will be presenting key topics, including:
- Grant eligibility
- Application process
- Common reasons for rejection and how to avoid them
Attendees are also entitled to receive a free local SEO and social media calendar guide and even a free domain.
“We are thrilled to collaborate with Digital Penang to host this webinar for Malaysian MSMEs. Our goal is to provide a platform for MSMEs to gain the knowledge and resources they need to embrace digitalisation,” said Alain Lye, Managing Director at VeecoTech.
The webinar is open to all Malaysian MSMEs. To complete your registration, kindly visit the official webinar registration page.
This RM 5000 matching grant is made possible by The Malaysia MADANI Framework, Bank Simpanan Nasional (BSN) with Malaysia Digital Economy Corporation (MDEC) and Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC).
Hashtag: #VeecoTech #MSMEdigitalgrant #SMEGrant2023 #Grant #Malaysia #smallbusiness #smegrant
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VeecoTech Solutions
Established in 2011, VeecoTech is a leading Malaysia IT solution company, specialised in helping businesses to achieve their success through digital solutions.
Together with the subsidiary companies, namely Benova and Bold Media, VeecoTech has operations in Penang, Kuala Lumpur and Singapore.
Being a multidisciplinary team capable of providing an integrated and robust digital ecosystem for clients, VeecoTech’s expertise lies in website design, e-commerce, software, branding and marketing solutions.
The company has served over 500 clients from diverse industries, including public sectors, manufacturing, property, financial, healthcare, F&B and others.