31.8 C
Vientiane
Tuesday, June 24, 2025
spot_img
Home Blog Page 1499

Spearheading Innovation: AutoCount Introduces Malaysia’s First e-Invoicing Solution for SMEs


KUALA LUMPUR, MALAYSIA – Media OutReach Newswire – 6 April 2024 – As Malaysia gears up for the e-Invoicing mandate set for 1 August 2024, AutoCount takes a pioneering step by launching its AutoCount e-Invoice Solution – the AutoCount e-Invoice Platform (AIP), at Shah Alam’s MBSA Convention Centre on 5 April 2024. Designed to support Malaysian businesses transitioning to the e-Invoicing era, AIP exemplifies AutoCount’s innovation drive and dedication to modernizing business practices for the digital age. This milestone event saw an impressive turnout, with over 1,300 attendees joining to witness the unveiling of AIP and gain insights into the future of e-Invoicing.

AutoCount top management members and esteemed guest speakers unveil the AutoCount e-Invoice Platform at the launch event.
AutoCount top management members and esteemed guest speakers unveil the AutoCount e-Invoice Platform at the launch event.

Introducing the AutoCount e-Invoice Platform (AIP)

The AutoCount e-Invoice Platform (AIP) seamlessly connects businesses with the LHDN MyInvois system. It revolutionizes e-Invoice generation, submission, and management within the AutoCount software interface, designed to significantly enhance operational, cost and time efficiency while ensuring regulatory compliance and accuracy. AIP represents a major advancement in digital efficiency, equipping businesses for future challenges.

Empowering SMEs Through Insightful Expertise

To address the impending changes, AutoCount has collaborated with Mr. Chin Chee Seng, Group Managing Partner of CCS & Co. Plt, to provide invaluable insights into the e-Invoicing transition for SMEs. His speaking session at the launch event covers the benefits and challenges of e-Invoicing adoption in Malaysia, offering attendees actionable advice and highlighting AIP’s role in streamlining business operations.

Overcoming SME Challenges with Advanced Features

The shift to e-Invoicing poses challenges for SMEs, such as workflow adjustments and technical complexities. AIP addresses these challenges head-on with features like:

  • Automated Efficiency: Automates e-Invoice generation and submission, from the AutoCount software system to the LHDN MyInvois system, enhancing accuracy and reliability.
  • Reliable Submission: Ensures uninterrupted e-Invoicing submissions through automatic retries during server downtimes, maintaining compliance at all times.
  • Approver Control: Enables businesses to appoint approvers for reviewing and approving e-Invoices before submitting to LHDN MyInvois system, enhancing accuracy and compliance.
  • Efficient Tax Information Collection: Features a unique URL for efficient tax entity and company information collection from customers or suppliers, streamlining the invoicing process.
  • Expediting the Onboarding Process: Intelligent Onboarding Link enables unlimited customers/suppliers to submit information into the system effortlessly.
  • Operational Streamlining: Simplifies the process of copying purchase invoices and payment vouchers into self-billed e-Invoices, reducing manual entry.
  • QR Code Accessibility: Incorporates QR codes on receipts in AutoCount POS solutions, simplifying the e-Invoicing request process for customers.
  • Consolidated e-Invoices: Facilitates easy generation and consolidation of e-Invoices for businesses like retail and F&B stores using AutoCount POS solutions.

A Visionary Step Forward for Malaysian Business

“As the e-Invoicing implementation date nears, AutoCount is proud to be the first software house in Malaysia to launch an e-Invoicing solution. We are dedicated to assisting Malaysian businesses in adapting to e-Invoicing. The AutoCount AIP transcends its role as a middleware tool; it’s a catalyst for operational excellence and innovation,” says Alex Ng, Sales & Marketing Director at AutoCount.

Discover the transformative potential of the AutoCount e-Invoice Platform for your business. Stay ahead in business digitalization by visiting our website.

Hashtag: #AutoCounteInvoiceSolutionLaunch #eInvoiceSoftware #AutoCount





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

About AUTOCOUNT DOTCOM BERHAD (“AUTOCOUNT”)

Autocount Dotcom Berhad (“AUTOCOUNT”) is a Malaysia-based investment holding company. The Company, through its subsidiaries, is principally involved in the development and distribution of financial management software. The Company’s segments include distribution of financial management software, technical support and maintenance, and others. The distribution of financial management software segment includes accounting, POS and payroll under AutoCount brand. The technical support and maintenance segment provides technical support and maintenance services to authorized dealers and to direct end-user customers. The others segment is engaged in the resale of computer hardware, third party software license fees, and the sale of training materials. The Company’s range of AutoCount software is designed to support a range of fundamental finance and accounting functions in a business. All its AutoCount software is developed in-house and distributed as off-the-shelf software to end-user customers.

Official website –

CK Life Sciences to present Cancer Vaccine data at the 2024 American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) Annual Meeting

HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach Newswire – 5 April 2024 – CK Life Sciences Int’l., (Holdings) Inc. will be presenting new data from its cancer vaccine research pipeline at the 2024 American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) Annual Meeting in San Diego, California, USA.

Two posters will highlight data from preclinical studies of 2 investigational cancer vaccines, targeting the KRAS (Kirsten rat sarcoma virus) and PD-L1 (programmed cell death ligand 1) proteins, respectively. The KRAS protein, frequently mutated in various cancers, is a key regulator of cell growth and survival, driving tumor development by promoting uncontrolled cell proliferation and resistance to treatment. The PD-L1 protein represents one of the most important immune checkpoint proteins highly expressed on cancer cells to limit T-cell activation in the tumor microenvironment.

In addition, CK Life Sciences and its research collaborator, XtalPi, will be presenting a poster showcasing their Artificial Intelligence (AI)-empowered platform for designing cancer vaccines.

“The preclinical efficacy results of our investigational cancer vaccines targeting KRAS and PD-L1 proteins are promising, and we hope to advance these and other vaccines into clinical development in the future. We are also thrilled about the progress made in our research collaboration with XtalPi to develop an AI platform aimed at better predicting immunogenicity and designing cancer vaccines that are more likely to be effective,” said Melvin Toh, Vice President & Chief Scientific Officer at CK Life Sciences.

DETAILS ON POSTER PRESENTATIONS:

Abstract 4111: Multi-peptide cancer vaccines targeting KRAS induce significant anti-tumor efficacy
Authors: Chi Han Samson Li, Melvin Toh
Session Date and Time: Tuesday, April 9th, 9:00 AM – 12:30 PM Pacific Standard Time

KRAS epitopes harbouring mutations are strong neoantigens to which the immune system generates anti-tumor effects. Evidence suggests that CD4 T cell activity plays a critical role in augmenting the cytotoxic effect of CD8 T cells. By selecting MHC II hotspots via multiple epitope prediction algorithms, we designed and synthesized 8 long peptides, covering mutant and/or wild-type (WT) regions of human KRAS protein, that activate both CD4 and CD8 T cells to kill KRAS-driven cancer cells. In addition, the corresponding keyhole limpet hemocyanin (KLH) conjugated peptides were also generated.

Different combinations of peptides were immunised into Balb/c mice before determining the immune response by mouse interferon γ (mIFNγ) ELISPOT assay. T cell responses were observed in two peptide mixes with or without KRAS G12D mutation, suggesting that both mutant-harbouring peptide and WT peptides were immunogenic. We found that KLH-conjugated and CpG+alum adjuvanted peptides elicited stronger immune responses than naked and CFA/IFA adjuvanted peptides.

Immunisation of KRAS naked peptide and KLH-conjugated peptide vaccines in a CT26 syngeneic mouse preventive colorectal cancer model significantly inhibited tumor growth by 51.2% (****p < 0.0001) and 44.7% (***p < 0.001) respectively, compared to control. mIFNγ ELISPOT assay showed that the tumor inhibitory effect was attributed to the activation of antigen-specific T cell response of the vaccines.

• Abstract 4106: A novel synthetic long peptide vaccine composition targeting multiple PD-L1 T-cell epitopes exhibits anti-tumor efficacy in a syngeneic mouse colorectal cancer model
Authors: Kenneth Nansheng Lin, Melvin Toh
Session Date and Time: Tuesday, April 9th, 9:00 AM – 12:30 PM Pacific Standard Time

We developed a blend of four novel synthetic peptide vaccines each containing one PD-L1 T-cell epitope with individual covalent conjugation of the carrier protein, KLH, to break immune tolerance towards self-molecules. The four PD-L1 epitopes ranged from 30 to 40 amino acids in length, targeting different domains of mouse PD-L1 protein. The KLH-conjugated peptide vaccines were formulated with CpG+alum for animal immunisation.

These adjuvanted synthetic long PD-L1 peptide vaccines were highly immunogenic in a syngeneic BALB/c mouse model for a cell-mediated immune response. The vaccine formulation was well tolerated, with no evidence of toxicity and autoimmunity. In vivo administration of the vaccine formulation elicited a positive PD-L1-specific T cell response in splenocytes with an IFN-γ ELISPOT assay. Moreover, in vivo vaccination of these PD-L1 peptide vaccines in a CT26 syngeneic mouse preventive colorectal cancer model exhibited anti-tumor activity, with a 54% tumor growth inhibition (p<0.001) in tumor volume compared to that of the adjuvant-control group at the end of the study.

• Abstract 3525: Towards the efficient design of shared neoantigen peptide cancer vaccines using artificial intelligence
Authors: Genwei Zhang, Jiewen Du, Xiangrui Gao, Tianyuan Wang, Zhenghui Wang, Qingxia Zhang, Tongren Liu, Dong Chen, Ruohan Zhu, Yalong Zhao, Samson Li, Melvin Toh, Lipeng Lai
Session Date and Time: Monday, April 8th, 1:30 PM – 5:00 PM Pacific Standard Time

The accurate prediction of immunogenicity of cancer vaccines remains elusive. We developed new models that predict the probability of a given peptide derived from the protein of interest to be presented by MHC-I or MHC-II.
For MHC-I antigen presentation model development, over 17 million entries in the dataset were collected from published literature and available databases, e.g., IEDB, with peptide lengths ranging from 8 to 11. The peptides were restricted to 150 unique MHC-I alleles. Similarly, ~4 million entries with peptide lengths ranging from 13 to 21 were collected for MHC-II antigen presentation model development, and the peptides were restricted to 19 unique MHC-II alleles. To develop advanced antigen presentation models, a language model was chosen as the backbone network and contrast learning was used to better discriminate the peptide-MHC match versus mismatch. Overall, both MHC-I and MHC-II presentation models were constructed with about 30 million parameters.

To validate algorithm prediction accuracy and peptide immunogenicity, 28 predicted patentable peptides derived from mutated TP53 protein were synthesized and their binding to respective common HLA alleles was validated using surface plasmon resonance. We found that >80% of the peptides displayed binding affinities stronger than the positive control, suggesting that AI significantly improves neoantigen peptide vaccine design. Our developed AI models surpassed the performance of state-of-the-art prediction algorithms, the latest versions of NetMHCpan and MixMHCpred, for both MHC-I and MHC-II antigen presentation.

Hashtag: #CKLifeSciences #CancerVaccines #R&D #AACR

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

CK Life Sciences Int’l., (Holdings) Inc.

CK Life Sciences Int’l., (Holdings) Inc. (stock code: 0775) is listed on the Stock Exchange of Hong Kong. With a mission of improving the quality of life, CK Life Sciences is engaged in the business of research and development, manufacturing, commercialisation, marketing, sale of, and investment in, products and assets which fall into three core categories: nutraceuticals, pharmaceuticals & diagnostics, and agriculture-related. Regarding pharmaceutical research and development, CK Life Sciences’ operations are focused on conducting research and development into cancer vaccines and pain management solutions. CK Life Sciences is a member of the CK Hutchison Group. For additional information, please visit www.ck-lifesciences.com.

DISCLAIMER
This press release may contain forward-looking statements regarding the Group’s research and development projects which may involve risks and uncertainties. Actual results may differ materially from expectations discussed in such forward-looking statements.

All information in this press release is for general reference only and is not intended as investment advice or medical advice. CK Life Sciences Int’l., (Holdings) Inc. does not warrant or represent, express or implied, as to the accuracy, completeness or updated status of such information. No liability will be accepted for any loss or damage howsoever arising from or in reliance upon such information.

Copyright ©2024 CK Life Sciences Int’l., (Holdings) Inc.. All rights reserved.

All of Hong Kong’s a stage for “Art March”


HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach Newswire – 5 April 2024 – Hong Kong was awash with colour and creativity during “Art March”, a month-long celebration of arts and culture.

More than a dozen major events, including Art Basel Hong Kong, the Asian debut of ComplexCon and the inaugural Hong Kong International Cultural Summit, as well as various open-air programmes transformed the cityscape into a colourful canvas.

“Resonating Life which Continues to Stand
“Resonating Life which Continues to Stand” featured hundreds of colourful luminous ovoids.

Art Basel Hong Kong returned to pre-pandemic levels featuring with 243 elite galleries from 40 countries and territories around the world, while Art Central welcomed over 41,000 visitors to view around 500 contemporary artworks by local and international emerging talents.

Iconic Victoria Harbour served as the focal point for “Art@Harbour”, which comprised five large-scale projects. Among them, the art-tech installation “Resonating Life which Continues to Stand” featured hundreds of colourful luminous ovoids in Admiralty. Across the water in Kowloon, “Voyage with Van Gogh” delighted visitors at the Cultural Centre Piazza, while the West Kowloon Waterfront Promenade hosted “Ephemeral”, a world-class international light and sound installation of giant translucent rainbow-hued bubbles.

“Voyage with Van Gogh” delighted visitors at the Cultural Centre Piazza.

Hong Kong’s strong tradition of film was in focus at annual events such as the Asian Film Awards, and the Hong Kong International Film and TV Market (FILMART) that gathered renowned industry players and over 750 worldwide exhibitors.

Martial arts fans were treated to tribute exhibitions for late legendary martial arts novelist Dr Louis Cha (aka Jin Yong), with giant statues and sculptures of characters from his novels presented at the Hong Kong Heritage Museum “A Path to Glory – Jin Yong’s Centennial Memorial, Sculpted by Ren Zhe” and The World of Wuxia at Edinburgh Place in Central.

“A Path to Glory – Jin Yong’s Centennial Memorial, Sculpted by Ren Zhe” at the Hong Kong Heritage Museum.

The International Cultural Summit at West Kowloon Cultural District drew over 1,000 arts and cultural thought leaders globally. Speaking at the occasion, Hong Kong’s Chief Executive John Lee highlighted the city’s appealing cultural diversity, and the commitment to develop Hong Kong into an East-meets-West Centre for International Cultural Exchange. “Hong Kong is the only city in the world that enjoys both the China advantage and the global advantage,” Mr Lee said.

Art Central welcomed over 41,000 visitors to view contemporary artworks by emerging talents.
Art Central welcomed over 41,000 visitors to view contemporary artworks by emerging talents.

Hashtag: #HongKong #Arts #Culture #Art@Harbour #colour #creativity




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

ISCA Announces Launch of SCAQ Academy and Unveils New SCAQ Centre


SINGAPORE – Media OutReach Newswire – 5 April 2024 – The Institute of Singapore Chartered Accountants (ISCA) has launched the Singapore Chartered Accountant Qualification (SCAQ) Academy today, in partnership with the London School of Business and Finance (LSBF), one of SCAQ’s Registered Learning Organisations (RLO).

In addition to ISCA’s recent collaboration with Indonesia and the Philippines to support the accountancy profession in these countries, this partnership will make a mark on the global stage and support aspiring Chartered Accountants worldwide. LSBF delivers online learning programmes which are accessible to students anywhere in the world.

Designed to support the evolving needs of SCAQ candidates, the SCAQ Academy will run classes in a hybrid format. This hybrid approach allows cadidates with demanding schedules to dial in to classes from the convenience of their homes or workplaces, ensuring unparalleled accessibility and flexibility. Conversely, candidates who are more inclined towards interactive learning experiences can opt for in-person classes to have face-to-face interactions with tutors and build camaraderie with their classmates.

As part of the launch, a 50% exclusive discount will be given to SCAQ Foundation Programme candidates sitting in the June examinations for selected modules.

Complementing this milestone initiative, ISCA will launch the SCAQ Centre, a dedicated space located at level 3 of ISCA House on Cecil Street, within the Central Business District, specially designed to:

1. Provide a conducive study environment for SCAQ candidates.
2. Cater to working adults with convenient opening hours on weekdays and weekends.
3. Host SCAQ study groups.
4. Facilitate complimentary revision classes for local university alumni.
5. Double up as a social space for engagement events such as networking sessions, thought leadership sharings, mentorship, and workshops.

ISCA understands the demands of attaining a professional certification, especially one as rigorous as the SCAQ Programme. Hence, ISCA has launched various initiatives to support its aspiring Chartered Accountants. Central to this enhanced support system is the establishment of the SCAQ Centre, a conducive space tailored for focused study and learning.

Recognising the importance of accessibility and convenience for our candidates, the SCAQ Centre will operate from 6pm to 9pm on weekdays and 9am to 6pm on weekends to accommodate the varying schedules.

Beyond providing a conducive space, there with be facilitated study sessions led by training professionals familiar with the SCAQ curriculum. These facilitated study sessions are designed to provide a help-on-demand service for candidates, so that candidates will be better positioned to pass their SCAQ module examinations.

Commenting on the partnership, Mr Rathakrishnan Govind, CEO, LSBF Global said: “This strategic alliance with ISCA signifies LSBF’s continued commitment to delivering professional accountancy qualification in Singapore. By teaming up with ISCA, the national accountancy body, we aspire to nurture the next generation of Chartered Accountants with the skills and expertise to lead in this new global business environment. With this collaboration, we expect over a thousand learners to have access to LSBF’s professional industry experienced faculty and with ISCA’s valuable resources, ensuring a comprehensive and impactful learning experience.”

ISCA President Mr Teo Ser Luck said: “We envisage the launch of the SCAQ Academy and SCAQ Centre to meet the needs of our candidates and provide them with the flexibility and support that they require to learn and prepare for the qualifying exam. We will support every candidate’s professional development in their journey to becoming a chartered accountant.”

For more info, visit our website: isca.org.sg/SCAQAcademy.Hashtag: #ISCA #Accountancy #Accounting #DifferenceMakers #SCAQ

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

Institute of Singapore Chartered Accountants

The Institute of Singapore Chartered Accountants (ISCA) is the national accountancy body of Singapore with over 36,000 ISCA members making their stride in businesses across industries in Singapore and around the world. ISCA members can be found in over 40 countries and members based out of Singapore are supported through 12 overseas chapters in 10 countries.

Established in 1963, ISCA is an advocate of the interests of the profession. Complementing its global mindset with Asian insights, ISCA leverages its regional expertise, knowledge, and networks with diverse stakeholders to contribute towards the advancement of the accountancy profession.

ISCA administers the Singapore Chartered Accountant Qualification programme and is the Designated Entity to confer the Chartered Accountant of Singapore – CA (Singapore) – designation.

ISCA is a member of Chartered Accountants Worldwide, a global family that brings together the members of leading institutes to create a community of over 1.8 million Chartered Accountants and students in more than 190 countries.

For more information, visit .

Accelerating forward Thailand’s cement roadmap, Dr. Chana Poomee, TCMA Chairman, is set to strengthen tie with global green funds boosting Thai industry competitiveness and effort to achieve the Net Zero 2050


“Dr. Chana Poomee” Chairman of Thai Cement Manufacturers Association (TCMA), announced the vision of ‘TCMA Synergizing the Actions toward Net Zero 2050, to drive the cement industry, join forces in all sectors, upgrade industry energy transition with innovation, connect global green funds to realize Net Zero Goal, increase Thailand’s industrial capacity, and respond to climate change megatrend.

BANGKOK, THAILAND – Media OutReach Newswire – 5 April 2024 – Dr. Chana Poomee, as being continued the leadership position of Thai Cement Manufactures Association for another term, presented a vision statement ‘TCMA Synergizing the Actions toward Net Zero 2050’, focuses on several key missions of accelerating the Thai cement industry, transitioning to clean energy, achieving Net Zero by 2050, integrating cooperation with all sectors, elevating TCMA’s role on the international forum to connect green funds in helping Thai industry to cope with the green economy megatrend and sustainable growth.

TCMA

Dr. Chana Poomee, along with the TCMA Board, outlined the long-term direction of TCMA, which is a collaboration nexus of leading Thai cement producers. TCMA, over the next two years, 2024-2026 will accelerate its efforts to join forces with all sectors to achieve the key missions in four areas:

1. Research and development of new low-carbon cement such as calcined clay cement This mission will resume immediately after a successful transition to hydraulic cement as a primary cement in Thailand since January 1, 2024, marking Thailand’s New Era of Low Carbon Cement.

2. Accelerating the expansion of maximize resource-efficiency mining practices according to the Minerals Act B.E. 2560 (2017) The intent of this mission is for the mining industry contributing to the sustainable economic development of the country, for example; joint development mining area ‘Khao Wong Model’ in accordance with the green mining practices, reducing environmental and health impacts from mining through innovation and technology, rehabilitate old mining areas into community water sources and learning centers, and contributing to a low-carbon society.

3. Building an integrated ecosystem and turning waste to value through the cement production process according to the Bio-Circular-Green Economy (BCG) Currently, the cement industry uses waste from the industrial, community, and agricultural sectors (after 3R process-reduce-reuse-recycle) as fuel in co-processing kilns. This initiative maximizes resource efficiency, reduces PM2.5, contributes to the zero-landfill, and most importantly, lowers greenhouse gas emissions. TCMA, with this action aims to reduce greenhouse gas emissions not less than 6.9 million tons of carbon dioxide in 2030.

4. Leveraging innovation for industry’s transition to clean energy This mission requires a synergy of government policies, appropriate technology, and global green funds to support Thailand in transitioning to clean energy and boosting competitiveness. TCMA will work closely with partner agencies, such as Thailand Fellowship Cement Manufacturers, Federation of Thai Industries, Board of Trade of Thailand, Thai Bankers Association, and etc.

Furthermore, “PPP-Saraburi Sandbox: A Low Carbon City” will be accelerated. This project is the partnership among public, private and people by using 3C approach: Communication-Collaborative action- Conclusion(step-by-step). Saraburi Province is selected as pilot area for several prototype GHG reduction approaches and projects, which respect different cooperation framework of each sector and align with Thailand NDC Roadmap. To achieve a concrete result, the pilot project has been implement:- 1) Energy Transition, such as a solar energy project, Napier grass cultivation as energy crop, the grid modernization project, and the CCUS research project; 2) Industrial Processes and Product Use (IPPU) such as produce hydraulic cement and develop new types of low-carbon cement; 3) Waste management such as turning waste into Alternative Fuels (AF) and Refuse Derived Fuel (RDF); 4) Agriculture such as promoting alternate wetting and drying at rice paddle field and 5) Land Use, Land-Use Change and Forestry (LULUCF)

“The implementation of this project will result in a win-win-win situation for all parties. This success however, would not have been possible without the concerted effort and support of all sectors, in particular regarding regulations that must be revised to enable the project to proceed. As these prototype projects are rolling out, we are also learning and understanding pathways to work forward. Some success project can be extended to other provinces and some failure will find solutions, such as proposing to relevant agencies, in local and central governments, to amend regulation roadblocks,” said Dr. Chana Poomee.

Dr. Chana concluded that “With the strong determination and clear policy, TCMA will synergize its actions in implementing the abovementioned policies to support the government and other relevant sectors, including those at the regional level, such as the ASEAN cement collaboration towards decarbonization, and at the global level, such as continued attending COP27 and COP28, and working closely with Global Cement and Concrete Association (GCCA), in collaboration with the UNFCCC and the World Economic Forum. TCMA will build networks to foster synergy, connect funding to Thailand, sharpen the competitiveness of the industry, and support transition Thailand to a low-carbon society as intended.”

Thai cement industry outlook in 2024, estimated will rebound compared to the year before. Thanks to enabling factors from the recovering tourism and related services sectors, growing exports which will in turn stimulate private construction sector, together with the ongoing government’s mega projects and a positive outlook after the Annual Budget Act came into effect. However, with the rising cost of living and high levels of household debt, the purchasing power of residential consumers is hard hit. In addition, inflation, interest rates, and the overall economic slowdown are also negatively affecting private sector investment (commercial) as well as the health of the Thai economy.

Hashtag: #TCMA #NetZero2050

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

HKIH Elite Awards 2024 Reveals Jury Panel Composition


HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach Newswire – 5 April 2024 – Organised by The Hong Kong Institute of Housing (“HKIH”), the HKIH Elite Awards 2024 is open for nomination by 8 March 2024. The nomination period will close at 12:00 noon, 28 June 2024.

Ms Patricia Chang, President of the HKIH, said, “Composition of the HKIH Elite Awards’ jury panel is always our top concern over the years, with a view to ensure impartiality and professionalism for all nominations received. This year, we are honored to have invited a diversified mix of jurors, who will offer their expert views during the judging process. As always, we are grateful for their contributions. Together, we will foster healthy industry growth by giving recognition to high-performing individuals and teams at large.”

Housing management professionals have been working hard to enhance harmonious, well-managed living and working environments for all citizens over the years. Their contribution and outstanding performance should be recognised and made known to a wider public. With social unrests and pandemic challenges, housing management professionals’ dedicated efforts were especially profound and important for the community. Thus, HKIH launched the first HKIH Elite Awards in 2020 to reward the outstanding contributions of members and industry practitioners. By bringing together leading corporate executives, professionals, and academic institutions, as well as industry leaders, the HKIH Elite Awards offers an excellent opportunity for local housing management individuals and teams to be recognised for their professionalism and achievement.

HKIH Elite Awards 2024 – Jury Panel

Head Juror
The Hon. Tony TSE Wai-chuen, BBS, JP Legislative Council Member, Architectural, Surveying, Planning and Landscape, The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region
Jurors (in alphabetical order)
Mr CHAN Pak-cheung Deputy Director/Regulatory Services, Electrical and Mechanical Services Department, The Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region
Mr James CHAN Yum-min Chief Executive Officer and Executive Director, Hong Kong Housing Society
Ms CHANG Yuk Kam, Patricia President, The Hong Kong Institute of Housing
Dr CHENG Kam Wah, Edmond President, The Hong Kong Association of Property Management Companies Limited
Dr CHEUNG Tin-cheung, SBS Chairman, Hong Kong Green Building Council
Professor Rebecca L.H. CHIU MH, JP Honorary Professor of Faculty of Architecture and Department of Urban Planning and Design, The University of Hong Kong
Mr CHOW Chun Ling, Kenny Chairman, Housing Managers Registration Board
Mr FUNG Hao Yin, Vincent, JP Deputy Commissioner (Occupational Safety and Health), Labour Department, The Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region
Mr Alex HO Director, Industry Development, Construction Industry Council
Ir C. S. HO Chairman, Hong Kong Quality Assurance Agency
Prof Eddie Chi Man HUI, MH, JP Chair Professor and Head, Department of Public and International Affairs, City University of Hong Kong
Ms Filla MAK Chief Operations Officer, The Hong Kong Science and Technology Parks Corporation
Mr James WONG Kong Tin, BBS, JP Chairperson, Property Management Services Authority
Ms WONG Po Chun, Rosita Chairlady of Organising Committee, HKIH Elite Awards 2024
Mr WONG Ying Kit, Romulus Chairman, Chartered Institute of Housing Asian Pacific Branch
Ir Prof Michael C.H. YAM Head of Department and Professor, Department of Building and Real Estate, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University
Mr YEUNG Yiu Fai, Ricky, JP Deputy Director (Estate Management) of Housing, Housing Department, The Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region
Ms YU Po Mei, Clarice, JP

Director of Buildings, Buildings Department, The Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region

Key Dates

Date Key Milestone
8 March 2024 Nominations open
28 June 2024 at 12:00 noon Nominations close
31 July 2024 Finalists Announcement
7 and 14 September 2024 Finalists Presentation to Jury Panel
November 2024 HKIH Elite Awards 2024 Award Presentation Ceremony

*Future notice will be made if there are any changes on the above dates.

Award Categories

Category Subcategory Award Type
Individual Awards
Outstanding Manager
  • Private Housing
    • Residential
    • Non-residential
  • Public Housing
  • Grand Award
  • Excellence Awards
  • Merit Awards
Outstanding Officer
Team Awards
Outstanding Team
  • Private Housing
    • Residential
    • Non-residential
  • Public Housing
  • Grand Award
  • Excellence Awards
  • Merit Awards
Best Crisis Management Team
Best ESG Team (New in 2024)
Best Safety Team (New in 2024)
Innovative Awards
Best Innovative Idea
  • Grand Award
  • Excellence Awards
  • Merit Awards


For more details of HKIH Elite Awards 2024, please visit the HKIH website housing.org.hk or Facebook page http://www.facebook.com/HKIHprofessionals.

Hashtag: #HKIH

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

About The Hong Kong Institute of Housing

The Hong Kong Institute of Housing (“HKIH”) was incorporated in Hong Kong on 29 November 1988 under the Companies Ordinance (Cap. 32 of the Laws of Hong Kong) as a company limited by guarantee. Effective from 9 May 1997, HKIH has become a body corporate under The Hong Kong Institute of Housing Ordinance (Cap. 507, originally 34 of 1997). HKIH has been announced as one of the first batch Recognised Professional Bodies (RPBs) of PMSA since 2020.

Lifebuoy’s Sentuhan Sehat Supports Caregivers of Children with Soap Pack Thermometers and Access to Doctor Services

Lifebuoy collaborates with Halodoc and Bandung Health Polytechnic to introduce compact thermometers with complimentary access to doctor consultations as the first line of response when children fall ill.


JAKARTA, INDONESIA – Media OutReach Newswire – 5 April 2024 – Lifebuoy, the world’s number one hygiene soap brand, in collaboration with telehealth service Halodoc and the Bandung Health Polytechnic, today unveiled Sentuhan Sehat. This innovative campaign aims to fortify parents and caregivers across Indonesia with tools for pre-emptive health management, marking a significant stride in accessible healthcare. At the heart of this initiative are groundbreaking, reusable thermometers and seamless access to Halodoc’s teleconsultation services, offering a vital lifeline for early detection of fever symptoms tied to common, yet preventable, ailments like diarrhoea.

Lifebuoy’s Sentuhan Sehat soap packs with reusable thermometer
Lifebuoy’s Sentuhan Sehat soap packs with reusable thermometer

Sentuhan Sehat sees Lifebuoy reaching communities in Bandung, West Java, to distribute more than 2,000 specially designed soap packs, impacting 6,000 Indonesians and counting, for use by parents for children and families at home. Each soap pack comes integrated with a reusable thermometer and a QR code affixed to its packaging. This code serves as a key to unlock complimentary health consultations with Halodoc’s reputable medical professionals, effectively placing invaluable healthcare advice within arm’s reach.

More than 2,000 Lifebuoy Sentuhan Sehat soap packs have been distributed to families in Bandung, Indonesia
More than 2,000 Lifebuoy Sentuhan Sehat soap packs have been distributed to families in Bandung, Indonesia

Indonesians are more prone to diarrhoea during the monsoon season, especially or children. Indonesia’s 2020 Health Profile[1] data shows that diarrhoea is the second leading cause of death in infants aged 29 days – 11 months at 9.8% and in the group of toddlers aged 12-59 months, amounting to 4.5% of total deaths. A common symptom of diarrhoea is fever, which usually spikes as children become more ill. In West Java only, the area has recorded thousands of diarrhoea cases in the last year.

In collaboration with Bandung Health Polytechnic as a distribution partner, Lifebuoy introduces a reusable thermometer to families across various locations in West Java such as Cibiru, Sukajadi, Kiaracondong, Batununggal, Kasomalang, and Cibeunying, where fever related to diarrhoea is prevalent and early medical interventions are essential.

Erfan Hidayat, as the Head of Skin Cleansing at Unilever Indonesia said, “Sentuhan Sehat is fully aligned with Lifebuoy’s commitment to protect the health of Indonesian families. Through the collaboration between Lifebuoy, Halodoc, and Bandung Health Polytechnic as distribution partners, we aim to educate parents to be more attentive to the health of their children and families and not hesitate to consult with doctors. The convenience of telehealth services is believed to address the high anxiety of parents regarding their children’s health, which ultimately leads to self-medication behaviors. Hopefully, this collaboration can make people realize that disease prevention is just as important as treatment and open access for more people to obtain accurate health information and care.”

Veronica Utami, as the Chief Operating Officer of Halodoc, stated, “Through the provision of free doctor consultation services on Halodoc, we hope that parents will become more proactive when their children experience fever as it serves as an early symptom of various diseases such as dengue fever or other infections. We welcome the positive collaboration with Lifebuoy, which has been running very well so far. At Halodoc, we actively introduce various initiatives that educate the public on maintaining health and support Indonesian families when experiencing fever, such as providing Home Lab services for fever checks and Dengue Fever vaccinations.”

Yonan Heriyanto, M. Kes., Head of the Dental Health Department at the Bandung Health Polytechnic added, “We want to emphasize the importance of reaching out to parents who have limited access to healthcare services and sharing knowledge about good hygiene principles—including ways to keep babies and young children safe from preventable diseases. It is hoped that this will help them avoid the risk of worsening conditions.”

Sentuhan Sehat reflects Lifebuoy’s support toward the collective effort to achieve the vision of ensuring healthy lives and promoting well-being for all ages in Indonesia. Lifebuoy aims to support the government’s programs in reducing mortality due to diarrhoea under the age of five, as stated by the Ministry of Health in the National Action Plan for 2023–2030.

From 2022 to early 2024, Lifebuoy’s free health consultation service in collaboration with Halodoc has offered about 185,000 consultations to Indonesian families. Lifebuoy is always committed to making an even bigger impact in the years to come by developing better handwashing habits, improving hygiene, protecting against preventable diseases, and helping to prevent children get sick less often.

“We hope Sentuhan Sehat can empower parents and caregivers to protect their children from preventable diseases such as diarrhea and create healthier futures for Indonesian children,” concluded Erfan.


Hashtag: #Lifebuoy #SentuhanSehat

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

About Lifebuoy

Lifebuoy is the world’s number one hygiene soap brand, sold in over 100 countries. Through the Lifebuoy brand, we aim to make a difference by creating quality, affordable products and promoting healthy hygiene habits. Since 2010, we have reached over 1 billion people through our handwashing programs.

Since the launch of the Lifebuoy brand in 1894, we have supported people in their quest for better personal hygiene. The classic red bar of soap and its distinctive medicated carbolic scent was synonymous with cleanliness throughout the twentieth century. Today, the brand is so much more. With its many soap variants and specially designed body washes. These, along with the range of liquid hand washes and hand hygiene gel, ensure daily hygiene and freshness for the entire family. For more information, please visit:

About Unilever

Unilever is one of the world’s leading suppliers of Beauty & Wellbeing, Personal Care, Home Care, Nutrition and Ice Cream products, with sales in over 190 countries and products used by 3.4 billion people every day. We have 127,000 employees and generated sales of €60.1 billion in 2022. Our vision is to be the global leader in sustainable business and to demonstrate how our purpose-led, future-fit business model drives superior performance. We have a long tradition of being a progressive, responsible business. The Unilever Compass, our global sustainable business strategy, is set out to help us deliver superior performance and drive sustainable and responsible growth, while aiming to:
– improve the health of the planet;
– improve people’s health, confidence and wellbeing;
– and contribute to a fairer and more socially inclusive world.

For more information about Unilever and our brands, please visit .

Tough choice: a 2024 overview of the most profitable investment options – Octa


KUALA LUMPUR, MALAYSIA – Media OutReach Newswire – 5 April 2024 – The need for higher income and a better work-life balance forces more and more people to look for supplementary sources of income. Among those, investing stands out as a legal and potentially profitable way to accrue wealth, safeguard personal savings against inflation, or achieve immediate financial gains to address daily needs. In this article, the experts at Octa provide a brief overview of the most profitable investing opportunities as of now.

Octa

Whether we like it or not, the world is changing rapidly. With the deluge of tech innovations, many aspects of our lives that seemed unalterable just a decade ago have transformed beyond recognition. A perfect example of this is the employment market. Nowadays, a stable full-time job, more often than not, falls short of providing an income sufficient to ensure even basic living standards. Given that supporting your family and relatives or making retirement savings has become almost a privilege, it is only natural that most people actively seek supplementary sources of income.

A 2024 research shows that the rising living costs compels more than three-quarters of professionals in Asia to consider taking new jobs. According to another survey conducted in 2023, “almost 60% of people in Asia-Pacific have a side job, with the majority saying they do so to make ends meet.”

However, there are some less demanding ways to outpace the rising costs. A much more appealing wealth management option for many, investing has seen significant growth in popularity in recent years—and for a good reason. Investing doesn’t require as much time and physical effort as a second job while opening a whole gamut of financial opportunities to those seeking additional income sources.

Below, the experts at Octa, a global investing platform offering a wide variety of tradable assets, list the pros and cons of some of the most popular investment choices in 2024.

Forex

The foreign exchange market (Forex) is a highly dynamic investment choice offering unparalleled liquidity, which translates into ample profit opportunities for retail players. The advantages of Forex also include low starting capital requirements, around-the-clock trading, and the amount of leverage the participants enjoy.

While trading Forex requires knowledge and experience, it presents a highly lucrative option for earning extra income here and now without having to wait for long-term returns. Offering a high level of control over investment in conjunction with one of the lowest minimum starting budgets, Forex is a much less challenging investment choice for retail players than stock or indices and a much more dynamic option than savings accounts or the commodities market.

Cryptocurrencies

With Bitcoin reaching an all-time high in March and crypto traders worldwide still waiting for Ethereum ETFs to receive approval from the Securities and Exchange Commission, the crypto market looks vibrant after a sluggish beginning of the year.

The upcoming Bitcoin ‘hard fork,’ or a radical change in the coin’s blockchain that effectively results in the creation of a new cryptocurrency may also create some positive market dynamics. However, the volatile regulatory landscape in this field of investment and a significant probability of local governments imposing restrictions makes crypto trading a high-risk zone, if not a no-go area, for those looking for immediate and relatively easy returns.

Gold

Regarding commodities in general and gold in particular, no central bank regulator sets the rules of the game. Here, the law of supply and demand determines the price—a shortage of a particular commodity naturally raises the rate of return.

Many investors use commodities to protect their savings against inflation since rise in real asset prices often triggers an increase in the cost of living.

While most commodities prices dropped in 2023, gold was in high demand and rose by more than 13% by the end of the year, reaching a record high of $2,135 per ounce. Some experts say this trend will continue in 2024, but based on the historical market dynamics, peak values often indicate that a shift in trend is just around the corner. In 2024, buying gold may prove to be a reasonable choice, but you need to keep in mind that even in the best of times, it doesn’t deliver sufficient immediate returns to cover your daily needs unless you have a significant starting capital at your disposal.

Stocks and stock indices

A stock market index comprises equities from similar companies or those that match a predetermined set of criteria. For long-term investments, stocks and stock indices have proven to be a vital source of annualised return. However, the level of expert knowledge required of a successful stock investor is quite high, and the significant risks involved make it a challenging way for retail investors to earn additional income.

Energy futures

A futures contract is a financial instrument through which a buyer and seller agree to deliver an asset and pay for it at a fixed price at a future date. The asset bought or sold is usually a commodity or financial instrument. The futures market attracts investors thanks to its high liquidity, almost around-the-clock trading schedule, and nearly limitless portfolio diversification opportunities. On the other hand, engaging in futures trading requires a lot of time and effort, which, along with the many inherent intricacies, makes for a very demanding investment option.

Fixed-income equities (deposits and bonds)

A deposit is money transferred to a bank or some other financial institution. A bond, on the other hand, is a fixed-income instrument that represents a loan made by an investor to a company or governmental institution. As a rule, both offer a modest return while maintaining a low-risk profile and comparatively high level of control over investment. In other words, this is another investment option for those who do not expect immediate returns and have significant expertise and starting capital.

Hashtag: #Octa

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

Octa

is an international broker that has been providing online trading services worldwide since 2011. It offers commission-free access to financial markets and various services already utilised by clients from 180 countries with more than 42 million trading accounts. Free educational webinars, articles, and analytical tools they provide help clients reach their investment goals.

The company is involved in a comprehensive network of charitable and humanitarian initiatives, including the improvement of educational infrastructure and short-notice relief projects supporting local communities.

Octa has also won more than 60 awards since its foundation, including the ‘Best Educational Broker 2023’ award from Global Forex Awards and the ‘Best Global Broker Asia 2022’ award from International Business Magazine.